LONG BEACH
Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach
Commuters across Long Island were forced to use alternate forms of travel, some of whose closest access points are in Queens. Long Beach service resumed late Tuesday afternoon.
Back on track: LIRR, MTA strike a deal after three days
By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY & BRIAN KACHARABA of the Herald
The three day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday, after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations, offi cials announced at an evening news confer ence.
Union and MTA representatives announced the deal after negotiations resumed in the afternoon and continued into the night, ending the work stoppage that halted service and caused travel disruptions across Long Island and in New York City.
“We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sex
ton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the spokesman for the Long Island Railroad Bargaining Coalition, said. “We’re pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement.”
In Long Beach and surrounding commu nities, residents’ commutes to work and per sonal commitments were impacted.
Kevin Fernandes, of Long Beach, com mutes to Grand Central Station, where he is a corporate recruiter. On Monday, Fer nandes said, it took him almost 45 minutes longer from Far Rockaway than from the Long Beach Station he normal uses.
“It definitely made it a lot harder,” Fer
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There’s no place like Long Beach — but you don’t need us to tell you that. It’s a communi ty defined by pride, connection and a long list of reasons resi dents are happy to call it home.
Want to get outside? There’s never a bad time to head to the boardwalk — sunrise, sunset or any chance you get. Enjoy one of the best beaches on Long Island, and then pop into one of dozens of outdoor restaurants, whether you’re look ing to grab a slice of pizza, enjoy fresh sushi, relax with a cocktail, or anything in between.
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For the kids, Long Beach schools are some of the best in the state. With award winning programs, dedicated teachers and students who shine in aca demics, the arts and athletics, education is truly at the heart of this community and a source of local pride.
This week’s Herald is being mailed to every home in the city, and includes our annual Long Beach Community Guide. Inside you’ll find the places, people, schools, organizations and events that help make this
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If you’re not a subscriber to the Herald, we hope this week’s issue persuades you to become one. Each week, in these pages and online, we cover the stories that matter most — from important city government decisions to profiles of notable residents to the everyday moments that bring the community together — and bring you the local news you can’t find anywhere else. To keep quality local journalism strong in Long Beach, subscribe today, at LIHerald. com/subscribe, or call (516) 569 4000, ext. 7. You can also support our work with a one time or recurring donation at LIHer ald.com/donate.
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Chris Colucci Editor
Aidan Warshavsky/Herald
News brief
East Elementary celebrates 100 years
In 1926, East Elementary opened its doors to students. Countless graduating classes have walked the halls in the intervening decades, and the current crop will usher in the school’s 100-year anniversary. The centennial has been a focus throughout the schoolyear and reached its peak with an outdoor party, in the playground, Tuesday evening.
Rochelle Wilson, mother of fifth-grader Mikayla Williams, said the once-in-a-lifetime party has been her daughter’s top priority. “She was totally psyched about it. She said, ‘Mom, this is the first time ever. I want to be able to say that I was there to celebrate.’”
Hundreds of students, parents, alumni turned out to enjoy the rare occasion. Between food trucks, live music, inflatable bounce houses and face painting, attendees had an opportunity to see memorabilia provided by alumni.
“It’s a great turnout,” said PTA Board Member Kimberly Wynne. “This is amazing. Better than we could’ve expected. It’s been really fun.”
The Long Beach Historical Society also played a key role in providing a look at early life at East. One flyer on display — a reprint of the “East School
Parent Bulletin” from 1956 — was a genuine time capsule highlighting a much earlier celebration. Discussing the school’s success after its first 30 years, Principal Velma W. Henrickson wrote to discuss messages she’d received from alumni about the school’s “birthday.”
“East School is still the same exciting, stimulating place it was then,” Henrickson wrote. “And we are very grateful to our superior teachers and intelligent parents for helping us maintain this high standard.”
–Chris Colucci
Chris Colucci/Herald East Elementary PTA Co-Presidents Joanne Kapp, left, and Meghan Curley-Chapman helped the crowd get into the centennial spirit.
PorchFest comes back to take over the city
By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com
The PorchFest schedule can seem overwhelming to the uninitiated. It featured eight venues spread across the city, including residential homes and recognizable landmarks — from Franklin Boulevard in the east to Washington Avenue in the west, Kennedy Plaza and the Long Beach Public Library in the center and more.
More than two dozen bands played all day long, in synchronized time slots with multiple performances happening simultaneously throughout town. While the Mitch Weiss Band played blues and funk at the library, Neutral Corners played acoustic rock at the Long Beach Historical Society and Ruby J and the Jewel Tones played jazz on East Penn Street.
The Long Beach Arts Council helped to coordinate it all, drawing in more than 45 sponsors for financial support, culminating in the fourth annual PorchFest. The all-day, all-city event supported local musicians and provided free entertainment to the entire community last Saturday, from noon to 6:30 p.m.
This year featured a first-time grand finale with a performance from The Dave Kellan Band. While most musicians during the day delivered 30 to 50-minute performances, the grand finale was a raucous 90-minute show, centerstage at Kennedy Plaza.
A day packed with music was the prime focus, but it was bracketed with a kickoff party the night before, at Bright Eye Beer Co., and an after-party Saturday night at the Long Beach Hotel.
Memorial Day Parade prepares to step off
By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com
The streets of Long Beach will come alive in patriotic spirit as the city hosts its annual Memorial Day Parade, in collaboration with the Joint Veterans Organization.
This year’s parade steps off from the intersection of Ohio Avenue and West Beech Street on May 25 at 10 a.m. toward city hall, followed by ceremony on the bandwagon in Kennedy Plaza on National Boulevard. The parade will feature 37 groups, including the Long Beach Little League and bands from Long Beach public schools.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Gerald Haber, commander of the American Legion Victor Murtha Post 972, who said he’s proud to be selected.
“I was honored that the members of the VFW unanimously voted me,” Haber said.
Haber joined the army in 1963 when he was 17 years old as a U.S. army medic. He received training to be both a medical corpsmen — working directly on the battlefield — as well as a medical specialist in the hospital.
From 1971 to 2000, Haber worked in the New York City public school system. In addition to teaching math to students in the 6th grade and up, Haber worked administratively as an assistant principal and principal. He was also a trustee on the board of education.
Shortly after, Haber took a position at St. John’s University, teaching undergraduate and graduate-level math classes. He’s now teaching a grad course at Brooklyn College mentoring student teachers.
In addition to Haber’s current volunteer work at the Long Beach Art League with his wife — Linda Haber — he served on the Long Beach Advisory Board for Seniors until 10 years ago. Haber said he helped add and upgrade programming at the Magnolia Senior
37 Long Beach groups will participate in this year’s parade, including the Joint Veterans Organization, which is made up of American Legion Victor Murtha Post 972 and VFW post 1384.
Center, creating more physical arts classes like dance and yoga.
“The idea was to make it for all levels,” Haber said. “Between my volunteer experience and the Legion, I keep myself busy.”
City Council President Brendan Finn, said the parade reminds residents and paradegoers that remembrance is more than just a day on the calendar.
“Honoring those who gave their lives in service to our country is a responsibility we carry with us always,” Finn said. “Service means something, and in Long Beach, service means everything. You can see that in the generations of families that line our streets, united in gratitude for the men and women who sacrificed their lives to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Tim Baker/Herald
The Injustice League brought their unique blend of classic rock, blues and relaxed jam band style to West Bay Drive.
Herald file photo
MAKE MOVING A BREEZE
After three-day disruption, LIRR, MTA reach agreement
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nandes said, noting the $30 Uber ride he had to take. “When you have to work around and temper your schedule to the situation, it complicates things.”
