Long Beach Herald 05-14-2026

HERALD LONG BEACH

Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach

Munsterman is honored for his service to LBPD

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Long Beach native Walter Munsterman still remembers going to City Hall in 1991 to take a civil service test to become a police officer in the city where he grew up. Over three decades later, he was honored on April 21 with the Nassau County Municipal Police Chiefs Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

The award recognizes individuals for outstanding service and contributions to law enforcement and public safety in the county. Munsterman, 54, who has 31 years of experience, was nominated by Long Beach Police Commissioner Richard DePalma.

“Walter has done such great work throughout his career that he deserved to be recognized,” DePalma said. “He’s an integral part of this department and a great leader.

Munsterman recalled that his old friend Lauren Crane encouraged him to take the civil service test. In

Settlement offered and refused, flags remain flying

By CHRIS CoLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

Michael Wasserman, of Long Beach, has rejected a $50,000 settlement offer from the city, and so a years-long lawsuit over Wasserman’s public display of politically themed flags on his vehicles will continue.

“With the court’s help, the parties reached a settlement,” Howard Miller, a legal representative of the city, wrote in a May 1 letter to U. S. Magistrate Judge James Wicks, of the Eastern District of New York, who is overseeing the case. “Counsel for the parties then

agreed to the specific language of a written settlement agreement. Unfortunately, Mr. Wasserman appears to be refusing to sign the settlement agreement.”

In March 2021, Wasserman was issued a summons by the Long Beach Police Department for displaying multiple flags on a vehicle while on public roads — the decorations were predominantly political, displaying pro-Trump and anti-Biden sentiments and slogans. That May, Wasserman filed a $25 million lawsuit against the city, the Police Department and several individual officers, including Ronald Walsh, the police com -

missioner at the time. In March of this year, the all-Republican City Council unanimously voted to approve a $50,000 payment to settle the lawsuit.

Wasserman’s attorney, Andrew Campanelli, said that his client believes he is being selectively prosecuted because of the political messages displayed on his flags, not for merely flying them. Campanelli claims that Wasserman is the only resident to receive a citation for violating Section 3-7, subsection D of the city’s code of ordinances since it was enacted in 1989.

The statute states, “No sign shall be erected, affixed or

maintained within the perimeter of any public mall, or upon any public street or public property.” Section 3-3 of the ordinances denotes nine exemptions from the regulations, including, for example, flags and emblems of nations and religious organizations.

“There is no question that the sign law is unconstitution-

al,” Campanelli said. “It actually regulates flags based on content, and you absolutely, positively cannot do that. The way it does that is, it imposes all these restrictions on signs — and it classifies flags as signs — but then it exempts from those restrictions a number of signs like signs for countries, signs

Courtesy Walter Munsterman

Walter Munsterman, third from left, is known around the Long Beach Police Department for his attention to detail and respectful attitude. After more than 30 years of service, he received a notable recognition.

East Elementary plans 100-year celebration

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

It’s not every day that students get to take part in a centennial celebration, but the current classes at East Elementary have been gearing up for the school’s 100-year anniversary since they arrived in September.

“I think we’ve been planning it for, probably, eight months or so, since the beginning of the school year,” said East Elementary PTA Co-President Joanne Kapp.

The school will host an outdoor “block party” on May 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students will present a recorder and chorus concert; the City of Long Beach is expected to present a proclamation; and Track 9, a classic rock band, will also perform songs from across the decades.

Wand photographs from the years.

“We’ve also gotten a lot of donations from alumni going back to the ‘40s up to the ‘90s,” said PTA Co-President Meghan Curley-Chapman. “We’re going to situate East in the history of Long Beach, as well as the world.”

e’re going to situate East in the history of Long Beach as well as the world.

MegHan CURLey-CHapMan Co-President, PTA

One key feature of the evening will be a “decades walk” — displays commemorating each decade of the school’s existence, highlighting East’s progression over time. The Long Beach Historical Society archives have played a critical role in helping to find documents

The school district has also sent invitations to East Elementary retirees, broadening the opportunity for every former staff member to take part in the unique celebration. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of interest. I’ve gotten emails,” said Curley-Chapman. “People who live now in Massachusetts and Florida, they’re like, ‘I really want to come up for this.’ So there is a lot of excitement from a lot of alums.”

The centennial has been an overreaching theme in classrooms throughout the year. “ We have a program called WINGS — what I need to grow as a student,” explained Principal Kathleen Connolly. “Students in grades three through five, in that program, have been researching about the decades and what school looked like long ago and what was going on in the world in those decades.”

East Elementary students, staff, alumni and the Long Beach community will celebrate the once-in-a-century party with music, games, lessons and historical photographs.

More than 230 people have already RSVPd and the list keeps growing.

“We’ve been emailing Billy Crystal, because him and his wife went here,” said Kapp. “We have not heard back. Maybe he’ll make a guest appearance.”

Anyone in the Long Beach community interested in attending this rare occasion can find information, look at — or upload — classic photos from East, and RSVP by visiting eastschool100.org or by emailing eastpta@gmail.com.

Herald file photo

LIRR strike would put L.B. Branch in limbo

By BRIAN KACHARABA & CHRIS COLUCCI Of the Herald

Alerts have appeared on digital signs along the Meadowbrook State Parkway warning drivers, “Potential LIRR Strike Saturday. Plan Ahead.”

With just days remaining before a potential Long Island Rail Road strike set for midnight Saturday, negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a coalition of rail unions remain ongoing, with both sides offering sharply different assessments of progress.

At the center of the dispute are pay and working conditions. Union leaders are seeking a retroactive 9.5 percent wage increase over the past three years and an additional 5 percent raise beginning this year.

The MTA, meanwhile, is offering raises but is also seeking changes to work rules and productivity standards in return, saying it must control costs and protect the system’s long-term financial stability.

The dispute involves more than 3,500 workers represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division; the Transportation Communications Union/IAM; the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Two Presidential Emergency Boards convened between September 2025 and last March to help resolve the dispute. Both boards sided with the unions, rejecting the MTA’s proposed work rule changes and recommending wage

With a May 16 strike deadline approaching, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a coalition of LIRR unions continue negotiations over wages and work rules for more than 3,500 employees, as both sides remain divided despite ongoing talks.

increases.

At a news conference in New York City on May 8, MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said he believes progress has been made in negotiations but acknowledged a deal has not yet been reached.

“I do think progress has been made,” he said. “We had a very long meeting yesterday and I would say we are closer, although we’re not there yet.”

Lieber urged the unions to avoid a strike, warning of financial consequences for workers.

“At this point, we’re getting close enough that it would be, I think, crazy for the workforce who is looking for more money to throw it away by going

on a strike,” he said. “Remember, if you go on a strike for a day, that’s one out of roughly 260 days of pay. Pretty quickly, that starts to wipe out the small increments that we’re still trying to negotiate out.”

Union leaders, however, said in a May 8 statement that negotiations made no progress and accused the MTA of failing to offer acceptable wage terms.

“What was presented did not move us closer to a settlement,” said Jeff Klein, general chairman of IBEW Local 589.

“Every day, as a result of MTA’s phony surface bargaining, we move closer to the May 16 strike date.”

“We’re running out of time here,” said Shaun O’Connor, general chairman

of IAM District 19. “The MTA is still showing a lack of urgency. We practically had to drag them back to the bargaining table this week and what they’ve offered can be best described as ‘too little, too late.’”

In the event of a strike, the MTA said it would operate limited weekday shuttle bus service for essential workers and commuters unable to work remotely. Buses would run during peak travel hours between six Long Island locations — Bay Shore, Hempstead Lake State Park near the Lakeview train station, Hicksville, Huntington, Mineola and Ronkonkoma — and subway connection points in Queens, including the Howard Beach-JFK Airport A train station and the Jamaica-179 Street F train station.

The Long Beach station serves as the last stop of the LIRR’s Long Beach Branch, running to Penn Station daily. Residents had mixed opinions regarding a potential strike. Local Jerry Snell offered terse support of the rail workers, simply saying, “God bless the unions.”

Christina Green, a Long Beach resident who commutes to work in Greenwich Village, explained how her family is preparing for a strike. “My sister is moving out from her dorm,” Green said. “We were going to do it next week, but we’re moving it up just in case. My nanny comes from the city to here, but she’s planning on sleeping over if it happens.”

Despite possible stresses, Green still anticipates one potential benefit of a service interruption, saying, “I’m really hoping they strike, so I can work from home.”

Lynbrook congregation gives away free gas

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

As gas prices continue to soar nationwide, a simple but powerful act of generosity unfolded in Rockville Centre.

From noon to about 2 p.m. on May 2, Pastor Aretha Wilson of the Kingdom Revival Center, an apostolic Christian church in Lynbrook, and other volunteers handed out about 150 prepaid $25 gas cards at the BP station at the corner of Sunrise Highway and Ocean Avenue as part of a “Free Gas on God” event, also known as “Pump and Pray.”

The intersection along the Rockville Centre–Lynbrook border quickly grew congested as surprised motorists lined up to take advantage of the unexpected offer. Lynbrook police officers were dispatched to direct traffic, and volunteers guided drivers into open pump lanes.

“It’s just to let people know that they’re loved and that we care about them,” Wilson said. “These are challenging times.”

Wilson explained that organizing the event began with reaching out to a gas station owner to request use of the site for a two-hour window, or until the prepaid cards ran out. Her group covered up to $25 per vehicle, handled the pumping, and coordinated with local police to manage traffic and

ensure safety.

The effort was funded entirely through donations from church members, who pooled their own money to purchase the gas cards.

“I’d say we had 100 gift cards, and we were down to our last,” Wilson said. “So far there’s been 90 cars. So, I just made an extra donation to get 40 more cards… so it’ll be up to 150 cars when we finish.”

At the time of the event, prices at the station reflected the broader spike being felt across the country, with regular listed at $4.39 per gallon, midgrade at $4.79, premium at $5.19 and diesel at $5.89.

The event marked the church’s third such giveaway since 2021, but its first held in the Lynbrook–Rockville Centre area.

The giveaway came amid a sharp rise in gas prices driven largely by global events. Analysts point to escalating tensions in the Middle East — particularly disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — as a major factor limiting supply and pushing crude oil prices higher. Those increases have quickly translated to the pump, with the national average climbing above $4.40 per gallon in recent days, according to the American Automobile Association website.

“I will keep on doing it as long as we’re able to,” Wilson said.

Chris Colucci/Herald

Bill Kelly/Herald

About 150 cars pulled into a BP gas station on Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre on May 2 to take advantage of free $25 gas cards distributed by an apostolic church in Lynbrook.

News briefs

NCPD investigates pair of local homicides

By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com

Nassau County police are investigating two fatal stabbing incidents that occurred in Island Park and Valley Stream between April 30 and May 1, according to the department’s Homicide Squad.

