Honoring the fallen
The Village of East Rockaway held its annual parade on Monday to honor those who gave their lives in service to the country. More photos, pages 3, 10.
Lynbrook North students create Social-Emotional Lending Library
By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
In a quiet corner of Lynbrook North Middle School, behind the doors of the Guidance Suite’s Wellness Room, a new kind of library is taking root—not one defined by silence or strict rules, but by empathy, identity, and connection.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, students at North Middle School in the Lynbrook School District have created a SocialEmotional Lending Library: a curated collection of more than 75 books, available in both English and Spanish, that explore themes ranging from anxiety and neurodiversity to friendship, cultur-
al identity, and LGBTQ experiences.
“This library is really for everyone,” said English teacher Kate Schwecherl, who helped lead the project alongside Spanish and English as a New Language teacher James Wolf. “We wanted to build something meaningful that gave students the space to see themselves in stories—and also to see each other.”
Over the past several months, a core group of students met with Schwecherl and Wolf on Wednesday mornings to bring the project to life. Sixth grader David Akinkugbe, seventh graders Abigail Berghorn, Mackenzie Byington, and Genevieve Ruvolo, and eighth grader Kevin Ryan
E.R. cupola to be completed by September
By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Voters in East Rockaway approved a proposition on May 20 authorizing the school district to direct an additional $250,000 from the district’s capital reserve fund to Building Improvements and Repairs III, by a vote of 373 to 115.
The project, renovating the historic cupola at the East Rockaway JuniorSenior High School, is scheduled for the 2025-26 school year, and the Board of Education is authorized to reallocate component costs as needed, provided there is no material change in the project’s scope.
Iexplained that using weatherresistant vinyl, instead of the unprotected wood used previously, is vital for the cupola to withstand the weather.
The funding supplements $313,000 approved by voters in May 2023 for the High School Cupola Replacement project. The total, $563,000, will cover construction, equipment and other associated costs, with no additional tax impact on district residents.
t’s a symbol of the community, and a part of our history.
MICHAEl VAN WART
E.R.
assistant superintendent
Michael Van Wart, the district’s assistant superintendent of finance and operations for the East Rockaway School District, said the work would start this summer and be completed by September.
Van Wart also noted that the bell tower would be refitted with the original bell, which was removed decades ago due to weather damage. He
“It’s a symbol of the community, and a part of our history,” Van Wart said of the cupola.
Voters approved the East Rockaway schools’ $47 million spending plan for next year — an increase of 3.72 percent over the current budget — by a vote of 347 to 155.
In the neighboring Lynbrook district, the $110.2 million budget for 2025-26, 3.53 percent larger than this year’s, was approved by a vote of 764 to 270. Voters in both districts elected and re-elected Board of Education trustees in an uncontested election.
Skye Margies/Herald
Top summer events in Lynbrook, E.R.
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Summer is heating up in Lynbrook and East Rockaway with a packed calendar of community programs, fitness offerings and free public events. Whether you’re looking to get active, connect with neighbors, or just enjoy the season, there’s something for everyone. Here are three standout events not to miss:
1. Huckleberry Frolic
Date: Saturday, June 7 (Rain Date: June 14)
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Grist Mill Museum, Main Street, East Rockaway
Fee: Free
More Info: VillageofEastRockaway.org
Now in its 55th year, the Huckleberry Frolic celebrates the community with a lively parade down Main Street featuring live music, food vendors, a petting zoo, and family-friendly entertainment throughout the day at the Grist Mill Museum.
2. Lynbrook Chamber Bar Crawl
Date: Friday, June 21
Time: 5 – 9 p.m.
Location: Various bars in Lynbrook Fee: Free to attend
More Info: LynbrookUSA.com
Enjoy an evening of socializing and local flavor at this informal networking event. The Lynbrook Chamber Bar Crawl brings residents and business owners together to explore participating venues around town.
