Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 05-22-2025 by Richner Communications, Inc

Jewish center celebrates lag B’omer

East Rockaway students build STEAM with award-winning research projects

By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Students from East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School were recognized for their original research at the Long Island Science Congress, earning awards in categories including behavioral, mental and biological sciences on April 8.

The students developed and presented their projects through the school’s science research program, led by teacher Dame Forbes.

“I think one of the great things about science research is that the students are able to explore their individual interests,” Forbes said. “It’s like my job as their educator, as a teacher, to bring

Voters approve all school-related ballot questions

By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Voters in Lynbrook and East Rockaway approved school budgets and Board of Education members in uncontested races in Tuesday’s election.

Lynbrook voters approved the district’s $110.2 million budget for the 2025–2026 school year, a 3.53 percent increase from the previous year, with 764 “Yes” votes and 270 “No” votes.

Voters approved East Rockaway’s $47 million budget for 2025–26 with a 3.72 percent increase over the prior year. The budget’s vote received 347 “Yes” votes and 155 “No” votes.

Voters in East Rockaway approved a proposition authorizing the district to spend an additional $250,000 from the capital reserve fund for Building Improvements and Repairs III,

with 373 “Yes” votes and 115 “No” votes for the high school cupola replacement project.

This funding supplements the $313,000 approved by voters in May 2023.

In Lynbrook, both propositions passed.

One called for the replacement of technological equipment across schools, and passed with 839 votes, overtaking the 193 “No” votes.

With the same ratio of votes, the Reauthorization of the Continuous Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve Fund proposition passed.

In Lynbrook, Dan Cullen and incumbent Andrew Lewner were elected to the Board of Education.

In East Rockaway, incumbent board Trustees Maureen Doyle and Peter McNally were re-elected.

out their passion for science.”

Andrew Chen received an Achievement Award for his biology project, “Effects of Elevated Concentrations of CO2 on the Yield of Spinach.”

Chen said he was inspired by space-themed movies and the challenge of sustaining food supplies during extended space missions.

“Currently, one of the issues that they’re having is keeping up with the nutrition, especially when they have extended missions in space,” Chen said.

The research explores the relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and

Courtesy Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre

Ivy Reilly, far left, Rabbi Michel Schlesinger, Margo Melzer and Jason Melzer took part in last Friday’s event. Story, more photos, Page 19.

Lynbrook announces lineup of summer programs

The Lynbrook Recreation Department has released its summer 2025 youth program schedule, featuring expanded options in dance, art, theater and early childhood enrichment.

New this year are three summer dance camps at the LRC Fine Arts Center: a Mini Dance Camp for ages 5–7 from June 30 to July 3, a Junior Dance Camp for ages 8–11 from July 7 to 10, and a Senior Dance Camp for ages 12–16 from July 14 to 18. Each camp features instruction in multiple dance styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, tap, and contemporary.

Courtesy Lynbrook Recreation Department

The Lynbrook Recreation Department has released its schedule of youth programs for Summer 2023, offering a range of activities for children ages 1 through 15.

Fees range from $120 to $198 depending on age group and residency status.

Also offered are a four-day Performance Camp for ages 6–13 from July 21 to 24, and a six-week Summer Playgroup for ages 3–4, held four mornings per week beginning July 7.

Returning programs include a Sum-

mer Theatre Camp for grades 5–12 from July 28 to Aug. 1, where students work with a director to build and perform a show. A five-week Summer Art Class for kids ages 5–9 begins July 8.

Full program details and registration are available at Lynbrook.RecDesk.com.

— Ainsley Martinez

Summer programs at a glance

Summer Mini Dance Camp (Ages 5–7)

June 30 – July 3 | 12:30–3 p.m.

$120 Resident / $132 Non-Resident

Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap, Lyrical, Jazz & more!

Summer Jr. Dance Camp (Ages 8–11)

July 7 – July 10 | 12:30–3:30 p.m.

$145 Resident / $159 Non-Resident

Includes Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and more.

Summer Sr. Dance Camp (Ages 12–16)

July 14 – July 18 | 12:30–3:30 p.m.

$180 Resident / $198 Non-Resident

Advanced training in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro & more.

Performance Camp (Ages 6–13)

July 21 – July 24 | 1 –3 p.m.

Create and perform a show in 4 days!

Summer Playgroup

Ages 3–4 (must be potty trained)

July 7 – August 15

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri

AM Session: 9:30–11:30 a.m. PM Session: 12:30–2:30 p.m.

Location: Lynbrook Recreation Center

$400 Resident / $440 Non-Resident

Summer Theatre Camp

Grades 5–12

July 28 – August 1 | 12:30–3:30 p.m.

$180 Resident / $198 Non-Resident

Summer Art Class for Kids

Tuesdays, July 8 – August 5 5–6 Yrs: noon –1 p.m. 7–9 Yrs: 1:30–2:30 p.m.

$85 Resident / $94 Non-Resident

Girl Scouts ceremony honors Lynbrook leader

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Assemblywoman Judy Griffin joined community members at the ELLM Service Unit Gold Award Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of two Girl Scouts, Brooke Boccio and Amrece Rivera, who earned the prestigious Gold Award for their service and leadership.

“Their dedication, leadership, civic engagement, and service to the community is truly inspiring,” Griffin said. “I have no doubt that these exceptional young women will make their mark and continue to soar.”

Brooke Boccio, a 17-year-old Lynbrook resident and member of Troop 2570, earned the highest honor in Girl Scouts for her work raising awareness about equine-assisted therapy, particularly for veterans and first responders.

“Veterans are a group that don’t always get a lot of recognition, and the resources that they deserve,” she said. “Equine-assisted therapy is not well known, and a lot of people don’t realize this even exists— but it really does help.”

Boccio partnered with several equineassisted therapy providers across Long Island, including Pal-O-Mine Equestrian in Islandia, Warrior’s Ranch in Calverton, Spirit’s Promise in Riverhead, and New York Equestrian in West Hempstead. Her project centered on educating the public about the mental health benefits of working with horses—a resource available to veterans and first responders at no cost, yet still underutilized.

Her passion for horses began early,

when she started riding recreationally. Although the hobby became financially out of reach, volunteering allowed her to remain active in the equestrian community. Boccio said the experience ultimately proved to be a meaningful contribution.

At the New York Equestrian Center, she performs maintenance work, including cleaning stalls. Her time there deepened her understanding of how equineassisted therapy works and inspired her Gold Award project.

For the project, Boccio organized outreach events and educational presentations, including at Oktoberfest in Lynbrook and at events held by the Wounded Warrior Project and the American Legion. She also created informational materials to help explain the therapy’s benefits to attendees.

Boccio’s initiative required more than 80 hours of work, and she said the Lynbrook community was highly supportive. With great-grandparents who served in World War II, Boccio said she feels a strong connection to veterans and their needs.

EBoccio dedicates many Sundays to volunteering at Pal-O-Mine, where horses play a central role in therapy for individuals with emotional and psychological challenges, including veterans, first responders, and people with disabilities. Horses are known to sense human emotions from several feet away, helping participants recognize and regulate their own behaviors—an important element in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Gatti said.

quineassisted therapy is not well known, and a lot of people don’t realize this even exists— but it really does help.

BRookE BoccIo Lynbrook’s trifecta Girl Scout

Lisa Gatti, director at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, said Boccio is one of 85 volunteers at the farm.

“She is a tremendous asset to Pal-OMine,” Gatti said. “What makes Brooke stand out is her maturity and sensitivity, which is unusual for her age.”

“Horses don’t live in the past or future, like we sometimes do. They only care about what’s happening in the present,” she said.

Eileen Shanahan, director at Warrior’s Ranch, described working with horses as the “beginning of selfawareness.”

“There is a parallel between the veteran, the first responder and the horse,” Shanahan said. “When a veteran or first responder is in a high-stress situation—whether in combat, chasing a suspect, or fighting fires—their senses are also heightened. There’s a connection.”

At Warrior’s Ranch, participants begin therapy by engaging in groundwork activities like grooming and leading horses. Over time, they build confidence and emotional regulation by learning how their internal state affects a horse’s behavior.

“The horses are very intuitive,” Shana-

han said. “Once the person learns to relax and breathe, the horse follows suit. It’s the beginning of becoming self-aware, and it’s powerful for healing.”

In addition to the therapeutic benefits, Shanahan said Warrior’s Ranch provides a sense of camaraderie that is vital to emotional healing.

“The biggest feedback we get is about the camaraderie,” Shanahan said. “There are other people who have either been through what they’ve been through or been in a similar situation. It’s a likeminded community.”

Shanahan credited Boccio with helping to improve promotion of the nonprofit.

“People like Brooke are very important, and I always try to encourage volunteers, and let them know that they’re helping save lives,” Shanahan said.

