A Lasting Tribute to Freedom
Madison Gusler/Herald Drew Guarini began his Long Beach NY Memes page as a creative outlet.
Life in Long Beach goes viral
By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci @liherald.com
Internet memes are part artistic expression, part social commentary and part cultural snapshot. The images or text they present are terse one-liners, driving home a point or evoking an emotion. One creative local mind has carved out a niche of its own, blending Long Beach pride with more than a decade of professional expertise in social media management.
The result is the Instagram account LongBeachNYMemes, which has attracted more than 20,000 followers since 2020. The page, operated by West End resident Drew Guari-
ni, continues to offer relatable memes about life in the City by the Sea while supporting small businesses and encouraging residents to explore local music, arts and restaurants.
“Think about the vast majority of towns on Long Island. Is anybody going to wear a hoodie that says ‘Massapequa Park’ or ‘Rockville Centre?’ No,” Guarini said. “But if you walk around Long Beach, you’re going to see an endless parade of people rocking a Long Beach hat, Long Beach tank top, Long Beach shirt. People want to be here. They want to live here. They want to visit here.”
Guarini, 37, graduated from Rockville Centre’s South Side High School in 2007, havCoNtiNueD oN paGe 9
The heat wave arrives, and the city’s ready
By CHRIS COLUCCI & WESLEY SCHNELL of the Herald
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for nearly all of Long Island beginning at noon on Wednesday and lasting until 9 p.m. on Friday, with an extreme heat watch extending until 9 p.m. on Saturday.
The standard criteria for a heat wave is three consecutive days with temperatures reaching at least 90 degrees. As the Herald went to press on Wednesday, the forecast anticipated five straight days with temperatures soaring past 90, with a peak of 100 degrees or higher on Thursday. The heat index, or “feels like” temperature, was expected to approach 110 degrees that day.
in Wantagh Park, Hicksville’s Cantiague Park and Uniondale’s Mitchel Field will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and the former Nassau County family courthouse, in Westbury, will be open 24 hours a day as an air-conditioned, securitymonitored facility.
RICH BORAWSkI Chief of lifeguards
Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti held a news conference Tuesday afternoon in Lido Beach to announce similar local plans for town residents. “Cooling centers will be available at the Elmont, Levittown and Wantagh senior centers from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Thursday and Friday of this week,” Ferretti said.
Preparing for the potentially dangerous weather, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and town supervisors across the county took steps to help residents stay cool and safe. Blakeman announced the opening of four cooling centers: Administrative buildings
“These facilities are open to any residents who need a cool, air-conditioned cruise to escape from the heat,” he continued. “Hours of operation at town beaches and pools will be extended from Thursday through Saturday. Beaches will be open until 7 p.m. and pools will be open until 8 p.m.” Similar measures have been implemented in the Town of North Hempstead and the Town of CoNtiNueD oN paGe 5 W e know it’s going to be hot. We are prepared.
The man behind the memes:
things to know about summer at the library
A Long Beach Public Library card can deliver more than books
By Chris ColuCCi
ccolucci@liherald.com
A library card isn’t just a passport to all the reading your imagination can handle. It’s an all-access pass to free activities and events, educational and entertaining programs and even a lending library to borrow anything from a metal detector to a karaoke machine. Here are a few more reasons to head to the library this summer.
New Borrow-a-Bike program added to “things”
The “Library of Things” already allows cardcarrying patrons to borrow a range of gear, including a Nintendo Switch for fun-filled days or a telescope for sky-watching nights. The library also offers membership passes to a range of museums, including the Long Island Children’s Museum and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
This year, the library introduced a borrow-abike program for members over 18 years old. For up to three days, a member can use one of the library’s two cruiser bicycles to ride, safely, around the city. The bikes come with a lock for security and front and rear lights for maximum visibility. Helmets are not provided but are encouraged. Visit the adult reference desk to reserve a timeslot and sign release forms.
“Unearth your story” summer reading challenge
The library has thrown down the gauntlet. From June 29 through August 22, it’s challenging patrons to complete a bingo card filled with tasks to widen reading lists, expand interests and investigate the library’s full offerings. Visit the reference desk for an official bingo card listing 24 challenges and get to work meeting the criteria. Assignments include some obvious items such as reading a book published in the year you were born, reading on the beach, or reading a classic novel. It’s also a chance to move beyond your comfort zone by trying something new such as borrowing from the seed library, using a database, or watching a movie on Kanopy — a free online streaming service specializing in classic movies, indie films and documentaries.
LBPL celebrates America 250 all summer long
The library isn’t letting the nation’s semiquincentennial pass by without appropriate attention. Informative and enjoyable programs are scheduled through the entire summer specifically to recognize the country’s 250th anniversary. As the paper goes to press, the apple pie showdown contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Historian James Coll is presenting a series of three “We The People” lectures to discuss the three branches of government. An array of concerts, children’s arts and crafts and community events — including America-themed meetings of the book club and the vinyl collector’s club — are also planned. Find full program details and event schedules at longbeachlibrary.org.
Attendees saw an intricate sandcastle display and had an opportunity to create their own. For those not interested in getting dirty, the hot dog eating contest was
“Salute to Veterans” fireworks display in PLO
By CHRIS COLUCCI
ccolucci @liherald.com
The Town of Hempstead celebrated America’s 250th birthday with its annual concert and fireworks spectacular last Saturday. The day began with scattered rain and threatened to force a last-minute reschedule, but the weather shifted to a clear, enjoyable afternoon and evening.
Attendees took in the bellystretching spectacle of the Sabrett hot dog eating contest and the intricately detailed sandcastle-building contest. Music was provided by The Red, White, and Blues Band as well as The Jacksons — featuring original members of The Jackson 5, brothers Jackie and Marlon. Food trucks, family activities and a volleyball tournament rounded out the fun.
105-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli performed his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the saxophone. Critelli’s service segued into a key feature of the day — the presentation of Veterans Service Awards to four local veterans — Jim Brzezinski of Levittown, Billy DePietro of Elmont, Marianela Lizana-Plaza of Valley Stream and Charles Wroblewski of Seaford. Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti presented each veteran with a plaque to recognize their service and assistance to fellow veterans. When the sun was sufficiently set and the dark sky was a suitable backdrop, the annual fireworks display and drone show lit up the area with bursts of color, unique patterns and recognizable designs.
Remaining members of the Jackson 5 — Jackie, left, and Marlon — performed for the packed crowd, showing that they haven’t
The Town of Hempstead followed its annual tradition with an eye-catching, sky-coloring fireworks display and drone show.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
also a hit.
missed a beat.
Even at a spry 105 years old, Dominick Critelli played a moving rendition of “The StarSpangled Banner” on his saxophone.
Long beach friends, from left, Reilly Hagerstrom, Elliana Meade, Kiera Schuh, Bella Goucher and Cat Greenberg all enjoyed the day full of events and food.
As we celebrate 250 years of our nation’s independence, we are reminded that strength is found in our communities
For years, our home has been right here on Long Island. We are proud to stand alongside the local organizations, neighbors, and companies that keep our region thriving today.
we are building the next chapter of our story.
L.B. Lifeguards receive fresh support from MSSN
By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com
“Our lifeguards are really the crown jewel of Long Beach,” said City Council President Brendan Finn at a news conference held at the Riverside Boulevard beach entrance — in front of Long Beach lifeguard headquarters. “We’re all thankful for the great job they do every day. Even when they’re off-duty and after hours. The people of Mount Sinai do the same thing. They’re here, night and day, for all of us.”
The lifeguard team consists of more than 150 paid service people including lifeguards, EMTs and officers. On Tuesday, Mount Sinai South Nassau continued with their eighth year of sponsorship by presenting the lifeguards with an annual donation of custom-designed T-shirts. The shirts are more than a token of appreciation — they’re a fundamental cover for the first responders who spend their days in the blazing sun.
“All these first responders are in the business of saving lives and keeping people safe and helping people,” Finn said. “It’s such a beautiful partnership and we’re grateful for all their service. I speak, not just for the council, but for everybody in Long Beach: Thank you very much for what you do.”
At the news conference, Mount Sinai South Nassau also announced a new
health initiative for lifeguards. Dana Sanneman, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s vice president of public affairs, explained that the hospital has been working for nearly six months, in partnership with the Connor Kasin Memorial Foundation, to provide free EKG screenings to student athletes. Connor Kasin was a Massapequa High School student who died in 2024 from a sudden cardiac event. Sanneman said the program has screened 150 student athletes and will now be offered to lifeguards.
“Lifeguards working in the city of Long Beach, or anywhere on Long Island can come to Mount Sinai South Nassau’s community wellness center located right here on the boardwalk,” Sanneman said. “Every Monday, we’re offering no-cost EKG screenings to student athletes and lifeguards.”
Chief of Lifeguards Rich Borawski said he hopes the full team of lifeguards, from the 16-year-olds to the more veteran members, take advantage of the service.
“The EKG just takes a couple of minutes. It’s non-invasive,” said Dr. Dave Neubert, an EMS physician at Mount Sinai South Nassau. “It allows us to get a good picture of the heart. If we see anything on the EKG that appears abnormal, then we’re referring them for additional testing. This is truly important to save lives.”
E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460
■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643
■
long beach
Chris Colucci/Herald
Members of the Long Beach lifeguards displayed this year’s shirt, sponsored by Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Officials offer tips for braving high temps, minimizing risk
Oyster Bay.
PSEG Long Island announced that it was prepared for a spike in demand for electricity during the heat wave. PSEG Long Island’s vice president of electric operations, Michael Sullivan, wrote in a news release, “We have been upgrading equipment, carefully planning to provide sufficient electric capacity to meet peak demand, and positioning our personnel to respond effectively if needed.”
According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat events cause more deaths than hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, flooding and lightning strikes combined. At a Tuesday-morning news conference at the Riverside Boulevard beach entrance in Long Beach, representatives of Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital spoke about the warning signs and dangers of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Dr. David Neubert, an emergency medicine physician and the facility’s director of prehospital medicine, said that monitoring for signs of dehydration is a crucial first step. “If you start to feel nauseous, feel clammy or feel dizzy — any of those symptoms, you need to get yourself out of the sun, get yourself somewhere cool and hydrate,” Neubert said.
He explained the difference between
BBQ #1
• 8 Beef Burgers
simple heat exhaustion and the more immediate, potentially deadly condition, heatstroke. “With chest pains, shortness of breath, or if they have a mental status change — they’re not acting normal or they’re not making sense — that’s very important to call 911, call a lifeguard, get them to a hospital,” he said, “because that can be signs of heatstroke, a true emergency that’s lifethreatening.”
Long Beach Chief of Lifeguards Rich Borawski also spoke at the news conference, highlighting relatively simple steps that beachgoers can take to reduce the risk of heat-related injuries. In addition to frequent hydration, Borawski noted two sometimes overlooked safeguards — lip balm, to protect the delicate skin around the mouth, and footwear to protect feet from hot sand. Borawski recalled a beach visitor who suffered second-degree burns after walking barefoot in the sand last year.
“We know it’s going to be hot. We are prepared,” Borawski said. “We have emergency medical technicians and extra lifeguards ready to go at a moment’s notice for the next couple of days. We want you to come here and enjoy everything that the city of Long Beach has to offer, but we want you to stay safe beach-wise and water safetywise.”
• 8 Beef Burgers
• 8 Pack of Boars Head Hot Dogs
• 6 Mini Rings of Italian Sausage
• 2 lbs Marinated Skirt Steak (BBQ, Teriyaki, or Italian) Feeds: 8-10 People
• 8 Pack of Boars Head Hot Dogs • 6 Mini Rings of Italian Sausage • 2 Ibs Marinated Skirt Steak (BBQ. Teriyaki, or Italian) • 2 Organic Bell & Evans: Whole Chickens, cut up and marinated in cur lemon garlic marinade Feeds: 8-10 People
Online: asoceanside.com
#3
• 16 Beef Burgers
• 1 Large Pkg of Boars Head Hot Dogs
• 6 Mini Rings of Italian Sausage
• 4 Beef Ka-Bobs (Marinated or Plain)
•
HERALD SPORTS
A salute to 2025-26 sports champions
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
It was a banner season for not only the New York Knicks but also for many high school athletic teams in the Herald’s coverage area. Listed are the top team accomplishments, in chronological order.