Police said one suspect is currently in custody in connection with both incidents. The suspect was reportedly arrested by the Lynbrook Police Department in front of a 7-Eleven on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook. When the Herald contacted the store, the owner — who identified himself only as Mr. Patel — confirmed that a person was taken into custody on the sidewalk in front of the store early Friday morning.

According to detectives, the first incident occurred at 12:27 a.m. on May 1, when Fourth Precinct officers responded to a 911 call at a Wendy’s on Austin Boulevard in North Long Beach. Upon arrival, officers found a 42-year-old woman who had been stabbed outside the restaurant. She was pronounced dead at the scene by a Nassau County police medic.

Avoiding Guardianship in New York

For the ever-increasing number of those who become legally incapacitated later in life (i.e. unable to handle their legal and financial affairs) having a legal guardian appointed looms as a distinct possibility.

A guardianship proceeding may be commenced by a hospital, nursing home, assisted living residence, family member or a professional involved in the affairs of the “alleged incapacitated person” or “AIP”. These proceedings arise for various reasons such as the facility looking to secure payment or a family member or professional finding that the AIP is either not handling their affairs well or is being taken advantage of financially.

Once the proceeding is commenced a vast bureaucratic process begins to unfold. Notice of the proceeding and of the date and location of any hearings are sent to all interested parties, including all immediate family members.

The court appoints a court evaluator to meet with the AIP, determine the nature and extent

of the disability and write a report to the judge. The judge will also appoint a lawyer to represent the AIP in the proceeding and sometimes adult children will want their own lawyers to represent their interests.

The judge decides on who the legal guardian will be and it often ends up being a stranger to the family. Some judges feel that the AIP’s children should not be guardian due to a conflict – that whatever they spend on the AIP is coming out of their inheritance. Other reasons for not choosing one of the AIP’s adult children are sibling rivalry or inability to handle the responsibility.

Guardianship proceedings are expensive, time-consuming and highly stressful to all involved, including the AIP. Trusts avoid guardianship by providing privately who will handle your legal and financial affairs should you become legally incapacitated. Having a trust means you will have those in charge who you know and trust instead of the possibility of a

The second incident took place at approximately 3:13 a.m., when Fifth Precinct officers responded to a request from the Lynbrook Police Department for a welfare check at a residence on West Mineola Avenue in Valley Stream. Inside the home, officers discovered a 32-year-old woman who had also been stabbed. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

On May 5, the two females were identified as Ana Maria Del Aguila Cordova, 42 of Long Beach and Eddy Raquel Hernandez Castillo, 32 of Valley Stream. A GoFundMe was started in memory of Del Aguila Cordova, a mother of two, which has already raised more than $21,000.

Police identified the suspect as Rony Yahir Alvarenga Rivera, 22, of 90 West Mineola Avenue in Valley Stream. Detectives said he was located by the Lynbrook Police Department and arrested without incident following a thorough investigation.

Rivera has been charged with firstdegree murder and two counts of seconddegree murder. He was arraigned May 2 at First District Court in Hempstead. The investigation remains ongoing.

22-year sentence in 2025 L.B. ax attack

On May 1, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced that Anthony Calvo, of Long Beach, was sentenced to 22 years in prison after authorities said he attacked a former coworker with an ax, leaving the victim with severe injuries.

On March 20, standing before Judge Robert Bogle, Calvo, 35, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the second degree.

Prosecutors said that, in February of last year, the 60-year-old victim was walking home from his overnight shift as a dispatcher for Long Beach Taxi when Calvo struck him multiple times in the face, head and arm with an ax.

The victim dragged himself home, where a family member called 911. He

was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital with serious head and jaw injuries requiring multiple surgeries.

“Calvo will spend the next two decades in prison,” said Donnelly, “but his ruthless actions condemned an innocent man to round-the-clock medical care and a very long road to recovery. We wish the victim and his family well, and hope that today’s sentence provides them with the justice they deserve.”

Investigators recovered surveillance video showing the suspect fleeing on an electronic bicycle. Prosecutors said police later recovered a bicycle matching the description, and a full-face mask, at Calvo’s residence.

–Chris Colucci

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Proposed City of Long Beach budget for fiscal year 2027

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

During the May 5 Long Beach City Council meeting, City Comptroller Inna Reznik and City Manag-

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$5.5 million. Increased revenue and expenditures.

The total budget for the upcoming year has increased more than 5 percent, or roughly $5.5 million, from $108.3 million in 2026 to $113.8 million. In expecting a balanced budget, both revenue and expenses are projected to increase the same amount.

Several factors led to an increase in annual expenses. “We have collective bargaining agreements, that include pay raises that we have to honor,” Creighton said. “Fringe benefits, especially health insurance, pensions and Medicare have increased significantly. Finally, with inflation where it has been, everything we buy costs more.” Reznik explained that property taxes accounted for 59 percent of the city’s revenue, with departmental income bringing in nearly 19 percent of annual funds — the numbers are comparable to the 2026 budget.

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er Dan Creighton discussed the general summary of the proposed budget for the upcoming year. Reznik offered detailed explanations for many budget proposal items. A digital budget book explaining the proposal is online through the city’s trans-

1.5 percent. Budget would pierce the tax cap.

To accommodate the anticipated increase in spending, the tax cap would need to be breached to avoid compromising services and affecting programs. Increasing above the tax cap would lead to an average tax increase of $229 per household per year to maintain the current level of service across the city. The tax increase would play a role in covering the $5.5 million increase in city expenses.

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$230 million. Current grant investments.

The city is currently managing 57 different grants from federal, state and county resources. These added funds help to defer the cost of a range of services and allow a number of programs which would not otherwise be feasible within the operation

On May 19th, please vote

parency portal at longbeachny.gov/budget. Public comments about budget items, expenses and priorities are welcomed until May 19, when the City Council will vote on the budget at the 7 p.m. city council meeting.

budget. Current programs include the federal Community Development Block Grant which supports nonprofit organizations with up to $10,000 per project.

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A2. The city’s improved credit rating

In 2021, the city’s credit rating was Baa3 — nearly considered “junk bond” status. After improving its credit rating to A2, the city’s rate of borrowing is positively affected which, in turn, benefits taxpayers. In 2019, the City of Long Beach was designated at one of the most financially stressed municipalities in all of New York State. Through sound management and budgeting practices, including work to improve the credit rating, the city no longer holds any designation of concern on the state comptroller’s fiscal stress monitoring system.

Darwin Yanes/Herald Inna Reznik, the city’s comptroller, began last week’s City Council meeting with more than 25 minutes of in-depth explanation about the budget proposal.

rOccO SpaLLINa MASSAPEQUA Junior LACROSSE

A UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA commit, Spallina is Nassau County’s leader in goals with 60 after scoring 52 as a sophomore in 2025 for the Class A champion. He’s scored at least four goals in nine games this spring including seven apiece against both Wantagh and Long Beach. He also has 19 assists.

eVeNts to watch

Monday, May 18

Boys/Girls Track & Field: Class AA championships at Roslyn High School 3 p.m.

Wednesday, May 20

Boys/Girls Track & Field: Class AAA championships at Westbury High School 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 21

Boys/Girls Track & Field: Class A championships at North Shore High School 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 23

Flag Football: Class A/B/C finals at LIU TBA

Wednesday, May 27

Girls Lacrosse: Class A/B finals at Adelphi TBA

Thursday, May 28

Girls Lacrosse: Class C/D finals at Adelphi TBA

Monday, June 1

Boys Lacrosse: Class B final at Hofstra 5:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Class C final at Hofstra 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 2

Boys Lacrosse: Class D final at Hofstra 5:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Class A final at Hofstra 7:30 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Long Beach nets 11 victories again

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Long Beach boys tennis has been on the incline under coach Tom Talenti and that’s continued this spring behind the spectacular play of Piotr Andrzeewski at first singles.

Andrzeewski, a senior with a UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) of 7.26, has been the Marines top player in each of Talenti’s four seasons and went 12-2 to close out his high school career. He’ll play club tennis at Stony Brook University.

“His incredibly strong and powerful,” Talenti said. “He has the shot quality of a highlevel player. There are matches where he completely takes the racket out of his opponents’ hands. He’s always working on his craft and both matches he lost this season came in third-set tiebreakers.”

Long Beach, which captured the Conference 3B title in 2025 with an 11-1 mark, moved up to 3A and finished 11-3, just shy of returning to the playoffs.

“I think we played up to our ability and had a really nice year,” Talenti said. “We had a well-rounded lineup. The matches we lost came down to a few close courts.”

Andrzeewski, who compiled a career high school record of 43-13, represented Long Beach at last Saturday’s Nassau County championships for the second year in a row along with Logan Puzack.

“Piotr has been the backbone of the team for four years,” Talenti said. “We could always rely on him to get a win.”

Like Andrzeewski, classmate and fellow captain

Puzack is another four-year varsity singles player in the No. 2 spot. A volleyball standout as well, Puzack went 10-4 this spring. “Logan’s an aggressive baseliner with great topspin on his forehand and serve,” Talenti said.

At third singles for the second time in three years, junior Logan Jennings won eight of nine matches. He played third singles as a freshman and first doubles a year ago. “He’s an exceptional athlete who also plays soccer,” Talenti said. “He just started playing tennis three years ago and is a solid all-court player who attacks the net when he can.”

Junior Aaron Turbek went 3-1 at third singles and primarly paired with senior Jake Haft at No. 1 doubles. The top pairing went 8-3. “They complemented each other well,” Talenti said. “Aaron is a naturally powerful baseliner and Jake cleans up at the net.”

At second doubles, Aaron’s twin brother Max and fellow junior Leo Mangels won three of four matches. “They both play a steady all-court game and clicked after we locked the lineup,” Talenti said.

Clutch at third doubles going 5-0 was the combination of Ethan Rodriguez, a senior, and Sebastian Ling, a junior. “They’re expressive kids who have a lot of fun out there,” Talenti said.

There was a revolving door at fourth doubles and plenty of contributors to Long Beach’s success, including seniors Michael Macaluso Vosganian and John Weber, juniors Cameron Straub, Cameron Leflein, Danny Perez and Jordi Perez, and sophomore Jack Biancamano.

first singles player Piotr Andrzeewski graduating in June.

Erik Lee/Herald The Marines will have a lineup void next spring with four-year

things to know mental health awareness month

Breaking the silence on mental health

By ABIGAIL GRIECO

agrieco@liherald.com

May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek support when they need it. First established in 1949, it has grown into a widespread effort involving schools, workplaces, healthcare providers and communities across the country. In recent years, conversations around mental health have become more open, highlighting how common anxiety, depression and other conditions are and how important it is to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health.