Boccio has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and earned the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, making her a “trifecta Girl Scout.” Her dedication led to her selection as one of 11 Girl Scouts from Nassau County to attend the organization’s national convention in Orlando, where she met scouts from across the country.

“I love Girl Scouts. I’ve met so many great people, and I really immersed myself into it,” Boccio said.

Her mother, Danielle Boccio, said she is grateful for the way Girl Scouts has helped shape her daughter.

“She took it to a whole different level,” Danielle Boccio said. “Those social skills are really lacking these days, and Girl Scouts have really set her apart.”

Courtesy Office of Assemblywoman Judy Griffin

Capital Gains Tax Tips

Your cost “basis” for calculating capital gains taxes is what you paid for the stock or the real estate. For real estate, the basis gets raised by the amount of any capital improvements you make to the property. When you sell your primary residence you may exclude the first $500,000 of gain if you’re a couple or $250,000 if you’re single. The $500,000 exclusion for a couple gets extended for a sale occurring up to two years after a spouse dies.

For gifts you receive of appreciated stock or real estate during the donor’s lifetime, no capital gains tax is payable. However, the donee receives the donor’s basis. It is generally considered better to wait, if possible, and pass the gift to the donee at death, due to the “stepped-up basis”. The basis of any inherited property is “steppedup” to date of death value. If the property is sold within six months of the date of death, then the sale price is deemed to be the date of death value.

If the property is going to be held for

some time it is helpful to get date of death values to establish the new basis. For real estate, this means getting an appraisal from a licensed real estate appraiser (not a real estate broker!). For stocks, you simply ask the company holding the stocks to provide this information.

When a spouse dies with jointly held property, there is a half of a step-up — the deceased spouse’s half gets stepped-up to date of death value, while the surviving spouse has the original basis. However, for a primary residence the capital gains tax exclusions discussed above continue to apply. With combined Federal and New York capital gains taxes reaching about 30%, it is essential to look at holding onto appreciated property until death (especially if you have taken depreciation on the property which can lower your basis to zero). One should also look carefully at the estate plan to see if property should be transferred to a surviving spouse, or their trust if any, to get another step-up on the second death.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

& Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 or email info@trustlaw.com

100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success

Other offices in Huntington • Melville • Islandia

News briefs

Celebrate Memorial Day in Lynbrook, E.R.

The Villages of Lynbrook and East Rockaway will honor fallen service members with its annual events.

In Lynbrook, the Memorial Day Parade and Doughboy Service will take place on May 26, beginning at 9:45 a.m.

The parade will proceed through the village and conclude with a solemn ceremony at the Doughboy Monument, a local World War I memorial that has served as the focal point for the village’s annual tribute.

In the Village of East Rockaway, a Memorial Day Service and Flag Raising will take place at 11 a.m. at the Wood-

mere Bay Yacht Club.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, commemorates U.S. military personnel who died in service to their country. Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday originated in the aftermath of the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Residents are encouraged to attend and pay their respects to the men and women who gave their lives in defense of the nation.

— Ainsley Martinez

Joanna Bishop/Herald

The American Legion walked in the 2024 Memorial Day parade in Lynbrook.

NCC faculty to sue over promotion delays

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

The faculty union at Nassau Community College announced on May 14 that it would take legal action against the college administration for refusing to submit faculty tenure and promotion recommendations to the board of trustees, a move the union claims violates the current collective bargaining agreement.

At a news conference in the County Legislature building in Mineola, Acting NCC Federation of Teachers President David Stern accused the college’s leadership of disregarding established rules and breaching contractual obligations.

“NCC thinks the rules no longer apply to them,” Stern said. “They think they can say one thing and do another. That ends now.”

More than 15 faculty members were recommended for tenure and promotion by committees composed of faculty and administrators in February and March. Stern said the union’s legal counsel had sent a letter to the college administration earlier that day, demanding that the college follow through on the recommendations made by those committees. He called the administration’s failure to advance the recommendations to the board “unprecedented.”

“The issue is simple,” Stern said. “A committee of faculty, including an administrator, recommended tenure and promotions to a number of hardworking, dedicated professors who have labored here for years. NCC not only violated the terms of our contract, it demonstrates an arrogance and disrespect that we have long endured.”

Stern singled out Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti, accusing her of refusing to meet with union representatives or bring the recommendations to

the board of trustees.

“The arrogance begins with Maria Conzatti … who has refused to meet with us, let alone address the concerns in good faith,” Stern said. “She has refused to present these committee recommendations to the board of trustees.”

In response, Jerry Kornbluth, vice president of community and governmental relations at NCC, defended the administration’s stance. He told the Herald in a previous interview that promotions, sabbaticals, and tenure decisions “don’t take effect until the fall of 2025 —

under the new contract,” adding that discussions about the next agreement must begin before such actions can move forward.

In an interview on Friday, Kornbluth reiterated those comments, explaining that Conzatti had presented recommendations for sabbaticals at a board of trustees meeting the previous day. He added that promotions and tenure recommendations would be addressed in June.

Kornbluth explained that the delay in promotions and tenure appointments is due to an ongoing investigation into “potential irregularities on the promotion process,” but he did not elaborate.

But Stern argued that the current contract remains in effect until Aug. 31, and that the administration is obligated to act on recommendations that have already been vetted through the formal committee process.

“That’s absolutely incorrect,” Kornbluth said of Stern’s argument. “This has nothing to do with the contract. This is all about trying to make Maria Conzatti and the administration look bad.”

Suzanne Kaebnick, an English professor and the union secretary, said the administration’s inaction directly affects students. “The cuts, and their refusal to forward the recommendations for tenure and promotion, hurt our students,” Kaebnick said. “In the nursing department, we have classes that have been unstaffed all semester.”

She added, “To not support our full-time faculty … is to say that we’re not invested in this college. That’s not fair to Nassau.”

“Faculty members are hired either temporary or probationary,” Kornbluth said. “They’re fully aware of it, and it’s part of the collective bargaining agreement. After Academic Affairs evaluates the courses and enrollment, there is a good possibility that someone who is terminated on this contract could be re-upped in the fall.”

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald

David Stern, acting president of the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, spoke at a news conference in Mineola on May 14, announcing legal action against the college.

Food banks brace for surge if tax-cut bill passes

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill won approval from a key congressional committee on May 18, advancing toward possible passage in the House of Representatives later this week.

The bill involves spending cuts to the Medicaid healthcare programs for lowerincome Americans and is set to affect millions who are part of the emergency food system and social service programs on the federal level, including Island Harvest Food Bank that is a leading hunger-relief organization helping to end hunger and reduce food waste here on Long Island.

“We’re calling it an emergency food ecosystem across the island, across the state and across the country,” said Gregory A. May, director of government and community relations for Island Harvest. “A cut to one program is a cut to all programs and folks that are on SNAP benefits, if that is cut, they will be coming to us and other emergency food programs, which will then become more strained.”

SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget and will be affected by this bill that is to be decided upon later this week.

“Feeding people who are hungry, particularly feeding hungry children is not

a partisan issue,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said at Island Harvest’s headquarters in Melville on May 18. “It’s not a political issue; it’s a moral issue.”

He said that because of what happened in the House there could be many hungry people in the metropolitan area.

“There are going to be hungry veterans,” Schumer said, referring to the House committee vote. “They’re going to

be hungry middle-class people who lost their jobs and are worrying about feeding their kids, so we’re here to sound the alarm about this deeply troubling proposal coming out of the House of Representatives that could push thousands of Long Islanders, tens of thousands of New Yorkers into deeper hunger and hardship.”

He said that every single month, 150,000 people across Nassau and Suffolk

counties rely on SNAP and this bill will cut $300 billion in nutrition spending that supports a program which helps more than 42 million people nationwide, while providing tax breaks to billionaires.

Hunger has become a growing concern across Long Island with more and more people coming to food banks. Schumer noted that Island Harvest said that their needs are expected to go up 9 percent next year.

“It’s really about the children and the grandparents that are going to feel this impact,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, Island Harvest’s president and CEO. “If these funds are cut, we are at risk of not being able to distribute millions of pounds of food.”

She said that what’s important is that our local officials across the country understand the need and instead of taking a wide brush to make a broad cut, they’re suggesting to do it carefully.

Schumer said that everyone reach out to their Congressional representatives immediately, urging them to not pass this bill.

“We have seven Republicans in New York state, in the Congress, if only four of them said we’re not voting for this bill that cuts food, it wouldn’t happen,” he said. “I’m asking anyone who hears this call to write, email, visit your Congress members and tell them to not do this.”

Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald

Chuck Schumer addresses concerns with the proposed bill that will make cuts to the emergency food system and social service programs.