3. Prom Night on Atlantic Avenue
Date: Wednesday, June 26
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
lage.
4. Lynbrook Summer Car Shows
Location: Atlantic Avenue between Merrick Road and Stauderman Avenue Fee: Free
Contact: Polly Talbott, (516) 317-2075
This all-ages celebration turns downtown Lynbrook into a festive gathering space for families. Come dressed up or casual and enjoy music, dancing, and community spirit in the heart of the vil-
Dates: Thursdays, July 10 – August 28
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: Atlantic Avenue between Merrick Road and Stauderman Avenue Fee: Free for spectators and participants
More Info: LynbrookUSA.com
A local favorite returns as vintage vehicles line Atlantic Avenue every Thursday night. With live music and a festive atmosphere, these weekly car shows are a highlight of the summer calendar.
Additional Community Programs
A variety of classes and programs will also be offered through the Lynbrook Recreation Center and local libraries:
Chi Gong with Marianna Farina Thursdays starting May 29, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Lynbrook Public Library. Free. LynbrookLibrary.org
Zumba Gold with Lana Thursdays starting June 5, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Lynbrook Recreation Center. $45 for adults, $35 for ages 62+. Lynbrook.RecDesk.com
AARP Defensive Driving Course Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at East Rockaway Public Library. $25 for AARP members, $30 for non-members.
Tim Baker/Herald
Jack Parrella, 6, from East Rockaway feeding the farm animals at the 2024 Huckleberry Frolic event.
Lynbrook honors veterans in two-day celebrations
Village of Lynbrook honors its local veterans at a Patriots’ Weekend event on Sunday.
The celebration was held at Greis Park where residents gathered for live music, a picnic hosted by Mayor Alan Beach and a magic show for children. Lynbrook residents reflected on military veterans through a ceremony at the event. The celebrations continued at the Memorial Day parade and Doughboy service on Monday.
— Ainsley Martinez
The
Jason Thomas/Herald photos
Members of Lynbrook’s American Legion held a flag to represent their time in service at an event on May 25.
Jose Cortez, of 335 Legionnaires of Lynbrook, represented the veteran organization at the Lynbrook celebration on Sunday.
DJ Vegas held out coins for children at the Patriot’s Day event.
The Village of Lynbrook hosted a Patriots’ Weekend event at Greis Park on Sunday to honor its veterans.
• Pre-Arrangement Counseling
• Serving All Faiths
• Monuments
• Medicaid Approved Burial Trusts
• Funeral Directors available 24 hours a day
• Cremation Services
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Clients often ask whether the home should be deeded to the client’s adult children, while retaining a life estate in the parent or whether the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust should be used to protect the asset.
While the deed with a life estate will be less costly to the client, in most cases it offers significant disadvantages when compared to the trust. First, if the home is sold prior to the death of the Medicaid recipient, the life estate value of the home will be required to be paid towards their care. If the house is rented, the net rents are payable to the nursing facility since they belong to the life tenant. Finally, the client loses a significant portion of their capital gains tax exclusion for the sale of their primary residence as they will only be entitled to a pro rata share based on the value of the life estate to the home as a whole. Nevertheless, a life estate deed makes sense for a vacation home that is intended to stay in the family.
All of the foregoing may lead to a situation where the family finds they must maintain a vacant home for many years. Conversely, a properly drafted MAPT preserves the full capital gains tax exclusion on the sale of the primary residence and the home may be sold by the trust without obligation to make payment of any of the principal towards the client’s care, assuming we have passed the look-back period for facility care of five years.
It should be noted here that both the life estate and the MAPT will preserve the stepped-up basis in the property provided it is sold after the death of the parent who was the owner or grantor. Upon the death of the parent, the basis for calculating the capital gains tax is stepped up from what the parent paid, plus any improvements, to what it was worth on the parent’s date of death. This effectively eliminates payment of capital gains taxes on the sale of appreciated property, such as the home, after the parent dies.