Mental

health conditions are more common than people realize

Mental health conditions affect millions of people each year in the United States. About one in five adults experiences a mental illness annually, ranging from anxiety and depression to more complex conditions like bipolar disorder. Many more people experience stress, grief or emotional challenges that may not meet clinical definitions but still significantly impact daily life. Despite how common these struggles are, stigma often keeps people from talking about them openly or seeking help. Mental Health Awareness Month helps normalize these conversations and reminds people that they are not alone. Mental health challenges are a part of the human experience — not a personal failure — and support is widely needed and shared.

Early help and treatment can be highly effective

Getting support early can make a major difference in managing mental health conditions. Treatments such as therapy, counseling and medication are effective for many people, especially when started early. Support can also come from school counselors, community programs or workplace resources. In recent years, telehealth has made it easier to access care from home, helping reduce barriers like transportation or scheduling. The month also emphasizes the importance of everyday coping strategies, such as exercise, sleep, mindfulness and social connection. While these do not replace clinical treatment when needed, they can support overall well-being and resilience. The message is simple: no one has to wait until they are in crisis to seek help.

BELMONT PARK VILLAGE

Stigma still prevents many from speaking up

Stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to mental health care. Many people still hesitate to talk about what they are experiencing because they fear being misunderstood, judged or labeled. This can delay treatment and make symptoms worse overtime. Simple actions — like listening without judgment, using respectful language and sharing accurate information — helps create a safer environment for discussion. Stigma reduction is not only about awareness but also about action, like supporting policies that improve access to care, encouraging mental health days in schools or work and making resources visible and easy to find. Small, everyday efforts can help create a culture where mental health is treated with the same attentiveness as physical health.

Report highlights rising toll of Alzheimer’s

New data released by the Alzheimer’s Association shows Alzheimer’s disease is

According to the association’s 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, 426,500 New York residents age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, with 3,208 deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s and a statewide mortality rate of 16.1 deaths per 100,000 people.

The impact extends beyond those diagnosed, with 776,000 New Yorkers serving as unpaid caregivers, providing an estimated 1.3 billion hours of care valued at $33.8 billion.

“The latest data show Alzheimer’s remains a growing challenge for families in New York,” Anthony Marino, territory vice president of the Northeast for the Alzheimer’s Association, said. “That’s why it’s critical to keep advancing research and developing treatments that can improve outcomes and support everyone facing the disease, including people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in New York and their families.”

The report also highlights the scope of the crisis nationwide. An estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s. Annual care costs, excluding unpaid caregiving, are projected to reach $409 billion this year. Nearly 13 million family members

Stu Goldman/Herald

The Alzheimer’s Association holds an annual walk in East Meadow’s Eisenhower Park, typically in October, to raise awareness about the increasing public health challenge.

and friends provided more than 19 billion hours of unpaid care last year, and since 2000, U.S. deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased 134 percent.

An accompanying special report, “Brain Health in America: Understanding and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health,” points to a gap in awareness that contributes to the public health challenge. Survey results from more

than 3,800 adults age 40 and older found that while nearly all respondents view brain health as equally important as physical health, only 9 percent say they know a lot about how to maintain it.

“The survey makes clear that Americans care deeply about brain health, but many want more clarity about what steps to take,” Douglas Davidson, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Associa-

tion Long Island Chapter, said. “There’s a real opportunity to strengthen awareness and empower people with straightforward guidance that fits into everyday life.”

To address those needs, the Alzheimer’s Association is working with partners to deliver research-backed information and programs to help people support their brain health across community, workplace and health care settings. These efforts are informed by the U.S. Pointer study, which found that combining multiple healthy habits can help protect cognitive function.

Locally, the Alzheimer’s Association will host the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sunday, Oct. 4 at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, bringing together residents, caregivers and advocates to raise awareness and support for those affected by the disease.

The full 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report is available at alz.org/facts and was published in the April 2026 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. For more information, visit ALZ.org or call (800) 272-3900.

–Jordan Vallone

News brief

LBHS recognized as “No Place for Hate”

Long Beach High School has been named a No Place for Hate School for the 2025–2026 school year, earning recognition after completing a curriculum from the Anti-Defamation League.

dice in constructive ways.

The acknowledgment highlights the school’s continued commitment to fostering inclusive, respectful learning environments and building a culture centered on kindness and understanding.

The designation is awarded to schools that actively work to prevent bias, bullying and discrimination through sustained, student-driven efforts and schoolwide programming. To earn the certification, students and staff participate in a range of initiatives throughout the year, including awareness campaigns, peer-led discussions, assemblies, social-emotional learning lessons and collaborative projects designed to strengthen empathy and inclusion.

“We strive to make sure Long Beach High School is a place where kids feel safe,” explained Principal Andrew Smith. “They don’t have to worry about being picked on in terms of how they’re dressed, who they are, or what they believe in. That’s really what we strive for here at the high school.”

The No Place for Hate initiative, developed by the Anti-Defamation League, is a national program that partners with schools across the country to address bias and promote respect through education and student leadership. The initiative also encourages schools to evaluate their culture continuously and engage students in meaningful conversations about identity, diversity, and belonging.

Administrators said these efforts are reinforced by ongoing dialogue within classrooms and the broader school community, helping students develop the tools to recognize and respond to preju-

“You basically try to open up dialogue between kids,” said Smith. “The more the kids talk to each other and get to know each other, the less of these kinds of issues you’re going to have in the school.”

–Abigail Grieco & Chris Colucci

Five years later, Wasserman is unwavering

for organizations, a whole slew of them. They are literally regulating signs not based upon height, size or location, but on content.”

The city maintains that the initial summons was based on the ordinance’s prohibition of displaying signs on public streets, which include parking spaces. At one point, Wasserman displayed more than 20 politically themed flags on three vehicles he parked on East Broadway, in addition to inflatable accessories on the street-facing balcony of his apartment.

“There are American flags all over the place,” Campanelli said. “There’s Italian American flags and Irish Ameri-

michael Wasserman, of Long Beach, contends that his 2021 citation for violating a city ordinance infringed on his f irst amendment rights by targeting the political messages on his vehicles.

can flags on businesses and residences, on both public and private property, all without citations. There was a Gay Pride flag at a restaurant on the boardwalk forever and nobody ever got cited for a violation of flag law, except Mr. Wasserman.”

Attorneys for both parties returned to Eastern District Court in Central Islip last Friday to continue seeking a resolution but left without coming to an agreement. Without continued negotiations, a trial remains a possibility. Both Miller and Corporation Counsel Greg Kalnitsky, the city’s official legal adviser, declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing litigation.

Chris Colucci/Herald photos Wasserman has made his political beliefs public, adorning several of his vehicles, as well as his apartment balcony, with flags, stickers and inflatable accessories.

‘His heart and soul’ are in the department

1995, Munsterman joined the Long Beach Police Department as a cadet alongside fellow officers Kenny Apple, Stefan Chernaski and John Roll. They trained at the Cross Street Academy, an elementary school in East Williston that also served as Nassau County’s police academy.

All four were hired by the LBPD on March 30, 1995, and graduated from the academy that November, part of a class of 186. In his early days as a police officer, Munsterman said, he soaked up knowledge from other officers like a sponge.

One crucial thing he learned was how to be on guard while also being human. Sometimes when a defendant was taken into custody, for instance, he might give him or her a hot cup of coffee — something most officers would not do. “You work for the people of Long Beach,” Munsterman said, “and one thing I’ve really held on to was treating everyone with respect.”

Beginning in 2003, he was assigned to the department’s Narcotics Task Force. One call, he remembered, involved a Long Beach man who attempted to evade police after a traffic stop. Munsterman said he and other officers chased the man in their patrol cars over the Long Beach Bridge into Island Park. Munsterman ran after the man along the railroad tracks, and along the way, he recalled, the man made two failed attempts to steal vehicles, and the two got into several altercations.

“I chased him for probably half a mile,” Munsterman said. “It was quite the chase.”

Munsterman and Chernaski, who’s now the department’s deputy inspector, patrolled the streets together as officers from 1995 to 2003. Munsterman was promoted to detective in 2005, and to sergeant in 2014.

they worked together on the Narcotics Task Force.

Chernaski, a service award recipient in 1998, said that Munsterman deserved the award, and described him as a no-nonsense investigator and a compassionate human being. “He puts his heart and soul into the department,” Chernaski said. “I’m really proud of

him.”

And Munsterman has always known how to have a little fun. When officers were asked to attend city or county court, he would prank them by standing outside the courtroom in uniform and making calls to their flip phones, which they had clipped to their belts. Chernaski called it a “classic Walter moment.”

DePalma said he learned a lot from Munsterman during their time on the Narcotics Task Force in 2004, when they were both officers. DePalma described him as detail-oriented and respectful, adding that Munsterman is a people person.

Decades ago, DePalma recalled, he and Munsterman were involved in a chase on Long Beach Road. Munsterman was in a squad car, and DePalma was pursuing on foot. At one point, Munsterman’s voice came over DePalma’s radio, warning him about an oncoming bus.

“Walter had a very distinctive voice,” DePalma said. “I would have been a pancake if I didn’t hear his voice. The bus was literally inches from my face and I never saw it.”

As a Long Beach grade-schooler in the late 1970s and ’80s, Munsterman said, he spent lots of time playing club sports, including youth hockey at the recreation center. He also remembers skateboarding back and forth from Long Beach to Hewlett with longtime friend Mike Durant.

These days, when he isn’t working, Musterman enjoys playing golf on courses across Long Island. And, he said, he doesn’t notice as many kids hanging around on street corners as there used to be. “You don’t see kids outside a lot anymore,” he said. “Hopefully they’re busy doing something productive and staying out of trouble.”

Metzger launches Ninja Noir Academy

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Benjamin Metzger has spent his life building a career in music, teaching students how to play a range of instruments. Now, the Long Beach music teacher is expanding his creative work through Ninja Noir Academy, a program blending music, martial arts, yoga and spirituality.

Metzger, who founded Studio Noir at 1028 West Beech St. in Long Beach, grew up in the Sachem school district. Originally focused on visual arts, he played baritone horn through middle school before picking up the alto saxophone at Sachem High School.

“I enjoyed the community aspect of music and the instant gratification of playing it,” he said, noting his transition from drawing to playing an instrument.

Metzger went on to study jazz guitar and studio music at the University of Miami. He later performed internationally before settling in Long Beach in 2007 and founding Studio Noir.

Over the years, he has received several honors for his community work and music career, including recognition for organizing post-Hurricane Sandy fundraising concerts held on Sunday nights for five months.

Metzger spent time as a kid watching Bruce Lee movies and quickly became

inspired by the movie icon’s discipline and self-motivation.