NYCLU challenges ICE pact in Nassau

By AVA DELA PENA

Special to the Herald

Third in a series of stories on immigration through a partnership between Herald Community Newspapers and Hofstra University.

Susan Gottehrer first became interested in the New York Civil Liberties Union as a teenager. When she read about injustices in local newspapers, “It was like, ‘NYCLU to the rescue,’” recalled the now 61-year-old.

As director of the Hempstead-based Nassau County office of the NYCLU, Gottehrer said she finds it more pressing than ever to “come to the rescue,” especially when it comes to immigrant rights.

There’s

a fear right now, and nobody should ever have to live like that

SuSAN GoTTEhrEr Director, Nassau County office, NYCLU

“The lack of humanity in the way that we approach immigrant communities is disgusting,” she said. “I come from a family affected by the Holocaust. I understand the concept of ‘othering.’”

In March, County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced that Nassau County police would partner with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, making it “the first county in America to have a fully comprehensive agreement with ICE under the 287(g) program.”

Blakeman has said that county detectives would only cooperate with ICE in arresting known criminal suspects, but Gottehrer sees the program as one that will not only negatively affect the immigrant community, but also deteriorate Long Islanders’ relationship with law enforcement.

“When the public cannot trust the police — meaning the immigrant communities — then that makes all of Nassau County less safe,” she noted.

Speaking about on the rising concern in Long Island’s immigrant community, particularly the undocumented community, Gottehrer said she has seen the worry that many feel heading to work, sending their children to school or just leaving their homes.

“There’s fear right now, and nobody should ever have to live like that,” she said.

She said she doubted that any immigrant living in such fear would seek the help of law enforcement. “You can bet (many) are not going be reporting crimes,” she said. “If they themselves need help from law enforcement, then they’re not going to trust it, and that creates a situation where no one is safe.

“The police can say all they want, ‘We’re not going to ask for your status,’” she added, “but when they make a 287(g) agreement, why would anyone trust

About the 287(g) program

The 287(g) program authorizes ICE to oversee and delegate state and local law enforcement to perform specific functions of immigration officers under three models:

■ The jail enforcement model, used to identify undocumented immigrants with criminal charges.

■ The task force model, which allows law enforcement to perform immigration duties.

■ The warrant service officer model, which permits law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on undocumented immigrants.

Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

this year the organization is trying harder than ever to convince elected leaders how “unsafe” 287(g) agreements are. On March 20, multiple activist groups, including the NYCLU, joined more than 50 demonstrators in Hauppauge to rally in support of the act.

In the meantime, the NYCLU is concerned with educating immigrants about their rights. The organization has held a number of “Know Your Rights” workshops to inform immigrants on how to tell the difference between administrative and judicial warrants and how to identify different law enforcement agencies.

“At Know Your Rights workshops, we teach immigrants what a judicial warrant looks like,” Gottehrer said. “An administrative warrant is really just a document that ICE has issued. It’s not backed by the constitutionality of due process or a judge.

“Immigrants have the right to say, ‘That is not a judicial warrant. Leave me alone.’”

them?”

To oppose Blakeman’s pledge to work with ICE, the NYCLU is advocating for the New York For All Act. According to the NYCLU, the legislation would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies “from colluding with ICE, disclosing sensitive information and diverting personnel or other resources to further federal immigration enforcement.”

According to State Senate Bill 2235, the legislation, if enacted, would:

■ Prohibit and regulate the discovery and disclosure of immigration status.

■ Prohibit police officers, peace officers, school resource officers, probation agencies, state entities, state employees and municipal corporations from questioning individuals about their citizenship or immigration status.

■ Regulate the disclosure of informa-

tion relating to immigration status.

The Assembly version of the measure is Bill A3506.

In January, the bill was referred to the Senate and Assembly Codes committees, where it has sat since. The measure must pass through committee before it can be brought to the full Legislature for debate and a potential vote. Finally, Gov. Kathy Hochul must sign it.

Regardless of whether New York for All were to pass, Gottehrer pointed out that immigration falls under civil, not criminal, law, and local police thus should not be involved in immigration enforcement. “ICE is going do its job. There’s nothing we can do about that,” she said. “But federal jurisdiction is over immigration. Local jurisdiction is over criminal law.”

Though the NYCLU has sought to pass the New York for All Act since 2018,

“If you’re new to the country or if there’s a language barrier, you may not know the different levels of government,” she said.

The NYCLU is also conducting trainings in immigrant communities to identify different law enforcement officers, not only so they can protect themselves, but also so they can alert the organization to any potential ICE activity in Nassau. According to Gottehrer, the NYCLU has been mapping reported activity across Long Island while working within a coalition of other activist organizations.

Ultimately, she said, she wants to ensure through her work with the NYCLU that no one lives in fear. “There’s a lot of misinformation and demonization going on,” she said. “It’s historically where our nation has gone to over and over again: to demonize people from ‘the outside.’”

Courtesy Susan Gottehrer

Susan Gottehrer directs the Hempstead-based Nassau County office of the New York Civil Liberties Union, which is working to support undocumented immigrants as they navigate the Trump administration’s deportation push.

Experts: Trump cuts threaten drinking water

Loca leaders agree that federal delays of toxic chemical bans put Long Island communities at risk

By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com

Nassau County’s water is under threat — and local leaders are sounding the alarm.

Last Friday, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages joined County Legislators Olena Nicks and Scott Davis at the Hempstead Public Library, where they stood with environmental and health leaders to denounce recent environmental rollbacks by the Trump administration.

At the heart of the concern is trichloroethylene, or TCE, a toxic chemical once widely used as an industrial solvent. It is known to seep from factories and landfills into the groundwater — the very source of Long Island’s drinking supply. The state warns that TCE, despite its sweet, fruity odor, is a potent carcinogen.

“The decisions being made aren’t based on science — they’re made to protect special interests and polluters,” Solages said, referring to delays on the part of the Environmental Protection Agency in banning harmful chemicals, and her widely shared social media post on the deregulation of a group of chemicals known as PFAS.

Tim Baker/Herald Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis, far left, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Legislator Olena Nicks, Joseph Stallone and Jessica Varghese at Hempstead Public Library, where they spoke about environmental rollbacks.

The administration’s proposal would slash the EPA’s budget from $9.1 billion to $4.2 billion, a cut of more than 50 percent.

Solages, a lifelong Long Islander, pointed out the Island’s growing vul-

nerability to climate change: rising seas, saltwater intrusion and increasingly toxic groundwater. But she also warned of a different kind of crisis — one she called a “man-made disaster” brought on by federal inaction.

Joseph Stallone, campaign manager of the New York League of Conservation Voters, agreed. “The EPA used to be a bipartisan watchdog,” he said. “We need Congress to fully fund the EPA and reject these dangerous rollbacks.”

Jessica Varghese, a registered nurse with over 23 years of experience and an associate professor at the New York Institute of Technology, drove the message home. “Long Island has the most contaminated water in New York,” he said simply.

Hempstead wells have tested positive for one of the four dioxanes that are known to cause cancer, along with traces of “forever chemicals” — a term that applies in almost a literal sense, because they contain strong bonds that persist for decades. Varghese cited serious health risks including kidney damage, liver disease, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

“Long Island deserves better,” she said. “The Trump administration’s sweeping regulatory rollbacks pose a serious threat to public health.”

Solages concluded with a warning: “This isn’t about America’s health,” she said. “It’s about profit. And we won’t be silent.”

Strongbox Theater debuts at local church

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Strongbox Theater took center stage at Bethany Congregational Church this May, debuting six original short plays in a one-night festival that celebrated local talent and marked a major step toward the theater’s upcoming launch.

Directed by John Torres of Long Beach, the event featured six 10-minute plays selected from over 450 national submissions. The minimalist set design allowed the stories—a mix of comedy and drama—to shine through.

“That way people can let their imaginations go wild,” Torres said.

The festival was a collaboration between Strongbox Theater and Bethany Congregational Church, located at 100 Main St., and served as a celebration of Strongbox’s full-scale construction kickoff at its future home on 40 Main St.—a renovated 100-year-old former bank building.

Playwrights featured in the festival included Dave Carley, Robin Anne Joseph, Arianna Rose, J. Thalia Cunningham, and R.A. Pauli.

Torres and a panel of judges curated the lineup, which was brought to life by a cast of local performers including Dan Bellusci, Ed Grosskreuz, Hillary Kass Nussdorf, Tori Hiotakis, June Peralta, Camryn Graves, Savannah Jean Moore, Ryan Justine Stewart, John Payne, Harley Yeager, Reggie Street, and Sarah Spagnuolo.