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News briefs
In honor of Memorial Day, members of Lynbrook American Legion
335 handed out red poppy flowers to commuters at the Lynbrook Long Island Rail Road
The red poppy, a symbol of remembrance, gained popularity after World War 1.
Lynbrook remembers veterans with flowers
In honor of Memorial Day, members of Lynbrook American Legion Post 335 handed out red poppy flowers to commuters at the Lynbrook Long Island Rail Road station.
Commuters made $1000 in donations in the two hours that ten veterans and six auxiliary members stood at the staircases to the platforms handing out the poppies.
The American Legion Poppy Program
was established to honor and remember the sacrifices of soldiers who fought and died in wars.
The red poppy, a symbol of remembrance, gained popularity after World War 1.
The funds raised support veterans and veteran programs.
— Steve Grogan
Let us Know
News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook or www.liherald.com/eastrockaway
Courtesy American Legion
Post
station.
Plainedge edges Lynbrook in quarterfinal
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Plainedge never trailed, but no lead was safe for the Red Devils against never-say-die Lynbrook in a Nassau Class C boys’ lacrosse quarterfinal playoff matchup May 22.
Senior Brian Keaveney had three goals and three assists, senior Owen Donnellan had a hat trick, sophomore Brady Kelly had two goals and four assists, and sophomore Dom Agovino two goals and two assists as No. 3 Plainedge outlasted the sixth-seeded Owls, 12-11, in unseasonably cold and rainy conditions.
“It wasn’t our best game, but a win is a win especially when there’s no tomorrow,” Plainedge coach Dan Achatz said. “Lynbrook is a quality team. We had them 12-5 a few weeks ago and they came back and made it really close. We thought we put them away several times again today, but they kept coming at us. We were able to handle their rallies and I’m proud our guys were able to grind it out.”
The Red Devils, who defeated the Owls 13-11 May 6, led the rematch 3-0, 6-3, 9-6 and 12-8. The four-goal margin was with 6:34 remaining after Agovino set up junior Andrew Piscardi. Lynbrook then scored the game’s last three goals and had one disallowed late for a crease violation that would’ve tied it.
“It’s a tough loss obviously,” Lynbrook coach Bill Luzzi said. “We fought back from a three-goal deficit multiple times and almost came back from four down. Our kids had a lot of fight and are class acts. I wish they could’ve made it to Hofstra.”
Senior Bennett Votano had four goals and an assist, senior Jack LaBarbera added a hat trick and senior Luke Dantona scored twice for the Owls, who finished 11-6. The trio combined for 92 goals this spring, led by Votano’s 33. LaBarbera had 30 and Dantona 29.
The Red Devils (8-9) advance to face second-seeded and defending county champion Wantagh in the semifinals at Hofstra Wednesday at
3:30 p.m. The Warriors edged Plainedge 13-11 May 9.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game but we definitely have what it takes to win,” said Agovino, who has 33 goals and 14 assists. “We just have to stay calm and collected like we did today and get the job done. Everybody on our offense is a threat. We have three lefties and three righties and we can attack from anywhere. We just have to find a way to contain Wantagh’s big guns and I think it’ll be another close game.”
Plainedge led the Owls 4-3 after the first quarter and didn’t allow a goal in the second as Donnellan (33 goals, 21 assists) scored twice for a 6-3 halftime lead. LaBarbera, junior Tyler Berke and Votano scored early in the third quarter to tie it before Kelly netted back-to-back goals and Keaveney (36 goals, 20 assists) one to reopen a three-goal cushion at 9-6.
“We’ll enjoy this tonight get right back to work tomorrow,” Agovino said.
Erik Lee/Herald Senior Bennet Votano, left, had four goals and an assist for Lynbrook in its 12-11 defeat at Plainedge in the Class C playoffs.
Dems push to reduce ‘unfair’ licensing fees
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
At All American Cleaners in Bellmore on May 22, Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, accompanied by Democratic colleagues Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and Olena Nicks, unveiled legislation aimed at reducing business licensing fees across Nassau County.