“I really appreciated the fact that he studied philosophy in college and that he was his biggest cheerleader.” Metzger said. “That helped me grow as a person.”

Ninja Noir Academy is connected to

Metzger’s personal transformation. He said he is improving his health through yoga, martial arts and major dietary changes, losing more than 50 pounds. He also recently recommitted to sobriety and described the academy as part of a broader spiritual journey centered on kindness, healing and empowerment.

Students at the academy have taken classes in taekwondo, yoga, tai chi and stretching. One student, Ivy LandsmanSlevin, knows Metzger through their involvement at Studio Noir teaching music to children. Landsman-Slevin said she felt out of shape and wanted to see personal physical improvement after recovering from a broken kneecap she sustained in November 2025.

“I watched Ben lose a ton of weight and get really healthy and that intrigued me,” she said.

Another classmate, Michael Gittleson, said the classes have been playful and a great learning experience. In one class, Gittleson said, he learned the güiro, a Latin American percussion instrument.

“Ben is just a great teacher, and he has a nice way of being patient,” Gittleson said. “It’s a very welcoming environment.”

Classes currently operate out of SOL House of Healing Arts in Long Beach, as well as his West Beech Street studio, with additional outdoor community sessions planned. A recurring outdoor session is planned at the Kennedy Plaza farmers market, Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., and classes are scheduled for Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. at SOL, 135 E Park Ave., Unit 1A.

For more information, visit facebook. com/StudioNoirLBNY.

Courtesy Walter Munsterman

Walter Munsterman and LBPD Commissioner Richard DePalma have known each other since 2004, when

Courtesy Benjamin Metzger

Ninja Noir Academy, a new venture by Benjamin Metzger, right, was sparked by his personal fitness transformation. He lost more than 50 pounds performing yoga and martial arts, while recommitting to sobriety.

CoNTiNueD FRoM PAge 1

Mental health on Long Island

By Christy Hinko

Mental health needs across Long Island are rising, even as awareness and resources continue to expand. From Nassau to Su olk counties, providers, educators and advocates say the region is facing a complex moment: more people are seeking help, but barriers to access—including wait times, stigma and workforce shortages—remain significant.

“We’re still in a crisis,” said Liz Hildebrandt, executive director of NAMI Queens/Nassau. “The needs are high and people are still desperate to find care. There are long wait times for appointments, especially in the private sector.”

At the same time, Hildebrandt points to a shift that is both encouraging and urgent. “The rate of death by drug overdoses in Nassau County may be down, but behind the scenes, the state of mental health is in disarray,” she said. “Suicide rates are still very high and we’re seeing increases among young people.”

“

WLong Island’s network of nonprofit providers continues to play a critical role. Organizations such as Family & Children’s Association, North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and CN Guidance & Counseling Services o er more immediate access to care than many private practices.

“Our local nonprofits can see people, and they provide excellent care,” Hildebrandt said. “We can’t ignore them. They are essential, especially for families who need help now.”

Access to crisis care has also improved in Nassau County with the addition of a 24/7 behavioral health crisis center in Hicksville, o ering an alternative to emergency rooms for individuals in acute distress. Still, the system faces capacity challenges, particularly when it comes to inpatient psychiatric beds.

e’re still in a crisis,” said Liz Hildebrandt, executive director of NAMI Queens/ Nassau. “The needs are high and people are still desperate to find care. There are long wait times for appointments, especially in the private sector.”

Youth mental health has become a central concern. Anxiety and depression are rising, and many experts point to a combination of social, environmental and behavioral factors.

A system under strain, a community responding

“The conversations with our youth show increased anxiety and depression,” Hildebrandt said. “Social media isolation is a big part of that. It’s not just how much time they’re spending online—it’s what they’re doing and whether they’re still connecting with people in real life.”

Substance use, particularly among teens, is another emerging factor. “There’s growing concern around THC use and vaping, which may be contributing to increased paranoia and psychosis,” she said. “That’s a serious issue when we talk about long-term mental health outcomes.”

Despite these challenges,

“There’s still a very limited number of beds available if someone needs to be hospitalized,” Hildebrandt said. “That’s an area where increased funding is critical.”

At the state level, recent policy changes have expanded the criteria for psychiatric intervention, allowing providers to consider a person’s overall ability to care for themselves—not just whether they pose an immediate danger. Hildebrandt called the shift “a really important step,” though she noted that public awareness of such changes remains low.

Education and outreach are also evolving. NAMI has seen increased interest from schools in bringing mental health programming directly to students.

“More schools are recognizing that students need more than just academic support,” she said. “They need real mental health education— understanding anxiety, learning coping skills and knowing when to ask for help.”

At Molloy University, faculty members are seeing the impact of the mental health crisis from another angle: the growing need for trained professionals.

Why Women Should Not Ignore Hearing Loss This May

May is a reminder that women’s health goes far beyond annual checkups, diet, or exercise. It’s about protecting long-term function, independence, confidence, and brain health.

May is both Women’s Health Month and Better Hearing Month, a national awareness effort encouraging people to take hearing and communication seriously. Today, research shows hearing loss is not just an ear issue—it is a brain health issue and one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline.

For many women, hearing loss begins subtly. It may look like difficulty following conversations in noisy settings, feeling drained after social events, asking others to repeat themselves, or noticing ringing or buzzing in the ears. These signs are often dismissed as stress, aging, or others “mumbling.” But untreated hearing loss and tinnitus should not be ignored.

When hearing declines, the brain works harder to process sound. This added strain can affect memory, attention, and mental energy. Over time, it has been linked to cognitive decline, social withdrawal, loneliness, and depression. For women—often the communicators and caregivers in families—this loss of connection can impact every aspect of life. The good news is that hearing

loss and tinnitus are treatable. Early treatment can help restore clarity, reduce cognitive strain, and improve quality of life. Women who address hearing concerns often feel more confident, connected, and present in daily life.

Research continues to show that treating hearing loss may help reduce the risk of dementia and slow cognitive decline.

This May, add hearing to your

health checklist. If you’re noticin changes, don’t ignore them or assume they’re a normal part of aging. Take action. Protecting your hearing means protecting your brain, your relationships, and yo future.

Call (516) 212-0691 to request a copy of Preventing Decline, ask your questions, or schedule an appointment with Hearing and Brain Centers.

Better Hearing Month

Herald Content Studio articles are produced by the Herald's marketing division and independent of the newsroom. The Herald may be compensated by

which does not constitute the Herald's endorsement.

Managing the risks of excessive social media use

Numerous studies show that screen time— whether on cell phones, tablets, computers, or TVs—is interfering with children’s sleep, physical activity, hobbies, behavioral health, and academic achievement.

Many parents, however, are underestimating or unaware of the harmful impact that excessive social media use may have or is having on their children, according to the results of a recent Mount Sinai South Nassau Truth in Medicine poll.

A study of U.S. children ages 12-15, referenced in the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory “Social Media and Youth Mental Health,” found that teens who spent more than three hours per day on social media faced double the risk of poor mental health, including depression and anxiety. The advisory also pointed out that when 13-17-year-olds were asked about the impact of social media on their body image, 46 percent said social media makes them feel worse, 40 percent said it makes them feel neither better nor worse, and only 14 percent said it makes them feel better.

So what is a parent to do?

Lincoln Ferguson, MD, Chair of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai South Nassau, says a family media plan is an effective way to help parents and children manage time on mobile devices (and computers) for social media, gaming, and entertainment. Based on recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Ferguson believes the plan should include:

• One hour daily of physical activity

• 8-12 hours of sleep, depending on age

• A ban on use of devices or screens one hour before bedtime

• Media-free homework time, family time (such as dinner, family outings, and other activities), and locations in the home (including the kitchen, dining room, and/or bedrooms)

Many Long Island children are spending considerably more time with their screens than recommended.

Limiting screen time and ensuring your children are getting at least one hour of daily physical activity is vital to promote better health.

The Mount Sinai South Nassau Truth in Medicine Poll released in September 2024 asked 600 parents from New York and Long Island to estimate the amount of time per day their children use social media apps. In response, 27 percent said their children spend up to two hours per day, 34 percent said they spend between three and four hours, 16 percent said five or more hours, and 23 percent said they were not sure.

As part of the fiscal year 2026 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that announced and enacted on May 9, 2025, a statewide, “bell-to-bell” smartphone restriction in schools to reduce distractions and improve students’ mental health. Many school leaders are reporting positive results from the restriction.

Concern about overuse of social media is not limited to children. Nearly a third of area residents agree that they also spend too much time on social media or their cell phones, according to the Truth in Medicine poll. Some 16 percent of adults admit that they may be addicted to their cell phones, although most do not believe it is harming their relationships.

Residents concerned about mental health issues can turn to several resources, including Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Mental Health Counseling Center in Baldwin, as well as its Center for Primary and Behavioral Healthcare in Hempstead. Both Nassau and Suffolk counties also provide mobile crisis teams. Call 516-227-TALK (227-8255) for the Nassau County Mobile Crisis Team, which operates seven days a week, from 10 am to 11 pm. The Suffolk County Mobile Crisis Team phone number is 631-952-3333 for adults 18 and older; 631-3701701 for those under 18. For more information or a physician referral, call (516) 632-3000 or visit mountsinai.org/southnassau.

And the Experts Agree

At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.

We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.

That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.

When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.

Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau

“Mental health is health. Without mental health, everything else really doesn’t work,” said Joseph Amnawah, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor. “There isn’t a meaningful separation between the mind and body.”

Amnawah said awareness is improving, particularly among younger generations.

“We’re seeing increased awareness, which is a positive shift,” he said. “More people are recognizing the need for care for conditions like anxiety, depression and ADHD, but many of these still go untreated for long periods of time.”

Stigma remains a major barrier.

“If someone has diabetes or high blood pressure, they don’t hesitate to seek treatment,” Amnawah said. “But with mental health, there’s still this perception that it’s a personal failing and that prevents people from getting help.”

Breaking that stigma, he said, requires visibility and education.

“More community outreach, more public awareness—those are key,” he said. “Even seeing things like 988 crisis line ads in public spaces is a step in the right direction.”

The demand for providers is also shaping the next generation

Mental health is health; barriers remain significant

of healthcare workers. At Molloy, Amnawah said students are entering psychiatric programs from a wide range of medical backgrounds.

“We’re seeing people from ICU, ER, pediatrics, oncology—all different specialties,” he said. “What they have in common is that they’ve seen the unmet need for mental health care in the populations they serve.”

Many students bring personal connections to the field as well.

“People are going into this because they want to make a difference,” Amnawah said. “They’ve seen how mental health affects individuals and families and they want to be part of the solution.”