1. Seaford girls soccer
It was a full-circle moment for Kaylie Conklin and 11 other Seaford seniors. Conklin scored off a rebound in the 11th minute of the Nassau Class A girls’ soccer championship game Nov. 1 and that’s all the offense the Vikings needed to capture their second county title in four years, 1-0 over Plaindege. The lone goal originated from a corner kick off the foot of Meghan Stovall, and Grace Cullingford was credited with the assist. Goalkeeper Caden Calderaro had the shutout.
2. Oceanside girls soccer
Fresh off its first county title in 45 years, Oceanside’s girls soccer engineered another historic victory Nov. 2, fending off surging Syosset, 2-0, to repeat as Nassau Class AAA champions. The Sailors won it behind a lights-out performance from goalkeeper Ella Murray and goals from Ava Bowers and Gianna Visone. Bowers scored unassisted in the 9th minute and assisted on Visone’s insurance goal in the 51st minute. Oceanside also took its first Long Island title, defeating Northport 1-0 on Cathryn Evans’ overtime goal Nov. 8.
3. South Side girls soccer
South Side had to work overtime and beyond to capture its third county title in the past five seasons. For a second straight game, the Cyclones needed some penalty kick magic to emerge as Nassau Class AA girls’ soccer champions. After battling top-seeded Garden City to a 1-1 draw through 80 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime in the final, they outscored the Trojans 4-3 in PKs Nov. 2. Molly Barry, South Side’s sixth shooter, delivered the golden PK goal and immediately jumped into the waiting arms of goalkeeper Abby Gruner, who not only made two dynamic PK saves but also scored.
4. South Side girls volleyball
South Side’s 32-year wait ended. The Cyclones won the New York State Class A girls’ volleyball championship Nov. 22, outlasting Williamsville South 25-22, 18-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-12 in Glens Falls. It was their second state title in program history and first since 1993, when the program captured the Class B crown. The decisive fifth set embodied everything about the Cyclones’ resilience.
They fell behind 5-1 before storming back with a 7-2 run sparked by two kills and a serving ace from Keira Mullaney. They led 8-7 at the side switch, and after Williamsville tied it at 11, the Cyclones seized control by scoring four of the final five points to claim the title.
5. Seaford football
To win a county championship, the Seaford football team needed to exorcise some demons. On Halloween, the Vikings suffered their lone loss of the season to a scary good Plainedge team at their intimidating home stadium. In a true team effort, Seaford put the memories of that defeat to bed by defeating the Red Devils, 21-7, to capture the Nassau Conference IV title Nov. 22. Seaford’s opening statement was a 12-play, 65-yard drive in which quarterback Michael Spinella (165 yards, two touchdowns) went 7-of-8, connecting with Mark Villeck and Peter Barone as well as Brian Falk, who capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Vikings in front.
6. Wantagh football
Down 14 points to Bethpage early in the second quarter of the Nassau Conference III football championship game
Nov. 22, Wantagh didn’t flinch. The fourth-seeded Warriors cut the margin to one by halftime and eventually built a 14-point lead of their own before holding on for a 28-21 victory over the Golden Eagles. Luke Martini had three offensive touchdowns and an interception on defense. It marked the first time in program history Wantagh has captured back-to-back county titles. It lost 19 players from last year’s Nassau Conference IV and Long Island Class IV championship team.
7. Massapequa football
Massapequa’s football team made history Nov. 28, defeating Ward Melville, 14-12, to win the Long Island Class I title. The Chiefs joined William Floyd as the only teams in the Long Island Championship’s 33-year history to win three consecutive Class I crowns. The Colonials did so from 2005-07. And Massapequa, which topped Oceanside for the Nassau Conference I crown, did it by going undefeated for the ninth time in program history and the second time in the last three years.
8. Plainedge girls basketball
The No. 4 seed in the Nassau Class A girls’ basketball playoffs left no doubt
who’s No. 1. Junior-led Plainedge capped a sensational county tournament run March 6 with a resounding 48-28 victory over Floral Park in the championship game. “It’s really amazing and unbelievable,” said Allison Younghans, who led all scorers with 17 points. It’s the second county title in five seasons and third all-time for the Red Devils, who beat Shoreham-Wading River for the L.I. title. Maddie Belz scored 10 points off the bench, and Peyton Wise and Michela Netto added 9 and 7 points, respectively.
9. South Side boys basketball
In a packed Farmingdale State College gymnasium March 7, South Side gave Roslyn a taste of its own medicine, dropping a season-high 82 points in capturing the Nassau Class AA boys basketball championship game by a 15-point margin. Roslyn averaged 75 points but was held to 20 in the opening half and 67 on the night as the Cyclones captured their second county title in four years. South Side went on a 22-2 run from the last bucket of the first quarter to the end of the opening half, to take a 32-20 halftime lead. Trevor Walsh recorded eight of his career-high 23 points during the surge, while Ryan Schmitt, John Pericolosi, Connor Erickson and Kieran Vetter combined for the other 14 points.
10. Baldwin boys basketball
It was a freak accident at a practice in early January when Rian Gittens heard the pop in his knee and immediately thought the worst. “I thought my season was over,” the senior forward said. It was another example of adversity in a season full of it for the Baldwin boys basketball team. So when the Bruins were slow coming out of the gate and trailed by 13 in the second quarter of the Nassau Class AAA championship game March 7, it was just the latest obstacle for Baldwin to hurdle. Enter Gittens, who in his first game back from a torn MCL provided the needed offensive spark to help top-seeded Baldwin defeat Port Washington, 47-40, to win a sixth consecutive county title.
11. Baldwin girls basketball
In a Baldwin’s once-comfortable 19-point lead over Walt Whitman in the Long Island Class AAA girls’ basketball title game whittled down to five with less than three minutes remaining when its lone returning starter from last season’s state championship team made sure it wouldn’t be her high school finale. Senior guard Alyssa Polonia’s long trey from the top of the key with 2:46 to go provided the dagger in Baldwin’s 54-46 victory March 11. Her four free throws in the final minute sealed the program’s
Erik Lee/Herald
Massapequa won its third straight Long Island football title.
BRINGING LOCAL SPORTS HOME EVERY WEEK
HERALD SPORTS
Local teams celebrated historic seasons
eighth L.I. crown in head coach Tom Catapano’s 17 seasons at the helm. Polonia had a team-high 17 points, Malia Robinson added 11 and Ajeya Nicholas chipped in 8.
12. MacArthur flag football
Alexa Coppola caught a pass through the heavy rainfall from junior quarterback Gina Iannuzzi and toe-tapped in the back of the end zone to secure MacArthur’s first flag football county title May 23 at LIU Post over Plainedge, 13-9, in the Class B championship game. On fourth and goal from the 9-yard line, Iannuzzi rolled right and found a leaping Coppola, who got one foot down with just a few turf pellets between her toe and the white out-of-bounds line. The Generals went on to capture the L.I. Class B crown.
13. Massapequa girls lacrosse
Massapequa girls lacrosse ran away with the Nassau Class A championship May 27, defeating Syosset 13-5 to take the county title in convincing fashion. Savanna Appleton led the way with four goals and four assists. In a three-game playoff stretch that also included victories over East Meadow and Port Washington, Massapequa outscored opponents 43-10, a commanding run as the top seed. The Chiefs have won nine county championships in the last 11 years, including six straight since 2021.
14. South Side girls lacrosse
Tara Cody was unfazed when South Side’s girls lacrosse season hung in the balance in the final minute of the Nassau Class C final against Wantagh May 28. The senior goalie squared up for her
second free position shot in a matter of minutes in a tie game, but unlike the first attempt Cody made a crucial low stick save. Cody’s clutch stop, one of her eight on the day, set the stage for more heroics at the other end of the field when freshman Juliet Diorio scored with just 2.3 seconds left to propel South Side to an 8-7 victory and a repeat county title.
15. Massapequa softball
Dropping three straight games to Oceanside didn’t faze defending Nassau and Long Island Class AAA softball champ Massapequa. The Chiefs, who fell twice to the Sailors during the regular season and dropped the best-of-three county finals series opener, stayed alive with a wild come-from-behind victory in Game 2 and kept the momentum going in the third and deciding game for a repeat. Samantha Dolan went 3-for-4 with five RBIs, Sienna Erker scored three runs and pitcher Alexa O’Mallon scattered five hits as Massapequa squeaked past Oceanside, 7-6, May 29 for its fifth county title in six years.
16. Wantagh boys lacrosse
Wantagh captured its third straight Nassau Class C boys lacrosse championship June 1, rolling to a 15-7 victory over South Side. Warriors goalie Gianni Passaro came up huge, making 15 saves. Martini, Matt Giacobello and Sean Stachlik each had three goals and one assist, Joe Nicholson and Carter Loughman had two goals and two assists apiece, and Devin Paccione had two goals to lead Wantagh’s high-octane offense. The Warriors advanced to beat Sayville, 12-11, for their second straight Long Island title.
17. Wantagh softball
It was fitting the Long Island Class A softball championship game ended with a strikeout from Wantagh’s Lucy Olore. The junior pitcher fanned 12 and provided all the offensive support she’d need with a two-run single in the top of the first inning of the Warriors’ 3-0 victory over two-time defending champion Miller Place June 6. It was Wantagh’s third L.I. title and first since 1990 — also won on the same date that year.
18. Calhoun softball
Five days after capturing their first Nassau County title, the Colts added another chapter to the history books. Calhoun had never played for a Long Island softball title before June 6, but the Colts proved more than worthy of sharing the same stage with defending Class AA champion East Islip. Featuring a wicked curveball, sophomore pitcher Sophia Nicastro was dialed in. She struck out 14 and allowed only six baserunners in a dominant performance to lead a 7-1 victory.
19. Kennedy baseball
It was a dream season for Bellmore JFK baseball. After dramatically winning their first county championship, the Cougars claimed their first Long Island crown, defeating Hauppauge, 9-3, to win the Class AA title June 6. Ryan Yormack set the tone with a leadoff double in the first inning and scored on an error. A sacrifice fly by Matt Toliplano gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead. Dylan Babek got the win on the mound and Derek Yormack retired all six batters he faced for the save.
20. Plainedge baseball
With Plainedge’s Taylor Nitsch and Kings Park’s Everett Zarzicki on the mound, it wasn’t going to take many runs to come away with the Long Island Class A baseball championship June 6. And it was the bat of an unlikely source, Dylan Loccisano, who provided all the offense the Red Devils needed to capture their first L.I. title since 2012. The backup catcher’s two-run, basesloaded single to right with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning was all Plainedge needed to secure a 2-0 victory.
21. Massapequa baseball
Massapequa ace Jack Scannapieco was back and made sure the Chiefs were back on top of the mountain, defeating Liverpool, 7-1, to capture the New York State Class AAA baseball championship at Binghamton University June 13. Scannapieco earned the win, allowing one earned run on five hits, while striking out five with one walk in five innings. Joe Genova went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored for Massapequa, which defeated Port Washington for the Nassau County title and Connetquot for the Long Island crown.
22. Massapequa boys lacrosse
The freight train known as Massapequa’s boys lacrosse team made one final stop in Geneva. The Chiefs’ offense hummed like a locomotive once again, producing at least four goals in every quarter of their 19-9 victory over West Genessee in the New York State Class A championship game June 14. Rocco Spallina had four goals and Nolan Wieczorek and Jake Byrnes added hat tricks.
Continued FRoM PReViouS Page
Media Origin Inc./Herald
alyssa Polonia and Baldwin captured the L.i. Class aaa crown.
Erik Lee/Herald Kennedy’s baseball team made history with the program’s first county and Long island titles.
Posts showcase city life and familiar scenes
ing been voted “Most likely to be online.” After developing a penchant for creating rudimentary websites, distributing music files and organizing online photo albums for friends, he graduated from NYU in 2011 with a degree in cinema arts. He was a writer and editor and worked in social media management, eventually completing major social media projects for brands including Budweiser, McDonald’s and Netflix.