“The fees that people are paying in Nassau County are multiple times higher than Suffolk County, and it’s just not fair,” Koslow, the Democratic candidate for county executive, said at a news conference. “These small businesses drive our economy, and they have to pay $650 a year just to get their license, when in Suffolk County they’re paying $110.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Nassau is home to over 200,000 small businesses, which employ the majority of the county’s workforce. The proposed legislation targets more than 30 categories of business licenses, including dry cleaners, locksmiths, doggroomers, second-hand gem dealers, appliance replacement services and more.
Asked why there was a difference between the license fees in Suffolk and Nassau counties, Koslow laid responsibility at the feet of County Executive Bruce Blakeman, saying, “Blakeman just keeps raising fees to pay for all his celebrations and his photo ops, and he’s not really worried about taking care of the people here that drive our business.”
“I, unfortunately, don’t anticipate it’ll get much traction because of Bruce Blakeman and the Republican majority,” Koslow added of the legislative proposal. “But this is one of those things that is important to our community, and we should do on a bipartisan level.”
DeRiggi-Whitton echoed Koslow’s sentiments.
“Many of these fees came in under the Mangano administration,” she said, referring to former County Executive Edward Mangano. “And many of them, at that point, we thought, were completely ridiculous, and our caucus voted against them. However, the Republican majority passed them.
“They are arduous,” DeRiggi-Whitton added. “They are something that would make someone decide whether or not they want to come to Nassau County, and that’s the last thing we need.”
Marc Tolchinsky, owner of All American Cleaners, was asked about the impact that licensing fees have on businesses’ ability to stay afloat, and the difference
Nassau County Democrats decried high business licensing fees and announced legislation to cut fees for small businesses on May 22. In Bellmore, from far left, were County Legislators Olena Nicks and Seth Koslow; Marc Tolchinsky, owner of All American Cleaners; and Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.
that the proposed cuts would make.
“We’ve already been hurt so badly by Covid and the working from home, so all these things that they’re coming up now with, it impacts us,” Tolchinsky said. “You know, we’re running on less revenue, less volume, and anything will help.”
In statement to the Herald, Blakeman rejected the claim that he was responsible for the fees. “These fees were sustained and supported by a Democrat administration with acquiescence from Democrat legislators,” the statement read. “I am happy to cut the fees provided Democrats come up with matching cuts to spending.”
Mohammad Rafiq/Herald
East Rockaway celebrates its veterans
The Memorial Day parade hosted by the Village of East Rockaway honored its local veterans with various groups represented.
The parade started at 164 Main St. by the V.F.W. Hall. The parade then encircled the community by marching along major streets: Main St. to Atlantic Ave, to Center Ave. to Atlantic Ave., then ending at Memorial Park for a ceremony.
— Ainsley Martinez
Skye Margies/Herald Photos
East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School’s band members performed at the Memorial Day event on Monday.
Boy Scouts Pack 332 paraded on the street, holding flags to honor local veterans on May 26.
Cub Scouts Pack 84 of East Rockaway walked during the parade on Monday.
East Rockaway veterans reflected on their military service at the event’s ceremony on May 26.
Library offers students comfort, connection
were among the most dedicated contributors, cataloguing, labeling, and reviewing books to create an accessible resource for their peers.
“I feel like it’s good to have it, especially in middle school, because it’s that weird in-between years where everything is changing a lot,” Byington said. “And having something to comfort you that you can relate to is really helpful.”
Books in the library are organized by topic and include student-written reviews. Many of the titles straddle multiple categories—bullying and discrimination, trauma and loss, developmental challenges—highlighting the emotional complexity of growing up.
“I said this book was about bullying and discrimination,” Ryan said of one of the titles he reviewed. “And I said it was a heartwarming, touching page turner.”