Keep a Consistent Routine

Your brain likes predictability. Waking up, eating, and going to sleep at roughly the same time helps stabilize mood and energy levels.

Move YouR BodY dailY

You don’t need a full workout—just 20–30 minutes of walking, stretching, or light exercise can reduce stress and improve mood by boosting endorphins.

liMit infoRMation oveRload

Constant news and social media can spike anxiety. Set boundaries—check in once or twice a day instead of constantly scrolling.

Get QualitY sleep

Aim for 7–9 hours. Poor sleep directly impacts mood, focus, and stress tolerance. A simple rule: no screens 30–60 minutes before bed.

staY ConneCted

For residents navigating the system, both Hildebrandt and Amnawah emphasize the importance of reaching out— whether through nonprofits, crisis centers or educational programs.

“People should know that help is available,” Hildebrandt said. “If you call these organizations, you will get care. You will get support.”

As Long Island continues to confront growing mental health needs, the path forward appears to depend on a combination of expanded access, sustained funding and continued efforts to normalize the conversation around mental wellbeing.

Even brief conversations with friends, family, or coworkers can improve mental health. Isolation tends to amplify stress.

pRaCtiCe “Mental offloadinG”

Write things down—tasks, worries, ideas. Getting them out of your head reduces overwhelm and helps you focus.

Be RealistiC With YouR WoRKload

Not everything is urgent. Prioritize what truly matters and push back when needed. Constant overload leads straight to burnout.

Photo by Marcel Straub

Mental health resources: where to turn on Long Island

By Christy Hinko

From crisis hotlines to longterm counseling and peer support, Long Island o ers a wide network of nonprofit mental health services. Whether you’re seeking immediate help or ongoing care, these organizations provide accessible, often low-cost or free support across Nassau and Su olk counties, as well as nearby Queens.

Nassau County

NAMI Queens/Nassau

A leading grassroots organization

offering free peer-led support groups, education programs and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Services are available both in person and online.

Contact: (516) 326-0797 or (718) 347-7284

Helpline: 800-950-NAMI (6264)

Local crisis lines: Nassau: (516) 227-8255

NAMI provides ongoing support groups and educational resources at no cost.

CN Guidance & Counseling Services

A major behavioral health provider offering therapy, substance use

treatment, crisis services and care coordination. Operates a 24/7 Community Crisis Center in Hicksville. Contact: (516) 822-6111

CN Guidance serves Long Islanders with comprehensive clinical and support services under one umbrella.

Family & Children’s Association

Provides a wide range of mental health programs for children, adults and seniors, including counseling, recovery services and community outreach.

Address: 377 Oak St., Garden City Contact: (516) 746-0350

Programs include senior mental health care, addiction recovery and family support services.

Mental Health Association of Nassau County

Serving the community since 1953, MHANC offers advocacy, education and direct services to help individuals navigate mental health challenges. Provides wellness programs, training and recovery support.

Su olk County

Association for Mental Health and Wellness

Offers peer support, family services, recovery programs and education across Suffolk County. Known for support

groups and community-based care.

Family Service League

A major regional nonprofit providing mental health counseling, addiction services, housing support and crisis intervention.

Crisis/DASH (Diagnostic, Assessment and Stabilization Hub): (631) 952-3333

Suffolk residents can access 24/7 behavioral health crisis services through DASH.

Queens (NYC-based, serving western Long Island)

NYC Well

A free, confidential mental health support line for New York City residents, including Queens. Call: 1-888-692-9355

Offers phone, text and chat support 24/7

NAMI NYC

Provides education, support groups and advocacy across New York City, complementing services offered by NAMI Queens/Nassau.

Statewide & Crisis Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Dial or text 988 for immediate mental health support anywhere in the U.S. Free, confidential and available 24/7.

New York State Mental Health Hotline Call: 1-844-863-9314

Provides emotional support and referrals across New York State.

How To Use These Resources

Long Island’s mental health network is designed to meet people where they are. Crisis lines offer immediate help, while organizations like NAMI and MHANC focus on peer support and education. Providers such as CN Guidance and the Family & Children’s Association offer more structured clinical care, including therapy and case management.

Many services are free or covered by insurance, and several organizations provide multilingual support and telehealth options. For those unsure where to start, calling a local helpline or visiting a community-based nonprofit can be the first step toward care.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For urgent emotional support, dialing 988 connects you to trained counselors at any time.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev

Photo: Long Island’s mental health network is designed to meet people where they are.

Brain boost Simple, smart habits for better mental health

By Christy Hinko

mproving mental health doesn’t require a full reset. Small, consistent changes in how you eat, move and manage your day can have a real impact on mood, focus and resilience.

Eat with your brain in mind

Nutrition plays a direct role in mental well-being. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats are linked to better mood and cognitive function. Antioxidant-rich foods like berries help protect brain cells, while leafy greens provide folate, a B vitamin tied to mood regulation. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish support brain health. Try to limit ultra-processed foods, which are associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Keep your energy steady

Blood sugar swings can affect how you feel. Meals that include protein, fiber and healthy fats help maintain stable energy and prevent irritability and fatigue. Skipping meals or relying on sugary snacks often leads to crashes that impact focus.

Move regularly

Exercise is a proven mood booster. Physical activity releases endorphins and reduces stress hormones. You don’t need a gym— walking, stretching or biking for even 20 minutes can improve your outlook.

Prioritize sleep

Sleep is essential for emotional balance and mental clarity. Aim for seven to nine hours per night and stick to a consistent schedule. Reducing screen time before bed and limiting late-day caffeine can help improve sleep quality.

Get outside

Exposure to natural light

supports your body’s internal clock and helps regulate mood-related chemicals like serotonin. Even a few minutes outdoors each day can make a difference.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Drinking enough water throughout the day supports overall brain function.

Reduce mental clutter

Constant notifications and screen time can overwhelm the brain. Build in quiet moments—turn off alerts, step away from devices or take a few minutes to reset without distractions.

Stay connected

Strong social ties support mental health. Regular interaction with friends or family—even brief checkins—can reduce feelings of isolation and improve mood.

Practice mindfulness

You don’t need long meditation sessions. Simple habits like focusing on your breathing or slowing down during daily activities can help manage stress and improve emotional control.

Be realistic—and flexible

Mental health isn’t about perfection. Set manageable goals, pace yourself and allow time to rest. Avoid overloading your schedule.

Know when to get help

If stress, anxiety or depression become overwhelming, professional support can make a difference. Seeking help is a practical step toward better mental health. Small habits, practiced consistently, can build a stronger, healthier mind over time.

Photo by Amauri Mejia

Photo: Yoga is a great exercise to practice mindfulness.

News brief

2026 Porchfest taking over the town again

The Long Beach Art Council’s 4th annual Porchfest will take over the City of Long Beach all afternoon and into the night this Saturday. Enjoy a free, familyfriendly music festival featuring live performances taking place at eight locations throughout the entire day.

The day begins at the Long Beach Public Library, concludes with a grand finale at Kennedy Plaza, and showcases more than two dozen live bands spread across town. Vendors, a pop-up market and family activities are also planned.

The music will happen, rain or shine,

from noon to 6:30 p.m. Attendees can expect to walk or bike between performance sites while listening to local bands and musicians play a wide mix of music, including rock, reggae, jazz, blues, soul, funk and folk-inspired acts.

PorchFest has become a signature Long Beach event, drawing residents and visitors together to celebrate local music and community spirit. Visit lbnyarts.org/porchfest for a detailed map, timetable and band listing.

–Chris Colucci

Tim Baker/Herald

Bright Eye Beer Co. hosted the Porchfest kick-off the day before last year’s event, with music from Neutral Corners.

STEPPING OUT

A garden invites children to take part in nurturing life and understanding the outcomes of their choices. When things don’t go as planned, it becomes a valuable space to build resilience, accept outcomes and try again.

Planting seeds of wonder

By Karen Bloom

One of the most meaningful things you can grow in a garden isn’t a flower or a vegetable — it’s a lifelong gardener. With summer on the horizon, outdoor spaces begin to feel like an extension of home, creating a natural setting for families to connect, explore and unwind. For children, the benefits of gardening go far beyond getting a little dirt under their nails. A growing body of research links hands-on gardening to improved physical health, emotional well-being and even stronger academic performance. Add in the value of family time, and it’s easy to see why more parents and grandparents are heading outside together.

Let curiosity lead

The key to success? A little flexibility — and a lot of patience.

When gardening with kids, be prepared to pivot. Adults may focus on neat rows and finished results, but children are often drawn to discovery. That carefully planned planting activity might pause for a closer look at a grasshopper or a worm—and that’s okay. Lean into their curiosity. Use those moments as opportunities to teach, connect and nurture a sense of wonder.

At its core, gardening with children is about building positive associations. If they leave the garden feeling curious, happy and engaged, you’ve done it right — and they’ll be eager to return.

America

Following a sold-out run of shows for their 55th anniversary, America is on the road again. Known for their timeless tunes, the Grammy-winning band draws on their deep catalog of hits, including their signature song, “Horse With No Name,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. America — Gerry Buckley and Dewey Bunnell — met in while attending school in London, along with Dan Peek, while their Air Force fathers were stationed there. The band is also the subject of a new documentary, “I Need You: 53 Years Of The Band America,” which takes audiences backstage as Beckley and Bunnell privately say goodbye to a lifetime together on the road. Beckley remains an active band member but retired from touring in 2024, while America continues to tour with Bunnell at the helm. America’s audiences continue to grow, bearing testament to their enduring appeal.

Friday, May 15, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Life lessons in the garden

Dig, plant, repeat

Giving kids a say in what they grow can also make a big difference. While it helps to include a few easy, reliable plants, don’t shy away from their creative choices. Whether it’s beets, roses or bright petunias, that sense of ownership encourages them to stay involved. And remember, gardening doesn’t require a large backyard — containers on a porch, balcony or windowsill can be just as rewarding.

It’s also important to choose projects that fit your family’s lifestyle. Consider your children’s ages and abilities, along with your time, space and budget. Setting realistic expectations helps ensure the experience remains enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

And don’t underestimate the simple joy of digging. For many kids, that’s the highlight. Designating a small “dig zone” in the garden allows them to explore freely — searching for worms, examining soil and engaging their senses — while protecting more delicate plantings.

Many hands, one garden

Creating a welcoming, joyful environment is essential. Early, positive experiences in nature can foster a lasting sense of responsibility for the world around them. Encourage participation and small responsibilities, but avoid turning gardening into a chore. Let children engage at their own pace, and respect their comfort levels when it comes to touching, tasting or smelling plants.

If you’re gardening with multiple children, think about ways to make the experience inclusive. Collaborative tasks — one child digging, another adding soil, another placing a plant — can keep everyone involved and invested.