After he moved to Long Beach in 2013, Guarini’s constantly running mind and his new-found love of the town’s lifestyle merged into the now-popular memes page. The site, longbeachnymemes.com — a standalone webpage separate from the social media page — explains his work as “an absurdist humor love letter, topical commentary, and news about the City by the Sea.” Guarini estimates that he has spent thousands of hours creating hundreds of posts per year, typically distributing batches of 15 to 20 images at a time, posting several times a week.
Topics include anything the average Long Beach resident could recognize or relate to, from the boardwalk to longing for beach days in the middle of winter, nearly always with an optimistic spin. “I’d like to think of my page as sort of a palate-cleansing sorbet between 20 courses of mud as you’re scrolling through social media,” Guarini said.
“There is so much negativity. There’s so much bad news. It’s sort of suffocating, all-encompassing and unavoidable. And I’d like to think that the vast majority of what I post is kind of a reprieve and a refresher from that.”
The Highlights section of his page is a collection of stories showcasing “This week in LB” — a collection of musical performances and activities around the city — Long Beach-focused history and current food and drink specials at local bars and restaurants.
“The amount of free promotion that I’ve given to businesses, that most influencers or pages of my size would charge people for — I’ve probably given away hundreds of thousands of dollars in free promotion,” Guarini estimates.
He also offers city-centric merchandise linking to shirts, towels and hats through an Etsy store. The merch, like the website, was never meant to be a real source of income. He views the site as a break-even project, at best.
“When I check my DMs and somebody says, ‘Hey, thank you for sharing this — somebody came in and purchased something,” Guarini said, “that is, far and away, the most rewarding thing for me. Just giving back to our community and helping people out.”
His next big venture is a step away from the screen, going IRL, or In Real Life. Spurred in part by the shuttering of Long Beach Cinemas in 2023, Guarini
began looking into developing a physical venue — an arts center — for the city’s prominent arts community to showcase its work year-round and foster the creative talents of potential artists.
“Long Beach has no sort of dedicated space meant to fulfill the passions of adults who love art in the community or make arts,” he said. “There’s no centralized location for adults who have an appetite for the arts or young people who want to develop a passion for the arts. And I think this could be a real value and resource to our community.”
Guarini acknowledges that his plan is still in its infancy, but he’s moving ahead with a strategy and has biweekly meetings with a dedicated team. “There’s discussions going on about the trademarking of the name, developing a brand identity, trademarking the logo,” he said of the behind-the-scenes work. “Trying to make things happen in the background and taking care of smaller things before going into developing a 501(c)(3) and scouting out art spaces.”
Reflecting on what’s at the core of Long Beach that captured his attention and his heart, Guarini said it all comes back to the community spirit. “Everybody really cares about Long Beach, but they all really care about each other,” he explained. “You can see this when the original Sorrento’s went on fire,” he said, referring to the 2021 fire on West Park Avenue that displaced the long -
time eatery, “or [when] somebody gets sick and has medical bills. Within a week or two, there’s a bar hosting an event for them and the bar is packed out. The fundraiser is over its goal. People really come together for each other here, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.”
Courtesy Drew Guarini the page has regularly referenced notable locations and recognizable experiences from around the city.
L.B. native achieves rank of Eagle Scout
By WESLEY SCHNELL
Of the Herald
Long Beach’s Liam Bolz has reached Eagle Scout after nearly 12 years as a member of Troop 215. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement and rank attainable by a Scout in the Scout BSA program.
Since the Eagle Scout award began in 1911, roughly four percent of scouts have ever reached the prestigious rank. The “Trail to Eagle” requires meeting a range of criteria, including holding positions of responsibility and leadership, meeting rank requirements for seven preliminary ranks and earning a total of 21 merit badges ranging from first aid and swimming to environmental science and cooking.
“For me, being a Scout is more than something to just talk about or put on a resume. It has become part of who I am,” Bolz said. “Being a trustworthy, loyal and helpful person describes who I strive to be, and I’ve done my best to adopt those traits as foundations of my values.”
Liam started his “Trail to Eagle” on September 1, 2014 and spent a total of 11 years as a scout before reaching Eagle rank. As a scout, Liam held his troop’s highest position for over three years. After reaching Eagle Scout, he has continued to lead the troop as junior assistant scoutmaster — a position of responsibility and leadership appointed directly by the scoutmaster. “He takes the leadership role, but it’s not just his words,” his father and Scoutmaster Michael Bolz said. “It’s his actions, leadership skills and capabilities that have definitely been sharpened by the scouting program.”
Liam’s Eagle Scout Project was one of safety and security. He acquired and installed security safety door stop bars for all of the classrooms and offices in Long
Beach Catholic School, where Liam attended kindergarten through eighth grade, graduating in 2022. The bars provide students, teachers and staff with an additional level of safety and security in the event of a lockdown or lock-in situation.
“As an Eagle Scout, I am a proud member of an organization called Scouting America,” Bolz said. “In this role, I do my best to help others at all times. By this, I
mean instilling value-based leadership and service in myself and others. That is what Scouting means to me and has helped shape me into the person I am today.” Bolz is considered by his peers to be an all-around leader, having participated in numerous community service events and projects, parades, flag retirement ceremonies, and even assisting other Eagle Scouts with their projects.
Adelphi: Strengthening youth mental health
Adelphi University has been selected as one of 10 inaugural partners in Empower Every Coach, a national initiative aimed at improving youth mental health by strengthening coaching practices and support systems in youth sports.
The initiative, facilitated by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, is distributing more than $2 million in funding to organizations working to advance policy, research and best practices in youth sports. Adelphi will receive a $250,000 grant to support a project developing evidence-based mental health guidelines for coaches and other adult leaders.
The project is led by Meredith Whitley, a professor of health and sport sciences at Adelphi and a scholar specializing in sport for development, which uses sports and physical activity to promote social change and community development.
Twith actionable, evidence-based guidance,” Whitley said in a release.
She added that the university is grateful for the continued support of Movember and looks forward to collaborating with the other organizations selected for the initiative to advance systems-level change in youth sports.
his project establishes a pathway to transform a fragmented, high-pressure sports ecosystem into a psychologically safe environment.
MErEdiTH WHiTLEY professor of health and sport sciences
“To combat the escalating youth mental health crisis, this project establishes a pathway to transform a fragmented, high-pressure sports ecosystem into a psychologically safe environment by equipping adult leaders
The Empower Every Coach initiative builds on the Million Coaches Challenge, a national effort launched in 2021 that has trained more than 1 million youth coaches in mental health and positive youth development practices. The new initiative shifts its focus to broader structural changes intended to make quality coaching more accessible to young athletes.
Over the next 18 months, participating organizations will collaborate through quarterly meetings, shared learning opportunities and joint problem-solving efforts.
Other inaugural partners include the Ad Council, the United States Soccer Federation, the National Recreation and Park Association, Positive Coaching Alliance, Temple University’s Sport
Meredith Whitley, a professor of health and sport sciences at Adelphi University, is leading a mental health guidelines project that received a $250,000 grant through the national Empower Every Coach initiative.
Industry Research Center, the University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics, LiFEsports at Ohio State University, the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, and the FundPlay Foundation.
The Million Coaches Challenge is
backed by the Susan Crown Exchange, a philanthropic organization that supports youth development, social and emotional learning, and youth wellbeing.
Courtesy Michael Bolz
Liam Bolz focused on his Scouting responsibilities for more than a decade before achieving Eagle Scout.
–Allyson Ferrari
Courtesy Adelphi University
News brief
SUNY admin talks free program at NCC
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited Nassau Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour, highlighting New York’s free community college program for adult learners and the college’s nursing and health care programs.
SUNY Reconnect, launched in fall 2025 under Gov. Kathy Hochul, covers tuition, books and supplies for New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 who do not already have a college degree and are pursuing an associate degree in a high-demand field.
King’s visit also spotlighted a recent expansion of the program. Under the state’s newly enacted budget, adults seeking a nursing degree may now qualify for SUNY Reconnect even if they already hold a degree in another field, a change intended to help address the state’s health care workforce shortage.
“With this initiative, we remove barriers to higher education and reinforce the fact that it is never too late to follow your dreams.” King said.
Nassau Community College Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti said the college will continue to build on the state’s investment.
“We will continue to support our community and region by offering dynamic programming and providing students of all ages with an affordable option for excellent academic opportu-
nities.” Conzatti said.
According to SUNY, nursing and other health care programs were the most popular fields among SUNY Reconnect participants during the program’s first year. Early data also showed students enrolled through SUNY Reconnect had higher fall-to-spring retention rates than other adult learners.
The program funds associate degrees in several high-demand industries, including nursing and allied health, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, artificial intelligence, green and renewable energy, technology and teacher preparation in shortage areas. Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, aviation management, emergency management and supply chain/logistics programs will also be eligible.
To support the initiative, Nassau Community College received $220,000 to hire a full-time advisor to assist Reconnect students with enrollment, scheduling and retention. The college also received $35,000 to purchase advanced simulation and clinical equipment to expand capacity in its nursing and respiratory care programs.
More information about SUNY Reconnect programs at Nassau Community College is available at NCC.edu/ admissions/suny-reconnect.shtml.
AMERICA CELEBRATES
WE THE PEOPLE
Lectures with James Coll
Understanding Congress Tuesday, June 30 • 1pm
Understanding the Presidency Tuesday, July 21 • 1pm
Understanding the Supreme Court Tuesday, August 25 • 1pm
Kids create America Paint a Star Thursday, July 2 • 10AM & 4:15pm Mini Liberty Bell Craft Tuesday, July 7 • 4pm
Messy Art for Tots: Flag Handprint Art Tuesday, July 14 - 11:30am
VINYL COLLECTOR’S CLUB
Clubs & Conversatio Conversation
TRUE CRIME BOOK CLUB
Saturday, August 1 • 2pm
Wednesday, July 15 • 7pm @Long Beach Coffee & Tea Bring a favorite America themed record.
Reading: 50 States of Murder by Harold Schechter
Teen Night: Red, White & Blue Button Bowls
Wednesday, July 1 • 5:30pm
Patriotic Picture Frames
Thursday, July 2 • 11:30am $5 Material Fee
Patriotic wooden Cutting Board Crafting the American Story Tuesday, July 7 • 7pm $5 Material Fee
mer Concert Sum Summer ways from sunday
Playing ‘60’s ‘70’s & ‘80’s hits Saturday, August 1 • 2pm
–Jordan Vallone
Road unions, finalizing agreements reached after a three-day
KRISTIN THORNE Emmy-Award Winning Investigative Reporter
EMCEE TAMMY J. COHEN Founder & Messaging Strategist
Brand Consulting
MTA approves LIRR union contracts
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board gave final approval to new collective bargaining agreements with Long Island Rail Road unions, formally closing out contracts that emerged from last month’s three-day strike and raising wages by nearly 15 percent over four years.
The four-year agreement provides
members of the five unions with annual wage increases of 3 percent in each of the first two years, followed by a 3.5 percent increase in the third year and a 4.5 percent increase in the final year. Over the life of the contract, those raises compound to a total pay increase of approximately 14.7 percent.
The vote, taken during a June 24 board meeting following an executive session, ratified agreements that had already been approved by unions representing about 3,500 LIRR workers, including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Transportation Communications Union.
SUSAN GATTI Founder, Disruptive Spark Group
HELEN HSIEH, MD, FACOG Founder & Medical Director, Vibrance 360
JESSICA RONDASH, MBA Director, Business Operations & Performance, Holt Construction
WHELAN
Program Director,
MICHELLE MOREIRA-JODICE Vice President Market Manager, Valley Bank
LILLIAN PALEY Vice President, Business Development, Silver Lining Homecare Agency
CHRISTINA M. ROSAS Member, Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC
OWN YOUR POWER
SUZETTE GORDON President & CEO, SCO Family of Services
Union members across the coalition overwhelmingly ratified the agreements in recent weeks, with votes exceeding 97 percent approval in several cases. In the final ratification round, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen members approved their contract by 98 percent, according to union officials. Union leaders said the deal resulted from a prolonged bargaining process that stretched more than three years and included federal mediation and a strike.