The project was born out of a desire to support mental health through literacy, and to extend social-emotional learning beyond the classroom.
The library’s location was a purposeful choice: mood lighting, soft seating, and a calm atmosphere offer a retreat for students who need a moment to regroup.
“We chose this room because when you’re trying to calm down, you can come and read,” explained Ruvolo. Schwecherl and Wolf were inspired to launch the initiative after a conference presentation on the mental health benefits of reading. Research consistently shows that students who read regularly report fewer mental health struggles, and the teachers wanted to find a way to make literature more accessible and relevant to all students.
“One of the things that resonated was how much reading impacts mental health,” Schwecherl said. “And we saw an opportunity to take something that already
happens in the English classroom and let it live more broadly within our school culture.”
Wolf emphasized the importance of making the library inclusive.
“We saw a need for titles in languages other than English,” he said. “So, we made sure to include books in Spanish and to organize them into meaningful categories too.”
For students still developing English proficiency, the library sends a powerful message of belonging.
“Aside from things like leaving home and immigrating and things like that, they are just like every other kid that’s facing similar issues or different issues, with maybe some added pressures,” Wolf said. “But they are still connecting with those same topics and those same themes.”
The students involved in the project spoke candidly about the impact of the books they’ve read—how characters’ struggles mirrored their own, and how reading became a source of validation and strength.
“Mental Health Awareness is important, so you don’t feel alone, because characters in the books help understanding that your experience has been written about in a book,” said seventh-grader Genevieve Ruvolo. “It kind of helps you realize that this is like a normal thing, and you’re not alone.”
That sense of connection—between reader and character, between students and teachers, is at the heart of the library. Schwecherl said her students often surprise her with how ready they are to dive into emotionally complex material.
“I found that my students always really rise to the occasion,” she said. “I kind of let them guide and ask questions and go where they’re comfortable. But they like that idea of being trusted. Some of our rougher books end up being their favorite.”
school’s Wellness Center.
Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools north middle School english teacher Kate Schwecherl and new Language teacher James Wolf have created a Social-emotional Lending Library alongside students in the
Stamp Out Hunger initiative hits the road
Powered by volunteers, Island Harvest’s largest one-day food drive collects 335,000 pounds of food
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Island Harvest hosted Long Island’s largest one-day food drive of the year, Stamp Out Hunger, on May 10, collecting more than 335,000 pounds of food — and counting.
The donations will stock over 300 food pantries across Long Island, ensuring they have enough supplies to feed children who face food insecurity and lose access to meals once school is out for the summer.
The event, now in its 33rd year, is organized nationwide by the National Association of Letter Carriers, the union representing the U.S. Postal Service’s letter carriers. Since its inception in 1993, the drive has collected more than 1.9 billion pounds of food across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a householdlevel economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.
According to Island Harvest, more than 240,000 Long Island residents — over 8 percent of the population — faced food insecurity in 2023, a 10 percent increase over the previous year.
Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, said he has helped coordinate the local drive since it began in 1993. Based in New Hyde Park, Siesto organizes the delivery of more than 865,000 postcards each spring, notifying residents about the collection date, the second Saturday in May. On that day, letter carriers collect nonperishable food donations left on doorsteps.
“We take pride in this,” Siesto said. “Our letter carriers take pride in picking up the food because they know it’s helping their neighbors and communities.”
He emphasized that many people in need on Long Island go unnoticed. “It’s people living paycheck to paycheck,” Siesto said. “It comes down to whether they’re going to put food on the table, buy medication or buy clothing for their children.”
Amanda Chirco, Island Harvest’s director of development, said that donations are initially dropped off at the nonprofit’s Islandia warehouse. Staff and volunteers then sort the food into large mixed bins. The food is later repacked into boxes that are placed on pallets for shipping.
Chirco said that Island Harvest relies heavily on volunteers, including drivers from companies like Amazon and College Hunks, to help transport the food. Three days are dedicated to sorting — Saturday, Monday and Tuesday — and this year, more than 500 pallets were filled and prepared for delivery.