Some residents criticized the unions for seeking higher wages. “The people with seniority get way too much power in supereasy, almost no-show jobs that pay ridiculous overtime,” Michael Pollack, of Long Beach, said. “They clear $160,000, and apparently that’s not enough.”
Sexton said that details of the agreement would not be released immediately, citing the need for member review ahead of ratification votes. However, public radio station WNYC reported that the four-year deal includes retroactive pay, and expires in July 2027.
three days after the strike began.
“Joyspan”
Subtitled “The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half”, this book reflects the natural progression of our desire to increase our lifespan (the number of our years), to increasing our healthspan (the number of our healthy years), to increasing our joyspan (the number of our joyful years). The author defines joy as an inner feeling of well-being or contentment, as opposed to happiness, which comes and goes, often according to external circumstances.
Burnight writes, “To thrive in old age means to live a fulfilling, purposeful, and satisfying life despite the challenges of aging. It involves maximizing physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, social connections, and a sense of meaning. Thriving doesn’t mean being free of all health problems or challenges, rather, it emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find joy and value in life.”
Research shows that those who thrive late in life:
Grow: They continue to explore and expand
Connect: They put time into new and existing relationships
Adapt: They adjust to changing and challenging circumstances
Give: They share themselves
As a Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Dr. Burnight was struck by the radical difference in how people experienced their own aging process. “For some it is a frustrating, degrading, painful trajectory of ever-increasing decline. For others, there is visible delight, spirituality, and joy in occupying their eighth, ninth, and tenth decades.”
The thieves of joy are (1) comparison with others (2) frustration with health and mobility limitations (3) feeling like you are a burden (4) feeling heartbroken over the loss of a loved one, and (5) feeling defeated as if your best days are behind you. Nevertheless, she says, “Like the sun, joy is always there. But when it’s hidden by clouds, we mistakenly say it’s gone. Joy is resilient and can break through the clouds because it’s an innate part of the human experience.”
“One might say that following this doctor’s prescription will increase your “joyspan” and decrease your “oyspan”!
“Due to the nature of the negotiations, we cannot discuss the specifics,” Sexton said. “What I can say is we are looking forward to our members getting back to work and doing what they do best, which is serving the region.”
The agreement is subject to a 30-day period in which union members will review and vote on the tentative deal before it becomes official.
The shutdown began after five railroad unions went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday following the expiration of a federally mandated cooling-off period. The work stoppage led to widespread delays across Long Island, with shuttle buses operating on limited routes and commuters urged to work remotely where possible.
Sexton said that tensions escalated during Friday night negotiations, when the MTA introduced proposed health care contributions for newly hired employees, an issue that had not previously been part of discussions.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the agreement was reached after continued bargaining, balancing worker pay with affordability for commuters and taxpayers.
“I’m truly pleased to share that the five Long Island Rail Road unions and
the MTA were able to come together and reach a fair deal this evening,” Hochul said on Monday. “The contract achieved two principles: protecting affordability for Long Islanders and commuters while giving fair wages to the employees.”
Officials said that the LIRR would begin restoring service in phases starting Tuesday at noon, with limited hourly service on four main branches, before expanding systemwide service later in the day. The MTA said that the contingency bus service that operated during the shutdown would continue Tuesday morning before being phased out as train service ramped up.
Hochul said that roughly 3,500 LIRR employees would receive raises under the agreement, while fare and tax increases would not be part of the deal. “I also did not accept a deal for compromise affordability for Long Islanders,” she said. “At a time when everything is going up, I’m not going to allow taxes or fares to go up. Period. Full stop.”
Officials said that additional details on full system restoration were expected as crews completed inspections, repositioned equipment and returned employees to scheduled assignments.
It was the first LIRR strike since June 17, 1994. That strike lasted two days before a settlement was reached.
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Tim Baker/Herald Trains resumed service in a limited capacity on Tuesday,
Chris Colucci/Herald photos
Handmade signs filled the air with a range of messages — immigration reform, civil rights, economic policy and more. The crowd listened attentively to several speakers.
“No Kings” rally fights against nationwide issues
By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com
“History repeatedly demonstrates that democracies decline not solely through coups or invasions,” wrote Rev. Ronald McHenry, a minister from the Evangel Revival Community Church. “But through the gradual normalization of concentrated power, public complacency and the abandonment of constitutional guardrails.
This is why people from every race, generation, faith tradition and socioeconomic background are uniting under the declaration: ‘No Kings.’”
On Sunday, Long Beach saw its first organized “No Kings” rally as nearly 200 citizens gathered at Kennedy Plaza. The crowd displayed homemade signs to cars passing by West Park Avenue, with many drivers honking in support.
Hundreds of people showed up for the city’s first “No Kings” rally, expressing their unfiltered opinions about national politics.
“A lot of people in Long Beach want to participate and they don’t want to go to Mineola,” said Long Beach resident Roy Lester. “This is their opportunity. People really feel frustrated now. They want to have their voices heard and, unfortunately, this is the only way it can happen.”
The event was organized by Dems by the Sea, a local democratic party with members from across the South Shore. Lester clarified that the rally was protesting national policies, not reflective of legislation specifically in Long Beach.
All afternoon, McHenry led responsive chants, asking the crowd, “When immigrants are under attack, what do we do?” Participants responded together, “Stand up. Fight back.” Another collective cheer was a repetitive sing-song, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go.”
“I didn’t expect to see this much democratic support here in Long Beach,”
said local resident Jacqueline Calvo.” I thought it was more, kind of bigoted. But now that I’m seeing all this, I’m surprised and happy, actually.”
A collection of impassioned speakers talked to the crowd throughout the event. Among them, Helen Dorado-Alessi, executive director of the Long Beach Latino Civic Association, told her father’s story — escaping the dictatorship of Havana, Cuba in 1954 to eventually work for U.S. Customs after President Ronald Reagan’s amnesty program.
Long Island-based civil rights attorney Frederick K. Brewington reminded the crowd of the people’s critical role in politics, calling the public “the fourth branch of the government.” M.T. Pariti, of Bay Shore, offered original poetry motivated by the tense political climate. In one stanza, he wrote:
“Let’s make fascism a crime
Or at least what we abhor
They’re so way out of line
Violations are galore
And you think that it is fine
To just sit there and ignore?”
Budget for 2026-2027 school year passes
Meet the new trustees on the school, library boards
By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com
Long Beach Public School District voters approved a $162.5 million budget for the 2026-27 school year on May 19, while two incumbent Board of Education trustees were re-elected in an uncontested race.
The budget passed by a vote of 715 to 231, according to unofficial results released by the district. The spending plan represents a 2.5 percent increase over the current year’s budget.
Trustees Nora Bellsey and Dennis Ryan were both re-elected to new three-year terms. Bellsey received 676 votes, while Ryan received 640 votes.
The approved budget caries a 2.2 percent tax levy increase, which remains within the district’s allowable limit under the state’s tax cap formula.
Next year’s budget includes $1.7 million for facility and capital projects, including upgrades to the high school pool and bleachers. It also adds a custodian at the high school and enhanced security staffs at the elementary schools.
The spending plan will add Academic Intervention Services teachers and physical education programs at the elementary schools. The middle school will also have its own wellness room. The district will add a varsity game-day cheer coach, an assistant coach for the girls’ wrestling team at the high school and a field hockey coach at the middle school.
In the new Bloomberg Lab at Long Beach High School, students will use the Bloomberg terminals that investment bankers, hedge funds and corporations use worldwide. They will also see live movement on the stock market, global currencies and other commodities.
In secondary programs, the district approved funding for participation in a new BOCES co-enrollment program for high school students, including a barbering program. The district will also add rock band, guitar, fishing and water polo clubs.