THERESA PORCARO Vice President, Growth & Marketing, Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine
VANDEGRIFT, MD, FACS Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Vandegrift Plastic Surgery With inspiring keynotes and transformative workshops,
To purchase tickets and view our full Event Agenda, visit
“We went three years without raises and negotiated in good faith. We negotiated to the buzzer,” said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen General Chairman Gil Lang in a statement, adding that his members “never wavered” during the dispute and credited solidarity across the coalition for securing the agreement.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber said the board’s action marks the completion of a lengthy bargaining process.
Speaking during the meeting, Lieber said the board “voted to approve those agreements,” noting they were the same labor deals previously ratified by the unions involved.
While the fourth year includes a 4.5 percent general wage increase, Lieber said cost-saving measures reduced the overall impact to the MTA by about seven-tenths of a percentage point.
He said those savings came in part from extending the agreement’s length and changing how required computerbased training is delivered, allowing workers to complete it on straight time rather than requiring overtime coverage and replacement staffing.
Lieber said the net cost of the deal is “well under 4 percent,” allowing it to fit within the MTA’s financial plan.
The agreement follows a period of intense labor negotiations that culminated in a three-day strike last month, the first at the Long Island Rail Road since 1994. The strike halted regular commuter rail service across Long Island and affected tens of thousands of daily riders before a tentative settlement was reached.
Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald
Long Island Rail
strike.
L.I. Choice Awards celebrate local success
By Maureen Fitzgerald
Presented once again by PSEG Long Island, the fifth annual Herald Long Island Choice Awards Gala has quickly become one of the region’s signature contests and business recognition events. The program brings together hundreds of businesses and organizations across categories spanning dining, healthcare, home services, wellness, professional services, retail, entertainment and more.
Hosted by RichnerLIVE on May 19 at the Crest Hollow Country Club, the evening featured a cocktail reception, networking, dinner and the highly anticipated live winner reveal — with honorees learning their placements in real time throughout the evening. From the moment guests stepped into cocktail hour, the atmosphere carried an unmistakable buzz as finalists mingled and snapped photos in front of the glowing LI Choice Awards LED sign.
The applause erupted repeatedly as winners crossed the stage to accept their awards, with cheers echoing throughout the packed ballroom.
For many attendees, the evening represented more than just an awards gala; it was a celebration of resilience, growth and community recognition after years spent building businesses across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“This evening is about celebrating the people and businesses that make our communities special,” said Stuart Richner, publisher of the Herald and CEO of Richner Communications, during opening remarks. “It is the people in this room that are the economic engines of our communities.”
This year’s continued partnership with PSEG Long Island also reinforced the utility’s longstanding focus on supporting the region’s small business community through its Business First advocate programs, which provide guidance, energy efficiency resources and rebate opportunities to help local businesses grow and operate more sustainably. The utility company — ranked No. 1 by J. D. Power in business customer satisfaction — has granted over $3.5 million to help businesses lower operating costs, improve sustainability, and create jobs.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” said Veronica Isaac, Senior Manager Customer and Community Partnerships, during the evening’s program. “Without your hard work, we would not have so many thriving downtown districts and beyond here on Long Island. Investing in and promoting small businesses will power the future of Long Island.”
The event also underscored how the LI Choice Awards has evolved beyond recognition. Drawing hundreds of thousands of votes across the region during the months-long public voting campaign, the program has become a platform that strengthens visibility for local businesses while fostering new partnerships and meaningful connections across industries. For many of
A beautiful poolside setting provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of networking and
the evening’s winners, the recognition has translated into tangible business growth, customer trust and lasting community credibility.
“Winning the Long Island Choice Award five years in a row for Best Auto Repair Shop, has been incredibly rewarding for our business. Because the award is voted on by the public, it means a great deal to know our customers continue to support and believe in us,” shared Kevin Killelea,
owner of Rockville Centre Auto Repair.
“The recognition has helped our business grow and flourish, while reinforcing the trust and reputation we’ve worked hard to build within the community.”
Sharing the same five-year milestone win, the Theralympic Speech Therapy team celebrated by extending “A huge thank you to our wonderful clients for believing in us, and to our
dedicated team for the care, passion, and heart you bring every single day. We couldn’t do this without you!!”
“Winning the past few years is especially meaningful because it reflects the trust our patients place in us every day,” said Dr. Howard Goodman, Long Island Weight Loss Doctor.
This year’s winners and finalists can be found in the LI Herald 2026 LI Choice Winners Guide and online at LIChoiceawards.com.
Photos by Tim Baker/Melissa Baptiste/Michael Rechter
celebration.
Proud sponsor PSEG Long Island was represented by Matt Connors, left, Andrew Cacioppo, Jordan Isaac, Veronica Isaac, Krista Kester, Sean Galvis, and Amy Di Leo.
Photos by Tim Baker/Melissa Baptiste/Michael Rechter
Laura D’Amato, second from right, and Apple Bank team members bring home the win.
Winner Eric Krywe, owner of Beach Baseball Camp & Clinics LLC.
Winner Suzanne Mahoney of Beach Terrace Care Center.
The winning team at Burgerology RVC.
Taylor Maflin of Clarity Spa, a category winner and multi-category finalist.
Winners Allan, left, and Pam Rosenbluth, owners of Club Pilates, with their team.
The team at Discover Long Island, a proud supporting partner.
Winner Naala Royale-Holder, right, of Dunns River Lounge, Inc. with a guest. A proud moment for finalists Khalfan Kards.
The winning team at Maple Pointe Senior Living.
Bruce Levitt, of Mur-Lee’s Men’s & Boys’ Shop, a two-category winner.
Two-category winner Michael Pantano, right, owner of Pantano’s Gourmet.
RVC Auto Repair takes home a win and earns finalist honors across multiple categories.
Dr. Ryan Sugarman of Memorial Sloan Kettering, second from left, accepts his award.
Winner and owner of Raagini, Ram Bisht, right, celebrates with a guest.
The team at Safe Health Educators celebrates their victory.
PSEG attendees Krista Kester and Sean Galvis enjoy cocktail hour poolside. Rockville Bagels’ winning team is all smiles after their big win.
Photos by Tim Baker/Melissa Baptiste/Michael Rechter Tire Town Tire Pros wins big, claimed first place across multiple categories.
The winning team at Cabana Mexican American Restaurant.
Finalist Alan Teemer, of Teemer Moving and Storage.
Inspirational drawings from our youngest readers
Anjali B. 5th G James Verron Elementary
Nathalie M. 4th G California Ave. School
Izan M. 4th G California Ave. School
Jackson R. 6th G West Babylon Jr. High
Jake M. 4th G California Ave. School
Jeisel C. 4th G California Ave. School
Joanna C. 4th G California Ave. School
Lilly L. 6th G West Babylon Jr. High
Elif V. 6th G West Babylon Jr. High
Ryan L. 7th G West Babylon Jr. High
Noelia A. 4th G California Ave. School
Zarah V. 7th G West Babylon Jr. High
LONG ISLAND’S 2026 STAYCATION GUIDE
Celebrate America’s 250th at the Cradle of Aviation Museum!
Summer 2026 Starts Here.
2026 Summer Bucket List
❑ See a real Lunar Module ❑ Watch a Giant-Screen Movie ❑ Walk the Air & Space Trail ❑ Discover Aviation History
❑ Sit in an Airplane Cockpit
❑ Eat Astronaut Ice Cream
This year, skip the airport lines, expensive hotels, and rising travel costs. America’s 250th anniversary is happening right here in your own backyard.
Join us for a summer-long celebration of aviation, innovation, exploration, and discover with special exhibits, family events, and full-dome films on Long Island’s largest screen!
From early air fields to the Moon, Long Island helped shape America’s story. Come celebrate where history took flight.
Scan the QR code or visit www.cradleofaviation.org/celebrate250 for a complete list of ongoing celebrations and special events.
LONG ISLAND’S 2026 STAYCATION GUIDE
A&C Pest Management East Meadow acpest.com
ACV Media
Hauppauge Media, Radio Presenter
Adam Zimmerman
Merrick
Syl-Lee Antiques
Alan B. Hodish, Esq.
Garden City
Law Office of Alan B Hodish, LLC
All Business Management, LLC
DavidKondrup.com
David Kondrup CPP
All Island Home Renovation
East Northport allislandhomerenovation.com
America’s Vetdogs & Guide Dog Foundation
Smithtown VetDogs.org/GuideDog.org
American Burgers
Rockville Centre americanburgersrvc.com
Andrea M. Bernardo, Co-Chair
Rockville Centre
LI Walk for Preeclampsia
Andrea M. Brodie, Esq., Partner
Jericho
Meister Seelig & Schuster
Assemblywoman
Michaelle C. Solages
Elmont
New York State Assembly
B Safe Rubber Mulch
S&M Prompt Rubbish
Removal Service
S&M Tire Recycling
Beach Baseball Camp & Clinics LLC
Long Beach
Beach Bombers Baseball Travel Teams
Ben Coggiano, President
Walter F. Cameron Advertising cameronadvertising.com
Best Skin & Body Aesthetics Spa Oceanside
MediSpa
Bill Goode
Amityville
J.F. Goode Funeral Home
Brian Busto, CEO
Stetson Cybergroup stetsoncg.com
Brookhaven
National Laboratory Upton bnl.gov
C Marlborough, Esq. Lynbrook FightWageTheft.com
Carolyn Argento Mgr
Long Beach
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Carolyn Argento Mgr.
Merrick | 5 Towns
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Central Business Systems
Melville
Technology
Charlene Jackson Baldwin
Jackson Legacy Legal Services
Chrissy GrigoropoulosPeleytay, Esq. GrigorLaw.com
th Celebrating Our DECLARATION
Community Chest
South Shore Five Towns, NY
CommunityChestSS.org
Connie Pinilla
The Connie Pinilla Team
Compass-Manhasset Councilman
Jorge C. Guadrón District 1 Town of Islip
Cynthia Nuñez Legislator 14th District
Dean Castagnaro Inc.
General Contractor
DciRemodeling.com
DGNY Property Management
Melville
dgnypropertymanagement.com
Donna M. Ferrara
East Rockaway
The Awakening Summit
Donna Stefans Woodbury
StefansLawGroup.com
Dr. Glen Shanock
Long Beach
Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth
Dr. Helen Hsieh
Vibrance 360 Vibrance360.co
Dr. Jamie Rockwin, P.T., DPT
Merrick
Therapeutic Solutions
Physical Therapy
Dr. Kimon Bekelis
The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island strokecarelongisland.com
Dr. Paul C. Carey, D.D.S. Massapequa
Dentist
Dr. Ron Mark
Founder & CEO
Mark Medical Care markmedicalcare.com
Elisa’s Restaurant
N Jerusalem Rd. Bellmore ElisaRestaurant.com
Episcopal Health Services
EHS Primary Care ehs.org/primarycare
Eric Wiggins
CEO, Didit Marketing didit.com
Flinch & Bruns
Lynbrook Funeral Home
Frank Palma Hauppauge
Liberty Coca Cola
Gaby Paulino
West Babylon Gema’s Childcare
George Martin
The Original
The George Rockville Centre
George Martin’s Strip Steak
George Martin Group
Great River
Geri Barish, Executive Director
Hewlett House
Hewlett
Greg Massimi
Bethpage
TLC Companions
Hapi Auer
Babylon
Glen’s Dinette
Hilary H. Becker
Lynbrook
Becker Realty Services
HWBA
Hewlett Woodmere
Chamber of Commerce
I Love Hearing
East Meadow
ilovehearing.com
IMEG
Woodbury
Planning and Engineering Firm
For TrusTed homeTown news subscribe To The HERALD
Our DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Community, Businesses and Leaders
International Empire Electric
Medford
Turnkey Electrical Contractors
Irving J. Kaminetsky
Sanitary District 1
Commissioner
Vice Chairman of the Board
Ivania Flores, Realtor
Medford
HomeSmart Dynamic Realty
James A. Soviero
Elmont
Elmont Funeral Home
Jason A. Greenberg
Freeport
Founder - JAG Law Group
Jennifer B. Cona, Managing Partner
Cona Elder Law PLLC conaelderlaw.com
Jennifer DeSena Manhasset
Town of North Hempstead Supervisor
John Spiliotis
Baldwin Insurance
Joseph Petraro
Joe the Gamer’s Be Kind Campaign East Rockaway
Joshua Marino CFP®, ChFC® East Moriches
Edward Jones
Ken Dookram, Agent
Freeport State Farm
Kenneth Lysak Jr. Lynbrook
Perry Funeral Home
Leg. Samuel Gonzalez
District Office 9
Suffolk County Legislator
LMN Printing of NY, Inc.