Equally valuable is unstructured time. Allow kids to simply be in the garden without a set agenda. Those quiet moments of observation and self-directed play often spark the deepest connections to nature.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy it yourself. Children take cues from the adults around them, and your enthusiasm can be contagious. When they see your genuine appreciation for gardening, they’re far more likely to develop their own.

Because in the end, the real harvest isn’t just what grows in the soil — it’s the love of nature that grows alongside it.

Wallflowers

The Wallflowers mark the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album “Bringing Down the Horse” on their latest tour, with a special full-album performance at the Paramount, presenting the record in sequence from start to finish. Originally released in 1996, the album became a defining success of the decade, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and going quadruple platinum. It produced a string of major hits, including “6th Avenue Heartache,” “The Difference,” and the Grammy-winning “One Headlight,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the era’s most recognizable rock singles. Led by songwriter Jakob Dylan, the band draws on classic American rock influences such as The Band and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — a legacy echoed in the tour’s additional tribute segment to Petty, including a full performance of the 1982 album Long After Dark. Saturday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY

Porchfest 2026

Celebrate and share the community’s broad musical talents with performances spread across the neighborhood. Nearly 30 musical acts are scheduled to play everything from beach rock and reggae to jazz and blues.

• Where: Long Beach Public Library, Kennedy Plaza and multiple venues throughout the day.

• Time: Noon-6:30 p.m.

• Contact: Visit lbny-arts.org/ porchfest for details and schedule

Nature Connects

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes internationally acclaimed artist Sean Kenney and his Nature Connects exhibition. Explore 17 larger-than-life sculptures inspired by the wonders of the natural world—each built from over 300,000 LEGO® bricks. Vibrant and imaginative, these creations blend art, science, and nature, offering visitors of all ages a playful new way to experience the gardens. Opens May 16 and is on view through Sept. 7. Tickets required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: Ongoing

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

MAY

17

“No Kings in America” rally

Join fellow LikeMinded Friends for a rally in front of Long Beach City Hall. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue; it’s an American issue, standing united as friends and family to make it clear that democracy is worth protecting.

• Where: Long Beach City Hall, Kennedy Plaza, 1 W. Chester St.

• Time: 1 p.m.

Busy Bees

We all know that bees are amazing. While we often think of only the honey bee, Long Island’s native mason bee is an impressive little insect. They pollinate 20 times more plants than honey bees, live their life in solitude and are not aggressive. Bring the family to celebrate World Bee Day at Long Island Children’s Museum to learn all about these hard workers and make a bee habitat to welcome them to your garden. For ages 3+.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

MAY

23

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Spring blooms with a taste of summer as Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band bring their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to the Paramount stage, celebrating the music of Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Zac Brown Band. Long Island–based and led by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, the group also features Linn DeMilta (Lovely Linn) on lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios on guitar, Frank Stainkamp on keyboards, Dan Prine on bass, and Mike Vecchione on drums. Together, they’ve spent more than a decade channeling the laid-back spirit of beach-country favorites across stages throughout the Northeast. With a setlist built for singing along, the band blends crowd-pleasing hits with an easygoing, sun-soaked energy that evokes margaritas, ocean breezes and carefree nights where, as they like to say, it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere.”

The parade travels from Ohio Ave to Park Avenue via New York Avenue and to City Hall. The parade is expected to reach the City Hall bandstand around 11:30 a.m. Line the streets to honor and remember those who served and sacrificed for our country. If your organization is interested in marching, email lbevents@longbeachny.gov.

• Where: Ohio Ave. and West Beech Street to City Hall

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 705-7414

Beach Patrol Parade Marchers

All former members of the Long Beach Patrol are invited to march with the Long Beach Lifeguard Alumni Association in the Memorial Day Parade. Wear your collared Navy Blue Long Beach Patrol shirt and khaki pants or shorts.

• Where: Northwest corner of West Beech Street and Illinois Avenue

• Time: 9:30 a.m

MAY

• Time: 8 p.m.

Fans of Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily alike can expect a lively, feel-good night of music that turns the Paramount into a full-on coastal celebration. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band.

MAY 19 Long Beach BOE Annual Election/ Budget Results

The Board of Education trustees meet to discuss agenda items and issues related to the Long Beach School District. The public may address the Board regarding any specific agenda item; also any matter of concern after the Board of Education completes agenda items. Meetings take place on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month throughout the school year.

• Where: Long Beach Middle School Cafeteria, 239 Lido Blvd.

• Time: 9:30 p.m.

• Contact: District Clerk Susannah Familetti at sfamiletti@lbeach. org or (516) 897-2108

Long Beach City Council meets

The Long Beach City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. The public may make comments or ask questions pertaining to specific agenda items at the appropriate time. Those who wish to speak must sign in prior to the start of the meeting. Sign-ups will be accepted until

the Council votes to close the meeting.

• Where: City Hall. 1 W. Chester St.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 431-1000

Bricks & Brews

Old Westbury Gardens hosts an adult-only, brickbuilding experience using official LEGO sets. Begin your evening with a guided tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects an exhibit made with LEGO bricks. After the tour, build your own LEGO Botanical Daisies Kit at the Barn at Orchard Hill while enjoying refreshments. Each guest receives one drink ticket redeemable for a glass of beer or wine, with additional drinks available for purchase onsite. All participants take their LEGO kit home at the end of the program. Arrive 15 minutes early to the Barn at Orchard Hill to check in before the tour. For ages 21+. $50, with member discount. Registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

MAY 24 City Manager’s 10-Mile Race to Remember

The Long Beach Department of Parks and Recreation holds the 49th Annual City Managers 10-Mile Race to Remember, dedicated to the memory of race founder Ralph Kaplan. The course is an accurately measured 10-mile flat and fast route. Starting at West Park Avenue and Laurelton Boulevard, and finishing at Laurelton Boulevard and the Boardwalk. Awards will be presented to winners on 15 age groups for male and female athletes, as well as a wheelchair division and active military/ veteran finishers. Register at events.elitefeats.com/26lb10mile. Registration fees begin at $35 for early-bird pricing, $45 after May 19.

• Where: Boardwalk at Laurelton Boulevard

• Time: 8 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 431-3890

Memorial Day Parade

The Joint Veterans Organization and the City of Long Beach welcomes all to the annual Memorial Day Parade.

28 Brick Builders

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Brick Builders invites children and their grownups to enjoy building a LEGO Friends Flower Stand with Roses Kit. The program begins at the beech tree and includes a guided walk through some of the featured exhibit Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. After the tour, head to the Barn at Orchard Hill to build a LEGO kit to take home For ages 5+. | $24 per child (includes admission, guided tour, and LEGO kit). $22 per adult (includes admission and guided tour), with member discount. Registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar 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 kbloom@ liherald.com.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST 2007OPT1, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1, Plaintiff, AGAINST ASHANTI RANDOLPH, EXECUTRIX AND HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES RANDOLPH A/K/A JAMES A. RANDOLPH, JAMES RANDOLPH A/K/A JAMES RANDOLPH JR., AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JAMES RANDOLPH A/K/A

JAMES A. RANDOLPH, et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on November 21, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 545B W Broadway Unit 205, Long Beach, NY 11561. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0059, Block 00028-00 and Lot 00184. Approximate amount of judgment $695,803.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #005461/2014.

Karen C. Grant, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 159818

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST

Caron Maldon; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 28, 2026 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 27, 2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 134 Coolidge Avenue, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 59 Block: 195 Lot: 7. Approximate amount of judgment $698,761.72 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 616260/2023.

Paul Meli, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: April 3, 2026 159813

LEGAL NOTICE INDEX NO.: 620167/2025 Date Filed: 09/19/2025

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS WITH NOTICE

MORTGAGED

PREMISES: 185 West Park Avenue, Unit 203, Long Beach, New York 11561

SBL #: 59-070-71U aka 59-70-71.-203

Plaintiff designates NASSAU County as the place of trial; venue is based upon the county in which the mortgaged premises is situate.

STATE OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Marisa Bichler, as heir at law and next of kin; Matthew Bichler, as heir at law and next of kin; Unknown heirs of the Estate of Steven M. Matlick a/k/a Steven

Matlick all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated; Bethpage Federal Credit Union; The Board of Managers of The Park Place Condominium; The Board of Managers of Park Place Condominium; The Board of Managers of Park Place Condo; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; United States of America o/b/o Internal Revenue Service; John Doe #1 through #6, and Jane Doe #1 through #6, the last twelve names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Amended Complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE

ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME.

SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.

SENDING PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $292,500.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Nassau on August 8, 2017, in Book M, Volume 42295, Page 466, and as Document Number 2017-00077695, covering premises known as 185 West Park avenue, Unit 203, Long Beach, New York 11561, SBL #: 59-070-71U aka 59-70-71.-203

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. The Plaintiff also seeks a deficiency judgment against the Defendants and for any debt secured by said Mortgage which is not satisfied by the proceeds of the sale of said premises.

TO the Defendants

Unknown heirs of the Estate of Steven M. Matlick a/k/a Steven Matlick all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of

any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated, the foregoing Supplemental Summons with Notice is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein, A.J.S.C. of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Nassau, dated March 11, 2026 and filed March 12, 2026.

Dated: April , 2026 /s/ Deborah M. Gallo

Deborah M. Gallo, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, New York

10170

Phone: 347.286.7409

Fax: 347-286-7414

Attorneys for Plaintiff, Nationstar Mortgage LLC HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.

The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the

toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department’s website at www.dfs.ny.gov. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS

Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. 159719

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR CARLSBAD FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ANTHONY GENOVA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 29, 2018 and an Order Substituting Referee duly entered November 9, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 2, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 750 West Broadway Unit 306 A/K/A 730-750 West Broadway, Unit 306, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 59, Block 8 and Lot 121U together with an undivided 1.056 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount

of judgment is $415,674.58 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 019307/2010. Cash will not be accepted. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 159951

LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A TAX LIEN INDEX NO.: 607182/2024, ATCF II NEW YORK LLC, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES OF EVERGREEN MERCHANT (AKA EVERGREEN JEAN MERCHANT) AND ALL PERSONS THAT MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY REFERRED TO IN THE COMPLAINT BY, THROUGH OR UNDER ANY OF THE FOREGOING (THE AFORESAID UNKNOWN HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES BEING ALL SUCH HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY NAMED AS A DEFENDANT HEREIN-THE IDENTITY AND ADDRESSES OF ALL THE FOREGOING NOT BEING KNOWN TO PLAINTIFF), Defendants. PREMISES SUBJECT TO TAX LIEN: 15 East Hudson St., Long Beach, NY 11561, Section 59, Block 93, Lot 62 (Group Lot: 62-64). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exc1usive of the date of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York), and in case

of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: April 23, 2026. Michael Ehrenreich, Attorney for Plaintiff, 555 Willow Ave., Cedarhurst, NY, (516) 942-4216. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. JEFFREY A. GOODSTEIN of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated April 13, 2026. Such order and the Complaint in this action are filed in the office of the Nassau County Clerk, in Mineola, NY. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien on the premises identified above. 159945

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiffagainst- JAMIE S. SHAW A/K/A JAMIE SHAW, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 5, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County

Public Notices

Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Lido Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Section 60 Block 64 Lot 4. Said premises known as 195 REGENT DRIVE, LIDO BEACH A/K/A 195 REGENT DRIVE, LONG BEACH, NY 11561 Approximate amount of lien $808,126.32 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 617419/2024.