Funding for central data processing will increase by $1.53 million, or 40 percent, which covers updates to the high school’s television media lab.
There will be a 29.7 percent decrease in contract transportation due to a reduction in student need and the use of existing bus drivers.
Incumbent return to school board
Bellsey taught in the district for almost three decades, and coached varsity cheerleading for 24 years, before retiring in 2015. Her children, Jessica Bellsey, ’97, and younger son Jeb Bellsey, ’99, also attended Long Beach schools.
During her time in the district, Bellsey said, she’s bolstered her communication skills, as well as her ability to collaborate with others while fulfilling the needs of teachers, faculty, students, parents and other stakeholders.
Over her tenure, Bellsey helped support an $87.7
million community bond approved by voters in October 2025 to fund districtwide capital improvements. It helped open the high school’s wellness center and will be instrumental in the renovations to the elementary school playgrounds districtwide this summer. There will also be a new marine science center in the high school next year.
Being a retiree doesn’t stop Bellsey from wanting to support the district she’s known and loved for over 50 years.
“Our students deserve thoughtful leadership, steady experience and continued commitment to their growth and well-being,” Bellsey said. “I want what’s best for this city by the sea. I think that one place in any community, if they want it to be strong and inviting to prospective families, is to keep the school district strong and alive.”
Ryan has lived on the barrier islands for the last 45 years. He is also a retired teacher, psychologist, athletic director and Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Great Neck.
Ryan has served as a trustee in Long Beach for 15 years and wrote on Facebook that he was committed to creating a balance between equity and excellence so that all students receive a fair opportunity.
“These are trying times,” Ryan wrote. “Experience in dealing with various stakeholders is essential if we are to progress and move forward as a district and as a community.”
Board of Education President Alexis Pace said she was happy to have both incumbents back on the board, highlighting their experience and commitment to the district.
“I think they both have unique perspectives and
they both always have the taxpayer’s best interest at heart,” she said. “Nora’s balance and Doc [Ryan’s] experience, we can continue to prioritize the welfare of our children.”
Long Beach Public Library
The Long Beach Public Library budget passed by a vote of 789 to 154, according to unofficial results released by the district. The spending plan totals just over $5 million, a 21.7 percent increase over the current year’s budget.
It necessitates an additional $25 in library fees, partly because of the closure of Baker and Taylor, a book distributor which serviced the library. The extra funding will expand library materials and programs, upgrade technology and support library and building operations.
Leigh Crane, the lone candidate running for the trustee seat vacated by Anita LaSpina, received 759 votes.
Crane, a Long Beach resident for over 13 years, is an educator at the National Beacon Center, an organization supporting Deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants and young children. In addition to her work at Little Garden By the Sea in Island Park — an early childhood program — Crane is the founder of Moment by Moment, a community-centered initiative that offers programs for families.
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked to create accessible, inclusive and connection-centered spaces for children and families,” Crane said. “I understand the important role libraries play in fostering learning and a sense of belonging, and It’s a true honor to learn and serve alongside the current board members in support of the library and community.”
Courtesy Nora Bellsey
Nora Bellsey will continue into her next term with her goal to prioritize the well-being of stakeholders in the Long Beach school district.
Herald file photo
Dennis Ryan feels roles as a school psychologist, athletic director and assistant superintendent qualify him for a seat on the board of trustees.
Courtesy Leigh Crane Leigh Crane takes the seat on the library board of trustees vacated by Anita LaSpina.
Aidan Warshavsky/Herald
Members of the Steel Magnolia improv meet once-a-week, collaborating in scenes that force them to think on-the-fly. The all-senior group remains as sharp as ever.
Lights, camera, action!
Meet the Steel Magnolias
By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com
It is never too early or too late to start your acting career, which is what members of the Steel Magnolia improv group are doing at the Magnolia Senior Center.
The 13-person group, who’s ages range from 60 to 92, started 18 years ago under the direction of Johanna Mathieson. Initially a script-reading class, Lisa Angelis, the troupe leader, said many of the seniors did not enjoy memorizing lines. It forced her to pivot to today’s format — improv games — which resembles the hit TV show, “Whose Line is It Anyway?”
“That’s how the improv idea was born,” She said. “We’ve been together ever since.”
The group, Angelis said, has some members they describe as “O.Gs” or “Original Grandparents,” who have been with the improv troupe for a long time.
ing improv games, where performers react in real time to unexpected prompts from audience members, often leading to unpredictable and hilarious moments. Scenarios varied, from acting out scenes using names of items picked from a bag, to audience members reading random lines from books — including titles like “Fifty Shades of Grey” — which performers must instantly incorporate into scenes.
The games are fast-moving, but not for Marie Quigley, 83, who is deaf. “The improv group makes me feel like nothing’s impossible,” she said. “It’s so good for my mental.”
Henrietta Staub a retired educator in the New York City public school system, joined during the monologue reading phase — she picked out “Sun Dried,” a monologue by Edna Ferber depicting the life of an aspiring writer dealing with romance.
“It took forever to memorize but it was fun and exciting to perform,” Staub said.
Bernie Genzer, 92, said he joined the troupe before the Covid pandemic, after longtime friends, Carolyn and Marty Warren, invited him to a performance. The performance, which turned out to be the Steel Magnolias, reconnected Genzer with Angelis, who he met 25 years prior.
Genzer, who has a speech arts degree from Brooklyn College, said he had a keen interest in acting. He participated in two Shakespearean shows while at Brooklyn College. He also sang in a fourpart a cappella group — also known as barbershop harmony.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie of the group,” Genzer said, noting their weekly practices on Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. “It’s a chance for me to open up.”
From the practices, the Steel Magnolias perform shows, like the one last Sunday, at the recreation center. A Herald reporter described them as fast-mov-
Staub said she enjoys participating because it’s good mental stimulation and allows her to be in the spur of the moment. Staub noted she has friends who watch her perform, and are flabbergasted by her decision to participate.
“Friends of mine who are in the audience don’t understand how I get up on stage,” Staub said. “I don’t think that’s frightening at all. You must be able to incorporate whoever you’re working with and let them get a laugh. It’s fun, it’s interesting.”
For Angelis, she said she always looks forward to seeing the group every week. She recalled an 80-year-old member who pretended she was pregnant, describing the scene as “pure comedic gold.”
“That’s what makes them so fun to watch,” Angelis said. “Because they aren’t afraid to put it out there. They’re not afraid to be a little ridiculous.”
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CelebraTing ShavuoT
There is a moment at every military and police funeral that stops time.
The flag, folded with the kind of slow precision that exists for no other reason than to say, “This life mattered,” is carried across the room and placed into the hands of the person who loved them most. Everything else falls away. The speeches, the uniforms, the rows of solemn faces. There is only the flag and the hands receiving it.
Not long go, I officiated at the funeral of a 90-year-old man who had worn two uniforms in a lifetime, one for this country and one for this city. Decades given to both. But the people who knew him best did not speak first about the soldier or the police officer. They spoke about a marriage.
For 68 years, there had been the kind of love in that home that rarely draws attention to itself, but quietly holds an entire family together. A life built through sacrifice that appeared in small ways, year after year, for country, for community and, most of all, for the person sitting in the front row.
That spouse could not speak at the funeral. Her grief was too large for words. I was asked to speak on her behalf, and I stood before the room trying to carry those words as carefully as I could.
The Festival of Weeks What She Held
The Jewish holiday of Shavuot, sometimes referred to as the Festival of Weeks, begins Thursday evening, May 21, and runs through Saturday, May 23.
Arriving on the 50th day after Passover, this ancient pilgrimage occasion was originally based on an agricultural cycle marking the season when the grain harvest switched from barley to wheat. A real time for happiness, feasting and bringing various offerings to the grand Temple in Jerusalem.