Digital Printing & Promotions
LMNPrinting.com
Loft 442
Elmont loft442.com
To read the Declaration of Independence see the editorial page.
Long Island Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Suffolk/Nassau County
Lucy Viggiano
Valley Stream
ESC - NYS Licensed Public Adjuster
Luis A. Vazquez, President Westbury
LI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Maple Pointe
Senior Living Rockville Centre
Maureen Early
Lead Community
Affairs Specialist
Reworld™ Waste Solutions
Maxine Mayreis, DC, DACS
Locust Valley Chiropractor
Melissa A. Matassa Insurance Agency Owner
GEICO Lynbrook
Merrill Zorn-Jensen
Bethpage
Zorn’s Of Bethpage
Michael G. McGinty
Mayor
Village of Island Park
Michael P. Shannon
East Meadow Upholsterers emupholsterers.com
Michael Taylor Oceanside
LJS Scrap Metal
Mimi Pierre Johnson
Elmont
Elmont Cultural Center
National Security Brokerage Insurance
nationalsecuritybrokerage.net
Olena Nicks
District 5
County Legislator
Paris Popack
Community Advocate
Lawrence
Peknic, Peknic & Schaefer
Long Beach Attorneys at Law
Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce of LI Holbrook
PACCLINY.org
Peter Johansen
West Hempstead
American Legion Cathedral Post 1087
Phyllis Katzen
Lic. Assoc. Broker
ReMax Beach
West Long Beach
Raindew Plandome
True Value
Manhasset
Ralph Anderson
Rockville Centre
AK Associates
Richard Passariello
Massapequa Park Sunoco
Richie & Diane Krug Coldwell Banker
Real Estate East Meadow Krugteam.com
Rosenthal-Simens Team
Lic. R.E. Salespersons Berkshire Hathaway
Samuel Nahmias
Mayor
Village of Lawrence
Sandy Wein, Owner Atlantic Beach
Catalina Beach Club
SCO Family of Services
Garden City sco.org
Scott M. Davis
Nassau County Legislator Legislative District 1
Stephen Graziano, Dir.
Franklin Square
Krauss Funeral Home
Steve Rocchio Steno Agency, Inc. steno.com
Sunny Atlantic Beach Club Atlantic Beach sunnyatlantic.com
Surrogate Family Care LLC. New Hyde Park surrogatefamilycare.com
Team Schein
Melville
Henry Schein, Inc.
The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce thelongbeachchamber.com
The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC
Five Towns guraljcc.org
Thomas A. Glynn & Son Rockville Centre Funeral Home
Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace Multiple Locations uncleg.com
Villacorta Law Group Brentwood
Immigration Attorneys Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP
LI NYC NJ Vmmlegal.com
William Kallinikos Oceanside
Towers Funeral Home
Young’s Fine Wines & Spirits Manhasset
Your Friends at Ridgewood Savings Bank Ridgewoodbank.com
AMERICA
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Joe Gaeta remembers spotting mines off Normandy
When Joe Gaeta looks at the American flag today, the feeling is simple.
“I’m proud of myself,” he said.
The Wantagh resident turned 99 on March 9, making him one of the last surviving members of the generation that fought and served during World War II. More than eight decades after helping support the Allied invasion of Normandy, Gaeta still carries memories of the war — and of the unlikely journey that took him there.
Gaeta grew up in the Ravenswood section of Long Island City during the Great Depression. Life was difficult. His family of five lived in a one-bedroom apartment, and there was no refrigerator, only an icebox, filled with blocks of ice delivered to the neighborhood.
“We didn’t have heat,” he recalled. “We had kerosene, and all our clothes stunk of kerosene.”
His parents worked at a local cigar company, as did many of their neighbors. Gaeta attended P.S. 83 but never went to high school. Instead, he entered the workforce and later became a laborer in construction.
At 17, with many of his older friends already serving, Gaeta decided he wanted to enlist.
“All my friends were gone,” he said. “I told my father I wanted to go.”
His parents were not thrilled by the decision, but they signed the paperwork, allowing him to join the U.S. Navy.
TGaeta served aboard a ship that transported troops to Normandy during the D-Day campaign. While thousands of soldiers stormed the beaches, he spent much of his time below deck in the engine room, making sure gauges and equipment were functioning properly.
“I didn’t see nothing,” he said with a laugh. “I was in the engine room.”
But he certainly heard the battle. During breaks, the sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed around the ship. After the invasion, his vessel helped recover American soldiers from the water.
“We picked up a lot of dead bodies,” he recalled quietly. “I was 17 years old.”
Gaeta was among the youngest men aboard his ship. While many of the sailors around him worried about wives and children back home, the teenager’s concerns were much different.
Veterans reflect on service, role in American history
“A lot of guys had families,” he recalled. “Me, I’m 17 years old. I’m talking about the Yankees and the Giants.”
Decades later, he still remembers viewing the war through the eyes of a teenager.
“To me, it was a great adventure,” he said. “It really didn’t dawn on me until I was about 21 what I did.”
o me, it was a great adventure. It really didn’t dawn on me until I was about 21 what I did.
— JOE GaETa
One of Gaeta’s most important contributions came because of his exceptional eyesight. Navy officials recognized his ability to see long distances and frequently assigned him to the crow’s nest whenever the ship entered dangerous waters.
Twice, he spotted enemy mines.
The discoveries allowed naval crews to destroy the mines and alter the routes of ships following behind, helping protect countless service members.
“They made all the ships behind us take a different route,” Gaeta said proudly.
For his efforts, he received a reward that still makes him smile more than 80 years later: a day off and a steak dinner with the ship’s chef.
“They made a big deal out of me,” he said.
After the war, Gaeta returned home to a difficult job market as thousands of veterans searched for work. He found a path into the bricklayer’s union and built a career in the trades.
Today, he remains active with veter-
an’s organizations, including AMVETS and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During local parades, he often rides at the front.
“I’m the only World War II veteran,” he said. “When I walk in there, they make a big deal out of me.”
For Gaeta, service was never about recognition. But he hopes younger generations appreciate the sacrifices made by those who wore the uniform.
“You’re giving your life for your country,” he said. “It’s not something everybody does.”
Seaford Legion leader on service, sacrifice after 9/11 return to duty
For David VanderWerf, military service wasn’t a single chapter in his life — it was something he returned to when the country called again.
VanderWerf, adjutant of Edwin Welsh Jr. American Legion Post 1132 in Seaford and first division commander in the Nassau County American Legion, first enlisted at 17 in the National Guard and Reserve. But after the Sept. 11 attacks, he found himself drawn back to active duty.
“The impetus behind joining the regular Army was 9/11,” he said.
Raised in Glen Rock, N.J., VanderWerf said his interest in the military began early through a love of history and military simulation games with his father. Family members also served, including an uncle who flew bombing missions in World War II and another who spent decades in the Army Reserve.
After reentering service in 2003, VanderWerf deployed to South Korea,
where he spent nearly three years stationed near the Demilitarized Zone. There, he worked in combat arms on M1 Abrams tanks, serving as a driver, loader, gunner and briefly a tank commander.
A typical day, he said, began with physical training before long hours maintaining and repairing tanks in the motor pool. But the job also came with moments of high tension. He recalled monthly alerts simulating a potential North Korean attack, including one during the period when North Korea conducted its first nuclear test.
“We didn’t know why we were on alert at the time,” he said. “We were just ready.”
He also remembers the heavy responsibility of training soldiers who were later deployed to Iraq, some of whom were injured or killed in combat.
Despite those experiences, VanderWerf said morale among troops remained strong, grounded in camaraderie and shared purpose.
Today, VanderWerf has continued that sense of service through the American Legion, where he helps veterans navigate benefits, assists with community programs and participates in military funeral honors.
“Veterans and their families sacrificed a lot,” he said. “Freedom’s not free.”
For VanderWerf, the transition back to civilian life led him into leadership roles in restaurants and, later, continued community service on Long Island. But he said the core lesson of his military experience remains the same: service does not end when the uniform comes off.
Wantagh honors Revolutionary War patriot Thomas Jackson
As Wantagh residents gathered to honor veterans this Memorial Day, one of the community’s earliest patriots was remembered once again: Thomas Jackson, a Revolutionary War soldier whose roots run deep in the history of the hamlet.
Born on Dec. 24, 1754, in a house that once stood near present-day Jones Avenue, Jackson became an active supporter of the American cause during the fight for independence. Historical records show that he signed Queens County’s “Petition of Association” on Jan. 19, 1776 — a local declaration of support for the colonies’ break from British rule.
Jackson served as a private in the 4th Regiment of New York troops and helped defend local interests during the Revolutionary War. On Aug. 13, 1776, he received bounty funds for men assigned to protect livestock in Queens County before the Battle of Long Island, preventing supplies from falling into Brit-
Courtesy Joe Gaeta
World War II veteran Joe Gaeta remembers his military service with pride.
AMERICA
ish hands. He also participated in the capture of Fort St. George in 1780.
Following the war, Jackson remained a prominent local resident. In 1803, he built a large home in what is now Wantagh.
Jackson died on Nov. 29, 1842, and is buried in the Jackson Cemetery on Wantagh Avenue. More than 180 years later, his grave continues to serve as a reminder of Wantagh’s connection to the nation’s founding and the sacrifices made by its earliest patriots.
Reflecting on service during ‘forgotten war’
For Anthony Heckl, memories of military service stretch back more than seven decades, but some moments remain as clear as ever.
Heckl, a longtime Seaford resident and member of the Edwin Welsh Jr. American Legion Post 1132, served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War. Though he was only 19 when he enlisted, the experience left a lasting impression.
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Laura Smith and Stacey Rose, whose ancestors have served in the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War, were named the co-grand marshals of the Village of Freeport’s Memorial Day Parade. Despite the parade being cancelled due to rain, the pair were honored during an indoor ceremony.
I’m just proud to know that I’m part of these courageous people’s bloodline, and it informs me.
StACEy RoSE
Co-grand marshal, Freeport Memorial Day Parade
Smith is an attorney who lives in Seaford and has many ties to Freeport, including owning a home in the village. She is a descendant of Revolutionary era figures Adam Smith and Benjamin Raynor, the latter the namesake of Raynortown, which eventually became Freeport.
Adam Smith joined patriotic brigades along the Long Island’s North Shore at 44 years-old, while Raynor was only 20 when he joined the fight for American independence.
Laura Smith said that she was tremendously honored by the invitation to be one of the grand marshals, and hoped that the values her family, and so many others, have fought for are maintained today.
“These guys kind of bucked a trend, since it was very loyalist around here on the South Shore,” she said, referring to
For generations of heroes, anniversary offers time to reflect
“I was 19 when I went in and 22 when I came out,” Heckl said.
A native of Manhattan, Heckl said his path into military service began almost by accident. During a New Year’s Eve gathering in 1950, a friend in the National Guard challenged him to enlist. Two days later, Heckl and another friend signed up.
His service took him from California to Korea and later Japan. Assigned to a construction engineer unit, he worked in supply, helping ensure soldiers had the equipment and clothing they needed.
The memory that stayed with him most was not the military work itself, but the devastation he witnessed in Korea.
“When I got there, it was the poverty and the devastation,” Heckl recalled. “It made me wonder what it’s all about. Why war?”
Korea’s harsh winters presented another challenge. Heckl remembered shortages of winter clothing and boots, making it difficult to keep troops supplied during the bitter cold.
One of his proudest accomplishments was helping make sure soldiers in his company had the gear they needed.
“We were trying to keep the troops in clothing,” he said.