Each pallet holds 550 to 700 pounds of food. Once packed, they are moved with forklifts to a weighing station, where volunteers record the weight in black marker before loading the bins onto trucks. Any remaining food is stored at Island Harvest’s Melville warehouse for
later distribution.
Food pantries across the region are reporting an uptick in first-time visitors, Chirco said, which aligns with Feeding America’s data showing a continued rise in food insecurity.
“These are people who are just one car accident, one flat tire or one medical emergency away from depleting their savings and needing support,” she said. “They’re doing OK until one major thing happens, and then they’re not.”
Federal funding cuts have also affected Island Harvest’s operations. Millions of dollars in government aid were eliminated this year, Chirco said, resulting in over a million fewer meals for local fam-
ilies. Potential cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could worsen the situation, she said.
Many Long Islanders in need don’t qualify for those benefits, she said, because their income exceeds eligibility thresholds — even if it isn’t nearly enough to cover Long Island’s high cost of living.
The Economic Policy Institute estimates that a single adult must earn over $68,000 annually to maintain a modest but adequate standard of living on Long Island. A family of four, with two incomes, needs to earn around $161,000. In contrast, the minimum wage on Long Island is $16.50 an hour — just over
$34,000 annually for full-time work.
“Someone might not be considered in poverty because of their total income,” Chirco said. “But they still can’t afford to live on Long Island.”
Despite the challenges, Island Harvest is on track to distribute more than 20 million pounds of food this year — nearly double its pre-pandemic output.
For Martin Feinstein, a longtime donor who now volunteers for the organization, the scale of need became clear when he visited a local food pantry.
“I couldn’t even find parking,” Feinstein recounted. “I just kind of scratched my head and said, ‘I’ve never really seen that.’”
Now retired, Feinstein volunteers weekly with his wife, helping load food for seniors and pantries across Long Island.
“I want to help,” Feinstein said. “I want to be part of it. I wasn’t part of it for all these years even though I wanted to be, and this is the way to do it.”
Rob Schepis, senior vice president at Flushing Bank, also volunteered at the event alongside three of his employees Rob Albino, Raymond Ok and Michelle Posada. It was the bank’s second year of supporting Stamp Out Hunger through both service and donations.
“When I found out how many people were food insecure, I was shocked,” Schepis said. “It wakes you up to recognizing how fortunate we are.”
Chirco said that Island Harvest’s most pressing need is funding, which supports its food programs, nutrition education and logistics. She encouraged more community partners — businesses, schools and local leaders — to get involved.
Volunteers can register for events at IslandHarvest.org, where they can find dates, instructions and contact information for each one. “Everybody can play a role in some way,” Chirco said.
Renee DeLorenzo/Herald photos
Flushing Bank staff members Raymond Ok, far left, Rob Albino, Michelle Posada and Rob Schepis volunteered for a three-hour shift to sort food during the Stamp Out Hunger event, hosted by Island Harvest in its Islandia warehouse.
Hundreds of pounds of donated nonperishables sat in large bins at Island Harvest’s warehouse, waiting to be sorted and shipped to local food pantries.
Amanda Chirco, Island Harvest’s director of development, took a final tally of the food collected at the completion of sorting on May 13.
Summer Playground registration open
Registration for the Summer Playground Program through Lynbrook Public Schools’ is open to all children residing in the Lynbrook School District as well as Village of Lynbrook residents. Students entering kindergarten through eighth grade in September 2025 are eligible.
This year’s program will run Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., beginning Tuesday, July 1 through Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, and will take place at North Middle School and South Middle School. Please note: the program will be closed on Friday, July 4.
Registration Details:
District Residents: $300 per child
Village Residents (non-district): $330 per child
Late Registration (after June 1): Additional $30 fee
How to Register:
Lynbrook Public School residents: Register via ParentSquare
Village of Lynbrook residents: Submit forms, payment (check/money order to “Treasurer, Lynbrook Public Schools”), and documentation to the district office.