After the Roman conquest of Israel in the 1st century and the destruction of the central synagogue, the holiday was still remembered but its focus changed from crops to commemorating the anniversary of receiving the Ten Commandments.
And then they folded the flag.
I watched the officers move through the ceremony with the particular combination of precision and tenderness the ritual demands. I watched them carry the flag across the room. And when it touched those hands, the room changed. Not because anyone said anything dramatic. No one did. But because everyone understood what was happening.
A whole life had just been placed into someone’s arms.
The years apart. The waiting. The fear carried, silently, at home while someone else put on a uniform each morning. The birthdays missed. The late nights. The sacrifices no one records because they happened quietly, repeatedly and without complaint. All of it somehow gathered into that folded piece of cloth.
“We know you carried this alongside them. Every morning, they put on a uniform, you put on a different kind of courage.
Here. Hold this.
It belongs to you.”
Memorial Day asks us to face that inheritance. Every freedom we exercise, every ordinary morning in which we wake up able to speak freely and build a life without fear, was handed to us by people who are no longer here to watch what we do with it. The question is not only who died for this country. The question is, whether we understand what we have received and whether we are living in a way that justifies the cost.
handed carefully from one generation to the next.
The Torah was given in the wilderness, in a place that belongs to no one, because it was meant for everyone. But it survived because generation after generation refused to let it fall from their hands.
We call that chain mesorah Not tradition in the shallow sense of inherited custom, but the breathtaking continuity of a people who understood that some things survive only if they are carried deliberately.
Memorial Day and Shavuos arrive together this year. Both remind us of the same truth. We are not the beginning of the story. What we have was entrusted to us by people who believed the future was worth sacrificing for, even though they would never see that future.
I could not stop thinking afterward about what a flag really is.
It is not merely a national symbol. It is an acknowledgment. It says, someone gave something for people they would never meet. And it says something else, too. Something directed not at the nation, but at the person in the front row. It says,
This Thursday night, Jews around the world will celebrate Shavuos, the holiday commemorating the moment the Jewish people stood at Sinai and received the Torah. What strikes me every year is that the people standing at that mountain were not strangers to what they were receiving. They arrived already shaped by the generations before them, already carrying memories, sacrifices, promises, and faith
I still think about that spouse holding the flag after the funeral ended. Sitting quietly with it in their lap after everyone else began to leave.
Holding a life.
Holding a sacrifice.
Holding a promise to live as though it mattered.
Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi of BACH Jewish Center. For more information, visit bachlongbeach.com
newS brief
shoulder to shoulder united in freedom and hope, yet still unique in their understanding and processing of the experience.
In a world so fragmented, divided and polarized, Shavuot calls us back to that instant when a tapestry of diverse individuals engaged in a meaningful shared purpose. The hidden beauty of Shavuot is the teaching that a community is strong and bonded not when everyone is the same but rather when are all committed to listening, learning and showing up to be connected to something larger than ourselves.
Fifth-grade students met a pair of soldiers and learned about their backgrounds.
HAFTR students meet “Lone Soldier”
The description of that amazing scene of public revelation at Sinai, as detailed in the Book of Exodus, provides a timeless and timely lesson.
Picture the moment. Those who stood at the foot of the mountain to hear the Voice of Heaven directly were ready to enter into a holy covenant. They were the entirety of the miraculously liberated people who left Egypt. Different ages, genders, backgrounds and spiritual levels heard the Divine. Each person standing
This, I believe, is Long Beach — we are a mirror of that mixed multitude. We strive to adhere to that framework gifted to us by the holiday. Namely, to be joyful whenever we can, to console each other when necessary, to reach out to those who need to be lifted up and to pursue and promote dignity, justice and peace for all.
Let this year’s Shavuot remind us to embrace our commitment to welcome our individuality as we work towards a better future.
Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft is the spiritual leader at Temple Emanu-El in Long Beach.
Fifth-grade students at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway Lower School participated in a program featuring guest speakers who shared firsthand experiences of military service in Israel.
The program brought two “lone soldiers” — one from Israel and one from the United States — along with a brigadier general into the classroom to discuss their personal journeys and service in the Israel Defense Forces. School officials said the presentations offered students insight into the responsibilities and challenges faced by those who serve.
Students prepared for the visit by working with their Morot Lashon to develop questions, fostering discussion on topics including identity, sacri-
fice and unity. The session included a question-and-answer segment that allowed students to engage directly with the speakers.
The program also featured interactive activities designed to simulate aspects of training, giving students a sense of the physical and mental demands of military service.
School officials said the experience helped students deepen their understanding of service and perseverance while strengthening their connection to Israel.
HAFTR expressed appreciation to the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin for organizing the program.
R abbi
D avi D J. L e R ne R
R abbi
Melissa Berman
Courtesy Avi Shavert
CENTRAL GALLERIES
New York’s energy debate is often framed as a question of transition. But for many experts, environmental advocates and utility officials, the more immediate issue is one of necessity. Electric demand is rising, infrastructure is aging and customers are grappling with utility costs, all while the state works to reduce pollution and prepare for future growth.
The fastest way to add more power to the grid is through renewable energy paired with battery storage. Offshore wind, solar power and battery energy storage have become central to the conversation because they can diversify the grid, provide stable sources of energy and reduce environmental impact.
The New York Independent System Operator has predicted energy demand will increase by 65% by 2040, putting pressure on an already strained electric system that still relies heavily on aging
fossil-fuel infrastructure.
“Our electricity needs are increasing,” said Doug Schmid, environmental science professor at Nassau Community College and executive committee member of the Sierra Club Long Island Group.
“The New York State plan for our energy future is counting on 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy. We need it.”
Offshore wind, solar and storage power New York’s next chapter
Renewable energy advocates also point to the environmental and public health benefits tied to reducing combustion emissions.
“The wind blows, the turbines turn, and energy is produced,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “The air quality is not impacted.”
Esposito said communities are
already experiencing the effects of climate change through rising seas, heavier rainfall and coastal damage, concerns that directly affect Long Island’s economy, tourism industry and shoreline infrastructure. Insurance costs in flood-prone areas are also becoming a growing issue.
Though renewable energy projects have faced opposition and misinformation campaigns funded by fossil-fuel interests, advocates say offshore wind, solar and battery storage together offer a practical path toward meeting future energy demand, improving affordability, creating jobs and reducing emissions.
Photo taken by a fisherman of a whale at an offshore wind farm near Long Island.
Photo credit: Captain Paul Eidman
County panel kicks off anti-fraud campaign
Experts detail deceitful practices that cost unsuspecting consumers hundreds of billions of dollars
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Throughout the country, an easily overlooked category of crime has become a multi-billion-dollar industry: Insurance fraud costs consumers $806 billion every year, taking financial bites out of construction, transportation, real estate and other industries. Long Island’s local business leaders are sharing their strategies to avoid contributing to that statistic.
Some 160 business owners and employees welcomed advice from elected officials, security firms and fellow business people at a panel at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage on May 13.
This was the first panel connecting government agencies and local businesses to share information about fighting insurance fraud, according to John Capece, Nassau County’s consumer affairs commissioner.
“This is the first time in Long Island history that we have a meeting with all the building departments and the Department of Consumer Affairs to host a seminar for training and for communication,” Capece said.
The panel, sponsored by the Long Island Builders Institute, is intended to be the first of many. Capece conceived of the idea to kick off a larger effort to improve consumer safety by helping community members and local businesses identify and avoid malicious actors.
“We want to stop them because they prey on the elderly and the vulnerable people that don’t understand contracts … they get sucked into something where they think they’re going to save so much money and they don’t,” Capece said. “We want to educate the
public.”