JAMES M. KERINS, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280 2832. DLG# 39784 {* LONG BEACH*} 159995

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a public auction for a used vehicle sale will be held on May 26, 2026 on the website www.auctionsinternati onal.com. Bidders must register on website prior to bidding. Vehicles are sold “as is” condition and do not come with vehicle keys. Vehicles pictures and descriptions can be found on website when bid is live. Vehicles must be paid through the website prior to

removal of vehicle. Vehicles are located at 390 E. Clinton Avenue, Roosevelt NY 11575. 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee; Gray; VIN: 1J4GR48K55C523371; Owner: Wayne Huey of 2832 Bruner Ave 1, Bronx, NY 10469

*2007 Kia Sedona; Gray; VIN: KNDMB233876173866; Owner: Renee McDonough of 157 59 27th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354

*2010 Chevrolet Equinox; Gray; VIN: 2CNALDEW4A6371649 ; Owner: Boris Mizhquero-Yunga of 276 Mountain Grove St, Bridgeport, CT 06605

*2009 Chevrolet Malibu; Black; VIN: 1G1ZK57B59F169309; Owner: Glendon Cateau of 716 E. 45th St, Brooklyn, NY 11203

*2007 Dodge Sprinter; White; VIN: WD0PE845X75208525; Owner: Haim Tobaly of 21 Weyant Dr, Cedarhurst, NY 11516

*2004 Toyota Corolla; Blue; VIN: 2T1LR32E04C317785; Owner: Luis V. Peraltamorban of 1934 Harrison Ave 5E, Bronx, NY 10453

*2006 Lexus ES250; Black; VIN: JTHCK262382022200; Owner: Klein Georges of 185 Rutland Rd, Hempstead NY 11550

*2014 Audi AS4; Gray; VIN: WAUBGAFL5EA082964 ; Owner: Dominique Blackman of 8400 Lindbergh Blvd Apt 716, Philadelphia PA 19153

*2010 Honda Accord; Black; VIN: 1HGCS2B85AA004466; Owners: Mike Eli

Landaverde and C.L. Landaverde of 69 Hewlett St, Hempstead NY 11550

*2005 Nissan Altima; Red; VIN: 1N4AL11D75N900462; Owner: Timothy Wanser of 1141 Norbay St, Franklin Square NY 11010

*2002 Acura MDX; Blue; VIN: 2HNYD188X2H530024;

Owner: Zaynah Witter of 632 Nauer Ct, Elmont, NY 11003

*2016 Nissan Sentra; Gray; VIN: 3N1AB7AP1GY299861; Owner: Nissan Infiniti Lease Trust of PO Box 254648 Sacramento, CA 95865

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS Antonio Fanizzi Commissioner 160208

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2006-8, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-8, Plaintiff, vs. KATHRYN M. MASTROIANNI, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 5, 2026 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive,

Mineola, NY 11501 on June 15, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 188 OCEAN VIEW AVENUE, LONG BEACH, NY 11561. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 59, Block: 268, Lot: 207. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,179,760.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 618791/2023. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

LOUIS IMBROTO, Esq., Referee Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160134

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

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

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

“Spring Fling by the Bay” had seniors up and dancing

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

Nursing homes are sometimes thought of as calm spaces where seniors sit idly and quietly watch the days go by. That was certainly not the case on May 7 when nearly 150 older adults gathered on the waterfront patio of the Long Beach Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center for a sunny afternoon of food, dancing and classic rock and roll from Elvis, Tina Turner, The Beatles and more.

“May is Older Americans Month,” said Nikki Prestano, assistant director of community engagement at Cassena Care, “So we wanted to have a senior ‘spring fling by the bay.’” Cassena Care operates more than a dozen nursing and rehabilitation facilities across Long Island and New York City, including the Long Beach Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.

This was the first time the “spring fling” event was organized and the public response was enthusiastic. Community members from the Magnolia Senior Center, the Point Lookout Senior Center, the MLK Center, and surrounding areas turned out for the afternoon-long celebration.

Attendees were entertained with a barbecue lunch and musical bingo —

matching songs to scoresheets — as well as DJ-coordinated music and a dance lesson from the internationally recognized, NYC-based Pacemakers dance troupe — a collection of self-professed “old people” with performers ranging from 60 to over 80 years old.

“We’re on a mission to break stereotypes about old people and to celebrate old age,” said Susan Avery, who founded The Pacemakers in 2019 after inadvertently going viral online and being cyberbullied for being a woman in her 50s, at the time a non-professional dancer, who danced at a public event.

“We are old and there’s nothing wrong with that,” Avery continued. “We’re also vibrant, sexy, active. It’s all the other things. We’re here about visibility.” Avery and the Pacemakers team led participants in a range of simple dance routines and movements from past years including the classic twist, the swim and the jerk.

Vendor booths also featured in the afternoon experience with the Long Beach Public Library, the Long Beach Historical Society, Long Beach Clean-up and other local organizations offering information and services.

“So far it’s been great,” Prestano said of the inaugural event, “so I think we’ll do it every year.”

Chris Colucci/Herald photos

The Pacemakers, a self-described “senior citizens dance team” wearing jerseys emblazoned with their birth years, entertained the crowd by leading some impromptu choreography.

LYNBROOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

• TEACHING ASSISTANTS • TEACHER AIDES • MAINTAINERS

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CLERICAL

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DRIVERS WANTED

Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

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So, how did they build the pyramids?

Q. The question of how the pyramids were built came up in a recent discussion among friends. I’m wondering if there’s any definite answer to that question. One person said that even with hundreds of thousands of slaves, you’re only as strong as the rope can bear, and another suggested that they were built by extraterrestrials, but nothing serious came out of that. What do you know about this?

A. There are many theories about the construction of the pyramids. The Library of Alexandria may have contained this information, but was burned by Julius Caesar, accidentally, when he attacked the ships in the harbor nearby and the sprinkler system for the library (which had failed inspections) wasn’t working that day, or nobody ever made the drawings to begin with. We’ll never know the true answer, but there are many profound and wise engineering ideas on this subject. You may not be aware that there are more than 100 pyramids in Egypt alone, and many of them are still standing today.

So how did ancient Egyptians build them, using millions of blocks of Nile riverbank stone (and white limestone, dragged from much farther south, for the finishes)? How did they construct a 6.5-million-ton mountain of stone blocks, each weighing 2.5 tons, or 5,000 pounds, on sand? Several historical figures, pardon the pun, weighed in on this question.

The most prominent, Herodotus, of ancient Greece, who wasn’t there but is considered the father of historians, wrote of a machine system of levers and pulleys that lifted each block to the next level, and then another set of levers and pulleys was used for the next level, etc. I am fascinated by the writings of a more recent pair of writers, Matthys Levy and Mario Salvadori, who propose an idea, based on the dissection of pyramids that have, through recent history, been documented. In their book “Why Buildings Fall Down,” they describe and illustrate in sketches how stones were placed.

Imhotep, considered the greatest mathematician and engineer in Egyptian history, designed later-era pyramids, observing and calculating how to avoid previous failures. For his success with some of the largest mountains of stone, he was worshipped as a god in the ancient Egyptian culture. So, kids, stay in school.

What I believe Imhotep did was use gravity. The later pyramids were built in man-made valleys, where the stones could be moved down an incline and then set at a 52-degree angle. That way, instead of laying the stone horizontally, they pushed into each other on a downward incline, relieving vertical weight and reducing the stones’ ability to crush each other. Remember, Egyptians didn’t have block and tackle, didn’t use wheels to move heavy loads and didn’t have metal harder than copper. They had a lot of laborers, spent much less time watching TV or staring at their cellphones, and filled in each level of the valley as the pyramids grew in height. Great question!

© 2026 Monte Leeper

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Battery energy storage isn’t just an experiment. It works.

I’m a Long Islander. This place is more than where I live; it’s part of who I am. My bacon, egg and cheese comes from L.I. Bagel Cafe. Growing up, I spent summers at Tobay with my family, and now I spend beach days in Long Beach with my own kids. We take day trips to the East End, both the North and South forks, and we explore quaint villages along the North Shore. Life here is incredible. The cultural capital of the world is a short train ride away, and we have some of the best public schools in the country. It’s hard to want for more.

But every month I open the electric bill and feel a little less sure we can afford to stay.

Mine isn’t a unique story. Long Island has some of the highest electricity costs in the country, and the bills keep climbing. All of my high school friends have moved away for various reasons, but a common denominator is the high cost

of living here. This is the conversation taking place at every kitchen table from Mineola to Montauk.

So when I read another op-ed in this paper warning about battery energy storage on Long Island — usually framed as something foreign, risky or driven by outsiders — I get frustrated. Because the people writing those pieces don’t seem to be looking at the bill in my mailbox. And they don’t seem to be reading what New York’s grid operator has been saying.

I work in clean energy because I believe in combating climate change.

In October, the New York Independent System Operator, the independent nonprofit that runs the state’s electric grid, warned that reliability margins on Long Island are projected to fall short beginning in 2027 unless new resources come online. A follow-up report a few weeks later warned of “significant reliability shortfalls” across the state within the next decade if planning and investment don’t accelerate now. Here’s what battery storage actually does about it. When demand on the grid spikes, like on a brutal August afternoon or during a cold snap in February,

the system has to call on its most expensive resources to keep the lights on. On Long Island, that means firing up old fossil fuel-run peaking power plants that operate only a handful of days a year, but cost LIPA customers close to half a billion dollars annually to keep on standby.

A study found that replacing a meaningful share of Long Island’s peaker plants with energy storage could save LIPA customers nearly $400 million while improving air quality across the Island.

Energy storage is how you avoid that cost. Batteries charge when power is cheap and abundant — overnight, on windy days, when the new offshore wind projects start delivering — and discharge when the grid is stretched thin. Instead of paying premium prices for premium peaker power, ratepayers get the cheaper electricity the batteries stored earlier.