Strongbox Theater co-founder Tony Leone, who purchased the long-vacant Main Street property with his wife Marla D’Urso in 2020, said the goal is to provide a relaxed, community-driven alternative to Manhattan’s theater scene.

Though construction is ongoing, the festival signaled a turning point for the couple’s long-standing dream. “We really appreciate everyone’s patience because we got off to a bad footing, but we’re on track now,” Leone said.

Strongbox Theater is slated to open its doors in Spring 2026, offering theater, music and comedy programming in a fully renovated

space.

black box

Skye Margies/Herald Photos

John Torres selected six plays out of 450 submissions to premiere at then early month-long event.

The show was one of six original works staged at Bethany Congregational Church.

The event marked the public kickoff for Strongbox’s full-scale construction and community programming.

Strongbox Theater plans to open in Spring 2026 to offer theater, music and comedy acts.

Students raise money, volunteer for ALS aid

The tradition continued at North Middle School and Marion Street Elementary in the Lynbrook School District on May 12 as members of the charitable organization Ride for Life were greeted by the community.

Students at both schools gathered outside with signs and energetic cheers to welcome representatives of Ride for Life. The community works with the organization every year to support their quest for a cure and treatment for ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a neurodivergent disease that affects motor functions.

As part of their campaign, ALS patients visit the schools and make their way through the crowds as students make their support shown. At Marion Street, music teacher Anna Upston directed songs dedicated to ALS patients before the Student Council presented a donation to organization members. Both North Middle and Marion Street will continue to fundraise through the end of the school year.

Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools Photos

Students at Marion Street Elementary School welcomed members of the ALS Ride for Life organization on May 12.

— Ainsley Martinez

Area H.S. seniors are sworn into military

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Thirty-five high school seniors from Nassau County showed their patriotism last week by pledging to serve in the United States military.

The enlistees, from high schools in Baldwin, Freeport, Valley Stream, Wantagh and beyond, are in the final steps of enlisting in the armed forces.

“Only about 23 percent of high school seniors could actually go into the military, and only 1 percent actually do — these kids are the top 1 percent,” said Andrea Nordquist, chair of Our Community Salutes of Nassau County. The organization held a celebration to support the military enlistees and their families at the Nassau County Training and Intelligence Center on May 13.

“They’re very under-recognized,” Nordquist said of high school students who commit to military service. “They don’t get the accolades that they should get, and so this ceremony helps to honor them, and we’re also the first ones to say ‘Thank you for your service.’”

Nordquist is also the president of Blue Star Mothers of America’s Nassau County chapter, a supportive network of families with members in the military. Her son, Gregory, is a senior master sergeant in the Air National Guard.

“I watched him grow up, I watched him mature,” she said. “For kids nowa-

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

Thirty-five high school students from across Nassau County swore the oath of enlistment at the Nassau County Training and Intelligence Center on May 13.

days, not only does it help them mature, it gives them direction.

“It will give them G.I. bills — they can go to college for free,” Nordquist added. “It just opens up their whole world, and they can discover what they’re talented at, and get training.”

Edward Kenneweg, a U.S. Navy commander and executive officer, specializes in talent acquisition. During the cere-

mony, he called all Naval enlistees to receive their honors.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to really give appreciation and thanks to those high school seniors that made the big decision to raise their right hand and serve in the military,” he said. Kenneweg and other military personnel were on hand to express their gratitude to the new recruits.

“My job is to support the recruits and ensure they have the right tools and resources to be successful in their jobs, and overcome barriers and obstacles to reach their long- and short-term goals,” he said.

Nahmare Gilson, a student from Malvern High School, was one of the enlistees honored at the event. He chose to join the military as a career path.

“I realized that college might not have been a decision that I wanted to do,” he said. “My grandfather was in the Army, so I just wanted to join the military to see where that could take me.”

Gilson said he looked forward to “meeting new people in new places,” and challenging himself.

Greg Walpole, of Long Beach High School, enlisted to uphold a family tradition and to prepare for his long-term future. “I’m enlisting because of my family’s footsteps,” he said. “My uncle was in and my cousin’s in right now. I’m going in so it’ll pay for my college and all the benefits that it’s going to give to me.”

Walpole said he looked forward to “learning a new field, getting into school and working hard.”

All of the enlistees received a challenge coin, a copy of the Constitution, and took a ceremonial oath of enlistment after performances from the Coast Guard Band and the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band.

Attend Hofstra’s Virtual

GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, June 7, 2025 10 a.m.

At Hofstra University, graduate students grow the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.

For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit

Students earn honors at science competition

agricultural output, with a focus on potential applications in controlled environments like space stations. By studying how spinach responds to varying carbon dioxide concentrations, the project aims to contribute to sustainable food production strategies in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial settings.

Mary Riordan earned an Honorable Mention for her behavioral science project on the psychological impact of chronic illness.

“I think it’s really important to bring awareness to the topic,” Riordan said.

Mia Salvador and Charlotte Webster also received Honorable Mentions for their work in behavioral and mental health categories.

Eva Lam was awarded Meritorious recognition for her study on body image and media exposure related to the use of Ozempic.

“I studied science with Ozempic, specifically on the effects of the body image of American adults,” Lam said. “I began to see a lot of these mentions of Ozempic allegations… that made me wonder how it would affect the people seeing it.”

“Ozempic allegations” refer to public concerns and claims circulating in media and online platforms about the use and side effects of Ozempic, a medication originally approved for type 2 diabetes but widely used off-label for weight loss.

E.R. honorees at L.I. event

Andrew Chen

“Effects of Elevated Concentrations of CO2 on the Yield of Spinach” Achievement Award

Mary Riordan

“The Extent That Chronic Illness Impacts Personality Change” Honorable Mention

Mia Salvador Project in Behavioral Science Honorable Mention

These allegations often include reports of losing weight ‘not naturally.’ There are unrealistic body image standards promoted on social media and insufficient longterm safety data for non-diabetic users. The growing visibility of Ozempic in pop culture has sparked debates about its influence on public perceptions of health, weight, and self-image.

Forbes said the wide range of topics reflected the students’ ability to explore areas of personal relevance and academic depth.“They’re more invested in those projects,” Forbes said. “You never know, I might have the next future scientist in the room.”

Charlotte Webster Project in Mental Health Honorable Mention

Eva Lam

“Effects of Ozempic on Body Image in American Adults” Meritorious Award

Courtesy East Rockaway Union Free School District teacher dame forbes, left, and students andrew Chen, mary riordan, eva Lam, mia Salvador and Charlotte Webster attended the Long island Science Congress where the students were recognized for their original research.

STEPPING OUT

U.S.

Airmen and women execute daring maneuvers in a thrilling display of the might of the Air Force’s premier ﬁghter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Gaze up at the sky

Photo courtesy Chris Thomas/Warbird Thunder

Warbird Thunder’s World War II-era planes blast overhead on the wings of history.

High-ﬂying stunts always amaze at Jones Beach air show

By Karen Bloom

The unofﬁcial start of summer is here — and it’s coming in with a roar. Memorial Day weekend has arrived, bringing with it all the familiar traditions we love: heartfelt ceremonies, parades, sizzling barbecues, and, of course, that muchanticipated pilgrimage to Jones Beach for the thrill of the FourLeaf Air Show. Set against the sparkling Atlantic, this high-ﬂying spectacle returns Saturday and Sunday, with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds once again leading the charge in a breathtaking display of speed, precision and patriotism. Showtime begins at 10 a.m. — don’t forget your sunscreen and camera.

The distinguished squadron, back for their 10th headlining appearance, is joined by other elite military pilots. This year’s spectacle includes the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, United States Navy F-35C Demo Team, United State Navy Rhino Demo Team, United States Navy EA-18G Growler Demo Team, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), 106th Rescue Wing NY Air National Guard, also the 105th Airlift Wing unit of the New York Air National Guard.

This show — with its new name as a result of the rebranding of sponsor Bethpage Federal Credit Union as FourLeaf — is an especially patriotic salute to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army (which got its start as the Continental Army), the Navy and Marines, along with the 110th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard. A tribute also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

“We are thrilled to welcome the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as this year’s headliners and look forward to an amazing show by all our performers,” says George Gorman, regional director, New York State Ofﬁce of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. “Every year more and more people come to our show. It has become a great tradition for Long Island to honor our military and veterans and kick off the summer at Jones Beach.”

With the anticipated cooperation of the weather, the military and civilian pilots soar — and boom — overhead.

• May 24-25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• $10 vehicle use fee

• Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh

• For up-to-date information, visit fourleafairshow.com.

The boardwalk also gets in on the action as service branches are on hand to provide visitors with opportunities to interact, including virtual reality simulations and ﬁtness challenges. Everyone will want to check out the booths lining the boardwalk as well, to pick up a souvenir or a snack.