Panelists discussed the optimal ways of handling everything from home improvement contractor licensing, permitting, solar installations and contracting oversight to responding to fraudulent insurance and
training certificates and staged construction accidents, as well as other topics impacting homeowners and the building industry.
Panelist Gina Farese is a solar energy entrepreneur and a member of Nassau County’s Home Improvement Advisory Committee and many other groups in the industry. She has seen many cases of improper business dealings, ranging from roofing coverage to workers who aren’t on a contractor’s official payroll.
“There’s a lot of things that are broken and so far gone, and I’m seeing so many homeowners get, unfortunately, taken,” Farese said. “So many people just care about their bottom line … at the end of the day, it’s just making sure that the homeowners are protected properly, and educating people.”
Mary Harkins serves as counsel to the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs. She advises Capece and the department on the interpretation of local laws, with a focus on contract violations.
“Now we’re able to address it more proactively, rather than just reacting,” Harkins said. “Our licensing division is about, like, six people, some part-time, and we’re dealing with 10,000 licenses plus about 800 new applications per year. It’s a lot of responsibility, but in reality, we’re moving on it.
“We’re trying to uncover the really great contractors out there,” Harkins added. For bad actors in the industry, the department, she said, is “trying to identify them and take corrective action.”
The number one way to protect yourself against risk, Capece said, is to verify that any contractor in your home is legitimately licensed.
For more information, call Nassau County Consumer Affairs at (516) 571-2465.
Private Beachside Luxury Living In Atlantic Beach
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald Panelist Gina Farese and Nassau Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Capece advised more than 160 community members about the risks of insurance fraud.
News brief
Shabbat 250 floods Chabad of the
Matching America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, community members from Chabad of the Beaches came together for a “Shabbat 250” celebration.
The weekend kicked off with a barbecue and a candle-lighting ceremony, followed by a prayer service known as Kabbalat Shabbat. On Saturday, festivities pivoted to morning services, followed by a Kiddush luncheon. It concluded with a Havdalah ceremony, which closes out Shabbat with additional songs and prayers.
A highlight was the writing of “Level Up Your Shabbat” cards, with families
Havdalah, a ritual performed on Saturday night after nightfall, uses a braided candle, a cup of wine and sweet spices to end the week. More than 300 participants came together to celebrate the joyful weekend event.
Beaches
pledging to take on custom Shabbat experiences with their families and the broader community moving forward.
Rabbi Eli Goodman said the weekend was filled with connection.
“When so many are searching for division, this Shabbat reminds us of the unstoppable beauty of our community,” Goodman said. “People are looking for authentic meaning, faith, and human connection. Seeing over 350 neighbors come together in such a joyful, proud way was nothing short of miraculous.”
–Aidan Warshavsky
Courtesy Eli Goodman
Balboni returns to Adelphi as its president
By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Adelphi University has named Michael Balboni, a former state lawmaker and a longtime public servant, as its 11th president.
Balboni, who will take office June 1, is the first Adelphi graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to lead the Garden City university. He succeeds Interim President Christopher K. Storm Jr., who will move into the newly created role of senior executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. Christine M. Riordan was Adelphi’s 10th president.
“This transition is a homecoming for me, a true full-circle moment,” Balboni said. “Because I know Adelphi from almost every possible angle, I have an intimate understanding of the DNA of this university and the transformative power of the education it provides.”
Balboni graduated cum laude from Adelphi in 1981 with a degree in biology, and has remained closely connected to the university, including as an adjunct faculty member and, most recently, as chair of the board of trustees. He built a career in law, government and public safety, serving in the Assembly and State Senate and later as New York’s deputy secretary for public safety.
Balboni said he plans to serve as Adelphi’s “chief external advocate,” using his experience in government, law and public policy to raise the university’s profile, expand partnerships and pursue new funding.
“I plan to leverage my professional network and my knowledge of the legislative landscapes in Albany and Washington, D.C., to elevate our institutional visibility,” he said.
He added that he will pursue state and federal grants, build corporate partnerships and work to raise Adelphi’s regional and national profile.
William Fuessler, acting chair of the university’s
BELMONT PARK VILLAGE
board of trustees and chair of the presidential search committee, said Balboni’s background makes him well suited to lead the university at a challenging time for higher education.
“To thrive, Adelphi requires an innovative leader and a proven executive capable of navigating complex financial and operational headwinds,” Fuessler said. “Michael Balboni brings precisely this expertise.”
Fuessler added that Balboni’s public- and privatesector experience will help the university secure resources and support institutional growth.
Balboni takes over as colleges and universities nationwide face pressure from shifting enrollment patterns, rising costs and growing scrutiny over the value of a college degree. Adelphi, he said, is entering that period in a position of strength.
Adelphi received a record 17,000 first-year applications for the upcoming fall semester, and has posted record first-year enrollment in two of the past three years, Balboni said. The university also has a balanced budget, a stable financial outlook and a $282 million endowment, up 69 percent since 2016.
“For workforce readiness, proving the return on investment of a degree is critical,” he said.
Affordability, efficiency and new partnerships will be central to his presidency, Balboni explained, as Adelphi works to demonstrate the value of a college degree. The university will focus on aligning programs with market demand in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and health care, while expanding internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad opportunities.
“I want to make sure our students all have the experiential opportunities through internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad,” Balboni said, “so they have real-world experiences employers want.”
Courtesy Adelphi University
Michael Balboni will take office June 1 as Adelphi University’s 11th president. He will be the university’s first graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to hold the position.
News brief
Young bicyclists learn the rules of the road
“The district lends itself to people wanting to get outside and be on their bicycles,” said Nassau County Legislator Patrick Mullaney. “And it’s a shame because a lot of people don’t even understand the rules of the road.”
Mullaney, the Long Beach Police Department and the Kiwanis Club of Long Beach coordinated the third annual bike safety rodeo last Sunday, helping more than 70 local children, from 4 to 12 years old, learn how to ride with safety in mind at all times.
Rosana Egan, secretary for the Kiwanis, explained that resurrecting a bike safety program, which hadn’t been formally organized in nearly two decades, was the result of several serendipitous factors.
“I said we want to do something for the kids, and I was talking to Pat Mullaney one day, and I think one of the committees he was on was about ‘safety,’” Egan said. “So I said to him, ‘Hey, we’re Kiwanis, we do things for kids. What do you think about a bike safety thing?’ And he loved the idea.”
Egan and the Kiwanis connected with the City of Long Beach, LBPD and enough groups to facilitate the event in 2024. Initially, the Rec Center parking
lots were used as the training ground. This year, the fenced-in basketball courts were converted into an obstacle course with cones, stop signs and designated lanes for bicyclists to traverse.
LBPD officers explained basic hand signals — stopping, right turn, left turn — before supervising riders driving their own bikes through the controlled path. Participants were also able to register their bicycles with the police department, which could facilitate a return in the event of a stolen and recovered bike.
Everyone finishing the course earned a certificate of completion and had an opportunity to enter a free raffle for one of five new bicycles purchased by the Kiwanis, with assistance from the Long Beach Bicycle shop. The Kiwanis also provided 80 new bike helmets — properly fitted by members of the Long Beach Fire Department — which were customized with provided stickers while a Long Beach Bicycle expert gave the bikes on hand a basic tune-up, checking essentials like air pressure and brake quality, to ensure riders and rides were leaving the event in better shape than they arrived.
– Chris Colucci
STEPPING OUT
By Karen Bloom
The holiday weekend may feel a little different this year with the beloved FourLeaf Air Show shifting to over to Fourth of July as part of the celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Still, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, including a patriotic drone show to fill in for the annual flying spectacle that will illuminate the night sky over Jones Beach on May 24.