Battery storage isn’t a climate luxury or an experiment. Texas has already built hundreds of projects that are operating today, saving ratepayers money and steadying the grid. New York shouldn’t wait. Battery storage is cheaper to build than new power plants or transmission lines, it strengthens grid reliability, and it eases the pressure on monthly electric bills. It’s safe and effective and a common-sense answer to the affordability and reliability problems families are living with right now.

The opposition to storage on Long Island has been loud, but they are spreading misinformation. The case for it deserves to be heard too, by the people who actually live here and pay these bills, rooted in facts and not baseless claims that ignore the science.

Nick Guariglia is an advocacy manager of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, a project of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

I work in this field. I’m an advocacy manager for the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, so people sometimes assume I’m pushing storage because of where I work. The truth is the opposite. I work in clean energy because I believe in the science that is behind combating climate change, and I want my children to have a better environment to live, play and raise their families in. The added benefit of the work I do is helping my family not get priced out of living on Long Island.

Preparing students to succeed in L.I.’s creative economy

Last month, five students from Long Island High School for the Arts advanced from regional competition to the SkillsUSA state championships in an impressive showcase of career readiness and leadership ability. Two went on to win bronze for their work in digital cinema production.

If you watched the LIHSA students present their work, explain their creative choices and demonstrate their technical skill, one thing was clear: These young people aren’t simply pursuing their passions, but are diligently preparing to enter Long Island’s thriving creative economy.

According to the Center for an Urban Future’s 2025 report, “Sustaining Long Island’s Creative Spark,” employment in Long Island’s arts and culture sector grew 21.6 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared with overall job growth in the region of just 4.1 percent. During that

same period, the number of independent artists on Long Island nearly doubled, and nonprofit arts and culture organizations generated more than $330 million in annual economic activity, according to the Long Island Arts Alliance.

I

The creative economy is trending upward at the national level, too. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ most recently reported data attests that arts and cultural economic activity increased 6.6 percent in 2023, more than double the 2.8 percent increase of the prior year. It accounted for 4.2 percent of the nation’s GDP in 2023, and supported 5.4 million jobs.

invite Long Island families to consider the growing promise of creative industries.

As district superintendent and CEO of Nassau BOCES, where our mission includes a focus on vocational career training, I am thrilled that SkillsUSA — the nation’s top workforce-development organization for students — has recognized rigorous arts education for what it is: vital preparation for real careers.

And yet there is still a lingering perception that arts education is somehow less practical than other vocational tracks, like those in health care, con-

struction, automotive technology and computer science — pathways that matter deeply. And concerns about the arts often come from a good place. Families want stability for their children. School leaders want to prepare students for real opportunity. But those goals aren’t at odds with arts education.

Students pursuing design, animation, digital media, filmmaking, music and performance are building specific and transferable skills that have value in today’s world. They are learning how to create under pressure, revise based on feedback, collaborate with others, communicate clearly and produce work for an audience. They are also learning industry tools and technology while building portfolios that make them competitive college applicants and open doors to conservatory training and professional employment.

For Nassau BOCES, this is evident at LIHSA and among the school’s alumni, who have gone on to study at Juilliard, the Parsons School of Design and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and to work for employers ranging from The

New Yorker to the Metropolitan Opera. I offer LIHSA as an example, but this isn’t about one school. I invite Long Island families, educators and public officials to re-examine the full range of career pathways that lead to meaningful work in today’s evolving economy and consider the growing promise of creative industries.

We are quick to guide students who want to become nurses, engineers or electricians toward those programs of study. We should be just as ready to do the same for students who want to work in design, media or the performing arts.

The five LIHSA students currently advancing through the national rankings at SkillsUSA remind us of something important — talent matters, but so does training and opportunity.

If our region is serious about economic growth, we should prepare our students accordingly and not ignore the creative sector, which is outpacing overall job growth by a factor of five to one. Long Island has built strong pipelines into other trades. We owe our young artists, performers and producers the same counseling, the same investment, and the same expectation of success.

Larry Leaven is district superintendent and CEO of Nassau BOCES.

May 19 decisions carry outsized local impact

long Islanders will be asked to make decisions on May 19 that quietly but profoundly shape their communities. From Amityville to Valley Stream and from Oyster Bay to Massapequa, voters will head to the polls to weigh in on public school district budgets, elect Board of Education trustees and, in several cases, decide funding for their local libraries.

These are not minor matters. Yet year after year, school district elections draw strikingly low turnout and are often decided by a small fraction of eligible voters. More often than not, only 5 to 10 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. That disconnect is hard to justify given the outsized influence these votes have on taxes, educational quality, public services and overall community health.

School budgets determine far more than what happens inside the classroom. They shape the volume of opportunities available to students — from arts and music programs to athletics and extracurricular activities — as well as spending on classroom instruction, staff salaries, employee benefits, school operations, transportation and specialized programs. The budgets, proposed by local school boards and voted on by residents, dictate the allocation of local property taxes, state aid and federal funding.

In districts where library budgets are on the ballot, these votes also impact access to books, technology, program-

ming and community space for residents of all ages.

Equally important are the elections for Board of Education trustees. These individuals are not figureheads; they are elected officials responsible for setting district policy, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and establishing the annual budget. They ensure compliance with state education laws, manage district property and represent the community’s interests.

Their choices influence curriculum, long-term planning and how effectively taxpayer dollars are managed. The direction of a school district for years to come can hinge on who fills these seats. What makes these elections especially significant is how much can turn on so few votes. In many Long Island communities, multimillion-dollar spending plans and major capital projects are approved or rejected by narrow margins. A relative handful of ballots can alter the outcome. That reality means that every vote carries real weight, much more than in higher-profile elections where margins often stretch into the thousands or millions.

The 2006-07 Baldwin School District budget passed by only five votes. Last May, the Shelter Island School District spending plan fell just 40 votes short of the required 60 percent supermajority needed to pierce the state tax cap, A year earlier, only a few of Long Island’s 124 school districts, including Sachem and

West Babylon, had their budgets rejected. It is also a mistake to view these elections as relevant only to parents of school-aged children. Strong public schools are a cornerstone of vibrant communities. They help sustain property values, attract families, support local businesses and contribute to a shared sense of stability and pride. Libraries, too, serve as essential civic hubs, offering educational resources, workforce support and cultural programming that benefit entire neighborhoods.

Participation in these elections is not complicated, but it does require intention. Voters should take time to review the proposed budgets and any referendums, understand what is at stake and, if possible, attend public hearings or information sessions. These forums provide valuable insight into how decisions are made and where priorities lie.

Most important, residents must show up. Local democracy is strongest when it reflects the voices of the many, not the few. When turnout is low, decisions that affect entire communities are left in the hands of a limited group of voters, weakening the representative nature of the process.

May 19 may not carry the fanfare of a national election, but its consequences are immediate and tangible. Those who participate will shape the future of Long Island’s schools, libraries and neighborhoods. That alone should be reason enough to make voting a priority.

It’s long past time to recognize the Montauketts

in March, the State Assembly unanimously passed — yes, even in these polarized times, it unanimously passed — a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni providing for reinstatement and acknowledgement of the Montaukett Indian Nation.

The bill has now gone to the State Senate, which, like the Assembly, has overwhelmingly passed it seven times. Yes, seven times. But Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed it four times. And her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, vetoed it three times.

“The people of the Montaukett Indian Nation are a rich part of the Long Island community,” declared a statement issued by Schiavoni’s office. But “After several attempts to advance legislation that would recognize and acknowledge the Montauketts, New York State has continued with the precedent set in 1910 to deny them their right of existence in the eyes of the state. Despite the 1910 Pharaoh v. Benson case when the court declared them to be extinct while their leaders and 75

members of the nation sat in the courtroom, the Montaukett Indian Nation has continued to thrive and govern itself. The wrongful removal of their state recognition remains uncorrected.”

Schiavoni, a Sag Harbor Democrat, joined the Assembly in January 2025.

The 2026 Montaukett recognition measure, and earlier bills, were sponsored in the Senate by Anthony Palumbo, a Republican from New Suffolk. One of them passed the Senate, 50 to 1, last year.

The Indian nation has been dissed by no fewer than seven vetoes by two governors.

In her veto message about that bill in December, Hochul again pointed to the 1910 ruling in Pharaoh v. Benson. In it, State Supreme Court Justice Abel Blackmar sided with the descendants of Arthur Benson, a developer, in awarding them Montaukett tribal lands. Hochul said there were still “outstanding questions and issues concerning the Montauketts’ eligibility for recognition, according to traditional criteria.”

Schiavoni succeeded Fred W. Thiele Jr., a member of the Assembly for nearly 30 years, who sponsored the earlier Montaukett measures in the Assembly.

After Hochul cited Pharoah v. Benson in a veto of the 2023 bill, Thiele, a Sag Harbor Democrat, said he was shocked

Framework by Tim Baker

that the governor would reference that ruling, which he described as “one of the most racist decisions in the history of New York jurisprudence. The prior vetoes were unfortunate but the language in this one was stunning. To take the Benson case, which has language in it that would embarrass the Proud Boys, and hold that up as the justification for this veto is just crazy. Instead of rejecting the noxious rationale of Benson, [Hochul’s] veto affirmed it. I am ashamed of our state government.”

The case focused on an effort by the Montaukett chief, Wyandank Pharoah, to undo the taking of Montauk lands by Benson. As Newsday’s Mark Harrington noted in his coverage of the 2025 Hochul veto: “Newsday in a 1998 investigation found that the process by which developers and the Long Island Rail Road annexed Montaukett and Shinnecock Indian Nation lands over the past 200 years was rife with ‘deceit, lies and possible forgery.’”

There is a passage in the vetoed 2025 bill — and in the current and prior measures — stating that Blackmar’s “arbitrary ruling ignored earlier U.S. Supreme Court decisions defining Indian Nations according to criteria under

which the Montaukett Indian Nation qualified as an existing sovereign tribe and giving Congress, rather than the courts, power to decide [its] status.”

The Montaukett situation has attracted attention beyond Long Island. A New York Post article on Hochul’s December veto quoted Sandra BrewerWalker, executive director of the Montaukett Indian Nation, saying, “The governor just doesn’t get it — she lacks an understanding of Native American history and is upholding an illegal, racist ruling.”

On the floor of the Senate, Palumbo has decried the ruling in the Pharoah v. Benson case, which he termed “likely racist” and spoke of how the tribe “was recognized for years prior” to the case. He declared, “Now is the time to correct this injustice and provide the Montaukett Indian Nation with the status they deserve.”

The Montauketts were one of the original great tribes of Long Island — and they’re still here. Peter Pharaoh, a proud Montaukett, was a journalism student of mine. They thoroughly deserve the restoration of their recognition.

Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.

At the Town of Hempstead’s Rock Hall Museum, an affiliate of the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities — Lawrence