The Thunderbirds, “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” demonstrate the extraordinary capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon — the Air Force’s multi-role ﬁghter jet. The elite military pilots proudly showcase the capabilities of highly versatile, 19,700-pound aircraft, which can travel at speeds up to 1,500 mph. The supersonic aircraft is known for its agility, speed and ability to perform various roles, including air superiority, air-to-ground combat and intercepting enemy aircraft.

Grace meets power in this mix of six F-16 Falcons demonstrating formation ﬂying and solo routines. Flying only a few feet apart from wingtip to wingtip, the crowd gets a glimpse of the superb skills and capabilities that all ﬁghter pilots must possess as they push the limits of their aircraft.

The civilian teams always elicite ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as well. Performers include the American Airpower Museum Warbirds; Aarron Deliu, current reigning Air Masters Cup Series champion and current Sky Grand Prix Champion; Warbird Thunder, featuring the North American SNJ Texan, a former World War II Navy advanced training aircraft; also returning are the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams and Long Island’s own David Windmiller.

Warbird Thunder may be familiar to those who watched when the GEICO Skytypers used to grace the sky over Jones Beach. Warbird’s Lead Pilot Chris “CT” Thomas, with his partner, Wingman Mike “Buick” Eberhardt, was with the Skytypers team for many years before heading out on their own. Their meticulously restored World War II-era SNJ planes were used as an advanced trainer by the U.S. Navy and Marines to train “The Greatest Generation” during World War II and the Korean War.

“We’re ﬂying a piece of history,” Thomas proudly explains.“They’ve got quite a military heritage.”

Warbird Thunder’s 12-minute performance is highlighted by what Thomas describes as “big smoke and big noise.” From as low as 100 feet near the surface to 2,000 feet in the air, his two-plane formation will be looping and rolling. You’ll watch formation loops, aileron rolls, barrel rolls, and Cuban Eights; the planes also separate bringing more excitement with opposing aerobatics before rejoining for the ﬁnal maneuvers in their fast-paced segment.

“These are big planes with a big physical presence,” he says. “It’s always an exciting show.”

Be sure to listen for that signature “bark” — actually the tips of the propeller reaching the speed of sound.

Jon Lovitz

Comedy legend Jon Lovitz brings his signature wit and unforgettable characters to the stage for a night of nonstop laughs. Best known for his Emmy-nominated run on SNL and roles in hit ﬁlms like “A League of Their Own” and “The Wedding Singer,” Lovitz has been a comedy staple for over 30 years. He got his start in high school productions. After pursuing acting studies, he decided to concentrate solely on comedy, taking classes then accepted into the famed improv group The Groundlings’s main company. In March 1985 The Groundlings appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” where Jon premiered his character “Tommy Flanagan of Pathological Liars Anonymous.” SNL and numerous offers came along; Jon was on his way, working nonstop since. Along with his comedy, he’s well known for his distinctive voice that’s served him well in his varied TV and ﬁlm career. Jon’s humor is unique, attributable to his quirky personality — and he always entertains.

Saturday, May 24, 7 p.m. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Unlock the secrets of Westbury House

For years, visitors to Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House have wandered its elegant ﬁrst ﬂoor, admiring the grandeur of the Gilded Age. Many have paused at a certain corridor door, wondering what lay beyond. Now, that mystery is unveiled. Join a 60-minute guided tour, “Secrets of the Service Wing,” and step into the hidden world that powered the Phipps family’s opulent lifestyle. This unique experience peels back the curtain on the tireless work and logistics that kept this grand home running smoothly. Explore the heart of domestic operations — from the orderly butler’s pantry and the silver cleaning room, down the 17 steps to the bustling kitchen, scullery and wine storage room. Space is limited; don’t miss your chance to step through the door and into history.

Sunday, May 25, 3-4 p.m. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. Tickets and information available at oldwestburygardens.org or (516) 333-0048.

Photo courtesy

Air Force

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY 22

Hug a happy tree

K&A Tree Service offers free tree inspections throughout Long Island. Tree professionals will visit in person to inspect tree and provide free advice to help treat your tree right and make it happy.

•Time: Ongoing

•Contact: (516) 208-3131

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.

•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor

•Time: Ongoing

•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org

MAY

24

Maritime Mastermind

Long Island Children’s Museum celebrates National Maritime Day by inviting families to create their own floating boats. Put your boat to the test in the museum’s water tub to see if it sinks or floats! This is a drop-in program, free with admission. It takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep. For ages 3 and up. Free with museum admission.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: noon-2 p.m.

•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

MAY

Patriots Fireworks Show

Join in the community celebration with patriotic events and a fireworks display.

•Where: Greis Park, 55 Wilbur St.

•Time: 6 p.m.

Fleet Week

Stop by Eisenhower Park on Memorial Day Weekend for an epic time, featuring close-up encounters with military vehicles and a meet-and-greet with service members.

Asi Wind’s ‘More Than Magic’

After his sold-out run Off-Broadway, “Inner Circle,” and his London’s West End six-month long run, “Incredibly Human,” Asi Wind returns to the U.S. with a new show, featuring his greatest magic hits. Those familiar with Wind’s performances know to expect jaw-dropping feats of magic, inexplicable mind-reading and an utterly captivating night out. Wind was crowned the 2022 Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts, an award previously given to David Copperfield and Penn & Teller. Moreover, his appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us has become one of the most viral performances in the show’s history, with over 16 million views on YouTube. Wind’s recent Off-Broadway show, Inner Circle, was a critically acclaimed, sold-out success, described as “Gobsmacking. Mystifying. Spectacular.” (The Wall Street Journal). Asi now presents his favorite magic from his dazzling lifelong repertoire. His performances are not just mind-blowing; they inspire us to recognize the magic that lies within each of us. This visually stunning performance showcases Asi’s artistic talents while exploring the human spirit. Wind constantly blurs the line between what’s possible and impossible. It’s a theatrical experience that defies expectations and will leave you marveling at human creativity and connection. Wind believes that true magic can only happen if you bring people together and make them feel like they are a part of the show. Asi’s goal is not deceive people but to make them care and experience and magic. “More Than Magic” is a profound reminder that we all possess some magic within us. Tickets are $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50.

•Where: Eisenhower Park Field 2 and 5

•Time: 10-2 p.m., with a parade at 1:30 p.m.

•Contact: (516) 572-0201

MAY

‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’

The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: Also May 28-29, times vary

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

MAY

Breastfeeding Support Group

Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer breastfeeding support

group facilitated by a certified counselor. Open to new moms with babies from newborn to 1 year. Registration required.

•Where: St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre

•Time: Ongoing Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

•Contact: Call Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434

Little Learners Art Lab

Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week families will explore Crystallized Creations. Experiment to see what happens when participants add salt to their works of art. $4 with museum admission.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon

•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

composed in 1811 and dedicated to his friend and patron Archduke Rudolf of Austria, remains a cornerstone of the piano trio repertoire and is performed worldwide. This marks the first time Poetica Musica performs this celebrated trio at Old Westbury Gardens. With pre-concert talk at 7:30 p.m. and a reception following the performance. $30, general admission, $25 members, seniors (62+) and students.

•Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

•Time: 8-10:30 p.m.

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

JUNE

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

• Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Art Explorations

MAY

31

Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.

•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Noon-3 p.m.

•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org

Contrast In Colors

Visit Old Westbury Gardens for an evening of rich harmonies and expressive tones when Poetica Musica presents a captivating program of chamber music and vocal works. The program includes music by Beethoven, Grieg, Loeillet and Ravel, performed cellist Eugene Moye, violinist Erik Wyrick, pianist Yasmin Alami, and mezzosoprano Eleanor Valkenburg. Highlights include Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97 “Archduke”, Jean-Baptiste Loeillet de Gant’s Trio Sonata in B minor, Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45, and Ravel’s Cinq Mélodies Populaires Grecques. Beethoven’s iconic Archduke Trio,

Second Annual Craft Fair

A family-friendly event with local artists, food trucks, kids’ activities, and live entertainment. Rain date: June 8.

•Where: Downtown Lynbrook

•Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

•Contact: lynbrookusa.com

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure. Stroll the gardens and listen Gabriel Alborozo’s modern tale ”Let’s Paint.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage.

•Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

•Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

JUNE

Zumba Gold with Lana

Take part in a 10-class session of low-impact Zumba. $45 adult, $35 ages 62+.

•Where: Lynbrook Recreation Center, 55 Wilbur St.

•Time: Ongoing Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

•Contact: Lynbrook.RecDesk.com

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.

E.R. Jewish centre celebrates Lag B’Omer

The Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre hosted a festive Lag B’Omer celebration bringing together members of Temple Beth El, Temple Hillel in Valley Stream, and Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere for a day of unity and celebration on May 16.

Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer count, is a celebratory day on the Jewish calendar that honors Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the

author of the Zohar. The day is traditionally marked with outings, bonfires, parades and other joyful events.

HERJC Early Childhood Center and HERJC Religious School students participated in the celebration, enjoying a variety of activities.

— Ainsley Martinez

Steven Saks, Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere attended the event on May 16.

Courtesy Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre Students at Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre celebrated Lag B’Omer by roasting marshmallows.

Courtesy Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre

Rebecca Osder, left, Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre special programs coordinator; Rabbi Michel Schlesinger, HERJC in East Rockaway; Cheryl Karp, HERJC Early Childhood Center director; Rabbi Steven Graber, Temple Hillel in Valley Stream; and Rabbi

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, MILL CITY MORTGAGE

LOAN TRUST 2017-1, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND

SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST AS TRUSTEE, Plaintiff, vs. ANGELICA GOMEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 30, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 90 Charles Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 62 and Lots 26-27. Approximate amount of judgment is $483,754.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614337/2022.

Maria Sideris, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 222279-1 153268

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST SERIES 2005-6, Plaintiff AGAINST ERIC EISENLAU, MARK FAUSER, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

duly entered June 7, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 5 John Street, East Rockaway, NY 11518.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 42, Block 89, Lot 104. Approximate amount of judgment $368,273.90 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #012428/2012. Steven Keats, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00-293 459 85379 153222

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. SENECA J. VETRANO, NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER, Defts. Index #610074/2024. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 14, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 17, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. premises k/a Section 42, Block 235 Lot 32. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. The foreclosure sale will be held, “rain or shine.”

PAUL MELI, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY 11021. #102290 153522

PUBLIC NOTICE VILLAGE OF EAST ROCKAWAY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, Nassau County, New York, will hold a Public Hearing at the Village Hall, 376 Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway, NY on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM on the following application: #05-2025 Application of Victoria Morelli, Architect, on behalf of the Owner, requesting a variance of:

Section 288-13 Front yards. of the Village Zoning Code to construct a 2nd floor addition with a front yard setback of 24 feet and 2 Ω inches, where 25 feet is the minimum required.

The premises are located at 145 Oceanview Road, as described on the Official Tax Map as Section 23, Block 1, Lot 101.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard at the aforesaid time and place.

BY ORDER OF the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway. Terrence Riecker Superintendent Department of Buildings

Dated: May 22, 2025 153684

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on May 13, 2025, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such bond resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, in the County of Nassau, New York, is not authorized to

expend money or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this Notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the publication of this Notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the constitution.

Nereyda Amaya-Moran District Clerk

BOND RESOLUTION OF THE EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NEW YORK, ADOPTED MAY 13, 2025, AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS AT ALL DISTRICT BUILDINGS AND SITES; STATING THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST THEREOF IS NOT TO EXCEED

$4,500,000; APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT THEREFOR; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $4,500,000 BONDS OF SAID DISTRICT TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION. Objects or purposes: implement energy efficiency improvements at all District buildings and sites

Amount of obligations to be issued not to exceed $4,500,000

Period of probable usefulness: thirty (30) years

A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized above shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the District Clerk, East Rockaway Union Free School District, 443 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, New York

Dated: May 13, 2025 East Rockaway, New York 153683

Courtesy

The East Rockaway High School band, chorus and orchestra recently participated in the Music in the Parks festival in Hershey, PA - an educational event that gives school ensembles the opportunity to perform for a panel of professional adjudicators and receive ratings based on national standards.

E.R. music department performs at Hershey Park

The East Rockaway High School music department recently traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, for its annual music department trip.

The band, chorus and orchestra all participated in the Music in the Parks festival, an educational event that gives school ensembles the opportunity to perform for a panel of professional adjudicators and receive ratings based on national standards.

After arriving in Pennsylvania on Friday, students performed in front of the judges, showcasing the hard work and dedication they had poured into their music all year. The East Rockaway band earned second place with a rating of “Good.” The chorus took third place and received a “Superior” rating.

The orchestra earned second place and was also awarded a “Good” rating. These accomplishments reflect the talent, commitment and discipline of the student

musicians and their directors.

Students celebrated their achievements with a full day at Hershey Park, enjoying the rides and attractions before attending the festival’s official awards ceremony at the Hershey Park Arena. The trip concluded on Sunday morning with a visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World and a guided trolley tour exploring the history of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The East Rockaway music department takes an overnight trip each year to a different location, offering students the opportunity to perform in new settings, explore new places and bond as a group. Throughout the school year, students take part in various fundraisers to help offset the cost of the trip, learning valuable lessons in teamwork and responsibility alongside their musical growth.

— Ainsley Martinez

News briefs

Knights of Columbus prepares for summer

The Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook have announced a series of upcoming community events and fundraisers. On June 29, they will sponsor a Car & Bike Swap to benefit New Yorkers For Autistic Communities. A summer-themed “Beach Blanket Bingo” breakfast fundraiser for NYFAC will follow on July 12. The group’s annual free community BBQ is

scheduled for August 2, offering food and family fun. On September 19, they will host a breast cancer fundraiser in support of MJ’s Cause, benefiting Lynch Syndrome research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. All events are open to the public.

— Ainsley Martinez

East Rockaway Union Free School District

CLASSIFIED

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460

E-mail

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.

Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour

Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$22 - $27/ Hour

Bell Auto School

516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 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 $34,320 + 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

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 $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary

Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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Elmont Public Library

Three evenings – 4pm-11pm

$17.50/ hour

Send resume to employment@elmontlibrary.org

Quality Assurance Test Engineer: Knowledge of wireless system & 3gpp spec for 5G & LTE. Test, analyze, improve, provide KPI using commercial lab simulators i.e. Keysight, R&S for modems. Develop automation scripts using Python for testing. Create / implement test plans, collaborate with R&D team, get carrier certification from carriers, coordinate with chipset vendor for RCA report Bachelors in Technology Management, Electrical Engineering, Communication Engineering or Related Degree + 24 Months experience.

Salary $79,976

Requires travel to various unanticipated locations throughout the USA Send resume by mail to: Mach 2000 Technologies, Inc., 4 Brower Avenue, Suite 4, Woodmere, NY 11598

Senior Graphic Designer. Generate and design logo and company images; provide seasonal editorials in website, catalog, ad; revise designs; and provide creative dir’t and guidance to junior designers. At least BA in Design or related, plus 2-years of work exp. in related. Sal. $51,542/yr. Send ltt/res to: Attn: HR, IVY Enterprises, Inc. 25 Harbor Park Dr. Port Washington, NY 11050

Software Engineer: Analyze, Design, Develop using JSP framework, Java with Spring MVC Framework, Spring boot, Spring Web Flow, JSP, HTML, XHTML, Java Script, Spring Framework, Spring Batch, PostgreSQL, ORM, Spring modules with IOC, SDLC, using coding standards, code reviews, source control management, build processes, testing, operations, Unit Testing Frameworks, OAuth2, Security, Cloud computing strategies-architecture such as Azure, AKS, Azure Batch Manager. Bachelors in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology or similar Degree + 36 Months experience.

Salary $151,819

Requires travel to various unanticipated locations throughout the USA

Send resume by mail to: Mach 2000 Technologies, Inc., 4 Brower Avenue, Suite 4, Woodmere, NY 11598

System Engineer: Analyze, Design, Develop, Maintain & Test complex full stack software solutions using .NET technologies, Angular, React, C#, Javascript, Python, SQL Server, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Cloud Security, Agile, CI/CD pipelines, Microservices, Kubernetes, TDD, CQRS Pattern, Openid connect, Kafka, JMeter, Microfrontend, Microkernel, Strangler fig pattern, Selenium, Coded UI, Data Analytics, R, Jypyter Notebook, AI, Machine Learning, TensorFlow, Blockchain. Bachelors in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology or similar Degree + 36 Months experience.

Salary $123,656

Requires travel to various unanticipated locations throughout the USA

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Q. We started doing work to our home and are just finishing, and the painter suggested that a wall could be taken down to open up the rooms. He says he can do this himself because it’s not a support wall. We’ve looked into it, thinking about an island in the kitchen and matching the floor or replacing it. The painter said we might need an architect, but since the work is interior, it won’t need a permit. We’re wondering what we should do, because we know you’ll say we need a permit, but the painter says we can get one after the work is done, and he can start right away so he can finish the work and avoid interruptions. Do you think this is a good idea?

A. The permit, as a piece of paper or a process of reviewing the work, isn’t the point. As you read this, hundreds of projects around you are underway with no permits. Most of them will either never be found out or are of such small consequence that when an issue comes up, it will be ignored.