No matter how the weekend unfolds, one tradition remains firmly in place: gathering around the grill for a barbecue with family and friends.
Of course, no Memorial Day barbecue would be complete without the familiar favorites — juicy burgers sizzling over an open flame, hot dogs nestled in toasted buns and steaks grilled to smoky perfection. But today’s cookout offers far more than the traditional staples. By adding dishes with bold marinades, fresh seasonal ingredients and unexpected sweet-and-savory flavors, hosts can bring new energy to the holiday barbecue while still honoring the classics everyone loves.
The beauty of grilling is its versatility. From colorful kebabs and charred vegetables to caramelized fruit and herb-infused sides, even the simplest ingredients take on extra flavor over the fire. The tried-and-true will always remain a go-to, but the holiday is also the perfect opportunity to refresh the menu with creative twists and crowdpleasing additions that may just become new favorites.
Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs
Kabobs add sizzle to the season. With their easy preparation and quick cooking time, kabobs are a simple way to enjoy many of your favorite fresh flavors.
Sizzle into summer
Fire up Memorial Day
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 pound raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper
• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
To make sauce, place 3 tablespoons mustard in medium bowl. Add oil and garlic powder, and whisk until uniform. Cover and refrigerate. To make marinade, in small bowl, combine vinegar with remaining 2 tablespoons mustard. Stir until uniform.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken and marinade in large sealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal.
Gently knead marinade into chicken through bag. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Meanwhile, if using wooden skewers, soak 4 in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Alternately thread marinated chicken and onion chunks onto 4 skewers. Bring grill to mediumhigh heat.
Brush both sides of kebabs with sauce. Grill kebabs for 5 minutes with grill cover down.
Flip kebabs and grill for 6 to 8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy.
Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Enhance the flavor of fruits and veggies at your barbecue. Try another way to eat pineapple by grilling it and pairing with a lime dip for a tasty treat.
• 1 pineapple
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 3 tablespoons honey
Lime Dip:
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
Peel pineapple; cut into wedges.
In resealable plastic bag, combine brown sugar, lime juice and honey. Add pineapple wedges, seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour.
To make dip: In small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in yogurt, honey, brown sugar, lime juice and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate.
Heat grill to medium heat.
Remove pineapple wedges from plastic bag; discard marinade. Grill pineapple wedges, covered, 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Serve with dip.
Grilled
Lemon Chive Corn
Grilling adds an extra special flavor to corn on the cob. Try it with a lemon chive butter topping.
• 4 ears fresh sweet corn, in husks
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Pull back husks from each ear of corn, leaving husks attached to base. Remove corn silk. Fold husks back around corn; tie at end of each ear with string or strip of outside corn leaves. Soak in cold water 30 minutes. Drain.
Place corn on grill, uncovered, 20 to 30 minutes or until tender, turning often. Meanwhile combine butter, chives and lemon juice.
Serve corn with lemon-chive butter.
‘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. 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.”
Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Decoration Day
Step back into time to when Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Throughout weekend, the living-history site comes alive with the sights, sounds and traditions of the 19th century, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into how Long Islanders once marked the occasion.Stroll the village while enjoying period craft demonstrations, storytelling and stirring brass band concerts that echo through the historic streets. The weekend culminates with the signature Decoration Day observance, re-creating the holiday as it was first commemorated in the early 1870s. Costumed Civil War “veterans” lead a patriotic parade and heartfelt ceremony honoring departed soldiers, capturing the spirit, pageantry and reverence of an earlier era. The parade and ceremonial program begin at 2:15 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, May 2324, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409.
Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Grilled Lemon Chive Corn
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
MAY
Arts In The Plaza
The annual arts market kicks off another season in Kennedy Plaza. Browse handcrafted art by local artists, enjoy the day out, including. Meet the artists and hear their stories and their inspirations. Vendors are only allowed to sell original, handcrafted work, so know that you’re supporting local artists and craftsmanship. The market is open every Saturday.
• Where: 1 W. Chester St.
• Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 476-2473
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
MAY
25
Memorial Day Parade
The Joint Veterans Organization and the City of Long Beach welcomes all to the annual Memorial Day Parade. 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
Gary Clark Jr.
Blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter has built a reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of his generation. Blending electric blues, rock, soul, R&B, and hints of hip-hop, his sound is both rooted in tradition and boldly modern. His guitar tone often recalls legends like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but his songwriting, socially aware lyrics, and willingness to experiment make him stand out as a contemporary artist. On stage, he is known for extended solos, dynamic arrangements, and emotionally charged vocals that move from soft falsetto to gritty growls, making every Gary Clark Jr concert feel unforgettable. Anyone who has listened to a Gary Clark Jr. album or watched the four-time Grammy Award winner perform live knows that he’s a gifted multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer. And never more so than on his last album, 2019’s illuminating This Land. But while This Land signaled a breakthrough in displaying his musical versatility beyond the blues, his latest album, JPEG RAW, represents a quantum leap. jun 16
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
26
Long Beach BOE meets
The Board of Education holds its next meeting. 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 High School, 322 Lagoon Drive West, Lido Beach
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: District Clerk Susannah Familetti at (516) 897-2108 or sfamiletti@lbeach.org
Harmonize With Long Island Harmonizers
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter
of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like—join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
Brick Builders
MAY 28
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
Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Varied times, through May 31
• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444
Annual
MAY 30
Michael Berube Sunset Color Run Run for a good cause and get a little dusty. The 3rd Annual Michael Berube Foundation Sunset Color Run includes a 50/50 and raffle baskets. Check-in begins on the boardwalk at Riverside Boulevard. The run starts on Riverside Beach. Registration includes a t-shirt, bandana and goggles while supplies last.
• Where: National Boulevard Beach, 1 Riverside Blvd.
• Time: Beach entry at 5 p.m. for pre-registered participants, 6 p.m. for late registrants.
• Contact: mrbfoundation28@gmail.com
Point Lookout Town Park Beach Clean-up
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
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
‘Something Rotten! The Musical’
See the comedy musical, set in the 1590s, which follows two playwright brothers competing with William Shakespeare as they attempt to create the world’s first musical. From tap dancing eggs to beautiful love stores, this musical really has it all. Songs include “A Musical!,” “It’s Hard to Be the Bard,” and “Welcome to the Renaissance.” The cast is comprised of New York City professionals, including David Hibbard, who was in the original Broadway production, with CAP21 alumni and current students. Performances are scheduled throughout the fourday run.
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) and the Town of Hempstead are partnering to host a community beach clean-up. Volunteers can sign up for one of the 1.5-hour time slots. Please sign up for only one time slot so that more people can participate. Clean-up supplies will be provided, but it is recommended to bring your own gloves. Registration is required so you can be contacted the event is cancelled due to the weather. Parking fees will be waived for all registered participants.
• Where: Point Lookout Town Park, 1300 Lido Blvd., Point Lookout
• Time: 9 a.m.-noon
• Contact: education@amseas.org
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.
May 21, 2026 —
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Public Notices
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
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
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 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
*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
*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
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
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 27th day of May 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-13 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “TRAFFIC REGULATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS” at the following location(s):
LIDO BEACH
LAGOON DRIVE EAST (TH 127/26) North Side
-NO PARKING 8 AM to 4 PM SCHOOL DAYSstarting from the east curbline of Lagoon Drive West, east then northeast for a distance of 266 feet.
ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 197-13 “TRAFFIC REGULATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS” from the following location(s):
LIDO BEACH
LAGOON DRIVE EAST (TH 485/88) North Side -NO PARKING 8 AM to 4 PM SCHOOL DAYSstarting from the east curbline of Lagoon Drive West, east then northeast for a distance of 348 feet.