Not every memory was difficult. Heckl fondly recalled helping build a 250-bed hospital in the city of Taegu. When the project was completed, he and his fellow soldiers were thanked by the nurses.
“At the end of it, all the nurses kissed us,” he said with a laugh.
Returning home after the war was not always easy. Unlike veterans of other conflicts, many Korean War veterans felt their service received little public recognition.
“At least the Vietnam veterans got cursed at,” Heckl joked. “They didn’t even know I was gone.”
Today, after more than 60 years on Long Island, Heckl remains active with the Seaford American Legion, where he continues to honor the friendships, service and sacrifices that defined his generation.
Grand marshals honor their Revolutionary War ancestors
Smith and Raynor. “It was kind of a dangerous thing to do, and certainly unpopular that they did go against the tide.”
Smith also added that the legacies of
her ancestors inspire her to want to see the values of independence and fair representation upheld in today’s America.
“The government should be behold -
en to the people and should adhere to what it is that the people want, and not to forget that it’s for the people of the country,” she said. “Some people, they seem to be forgetting that.”
Rose, who has lived in Freeport for 40 years, is a substitute teacher at John W. Dodd Middle School, also in the village. She is a descendant of Benjamin Lattimore Sr., an enslaved Black man who was freed and later served in continental armies in New York during the Revolutionary War.
Lattimore’s descendants leading up to Rose have been very involved military service, abolitionist movements and civil rights. She speaks highly of the inspiration that her relatives provide and boldly works with her family to honor their legacy through publicly discussing the harsh treatments that Black U.S. service members and citizens often faced during the past 250 years.
“There’s a lot of Black American’s who have served in various capacities,” Rose said. “(President George) Washington didn’t want us in the military, but we were losing.”
Despite the wounds of persistent racism, Rose added she is honored to “give voice to my ancestors and give voice to everyone who served and continues to serve.”
“I’m just proud to know that I’m part of these courageous people’s bloodline, and it informs me,” Rose said during the Freeport ceremony. “It informs me the work is not over. Democracy is always a work in progress, a fragile idea. Today’s patriots are those who give military service for our country. … Our 250th anniversary is a time to reflect and think about the sacrifice of those who are no longer with us.”
Deliah Roberts/Herald
Stacey Rose, left, and Laura Smith, right, the two grand marshals for the parade, with Marie Carmel Houanche, chaplain of American Legion William Clinton Story Post 342.
Andrew Francis/Herald
Despite the rain, Phillip Matragas, Mayor Robert Kennedy and Laura Smith were still able to briefly enjoy riding in a Mustang convertible after the Memorial Day ceremony.
AMERICA
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
During the 250 years of its existence, the United States has experienced many domestic and global triumphs in large part due to the sacrifices and contributions of the millions of individuals who served in the military in various capacities.
In recognition of the ongoing service active-duty military members and veterans have offered this nation, several Long Island veterans shared their reflections on their service and what the celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary signifies to them.
Bill Morris, North Bellmore
Morris served in U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965, and was stationed in Arlington, Virginia, as a part of the Old Guard that watches over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial serves as a symbolic resting place for the many soldiers who died and whose remains were unidentifiable due to the state of the body, poor record keeping or technological limitations of the time.
DHe expressed that it was an honor to be a part of the Old Guard and serving the country in a unique way. In addition to guarding the tomb, he was a part of different ceremonies at the White House and parades at the Washington Monument.
espite all of our differences, the country goes on — and we celebrate our heritage and our victories.
— BILL MoRRIS
Morris also was a part of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in 1963 when JFK was assassinated in Dallas. When asked about what America 250 signifies to him, he reflected on how much history he had been a part of.
“It signifies that I’m getting old, because I remember the 200th anniversary,” he joked. “(The 250th) anniversary just shows that the country, despite all of our differences, goes on and we celebrate our heritage and we celebrate our victories.”
For America’s 250th, looking back on service
Photos courtesy Bill Morris
Bill Morris said he’s been “honored” to have participated in several emotional ceremonies, including the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.
Bill Morris has received several recognitions and awards for his service in the Old Guard.
Morris added that he hopes to see the U.S. government provide additional support for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and encourages the country to care more for veterans.
“There’s way too many veterans on the street,” he said. “Too many on drugs. They need more care, they need more mental health (resources), they need more benefits. And I know the Veterans Affairs are trying to do that.”
Lomonaco Angelo, Lynbrook
Angelo, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1951 to 1955, also worked as a New York City police
Deliah Roberts/Herald Herald reporter Andrew Francis with U.S. veteran Marie Carmel Houanche at the 2026 Freeport Memorial Day Ceremony at Freeport High School.
officer for 20 years. He said that the nation’s 250th birthday is “meaningful” and he also hopes to see the legacy of veterans honored better.
“People, don’t forget the veterans,” he asks, mentioning “the different eras to World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, until the present.”
Angelo does his part to try to honor fellow veterans by volunteering at the New York State Veterans Home in St. Albans.
Marie Carmel Houanche, Freeport
Houanche was a nurse in the U.S. Army for 20 years being sta-
tioned in Houston, Texas and other areas of the country. Despite retiring from the military in 2011, she has remained tied to it by serving as chaplain at the American Legion’s William Clinton Story Post No. 342 in Freeport.
Despite having not been a typical soldier, Houanche said that her experiences were transformative since she was required to still meet the same physical fitness requirements that regular soldiers met. She also learned how to speak French, Korean, French, Creole, Spanish, English and a bit of Russian throughout her life of service.
Houanche said that America’s 250th anniversary is both a celebration of progress and independence.
There’s way too many veterans on the street. They need more care, more mental health resources and more benefits.
— BILL MoRRIS
“The reason that we celebrate the 250th anniversary is because we have our freedom and independence, and if it wasn’t for the military, all the different branches working together, we wouldn’t be free today.”
Stephen Nicolino, Freeport
Nicolino, who recently celebrated his 94th birthday, was a U.S. Air Force traffic controller from 1952 to 1956. After graduating from high school, the same day as the Korean War started, he reported to basic training at the now closed Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca Lake, New York, and went on to be stationed at bases in Massachusetts and England. Following his service, he went on to graduate from Hofstra University with a degree in business administration. When asked about America 250, he said that he and his family have loved the U.S. for over a century.
“My parents came from Italy in 1921 and never looked back,” Nicolino said. “He became a citizen within five years of being here in the United States.”
Nicolino’s family ties to service and patriotism extends to his brother Benedetto Nicolino, who was a Suffolk County police officer in the 1950s and 1960s who would become the first Long Island police officer with a K-9 dog.
Courtesy Marie Carmel Houanche Marie Carmel Houanche worked as a nurse in the U.S. Army for 20 years before serving as an American Legion chaplain.
AMERICA
Look into the future
Julianna M. Birch Elementary School
Samuel G. Birch Elementary School
Hannah N. Birch Elementary School
Maddy K. Birch Elementary School
STEPPING OUT
Block party
The nation’s story comes to life at L.I. Children’s Museum
By Abbey Salvemini
Excitement is building as we head into Fourth of July weekend. All ages can find meaning and inspiration in this milestone 250th anniversary: even play takes on a patriotic twist. Long Island Children’s Museum provides young visitors a hands-on way to connect with America’s story as only kids can — by building and imagining. Through creativity and play, children can explore the country’s landscapes, wildlife and enduring symbols that are found in the museum’s “Red, White & Blue Blocks” exhibition.
At its core, the exhibit, which runs through Sept. 6, is built around a concept children readily understand. For Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president of program and visitor experience, the best way to introduce young visitors to the 250th anniversary was to frame it as a birthday celebration — one on a truly grand scale.
“Birthdays are such a big part of what kids love,” Terzulli says. “We wanted to recognize and really lean into the celebration.”
The exhibit features large blue foam building blocks paired with red, white and blue accessories that encourage open-ended creativity. Inspired by the stars and stripes of the American flag, block building lets kids imagine what futures they will build together.
Throughout the first floor gallery space, prompts invite families to build birthday cakes, create monuments and design perches for bald eagles, our national bird.
The museum also incorporated an environmental and geographic component by highlighting animals native to the United States.
Large murals showcase species including buffalo, elk, mountain goats, beavers and alligators, while children can use animal puppets and blocks to create habitats inspired by each creature’s natural environment.
“This country is just so beautiful,” Terzulli says. “There are so many environmental aesthetics and animals that are indigenous just to America.”
Everyone is encouraged to study the murals for inspiration and think critically about the environments different animals call home. Some may build rugged mountain landscapes for goats, while others design swampy habitats for alligators complete with rivers
and marshes. What begins as a building exercise often opens the door to deeper discussions about ecosystems and the natural world.
“It’s really beautiful to see families looking at the murals and saying, ‘I don’t know if I’ve spent enough time traveling America’” Terzulli continues. “Our landscape is so unique.”
The exhibit’s open-ended design encourages children to chart their own creative paths. While some build patriotic displays or towering birthday cakes, others tackle ambitious engineering projects, from roller coasters to replicas of famous landmarks. No two building sessions look quite the same.
Terzulli recalls one child attempting to recreate Mount Rushmore with the oversized foam blocks. Other visitors have become fascinated with beavers, constructing dams after discovering the important role the animals play in shaping ecosystems.
• Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• View the events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
“The beautiful thing is they’re organic, and they allow the learning to spring up for whatever the family’s interest is,” she adds.
One particularly popular challenge involves designing perches for bald eagles.
“I’m loving seeing these perches for the eagle, because they get really competitive,” Terzulli says.
A cozy reading area stocked with books on geography, wildlife and state symbols extends the learning beyond the block-building space. The educational approach, according to Terzulli, reflects the museum’s broader vision for its America 250 programming — one that emphasizes exploration and celebration rather than history lessons. Her team intentionally took a different approach from many America 250 initiatives, focusing less on historical interpretation and more on helping children celebrate and connect with the country in age-appropriate ways.
“We’re not really doing the historical element,” she explains. “We felt like we’d leave that to historical homes and foundations. Ours is more about our country’s birthday.”
Beyond play, the exhibit and its companion programs are intended to foster shared family memories that can last a lifetime. Terzulli vividly remembers celebrating America’s Bicentennial in 1976 as a child and relates that today’s young visitors may someday reflect on the nation’s 250th birthday with similar fondness.
“I remember wearing a little bonnet and making a poster that said 1776 and marching with my siblings and cousins in [this] parade,” she recalls. “I want kids to remember where they were; so that when they’re my age, they’ll have a reflective moment.”
At its heart the exhibit is designed to foster the kinds of shared experiences that families carry with them long after the blocks have been put away. Amid the excitement surrounding America’s 250th, Terzulli sees the celebration as an opportunity to pause, connect and find joy together.
As Terzulli puts it: “Coming together and celebrating what makes life full of joy is important.”
Sky-high salute to America’s 250th
Jones Beach is ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a spectacular three-day holiday weekend extravaganza. This year’s edition of the FourLeaf Air Show combines beachfront fireworks spectacle with one of the nation’s premier air shows, always an anticipated summer tradition. Festivities begin Saturday fireworks. The 25-minute display, presented by Garden State Fireworks, starts at 9:30 p.m. and will be synchronized to patriotic music. Sunday and Monday bring more excitement with the FourLeaf Air Show, headlined by the returning U.S. Navy Blue Angels. In a historic international tribute, the lineup also features the Royal Air Force Red Arrows making their first New York appearance, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds returning to Long Island for the first time since 2018, and the British Army Parachute Display Team Red Devils, among the exciting lineup. Together this is surely a signature semiquincentennial celebration that brings everyone together for a weekend honoring the nation’s history military service for a once-in-a-generation celebration.
Saturday through Monday, July 4-6. Jones Beach, Wantagh. More details available at fourleafairshow.com.
America’s birthday 19th century-style
Fourth of July is so much more than pyrotechnics. Step back in time into the 1800s at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for a more laid back type of holiday. The historic village transforms into a fully immersive living-history experience. Events include a patriotic parade through the village streets, military drills, and historical reenactments that bring the era to life. Guests can watch craft demonstrations showcasing traditional trades, enjoy storytelling sessions, and take in performances by a brass band echoing the music of the period. A reading of the Declaration of Independence offers a powerful reminder of the holiday’s origins, while old-time baseball — played by vintage rules — adds a spirited, hands-on touch of recreation. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and settle in with family and friends.
Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409 for more.
Photos courtesy LICM
Imagination takes shape in foam and color as children build within the Long Island Children’s Museum’s “Red, White & Blue Blocks” exhibit.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
Celebrate America
Eisenhower Park welcomes all to the county’s annual July 4th celebration. Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock perform, followed by drone show and fireworks.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Summertime tunes
Beach concert season begins with The Decoys. Enjoy songs from the early days of rock, right up to current hits with special guest Taylor Searling.
• Where: 4 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove
• Time: 10 a.m.
• Contact: glencovelibrary.org or (516) 676-2130
Bubble Magic
JUL 3
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to the Bubbles exhibit for some extra sudsy fun! Through playful, hands-on experiments explore what makes a bubble form, what makes them pop, and discover new creative ways to make bubbles at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Beach Mass
JUL 5
The annual outdoor services return to Beach Catholic to take place surfside in the sand. Bring chairs or towels for comfort and celebrate Mass in the setting sun. Indoor Sunday services will still take place as scheduled earlier in the day.
• Where: Ocean Beach Park at Grand Boulevard
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 432-0045
Long Beach Walking Tour
Discover the stories behind the unique barrier island, full of history, hidden gems and local favorites. Along the way, explore the historic Nassau Hotel, Red Brick district, Long Beach Holocaust Memorial, Laurel diner, local shops and more. No registration needed, just show up and walk with the tour. All ages welcome, including families. Wear
The Bronx Wanderers
The Bronx Wanderers visit the Paramount stage for a night of classic pop, rock, oldies and their signature brand of comedy. What do you get when a father, his two sons, and two high school classmates come together to create a show? A wildly entertaining mix of hilarious personal stories, a powerhouse playlist spanning every genre and decade, and one unforgettable family’s journey through life and music. Meet The Bronx Wanderers — a high-energy musical experience that’s been bringing audiences to their feet for over 20 years. With a unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia, modern hits, and dynamic storytelling, this band has mastered the art of connecting with fans of all ages in one sweeping, musical tour de force. The Bronx Wanderers have spent seven years as a Top 5 show in Las Vegas out of 223 productions. They’ve earned 12 “Best of Las Vegas” awards, were named Best Tribute Show by Las Vegas Weekly in 2022, hold a prestigious residency at the South Point Hotel and Casino, and were inducted into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame. Their on-stage chemistry and infectious energy they bring night after night prove they’re still having the time of their lives — and by the end of the show, you will be too.
comfortable shoes; it’s suggested to bring sunscreen, a hat and water. Optional donations support local organizations helping those in need in our community.
• Where: Begins at The Allegria Hotel
• Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
• Contact: (516) 992-3711
Family theater
Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm... must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave.,
Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 8
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
to speak must sign in prior to the start of the meeting. Sign-ups will be accepted until the Council votes to close the meeting.
• Where: City Hall. 1 W. Chester St.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Where: Bellmore Movies & Showplace, 222 PettitAve.,Bellmore
• Time: Varied, through July 16
• Contact: For a complete schedule and tickets, visit LIIFE2026.eventive.org
JUL
8
Farmers Market
The Kennedy Plaza Farmers Market offers an incredible lineup of local farmers, makers and food vendors you know and love. Stop by the popular outdoor market, where community spirit and fresh local flavor come together. Explore the selection of seasonal produce, artisanal goods, homemade treats and handcrafted items from dozens talented local businesses.
• Where: Kennedy Plaza
• Time: Every Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 670-5046
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. See Disney/ Pixar’s “Elio. The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: Movie begins at dusk
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Oldies concert
Outdoor summer concerts
The annual outdoor music scene is back with a slate of 18 acts. Bands are scheduled to perform free concerts twice per week through Sept. 3. Bring your own seating, but prepare to be up and dancing. Elaine’s Basement will play classic rock from the 1960s and ‘70s. A full list of upcoming dates, locations and acts can be found at longbeachny.gov/concerts.
• Where: Kennedy Plaza
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 431-1000
JUL 6 JUL
7
City Council Meeting
The Long Beach City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. The public may make comments or ask questions pertaining to specific agenda items at the appropriate time. Those who wish
• Contact: (516) 431-1000
Lights, camera, Long Island!
The Long Island International Film Expo returns, bringing independent cinema from around the globe to local audiences. This year’s festival features 113 films representing countries including Spain, Hong Kong, Ghana, Wales, Singapore, Gibraltar and Nigeria, along with productions from across the United States and a strong showcase of Long Island filmmakers. The festival opens with student film blocks at 6 and 9 p.m., including “Money Game,” winner of the 2026 Locust Valley Student Film Festival, directed by Justin Kwok. The diverse lineup includes documentaries, feature films, shorts, horror films, music videos and late-night screenings for mature audiences, along with workshops and more. Notable selections include “The Random Guest,” the final film featuring actor Peter Greene.
JUL 9
Eisenhower Park goes all out for an Oldies show.
E’Stefano diSanto, Johnny Farina, Bobby Wilson, Vito Picone & The Elegants and The Brookly Bridge perform.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny. gov or (516) 572-0200
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.
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs. GLORIA MICHELL, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 29, 2008 and an Order duly entered on May 2, 2022, 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 July 14, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 26 East Market Street a/k/a 26 Market Street, 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 96 and Lot 218. Approximate amount of judgment is $647,819.24 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #23192/2007.
Melissa Levin, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160676
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
NASSAU COUNTY
LIVE OAK BANKING
COMPANY, Plaintiff against 164 WEST PARK AVE
LONG BEACH, LLC;
STEPHEN E. ZAWIE
VETERINARIAN P.C., et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 1, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 20, 2026 at 2:30PM. Premises known as 164 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY 11561. Sec 59 Block 071 Lot 8. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau, State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $1,163,209.23 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 602677/2025. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Fabiana I Talarico, Esq., Referee File # 24-002881-01 160764
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, July 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Lido Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Section 60 Block 64 Lot 4. Said premises known as 195 REGENT DRIVE, LIDO BEACH A/K/A 195 REGENT DRIVE, LONG BEACH, NY 11561
Approximate amount of lien $808,126.32 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 617419/2024.
JAMES M. KERINS, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280 2832. DLG# 39784 {* LONG BEACH*} 160746
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE, FOR PARK PLACE
SECURITIES, INC. ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-WCW2, Plaintiff against ALIZA SIEGEL, et al Defendant(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP, 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224, Syosset, NY 11791. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered January 6, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 27, 2026 at 2:00PM. Premises known as 271 W Olive Street, Long Beach, New York 11561. Sec 59 Block 60 Lot 8-10. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and
improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Long Beach in the County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $1,226,856.32 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608076/2022. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Robert J Aiello, Esq., Referee File # 22-0321 160861
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. MORET LLC, Pltf. vs. MADISON A. MERCHANT, et al, Defts. Index #601955/2024. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered May 4, 2026, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on July 28, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. premises k/a Section 59, Block 93, Lot(s) 62-64 Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. The foreclosure sale will be held, “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court appointed Referee will cancel the foreclosure auction.
PAUL MELI, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY 11021. #103013 160851
Outside the hospital, Brandon Brower has worked to strengthen ties with the community through a beach cleanup initiative he launched in Long Beach last year.
LIJ nurse organized L.B. beach cleanup
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Brandon Brower, 28, has spent the past six years building his career at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital, growing from a critical care patient care associate during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to an assistant nurse manager overseeing multiple critical care units.
At the hospital, he is known for his teamwork, flexibility and patient-centered care. Outside the hospital, Brower has also worked to strengthen ties with the community through a beach cleanup initiative he launched in Long Beach last year.
Originally from Rockville Centre, Brower attended the University of Alabama, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in public health in December 2019. While there, he volunteered at Glen Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center in Northport and at Hospice of West Alabama.
After returning home, Brower still planned to pursue nursing. In April 2020, he joined LIJ Valley Stream as a critical care patient care associate, working in the intensive care unit while attending nursing school at Long Island University, Brooklyn.
“During the pandemic, because people couldn’t have visitors, nursing was that human connection and at the end of the day, nursing is about people,” Brower said. “It’s holding someone’s hand when they’re scared, explaining things in a way to that families understand on the phone, being able to have a patient FaceTime their family and really like making people feel seen in that time, and not just like treated as a patient, because how difficult of a timeframe that was.”
Brower graduated from LIU Brooklyn in August 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and was accepted into LIJ Valley Stream’s critical care fellowship program, a highly competitive specialty training program for nurses entering critical care.
Isabel Law, director of patient care services at LIJ Valley Stream, said Brower stood out early in his career for
his willingness to help others and his ability to work collaboratively across departments.
Earlier this year, Brower was promoted to assistant nurse manager in critical care, a leadership position in which he oversees telemetry services and supports nursing teams and supervisors within the unit.
This year, Brower was nominated for Northwell Health’s Truly Awards in both the initiative and collaborative categories, recognitions that honor nurses who demonstrate leadership, innovation and teamwork.
Outside of the hospital, Brower has continued his commitment to service through community volunteer efforts.
Last year, he organized a beach cleanup in Long Beach, near Edwards Boulevard, after Labor Day, choosing the location for its accessibility and heavy foot traffic near the train station and beach entrance.
The event encouraged volunteers to help remove litter from the shoreline and surrounding areas while promoting environmental awareness among beachgoers. Brower said he plans to continue the cleanup initiative again later this year.
“Every time we get a nurse spearheading something like that and get all the nurses involved, it’s inspirational,” Law said. “Some of those people who go to the beach are some of our patients, but just to have our name out there, and make sure that people know who we are, is very powerful, and it’s very impactful in a positive way.”
Looking ahead, Brower said he hopes to continue developing as a leader in nursing and to pursue a master’s degree in leadership.
While he enjoyed working at the bedside and still values direct patient care, Brower said he has found himself increasingly drawn toward leadership roles that allow him to support both patients and staff on a larger scale.
For Brower, nursing remains more than a profession. He described it as both a responsibility and a privilege to care for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Courtesy Brandon Brower
EDITOR/REPORTER
Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Operations/ Office Coordinator Full-Time. Cedarhurst. $25–$30/hour. Seeking person with strong communication, organizational, computer skills. Resume: info@purebitessnacks.com
OUTSIDE
SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for
Why should we have to pay for changes?
Prime Location - Endless Possibilities
a
beach living at its finest!
oversized corner lot in highly
Q. We want your opinion. Who should pay for changes to our drawings in order for us to get our permit? We got a list of problems from the building department, and most of them seem pretty simple, but our architect is telling us these are changes, and he wants to be paid for doing the changes. They most include words to change, but there are some other things. The plans are too big for the property by only a few feet, and the height is more, because we want 10-foot ceilings on each floor. Why should we have to pay for changes? The architect should have known about this.
A. The answer to your question is another question. Whose building is it? Who wants the high ceilings that prompted the extra height? You, the owner, are the driving factor in the direction your plans went, and because of that, and the outcome you want to ultimately reach — approval, legality and a building you started out wanting — there is the price of services by each person you hire.
Many people have a misperception of the process of planning a building. They also have this commonly held belief that the builder knows the laws, the structure, the unique, unwritten requirements of the municipality. Owners place faith in a system they imagine works a particular way, and find out the hard way that things are often not what they assumed they would be.
I have had many experiences in which I warned clients that doing or insisting on certain things was going to get rejected, just to hear them say, naively, “Let’s try anyway,” doubting the advice, only to be turned back. In most cases, they insisted that the architect bear at least part of the cost for the redoing. That’s when you realize the personality of the person you are working for, when they cannot take responsibility for ignoring good advice.
Over the years, there have been many people who insisted that they “knew somebody” who would allow something that wasn’t ordinarily allowed. Very rarely did that strategy work. This question sounds similar, where you don’t want to bear the responsibility, yet the end result should be that you must.
Remember, going forward with the idea that changes may have to be made causes an even bigger problem. The changes have to be as thoroughly and thoughtfully addressed as the first time. Making constant calls to see if the work to change the plans has been done is frustrating, because if any issue, any note, any inconsistency is left that should have been changed, the construction project can take an ugly turn.
I have often wanted to put a note on the plans, in tall, bold letters, that “change is bad.” Changes unravel the best-laid plans. Others reading this should understand that municipalities are consistent, and if the architect, builder, electrician or plumber advises you to think twice based on trying to break a regulation, listen. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the
or to
SERVICES
Appliance Srvc./Repair
APPLIANCE DOCTOR FOR ALL YOUR APPLIANCE REPAIRS! Prompt, Reasonable, Reliable. All Repairs Guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Serving Community 45 Years. $10 OFF Repairs. Seniors $12 OFF. 516-764-7011
THE APPLIANCE KING: Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Microwaves, Stoves, Refrigerators. WE RULE REPAIR ! $10 Off Repair With Ad. Senior Discount. Lic/Ins #201025, Call 516.640.8593
Cable/TV/Wiring
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
Cleaning Services
WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC.
Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com
Electricians
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC.
All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
Home Improvement
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER?
STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-877-318-7982
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-877-271-0003
DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move.
Home Improvement
PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496
SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473
Miscellaneous
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
Power Washing
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641
Services
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-877-290-0023 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Telephone Services
CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
Tree Services
T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE
*TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com
Satellite/TV Equipment
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Accounting & Tax
END YOUR TAX worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Call for a FREE consultation. Call Priority Tax now 1877-663-7719
Health & Fitness
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-877-536-0251
ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-877-468-3979
Internet Services
AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-877-461-0663
Legal Services
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-877-315-0990. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider.
Medical
AUDIEN HEARING. THE world's first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions.
Tutoring
opinions Enough beating up on Joe Biden
Although Joe Biden’s presidency is now very far in the rearview mirror, there are attempts being made by both sides to keep his name in the public arena. Republicans invoke Biden as a scapegoat for all of President Trump’s missteps, and former first lady Jill Biden wants to rewrite history after the very bad end to her husband’s term of office.
I approach the Biden legacy from a different perspective. I met Biden in the early 1980s, when one of his close supporters asked me to help raise money for Joe’s Senate re-election campaign, and we met at one of those events. I found him to be a pleasant and gracious man who enjoyed talking about his life in the Senate and his legislative priorities. He had one apparent flaw. He liked to talk and talk, and often needed a reminder that it was time to move on. Our subsequent contacts were infrequent but always warm and kind. I attended President Clinton’s second
inauguration, and while in Washington I stopped by the senator’s office. He posed for some photos my wife, Suzan, and I, and then invited us to sit in on a Senate Judiciary hearing for new judges. Biden loved legislating, and his record during those years in the Senate is a very admirable one.
TLooking back at his accomplishments in the Senate, there is much to talk about. He was responsible for many important laws, dating back to 1994, when he spearheaded the Violence Against Women Act, which addressed domestic violence issues. That same year, he pushed through a major crime bill, which resulted in great success for law enforcement. Critics say it brought about mass incarceration, but its pros outweighed the cons.
sia’s expansion plans. Overall, Biden’s record in the Senate was historic for its scope and impact.
he Republican blame game is starting to sound a little hollow.
The early years of his presidency were marked by legislative success in many areas. He spearheaded the American Rescue Plan Act, the $1.9 trillion program that helped the nation recover from the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. He signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which created millions of new jobs rebuilding highways, bridges and other badly needed public-works projects. He signed the CHIPS and Science Act, which began the effort to get the country to accelerate the semiconductor industry. One semiconductor-manufacturing plant is currently under construction upstate.
Biden subsequently passed the Protect Our Children Act, which dealt with online exploitation of children. That was followed by major climate-change laws and anti-apartheid statutes. He was a strong supporter of NATO, and persuaded many of his fellow senators that the European alliance was critical to America’s interests In combating Rus-
After the death of his son Beau, a veteran who had suffered toxic fume exposure, Biden got the PACT Act passed to help veterans suffering from similar disabilities. He got bipartisan support for the first anti-gun law in 30 years. He succeeded in capping the cost of insulin, and helped expand NATO membership. And he appointed the first black woman, Ketanji Brown Jackson, to the Supreme Court.
All of those accomplished were blurred during Biden’s final year in office. The hardest thing for any politician to do is to quit public office, and obvious it’s even harder when you’re president. Giving up trips on Air Force Once and being treated royally wherever you go is a very big deal. But a combination of family pressures and staff members all anxious to keep their jobs kept Biden from recognizing that it was time to go. An added complication was his failing health.
But because he isn’t president anymore, the Republicans’ blame game is starting to sound a little hollow. They are making efforts to expose embarrassing recordings of conversations he had with a ghostwriter as a way to cover up for President Trump’s current failings. I have no doubt that history will treat Biden a lot better, but that takes time. The country has countless challenges to face, and it’s time for all sides to move on and let the man deal with his potential end-of-life issues.
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.
Biofuels can help decarbonize L.I.’s school bus fleet
As the deadline for school districts to begin purchasing zero-emission school buses loomed, state lawmakers rightfully hit the brakes by delaying the mandate for five years.
The reasons are as clear as they are daunting: the electric grid isn’t ready, charging infrastructure remains scarce compared with ambitious state targets, and the upfront cost of a single electric bus can be triple that of a traditional one.
For Long Island school districts already grappling with a high tax burden and unique costof-living challenges, this represents yet another significant financial strain that would fall squarely on local taxpayers.
State leaders should be lauded for recognizing these realities. But as officials continue to debate these and other changes to the state’s climate law, we can’t fall into an either-or trap, just as we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
New York already has a solution that has been in use for decades, and is easily deployed: renewable liquid fuels.
Transitioning the existing school bus fleets to renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent immediately. Unlike electric buses, which require specialized chargers and rely on our dangerously thin electric grid, renewable diesel works in the engines we already own. It requires no costly equipment overhauls, no new infrastructure, and performs reliably in cold New York winters.
Rfrom entering our air annually. Officials aim to complete the conversion of all city-owned vehicles this summer.
New York became the first state in the Northeast to offer the fuel to state agencies, authorities, schools, municipalities and nonprofits in 26 counties, including Nassau and Suffolk. Still, too few are availing themselves of this resource.
e newable diesel fuel works in the school bus engines we already own.
While the state waits years for the grid to catch up, municipal leaders are already proving that renewable liquid fuels — biodegradable fuel manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled restaurant grease — can deliver significantly carbon reduction today without breaking the bank.
New York City is leading the way, having transitioned its fleet of garbage trucks, emergency vehicles and other heavy-duty machines to renewable diesel in 2024, a move expected to prevent 162 million pounds of carbon dioxide
And while much of today’s conversation centers on delays in transportation electrification, concerns about the pace and practicality of electrification are also growing in the homes and buildings sectors, as well as budget-strapped public facilities — especially our schools.
Consider a high school in Brooklyn where administrators recently replaced traditional heating oil with the renewable fuel alternative, making it the first school in New York City to convert to a heating system running entirely on biofuels. This historic transition to cleaner renewable fuels proves that giving schools and other institutions the flexibility they need to adopt a range of clean-energy solutions — not just electrification — is how the
state can continue to make meaningful climate progress while keeping energy reliable and at a manageable price point.
This common-sense approach is what New Yorkers are demanding as they navigate a punishing economy. With affordability continuing to be top of mind and the state grid operator warning of a razor-thin reliability margin that leaves Long Island particularly vulnerable to blackouts, a pragmatic, costeffective approach to making environmental progress today is the smart approach for the region’s school districts and the taxpayers and families who support them.
The debate in Albany often presents a false choice between a costly mandate and a climate delay. But a true all-of-theabove approach to energy options being advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and some legislators can find an effective middle ground when the right tools are brought into the mix.
The grid will catch up eventually, but our environment and hardworking Long Islanders can’t afford to wait. It’s time to choose the solutions that work today.
Rocco J. Lacertosa is CEO of the Hauppauge-based New York State Energy Coalition.
RoCCo J. LACERTosA
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The Declaration of Independence was first published on July 6, 1776, in a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Evening Post. We are proud to commemorate that high point in American journalism by reprinting that historic document.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at
places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness of his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our Government:
For suspending our own legislature, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free People.
Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.
The Declaration was signed first by John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, and then by 55 others representing the 13 original states.
opinions
The Peace Corps language lesson 35 years in the making
my plane lifted off from Long Island MacArthur Airport in June 1991. The night before, Jupiter, Mars and Venus had aligned in the night sky above my family’s home in Yaphank, in Suffolk County — an auspicious moment that foretold a journey I’m still on today. That propeller plane — so loud it rattled inside my brain — was headed to Washington, D.C., where I attended a three-day Peace Corps orientation before traveling to Bulgaria for two years of volunteer service as an English teacher. I had joined the corps at 24, in part out of a longing to see the world beyond my hometown. I never imagined how Peace Corps service would reshape my worldview — an experience that resonates today in my teaching as a Hofstra University journalism professor.
I was among the first two dozen Peace Corps volunteers sent to Bulgaria, only 18 months after the fall of communism there. At first I felt excited to be living 4,800 miles from home in a society
that moved more slowly, more deliberately, with a deep appreciation for food and wine, art and music. Living in Veliko Tarnovo, a thousand-year-old city perched atop steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, I was happy.
I couldn’t escape the feeling, though, that I was a foreigner, an outsider, despite the many kindnesses that Bulgarians showered on me. Language, in particular, set me apart.
Learning Bulgarian — really learning it — might rid me of my sense of otherness, I thought.
intermediate? Nothing like A.I. to offer a harsh dose of reality.
m y Bulgarian fell within the ‘ lower intermediate ’ range .
Then, amid my Peace Corps service, I married Katerina, a Bulgarian who taught — and still teaches — English. I wanted — needed — to feel more connected to her family, who became my family.
Katerina and I have spoken Bulgarian together, on and off, for nearly 35 years. Last summer I measured my listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with multiple A.I.-designed tests. After days of evaluation, A.I. delivered its verdict: My Bulgarian fell within the “lower intermediate” range.
I had long known that it was riddled with grammar errors, and I often struggled to pronounce many of the sounds unique to the language — but lower
Framework by Tim Baker
I resolved to improve, and I’ve practiced and studied the language daily since. I talk with Katerina on walks through our Merrick neighborhood; read the Bulgarian-American community newspaper Sega; watch Bulgarian newscasts, TV series and movies; listen constantly to the Bulgarian alternative rock band Ostava; translate children’s books and Facebook posts; and drill with flashcards and grammar guides.
Slowly, steadily, I’ve moved up to upper intermediate. Progress has been hard-fought, though, full of minor wins rather than big breakthroughs — recalling an infrequently used word and dropping it into a sentence, pronouncing a tongue-twisting noun, deciphering word order to interpret a text.
I’m often frustrated and always humbled. I can understand 75 percent or so of spoken Bulgarian, but being able to speak it and write it quickly and eloquently is another matter entirely. As a writer and journalism professor, it’s maddening when I fumble over Bulgarian words, as I often do. Words are my currency, my livelihood. They need to flow. Based on my current progress, I’ll
likely need another three to six years of daily study to reach the advanced level of fluency.
Pushing myself to learn Bulgarian at a higher level has made me think of the Latino and Haitian communities that I’ve covered and researched in Hempstead and Uniondale in recent years. I think of the immigrants who must navigate schools, workplaces, doctors’ offices and government agencies in a language they are often still learning, while negotiating an increasingly complicated and precarious immigration system.
Imagine moving through the world understanding only 75 percent of the critical information you need for daily survival — or 50 percent, or less — and dealing with the anxiety that must come with that lack of knowledge. The fear. Possibly depression.
I set out last year to improve my Bulgarian because I want to understand my wife’s culture on a deeper level, and language is central to culture. I do not, however, need Bulgarian to survive. English, on the other hand, is vital to immigrants’ daily existence in the U.S. It’s a lifeline in an increasingly hostile sea.
Scott Brinton, a former executive editor of the Heralds, directs Hofstra University’s Graduate Journalism Program and coordinates its new Peace Corps Prep Program.