For families seeking to extend their child’s day with enriching academic experiences, Lynbrook Public Schools will offer several optional afternoon programs exclusively at South Middle School, based on enrollment:
Right at School Aftercare Program
Dates: July 1 – Aug. 8 (Mon–Fri)
Time: noon–3 p.m.
Grades: K–8
Cost: $150/week (register for any number of weeks)
Activities: Supervised indoor games, enrichment play, and structured fun
Registration: Visit RightAtSchool.com/districts/lynbrook-ny/
Camp Invention – STEM Academic Enrichment
Dates: July 7 – July 18
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Grades: K–6
Cost: $350 for two-week session
Description: Hands-on STEM challenges and innovation-focused activities
Note: Campers enrolled in both Summer Playground and Camp Invention will leave Playground early and must bring a packed lunch
Registration: Visit Invent.org/programs/camp-invention
Literacy Lounge – Reading Enrichment
Session 1: July 21 – July 25
Session 2: July 28 – August 1
Time: noon – 1:30 p.m.
Grades: K–8
Cost: $100 per session
Highlights: Book clubs, readers’ theater, and language-based games
Note: Students transitioning from Playground must bring lunch
Math Quests – Math Enrichment
Session 1: July 21 – July 25
Session 2: July 28 – August 1
Time: noon – 1:30 p.m.
Grades: K–8
Cost: $100 per session
Highlights: Math puzzles, logic games, and problemsolving challenges
Note: Lunch required for students attending both Playground and Math Quests
All enrichment sessions require minimum enrollment and are open to all eligible students, regardless of participation in the Summer Playground Program.
For additional information about the Summer Playground Program or extended learning opportunities, please contact the Lynbrook Public Schools Administrative Office at (516) 887-0240 before June 27 or visit the district’s website at www.lynbrookschools. org.
— Ainsley Martinez
STEPPING OUT
‘Now she’s Legally
By Danielle Schwab
What you want is right in front of you — on the Madison Theatre stage at Molloy University. The iconic, popinfused musical “Legally Blonde” serves up a jump-roping, cheerleading, bend-and-snapping performance — that is as fun as it is inspiring.
“Legally Blonde is an empowerment piece for a young woman whom everyone sees as one thing, and she’s so much more,” says Angelo Fraboni, Madison Theatre’s artistic director, who’s also doing double duty as the show’s director. “She discovers her power and strength through friendships and knowledge.”
Billed as a Madison Theatre Production, it runs May 30 through June 8.
This is story that doesn’t get old — no matter how many times it’s told.
Elle Woods (Adelaine Mollo) enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend, Warner (Cade Eller). Her journey defies expectations as she becomes entangled in a high–profile murder trial, guided by new-found confidence and a passion for justice.
“She comes from a different world. People don’t understand her. They are doubting her all along, and she stamps out the stereotypes of who people perceive she is,” Fraboni adds.
Beginning as a novel by Amanda Brown, Elle Wood’s story became a hit sensation with the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon. The sorority-girl-turned-law-student was later re-imagined with musical flair, earning the Broadway adaptation seven Tony nominations.
Audiences can feel the infectious energy of Woods and the Delta Nus as they bring their all to every high-energy sequence. Choreographer and Assistant Director Bethany Moore infuses the show with dynamic movement — from the cinematic college admission essay “What you Want” to the adrenaline-fueled exercise “Whipped into Shape.”
“One thing I love about the show is that most of the songs carry the plot forward. They’re not just songs to be songs. It’s a fast and furious time,” Fraboni says.
Scenes blend seamlessly into the next with the cast moving through the settings with the audience.
“I want to make it look magical. I want people to just all of a sudden be someplace different,” he explains.