(Adopted 6/13/89)
LAGOON DRIVE EAST (TH 85/04) West SideNO PARKING 8 AM to 4 PM SCHOOL DAYSstarting at a point 348 feet east of the east curbline of Lagoon Drive West, north for a distance of 94 feet.
(Adopted 8/10/04) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: May 12, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 160295
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-HE4 Plaintiff, Against
THOMAS DIBARI, RICHARD DIBARI, et al.
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 03/24/2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 6/23/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 77 Pennsylvania Avenue, Long Beach, NY 11561, and described as follows:
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 241 Lot 41
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $400,043.35 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 611053/2020 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. David S. Dikman, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 4/7/2026 File Number: 20-303033 CA 160362
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Candidate must possess excellent phone etiquette, verbal, written and interpersonal skills. Excellent
Live where refined design meets the rhythm of the sea. The Boardwalk offers a rare opportunity to own an oceanfront
Do
I need to file a plan just to build a stone wall?
Q. I planned and started building a stack stone wall in my front yard, but I was stopped by a building inspector. He told me the wall was structural, and needed a professional plan to be approved before I could do the rest of the work. It’s just a landscape wall instead of a fence or hedges at my front sidewalk, so why should it matter? A lot of my neighbors have them, and he told me to file a complaint, and he would check the others out, but I don’t want to tell on my neighbors. What do you suggest?
A. The rules on retaining walls aren’t as clear as for other things you could build. A wall, in most communities, fits into a few different categories.
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If it’s a retaining wall, meaning it holds something back, like your front lawn from the sidewalk or your neighbor’s lawn from your driveway, it’s definitely structural, and has drainage conditions you have to show on professionally prepared plans. The wall can’t hold back water from draining, or it could collapse. It must have a frost-depth foundation, which means that, since frost can permeate the ground to a depth, in our zone, of 3 feet, there must be a support wall with a spread footing at least 3 feet deep in the ground to limit heaving during extreme freezing, like we had for most of January this year, as you may recall.
It may be possible to build with less concrete, on supports spaced several feet apart and a shallow type of footing called a grade beam, but that still has to be calculated to make certain it won’t crack and heave under the extreme forces of frozen ground. The majority of people I meet have no idea about the upward force that develops when moisture in the soil freezes and expands, but it does occur in colder weather, and you only need a small amount of movement to cause the wall to move.
Stacked stone is, essentially, loose, and can move. It may be considered a safety hazard because the individual pieces of stone can fall, or be carried away or thrown, such as by accident, involving people or vehicles. While this kind of wall may harken back to simpler historical times, you are best to avoid the problem and construct a wall that is safer and less difficult to get approved. Stack stone walls may look great on an old New England farm, but not necessarily in a populated suburb.
As for your neighbors, there are rules we all have to follow, including them. I had to legalize a wall in the process of doing an entire home, and discovered that my client’s wall lined up with the neighbors’ walls on both sides. The worst part was that all the walls were built beyond the front property line, on the municipal right-of way. Curiously, only my client had to file a zoning variance request.
More next week.
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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OpiniOns
Keeping neighborhood traditions and values alive
Recently I attended an early-cut screening of a documentary on Farrell’s Bar in Brooklyn. The film is about much more than just a bar.
Though the world is always turning, these days it seems as if it’s turning more rapidly than ever. Traditions, values and principles are changing dramatically, and some are gone forever. None of us, of course, should want to live in the past or resist progress, which can bring so much good and improve our lives. But in the rush toward progress, we can’t afford to abandon institutions that encourage friendship and lasting bonds, especially in these fast-paced times.
Farrell’s is a legendary institution that has survived the rush of time. Now in its 93rd year — it opened just after the end of Prohibition — it remains a central neighborhood place for the Windsor Terrace community. It’s an oasis of calm in a desert of turmoil. Farrell’s has never betrayed its blue-
collar culture, embodied in its support for cops, firefighters and veterans. (Though newer, the Good Life, in Massapequa Park, and the Embassy Diner, in Bethpage, are cut from that mold.) Farrell’s isn’t far from Brooklyn Prep, where I went to high school, and a short distance from where my father grew up and my grandparents lived until the late 1970s.
Though I’d heard about Farrell’s and read about it in Pete Hamill’s stories, I stopped in for the first time during my very unsuccessful campaign for New York state attorney general in 1986. One of my closest friends and biggest supporters was Jimmy Boyle, who had been president of the FDNY’s Firefighters Union and a fixture in union politics for years. Boyle thought Farrell’s would be an ideal location for a campaign stop.
small part of it true, I climbed up on a chair in the middle of the room and began my speech by admitting that “even though my father was a cop, I have to say, you guys aren’t half bad yourselves.”
i had a small role in cementing the legacy of a legendary hometown bar.
After much friendly booing and catcalls, I thanked those guys for their support and assured them that I’d always be there for them. (A sad footnote: Boyle’s son, Michael, was one of the 343 firefighters killed on Sept. 11, 2001.) Though I went on to lose the election by 1.2 million votes, I had been a winner in Farrell’s, and for the next few years I’d stop by periodically to relive the one bright moment of the campaign.
independent filmmakers Jay Cusato and Rob Martin to produce a documentary on the bar, as a living metaphor for neighborhoods and good people who refuse to allow their values and lasting memories to be plowed over.
On March 8, 2020, Cusato and Martin interviewed me at my home, one of many people they talked to. At the time, their project was close to completion — or so they thought. The coronavirus hit New York before the week was out, and the documentary was put on ice. I actually thought they’d abandoned it until just last month, when Cusato contacted me to let me know that, in the spirit of Farrell’s, they had stayed on the project, titled “Why Farrell’s?” and invited me to a private screening at the St. Francis College campus on Livingston Street in downtown Brooklyn.
Sure enough, when I arrived just before noon that September day, Boyle had packed the place with loud, supportive firefighters, and a few cops had found their way in. It was as enthusiastic and as friendly a reception as I’ve ever gotten in politics. After Boyle gave me a phenomenal introduction, only a
Later, when I was in Congress, I would join Brooklyn friends from high school and make pilgrimages to Farrell’s. Though they couldn’t drink on the job, two detectives on my security detail, Jimmy Skopek and Melissa Zimmerman, took a particular liking to Farrell’s, especially its old-neighborhood flair.
Then, about 10 years ago, a friend of mine from Massapequa, Pat Fenton, wrote a well-received Off-Broadway play centered on Farrell’s. That inspired
OIt was a great experience. Though several interviews remain to be done, and sound and lighting issues need to be worked out, “Why Farrell’s?” is outstanding, so accurately depicting the values that the bar is doing so much to preserve. My role was minor, but I’m proud to be part of what is truly a meaningful work of art.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
It’s way too early to name things after Trump
ver the past few months, I’ve attended many social events, at which I shared a few drinks and conversation with friends from both political parties. Those gatherings have given me an open window into the rapidly emerging fracture among lifelong Republicans as well as the sharp divisions among Democrats. Democrats are always arguing, so it’s been the Republican fissures that have surprised me the most. Regardless of what the pollsters tell you, President Trump is tearing these lifelong partisans apart. There is division about the president’s arguments with the pope and deep concern about the impact of the war in Iran on the party’s chances in November. But the one issue that seems to evoke even more angst is Trump’s encouraging his name to be plastered on anything and everything that is brandable.
George Washington’s name appears
in all kinds of places across the country, including the national capital. The city was named after him while he was still in office, but he strongly opposed it and tried to block the effort when it was brought before Congress. Washington surrendered his military role when the Revolution ended, rejected efforts to have himself declared king and stepped down after two terms as president. His greatness was not only that he led the country, but that he declined a number of honors.
Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.