Usually, I only learn about problems when either a buyer or a lending bank wants something put on record. I receive frantic calls asking if plans can be made quickly and a permit obtained before the closing in a week. Anyone who tells you the permit process is quick is trying to sell you something.

But remember, the permit document isn’t really the important thing. The permit is a symbol representing a more important issue — safety. Safety not only includes your well-being against doing something dangerous; it also means preventing health risks and the potential of losing a large sum of money if something goes wrong.

Removing a non-structural wall is a little misleading. The wall may not be supporting anything, but it has weight that you want to replace with another load. In general, people rarely look at any kind of building as a system of puzzle pieces, all fitting together in a specific way.

As an example of what can happen, I once got a call from someone who had that wall removed and added an island. The wall load was removed from the beams below, which was a good thing because those beams were now carrying less of a load. Then an island was installed, a four-foot-wide model with a beautiful quartz countertop, a sink and a sixburner stove. The homeowner also wanted an open display for restaurant-sized canned peeled tomatoes, ready for use with one of their famous recipes.

The island load was calculated after the finished flooring began to distort and come loose and sagged 4 inches, when I was called to figure out what was going wrong. The island weighed at least six times the load of the wall, and the beam below was buckling. The floor bounced and the wine glasses in a nearby cabinet clinked together every time someone walked by.

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over time, I asked my campus communities to think about what it means to be an ethical person, and our roles and obligations as members of society. Could we remain silent when we knew of social and economic injustice? Could we be indifferent in the face of unethical behavior and discrimination in the public square?

Such thoughts were inspired again by news reports of bullying in politics, schoolyards, public hearings and international relations.

These are difficult times. Relations between groups are strained. I would hope that even in times like these, families, clergy, teachers and leaders would prepare children and inspire others with the basic values of civility, courtesy, sincerity and respect. Our sense of community needs it. Our national values — freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, democracy itself — will wither without it.

I think, as citizens, we must employ an “ethical eye” to observe and chal-

Lopinions A recipe for respect in society

lenge societal patterns that test our sense of what is fair and just. This takes courage as well as compassion. It is our obligation to address injustices wherever they occur in a consistent manner, not with one lens for a friend and another for a foe. We must believe in tolerance, accepting that another can be right without my being wrong.

CCompassion is a key component in how we relate to others. Many texts on leadership emphasize empathy, i.e., feeling the pain of others. This is better than simple sympathy, feeling sorry for others, but does not lead to necessary action. Compassion is an act of service, not just a feeling about others.

others. The most effective leaders know this. Saying “Thank you” or “You’re welcome” is not difficult. Being kind is even good for our health.

Respect is denied through acts of antisemitism, racism and other forms of prejudice. One result is fear. Therefore, it is understandable that those who have been subjected to bias personally or historically want respect and peaceful relations. Indeed, I assume that everyone wants respect as a simple fact of his or her being.

alls for greater ‘civility’ are really calls for compassion and respect.

We often hear calls for greater “civility.” These calls frequently are in response to acts of aggression and other forms of humiliating behavior. Cries for civility are really calls for compassion and respect, to stop using fear or denigrating language as weapons. Such tactics by corporate and political leaders are especially troubling for the messages they send and the models of behavior they represent.

What we want is for people to be considerate, friendly, and even generous to

We should teach in our schools and houses of worship, and especially in our homes, that others should be respected, even if they are different from us. But there is a difference between respect for humanity at large, respect for ethnic, national, religious, racial and other groups in general, and respect for any one person.

Respect should be offered freely. An individual’s actions should no more reflect poorly on an entire group than a group’s actions should reflect poorly on any individual.

However, individual respect, once lost, can be regained only through effort: by expressing remorse and trying to help others. Respect is lost when someone acts in a callous manner, by

disregarding others, by belittling the place and relevance of others. When someone “demands” respect and does so in a manner that itself is disrespectful, he or she not only misses the point but also demeans the issue.

A school or college is a precious place. It is where truth, in whatever form, may be pursued without hindrance. It is where freedom of speech must be protected to the utmost. It is a place where diversity — of background, ethnicity, nationality, religion, physical ability or gender — should be respected. It is also a place where civil discourse and respect for one another is essential if a full and honest exchange of views is to be assured.

Without common courtesy, ears are closed. When ears are closed, there can be no mutual respect. We must learn to listen and disagree without being disagreeable. Those who shout the loudest for respect often do the least to gain it.

No one should be the other if our education has succeeded. We are one species, with each member seeking to find a unity connecting head, heart and hands — i.e. compassion — which is an act of respect.

Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate” (Roman & Littlefield, 2024).

Skip the gamble, wear the sunscreen

ike everyone else, I’ve welcomed the shift to warmer weather this month. The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and more people are spending time outdoors. I don’t have to tell you why — just look up. The sun is back, high in the sky, and with it comes a timely reminder: Don’t forget the sunscreen.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but also one of the most preventable. It affects people of all skin tones and the most likely cause is overexposure to ultraviolet light, or more simply put, the sun.

The main types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma, while less common, is the most aggressive, and often referred to as a “silent killer” due to its early metastatic spread. My dad has battled skin cancer multiple times. He’s vigilant about checking his skin for unusual moles, freckles and sunspots, and late last year he noticed a new growth on his shoulder blade. A dermatologist quickly took a biopsy, and the

results confirmed melanoma. Surgery was scheduled to promptly remove the mole and a wide margin of surrounding skin, leaving a six-inch, cross-sectional scar across his back. His medical team is confident that the cancer was caught in time and removed in totality.

YAs we head outside and soak up the sun, I can’t think of a better time to share my dad’s story. With his naturally fair skin, he’s especially cautious. He wears baseball caps to shield his face, opts for long-sleeved sun shirts designed to block harmful UV rays, and rarely skips sunscreen on any exposed skin — especially in warmer weather. There’s growing misinformation about sunscreen, with one of the most persistent myths professing that the product — or more specifically, the chemicals in it — can cause cancer, too. This concern was amplified when certain sunscreens were recalled after they were found to contain benzene, a known carcinogen. While the contamination was a manufacturing issue and not an ingredient in sunscreen formulas, the damage was done. Despite repeated assurances from medical experts that sunscreen is overwhelmingly safe and effective, a

ou shouldn’t need persuading, but if you do, I’ll let you talk to my dad.

wave of online misinformation has fueled an “anti-sunscreen” movement — putting more people at risk just as we enter peak sun exposure season. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month — a time when national and local organizations step up their efforts to educate the public about prevention. One such group is the Long Island-based Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign, named in memory of Colette, who died from the disease. Each year, the campaign partners with Nassau County, gathering at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building in early May to deliver a simple but vital message: The safest way to enjoy summer is to protect your skin.

Despite the critics, there is no medical evidence that suggests sunscreen causes cancer. Evidence overwhelmingly informs the public that sun, and artificial forms of UV light such as tanning beds, are the most common culprits. Many different types of sunblock are available — including chemical sunscreens, which absorb into the skin, and physical blocker sunscreens, or “mineral sunscreens,” which act as a barrier on the skin’s surface.

I think it’s important that people make medical decisions they feel are best for them, and use products that they feel safest using. But the truth is if people consistently skip sun protection, they are two to three times more likely to develop skin cancer over their lifetime, compared with those who use sunscreen regularly. Opting to avoid using sunblock out of fear of the chemicals it contains is not only ignorant, but also dangerous.

I’m not a medical professional, just someone who’s watched my dad undergo a number of procedures to remove cancer. If you’re hesitant about chemical sunscreens, I get it — there are plenty of “cleaner” options out there. I use one myself. What matters most is using something, because doing nothing is the real risk.

Women get mammograms to detect breast cancer. Adults over 45 get colonoscopies to catch colon cancer early. So why skip one of the simplest, most accessible tools we have to prevent skin cancer before it starts?

There’s no need to gamble with your health when we have everything we need to make conscious decisions, ones that are far more likely to help you — rather than hurt you — in the long run.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.

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Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web:

Memorial Day: so much more than a day of rest

as the last Monday in May approaches, many Americans look forward to Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer — a three-day weekend filled with barbecues, beach trips, travel and clearance sales.

HERALD

But while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying time with loved ones, we must not allow convenience and celebration to overshadow the solemn significance of the holiday. Memorial Day isn’t just a day off. It is a day of remembrance — a national moment of pause to honor the men and women of the United States military who gave their lives in service to our country.

Established in the aftermath of the Civil War, Memorial Day — originally known as Decoration Day — was born of collective mourning. Families and communities across a fractured nation placed flowers on soldiers’ graves, uniting in grief and reverence. The federal holiday was established in 1971. Over time, the holiday expanded to commemorate all American military personnel who have died in service. It is not to be confused with Veterans Day, which honors all who have served, living and deceased. Memorial Day is specifi-

cally for the fallen.