Some special actors will be taking their paws to the
• Friday through Sunday, May 30-June 1 and June 6-8; times vary
• Tickets range from $45-$65; available at madisontheatreny.org or call the box office at (516) 323-4444
• Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
‘Cool at Camp’
Blonde’
Go to Harvard University with everyone’s favorite blonde law student
stage. Elle Wood’s iconic dog companion, Bruiser, is played by Gizmo, who is trained by Moore, his owner, while Sadie, Fraboni’s boxer, is takes on the role of Paulette’s Rufus.
And while there are many larger-than-life performances, there are also many “little gems” to find, according to Fraboni.
“Each character creates these little nuggets to play up and bring to the audience. They’re finding how their nuanced characters can be together, but different. Those are the things that are going to make people laugh and have fun.”
Baldwin Harbor’s Jaylin Thomas, who plays Carlos, and is part of the ensemble, is equally enthusiastic.
“This is such a big show, and I feel like every character has their own little piece, but it’s a big moment for everyone,” he says. “Carlos only appears in Act Two for one moment, but it’s such a big moment.”
“Legally Blonde” marks Thomas’s first production as a graduate of Molloy’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory. For him, the show serves as a reminder of the importance of discovering your own identity.
“I think everyone has a moment in their life that they feel like they’re not beautiful, or they feel like they’re not worthy, or not talented,” he says. It just resonates with everyone — seeing yourself as a person.”
Another cast member, East Rockaway’s Grace McNally, also an ensemble member, relates that it’s an all-time favorite musical.
“This is a show that I will want to be in every single year of my life, if I could,” she says.
McNally’s time with Madison Theatre goes back to when she was 10-years-old, participating in the Madison’s Musical Theatre Summer Intensive camp. She’s continued to focus on her love for theater, now a recent graduate of LIU Post.
McNally, as do many fans, consider the Elle Woods character as a role model — in that you can “find your way” even through adversity. Throughout the show, very few characters have faith in Elle, with the exception of her aesthetician Paulette (Sharon Lita), but she manages to surprise them when she defies expectations while staying true to herself.
“It shows that you truly can have a sisterhood. You can find your people, no matter who they are. She finds her people in the Delta Nus and when she comes to Harvard, she does eventually end up finding people as well,” McNally says.
“I hope that any young girls watching feel inspired. They don’t have to go to law school, but if it even just inspires them to do something that they’ve been scared to do, that is the message and the theme of this show,” she adds.
Photos courtesy Madison Theatre
Choreographer Bethany Moore, left, puts Grace McNally and Jaylin Thomas through their paces during rehearsal.
Drop-in photo: Grace McNally and Jaylin Thomas review the script.
Gather your camp friends, put on your favorite camp swag, and revisit your summers at the Landmark’s staged reading of the new musical “Cool at Camp.” Creator-writercomposer Dani Tapper’s raunchy meshuga musical about kids, camp, and coming of age is based on her own summer experiences as a camper then counselor at Camp Green Lane in the Pocono mountains the foothills.“Cool at Camp” follows four teenagers in their final years as campers at Camp Huron Lake where they must navigate the pressures of trying to be cool. Who will be color war captain? Who will get kissed first? Most importantly, will they all learn what it means to be cool at camp? Set in the world of a typical Northeast Jewish summer camp, this is a heartwarming coming of age story that doesn’t skimp on the timeless humor the experience provides. Camp letters to and from neurotic mothers, rants from a disgruntled camp director, bunk talks about puberty all come together to create this nostalgic new musical.
Friday, May 30, 8 p.m. $46 and $36. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at coolatcampmusical.com or email danibtapper@gmail.com.
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. He now presents his favorite magic from his dazzling lifelong repertoire. This visually stunning performance showcases Wind’s artistic talents while exploring the human spirit. He believes that true magic can only happen if you bring people together and make them feel like they are a part of the show.“More Than Magic” is a profound reminder that we all possess some magic within us.
Sunday, June 1, 7 p.m. $69.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.