Have other presidents drawn the line? During Gerald Ford’s presidency, Congress passed a bill to name a federal building in Grand Rapids, Mich., after him. Ford refused to sign it, saying he knew of no federal building named for a president still in office and did not want to establish a precedent. President Harry Truman also resisted such honors, and once wrote emphatically that he had no desire to have roads, bridges or buildings named after him. His supporters wanted the Marshall Plan to bear his name, but Truman said the plan deserved the name of its author.
Clearly, the temptation to name things after politicians isn’t limited to one party. Members of Congress have long attached their names to federal buildings, courthouses, highways and bridges. Sen. Mitch McConnell has five buildings named after him in Kentucky.
And every president has been surrounded by supporters who want to flatter him, celebrate him and turn policy into legacy. The danger is especially high in our age of branding, social media and permanent campaigning. That is exactly why every president, irrespective of party, should draw the line when there is an effort to rename everything in sight after him. There is something unhealthy in a republic when a president uses public property to enlarge his own image. This isn’t a Republican or Democratic concern — it’s an American concern. The presidency belongs temporarily to one person, but the government belongs permanently to the people. Public buildings, passports, coins, agencies and national institutions should not become personal billboards for whoever hap-
pens to occupy the Oval Office.
There is also a moral difference between a grateful nation honoring a leader after history has had time to judge him, and a president accepting — or encouraging — public honors while he is in office. This isn’t a question of whether a president is admired. The pollsters have attested to the fact that Trump is supported by 85 percent of registered Republicans. But there will be ample time for our country to render honors unto this president and those who follow him.
We need to have a law that applies equally to all parties. That law should prohibit the naming of entities, structures and objects after a sitting president. It must apply equally to Trump and all those who follow him.
Our founders worried about this issue. They knew that republics can decay not only through force, but also through flattery. Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
Memorial Day means more than barbecues
Memorial Day weekend arrives each year with familiar signs that summer is finally at hand. Beaches begin to fill. Backyard grills fire up. Families and friends gather after months of work, school and routines that too often keep them apart. Across Long Island, from Jones Beach to Montauk, the holiday has long marked the unofficial beginning of a season people eagerly await.
There is nothing wrong with celebration. In many ways, that freedom to enjoy ordinary moments with the people we love is part of what generations of Americans fought to preserve.
But Memorial Day asks something more of us as well.
Especially as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans should remember that Memorial Day is not simply another three-day weekend on the calendar. It is one of the country’s most solemn observances — a day set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.
That distinction matters.
Veterans Day honors all who served. Armed Forces Day recognizes those currently in uniform. Memorial Day is specifically for those who never came home.
Their sacrifice stretches across every generation of American history. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War,
from the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, over 1 million service members gave their lives believing the country they defended was worth that sacrifice.
Many came from communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Their names appear on memorial plaques, downtown monuments and flags lining local streets. Long Island itself carries deep connections to America’s military history.
Roughly 1,180 Long Islanders died in World War II: 855 from Nassau and 325 from Suffolk. At least 552 service members lost their lives in the Vietnam War. After the Sept. 11 attacks, 56 Long Islanders died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
From Revolutionary War sites to Gold Star families who sacrificed during the wars of the past two decades, our region has long contributed to the nation’s service and sacrifice. Memorial Day offers communities an opportunity not only to recognize that history but also to share it with those of younger generations.
As America prepares to commemorate 250 years of independence in July, this Memorial Day carries even greater weight. Anniversaries often invite celebration, reflection and pride. But they should also invite humility. The freedoms Americans treasure did not sustain themselves across two and a half centuries. They endured because generation after generation answered a call to serve, often at extraordinary personal cost.
It can be easy for the deeper meaning of Memorial Day to become overshadowed by travel plans, social gatherings and retail sales. Modern life moves quickly, and holidays increasingly blur together into commercial events disconnected from their origins. But Memorial Day deserves more intentional remembrance — and that does not always require grand gestures.
Attending a local parade or remembrance ceremony before heading to a barbecue is one way to honor the fallen. Visiting a veterans’ memorial or cemetery and taking a few quiet moments to read the names engraved there is another. Americans can also observe the tradition of flying the flag at half-staff until noon, and share stories with children and grandchildren about relatives who served, ensuring that those stories are not lost.
Honoring sacrifice does not diminish the joy of the weekend. In fact, it deepens it. Gratitude gives meaning to celebration. A nation that remembers its fallen understands more clearly the value of the freedoms it enjoys. This year, amid the sound of waves, fireworks and laughter that will soon define the summer season, Americans should make room for remembrance, too. Memorial Day is not ultimately about the start of summer; it is about the cost of freedom, the weight of service and the obligation of a grateful nation never to forget those who gave everything in its defense.
opinions
Some in Washington say
all’s well. Families know better.
The sticker shock Americans are feeling at the gas pump, in the grocery store, opening their utility bills and paying for health care aren’t some abstract political talking points. The high cost of living is a daily reality for many families trying to make it through the week.
Gas prices surged 15.6 percent this month, with regular gas sitting above $4.50 per gallon. Grocery prices made the biggest onemonth jump in nearly four years in April. Inflation is up to 3.8 percent, the highest in three years. For the first time since 2023, it’s outpacing wage growth. For millions of Americans, every trip to work, school, the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment now comes with a painful reminder that the cost of living keeps climbing.
Just last week, President Trump was quoted as saying, “I don’t think about
Americans’ financial situation — I don’t think about anybody.” Previously, he has called affordability, or a lack thereof, a “hoax.” Despite what he refuses to see, the cost of living is the defining issue facing this country right now.
F or many people, the affordability debate is about survival, not ideology.
The numbers tell the real story very clearly. A new Marist poll found that most Americans think their cost of living is not very affordable (44 percent) or not affordable at all (12 percent). More than six in 10 Americans do not believe the economy is working for them. Those aren’t partisan numbers. Those are kitchen-table realities.
Gas prices are a major reason why. The same poll confirmed that a whopping 81 percent of Americans say that current gas prices are putting at least some strain on their household budget. One-third say the strain is major. Only 19 percent say they feel no strain at all.
It’s not just gas prices, either; a reckless tariff policy has caused prices on everyday goods to skyrocket. Gutting green-energy projects has raised utility
Framework by Ellen Jaret
prices by cutting supply so it can’t meet demand. Our historic debt, created by the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” has massively driven up interest rates, making everything more expensive. Sky-high inflation has hit families from every direction.
All of these cost drivers, when put together, can feel insurmountable. Families are facing hard choices, and being forced to think twice about expenses they never considered before. For some that means cutting back on summer travel. For others it means buying less food at the grocery store. And for workers with long commutes, it means watching more and more of each paycheck disappear before they even get home.
Administration officials who continue to deny affordability as a major issue for Americans only grow more and more disconnected from what ordinary people are experiencing. Telling Americans to hit the road when gas is hovering above $4.50 per gallon, as our transportation secretary did two weeks ago,
is a little like telling struggling families not to worry about grocery bills while food prices continue to rise.
For many people, this debate is no longer about ideology. It’s no longer about Democrat vs. Republican, liberal vs. conservative, left vs. right. It’s about survival. Can they afford groceries this month? Can they afford their commute? Can they afford a family vacation, or even a weekend getaway?
That’s why affordability remains the central issue in the country today. Not political slogans. Not cable television arguments. Real life.
Washington can debate statistics and messaging strategies all day long. But families don’t experience the economy through press releases. They experience it every time they swipe a credit card, fill up their tank or open a utility bill.
And right now, too many Americans feel like they’re falling further behind. Now we must come together and work across the aisle to bring costs down for the American people. There is no mission more urgent.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
Overlooking Mgarr Harbour on the Mediterranean island of Gozo, Malta