Yet in our modern era, its meaning often gets lost amid the grilling, the chilling and the discount ads. It’s easy to be swept up in the excitement of an extra day off or the first beach trip of the season. But convenience should not breed complacency. Memorial Day deserves more than a casual nod — it demands deliberate remembrance.

Why does that matter? Because freedom isn’t free, and it never has been. The rights we exercise daily — to speak, to vote, to gather, to live safely — were defended by those who never came home.

Behind every headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, and in others across the nation, lies a story of courage, sacrifice and love of country. Behind every folded flag handed to a grieving family is a reminder that someone paid the ultimate price.

To ignore that reality — to reduce Memorial Day to little more than a festive long weekend — is to forget a fundamental part of our national identity. In honoring the fallen, we not only show respect for their sacrifice, but we reinforce the values they died protecting: duty, service, unity, and democratic freedom.

So what can we do differently?

Start small. Take part in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time on Monday, when Americans are encouraged to pause for one minute in silence. Visit a local veterans’ cemetery or memorial. Attend a parade or ceremony in your town. Talk to children and young people about why the day matters. Share a story of a fallen service member. Fly the American flag at half-staff.

Let this Memorial Day be more than an extended weekend. Let it be a day of purpose. A day of honor. A day to remember. people are that they peoprotection, they to lifetime, sunscreen sunblock contains is dangerous. just undergo canchemical plenty of one is the detect colonosSo accescanyour we need that rather the ComMay

Better yet, turn remembrance into action. Donate to an organization that supports Gold Star families or wounded veterans. Write to an elected official in support of improved services for military families. Volunteer for a group that helps transitioning service members reintegrate into civilian life. Service should not end at the battlefield, and gratitude should not last only one day.

On Memorial Day, we’re not asked to stop living or celebrating. We are asked to remember why we can. We are asked to be present — not just at the picnic table, but in thought and in spirit, connecting with the sacrifices that afforded us this life of liberty.

Horse named Journalism showed what’s possible

He was five lengths back, bumped and bruised, as he fought through a crowded pack in the Preakness Stakes, one of horse racing’s biggest events. But Journalism didn’t fold, even when he looked to be down and out. He found daylight in the final turn, charged down the stretch, and stormed past the leaders to win in spectacular fashion.

It was gritty. It was powerful. And it was symbolic.

Because while Journalism the horse crossed the finish line in triumph, journalism the profession is reeling — and falling further behind every day.

In New York, dozens of local newspapers have shuttered over the past year, even in some of the wealthiest commu-

Peter King goes way too easy on Elon Musk

To the Editor:

Not once, but twice, in his column “We must restore Musk’s cuts of the 9/11 health

nities. Trusted reporters have vanished from towns and villages across the state. There’s no one left to sit through school board meetings, follow the money at town halls, or tell the human stories that hold communities together.

The decline isn’t distant. It’s here. It’s happening now. And yet there is still a clear lane for journalism organizations to triumph — if we fight for it.

Last year, New York passed a first-inthe-nation tax credit to support truly local journalism. That policy, now in effect, offers a lifeline to communitybased newspapers. It was made possible by the Empire State Local News Coalition, a nonpartisan alliance of more than 200 local newspapers in New York — including the Herald — that are com-

letters

fund” last week, Peter King made excuses for Elon Musk’s inexcusable, reckless and immoral cuts: 1) “. . . to undo the damage, intentional or not . . . by Elon Musk’s chainsaw cuts”; and 2) “. . . Elon Musk’s misplaced cuts . . . probably made unknowingly . . .” A reality check, and some honesty, please, about the cruel and harmful effects of

mitted to keeping local reporting alive.

To turn that legislative victory into a lasting comeback, the Empire State Local News Coalition needs support — from readers, businesses, neighbors and anyone who cares about truth, transparency and community camaraderie.

Because while four legs carried Journalism to victory, it’s the Fourth Estate that carries our democracy — and right now, it’s running out of steam.

If you appreciate the work we do covering your schools, government, family, friends and more, then please donate to the Empire State Local News Coalition at SaveNYLocalNews.com/support. With your help, journalism — the one that informs, uplifts and protects — can make a dramatic comeback, too.

DOGE’s very aware and deliberate actions negatively affecting the American people, totally backed up by this administration and Project 2025.

I will never understand why a spade can’t be called a spade when it comes to Donald Trump. As I recall from Mr. King’s columns, he was a good Catholic Brooklyn kid. Well, so

opinions

GOP cuts to Medicaid will impact all of Long Island

House republicans advanced their plan last week to cut $715 billion in Medicaid funding over the next decade. Medicaid provides essential medical services to millions of children, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans across our country, including 170,000 of my constituents in new york’s 4th Congressional District. These reductions will surely hurt recipients, but it is important to note that the impact of this budget cutback will stretch far beyond just these groups.

The warnings are already plentiful, and dire. These sweeping cuts have prompted alarm from health policy

experts, economists and medical groups, such as the american Hospital association, who all indicated that republicans’ proposed changes to Medicaid will touch all new yorkers, including those with private insurance. all americans can expect increased costs for private payers and reduced services at hospitals and other health care providers. It is critical that long Islanders understand the impact this legislation could have on all our families, friends and neighbors.

tDowling.

Mr. Dowling made clear that a sudden spike in uninsured patients resulting from Medicaid cuts is likely to force hospitals, clinics, and other health facilities to cut back services, reduce medical staff or even close their doors. When hospitals and other health providers cut back their services or close, it affects all of us, regardless of our health care coverage.

he sweeping cuts have prompted alarm from health policy experts and economists.

To ensure that constituents understand some of the impacts of the GoP budget being advanced in Congress, I hosted a budget briefing with my nassau County colleague, Congressman Tom suozzi. The briefing included factual testimony from nonpartisan presenters including northwell Health Ceo Michael

In fact, policy experts at the John Hopkins University of Public Health have forecast that premiums will rise for all americans as hospitals are forced to pass the cost of keeping their doors open to consumers. I have spoken with a number of other long Island health providers, including stony Brook Medicine and the Healthcare association of new york,

Letters

was I, and I am thankful every day that I never lost the strength to call out nonsense when needed, no matter who is involved.

JosIe MarIno Lynbrook

The government, as is, won’t restore Musk’s cuts

To the editor:

Peter King’s demand that “this insanity must end” is too narrow, and made of the wrong people. “We” cannot “restore” anything until the elections next year.

Those who can have bigger bills to fry. “We” empowered MaGa to cut undefined waste, fraud and abuse,

which is what they did, and put it all into their current budget. Mr. King’s complaint about the 9/11 fund’s being “seriously threatened” by “misplaced cuts” applies to all items in that bill, and the only way to restore anything begins with dismantling that ugly construction. Fortunately, as of today, that seems possible if 2026 restores sanity to our federal government.

BrIan Kelly Rockville Centre

Time to address decadesold immigration problem

To the editor: I take issue with Murad awahdeh

and Melanie Creps’s opinion piece in the May 8-14 issue, “Cooperating with ICe will not make us safer.” as a son of a legal immigrant, I counted at least 10 mentions of the word “immigrant,” but without the word “illegal” preceding it. Was this an attempt to slant the piece in one direction?

In all my years, I have never seen an outreach toward our own homeless, veterans, mentally ill and addicted like I saw toward people who were allowed to enter our country through the open borders of the previous administration.

I would like nothing more than to see Congress come up with a bipartisan package to make legal immigration more enticing and vetted. What we have now is not only a strain on local budgets, but also the exploitation of these

who also underscored how these cuts would raise health care costs for all patients in our region. not only will new yorkers’ health care costs balloon, but the proposed Medicaid cuts are also likely to increase our tax burden. a brief from the nonpartisan health policy organization KFF concluded that these cuts will cause massive state budget shortfalls, prompting tax increases while downsizing funding to education, infrastructure and other local priorities. long Islanders already pay some of the highest taxes in the country. We cannot afford another tax increase. as your congresswoman, I am committed to fighting against these dangerous attempts to attack long Islanders’ health care. We must work to protect and strengthen access to health care, not make it more expensive and less accessible.

Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

people working for substandard wages and the subsequent strain on social services. allowing self-deportation with the opportunity to come back legally would be the best approach for everybody. With all these companies willing to invest in plants to keep jobs here, and the present shortage of people in the trades, there will be more than enough jobs to be filled, with opportunities for american citizens first, and then legalized immigrants to follow. It would be a win-win for everybody, and also for the Trump administration, by finally addressing a decades-old problem that has never been dealt with properly.

Framework by Tim Baker

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Tony GIaMeTTa Oceanside

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Mount Sinai South Nassau is Improving Health Care on the South Shore

The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.

The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.

To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion