Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 07-31-2025 by Richner Communications, Inc

Food pantry reopens after town shutdown

By MADISoN GUSlER

mgusler@liherald.com

After four years of providing community members with access to fresh produce and other goods on a weekly basis, Ramonia Ramkissoon, director of the Friends for the Poor Foundation, had her operation shut down by the Town of Hempstead on May 3.

On Saturday, dozens of people attended the grand reopening of the West Hempstead-based pantry, now partnering with Power of Prayer Church, in West Hempstead.

Town of Hempstead Building Department Code Enforcement officers initially shut down the pantry, because Friends for the Poor did not operate on a commercial property. Ramkissoon hosted the pantry in her backyard on Hopatcong Avenue with people in need of food assistance lining up on the sidewalk outside her house every Saturday morning.

From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or so, anyone in need

Continued on Page 16

From Malverne Little League to the Diamondbacks

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

On July 14, the Ariola family was gathered in the living room of their Malverne home watching the 2025 MLB draft.

That’s when Joe Ariola, 21, found out that the Arizona Diamondbacks had selected him as a pitcher in the seventh round, the 213th overall pick.

“I just wanted to let you know that I’m coming up next,” he told his father, Joseph, 62, after hanging up the phone.

Seconds later, the family heard Ariola’s name called on the livestream.

“It was a dream come true,” Ariola said. “I’ve been thinking about this day since I started playing baseball, and breaking through that barrier, getting to that next level, the feeling is indescribable.”

“It’s a rush of emotion,” his father recalled. “I’m proud beyond words.”

The day after he was drafted, Ariola visited Harris Field, the home of the Malverne Little League, which was hosting a summer camp. He spent more than two hours talking with the kids, taking photos, signing autographs, and playing baseball with the campers.

“It’s like he was in no rush

to leave that field, you know,” his father said. “Truthfully, he really is the same 12-year-old kid playing baseball in Malverne.”

Both Ariola and his older brother, Paul, 26, began playing baseball in the Malverne Little League.

“It was very important for our family to always make sure that Little League was the primary focus, because that’s where you spend time with your friends,” Joseph, former president of the league, said. “You can always play travel ball, but it’s important to focus on friends and family because they’re the ones who are going

to support you.”

Patrick Rudden, the Little League’s current president, recalled memories of his son playing alongside Ariola when they were younger.

“I’ve known Joe since he was a little kid,” Rudden said. “To see him develop over the years and be drafted is amazing.”

“I did every level of Mal-

verne Little League, from Tee Ball to seniors,” Ariola said. “I know a lot of people nowadays, they go right to club teams, but it’s a lot of fun, it’s more baseball and you get to spend time with your friends.”

Ariola attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, where he played baseball and hockey.

on Page 3

Madison Gusler/Herald

Volunteers for Friends for the Poor Foundation and Power of Prayer Church celebrated the grand reopening of their food pantry.

Hempstead officials visit Harold Walker

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Members of the Lakeview community attend Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Laura Ryder’s mobile Town Hall at Harold Walker Park. On July 23, representatives from Ryder’s office gathered at the park to share resources and hear the complaints and concerns of the residents.

Though Ryder was unwell and couldn’t attend the event in person, she wrote to the Herald in an email, “Lakeview residents care deeply about their suburban community, and I have been honored to work alongside them on many important quality-of-life issues.”

“From investing more than $1 million over the past three years at Harold Walker Memorial Park, to a complete renovation at neighboring Echo Park, and repaving local roads, I am commit-

ted to further enhancing this beautiful neighborhood,” she wrote.

Lakeview resident Lataya Carter attended the mobile town hall to advocate for her community. “It’s very important for the town to be here because a lot of people cannot come out at the time they have town meetings,” Carter said. “For them to come to our community shows that they really care and that they are willing to hear the concerns from voices in the community.”

Carter commended Ryder, her office, and the town’s Quality of Like team for their responsiveness to local concerns.

“Mobile Town Hall events provide an opportunity for residents and I to work together, discuss important community developments, and continue to educate the public about the many programs and services offered by America’s largest township,” Ryder wrote.

Madison Gusler/Herald photos

Lakeview community members attend Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Laura Ryder’s mobile Town Hall at Harold Walker Park.

Town of Hempstead officials spent an afternoon in Lakeview on July 23.

Malverne native plays ball in Arizona

He also played for the travel baseball team the Long Island Titans, attending tournaments throughout the east coast.

At the end of his high school career, Ariola was ranked as the fourth best left-handed pitcher in New York State by Perfect Game, an online baseball scouting service.

“On the baseball field, Joe was an incredible athlete, had a high, riding fastball, which had high velocity, a very effective pitcher for a freshman,” Andrew Corcoran, Chaminade’s assistant coach for JV B baseball, said. “From the first day of tryouts, I knew that he had potential.”

Corcoran recalled one stretch during which Ariola struck out 80 batters in 34 innings.

“As a human being, he was very, very humble,” Corcoran said. “We asked him if he would be willing to move up to JV or varsity, and he said he wanted to play with his cohort.”

Corcoran shared that even though Ariola underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow during senior year, he supported his teammates on their way to winning the championship in the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association.

For the last three seasons, Ariola has been a relief pitcher for the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

“Joe was one of our best relief pitchers this year and somebody who certainly was a team leader,” Tom Walter, Wake Forest’s head baseball coach, said. “Joe was drafted in the seventh round, which is a testament to not only his performance but his ability, and I think he could certainly make it all the way to the major leagues.”

Walter said he was proud of Ariola, highlighting his development as a player and person during his time with the team.

“He came into Wake without a whole lot of game experience and got better each and every year,” he said, adding that Ariola became a trusted reliever by the end of his college career and helped guide younger players on the team.

Ariola also played in summer leagues during the offseason. During his freshman year of college, he played in the Coastal Plains League, based in Virginia and the Carolinas, where he pitched for the High Point-Thomasville HiToms. He spent the following summer in Massachusetts playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod Baseball League.

“It was a great experience,” Ariola said, of the Cape Cod league. “It’s super community driven. You have guys from all over the country, but whatever town you played for, you were a part of.”

Playing for Bourne, Ariola served the community in many ways, from helping out at kids’ camps to taking part in Memorial Day celebrations.

“A lot of people care about that league,” he said. “It surprised me when I was up there, how many people would show up to these games. It’s a lot more than you would expect.”

On July 18, Ariola took a flight to Arizona to begin training for the Diamondbacks. He spends his days in meetings with the team and pitching coaches, enjoying team meals, stretching, working out in the gym and practicing on the field.

“This week has been a lot of introductions, and everything is structured,” he told the Herald. “My average day right now is roughly a 12-hour day, you’re never not doing something.”

Ariola is focusing on making progress as a player and continuously improving his performance. “There’s still a lot of learning that has to happen,” he said. “At the professional level, it’s more acute, microfocused on refining all the little things and becoming super consistent.”

“The chances of getting drafted are low enough,” he said, pointing out that the 2025 draft class had more

than 600 players. “It’s really determined by how hard you’re willing to work, how much time you’re willing to put into it, and how seriously you’re going to take it.”

Ariola, though, offered very different advice for younger athletes: “Don’t worry about what you do well and what you don’t do well,” he said. “If you’re competing, have fun and enjoy the competition. Make some friends and create memories. There’s going to be ups and downs along the road, but if you focus on that, then you’ll be alright.

“I’m still playing the same game that 9 and 10 year olds are playing,” he added. “The only thing is you get better and that takes time, you can’t rush that, so just focus on building the foundation before you build the house.”

Not only is Ariola motivated by his family, friends

and community, but becoming a professional baseball player also is personal. “I want to use baseball to evolve myself, to become a better man,” he said. “I think baseball improves everything I am outside of the sport, in my life, that’s what I love most about it.

“But I understand that it’s not just my baseball anymore,” Ariola continued. “I have a lot of people looking up to me and counting on me. Coming from a small town, I represent the town. I’m playing for Malverne now. I represent Long Island. I’m playing for New York.”

Courtesy Wake Forest Athletics

ariola spent three years as a pitcher for the demon deacons of Wake forest university in north Carolina.

Courtesy Joe Ariola

pitcher Joe ariola, a malverne native, was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 mLB draft, as the 213th overall pick, going to the arizona diamondbacks.

Courtesy Colleen Ariola ariola began playing baseball with the malverne Little League, where he discovered his love of the sport.

Cashing in Your Life Insurance Policy

Everyone knows that you may surrender a life insurance policy at any time for the “cash surrender value”. However, a better option may be a “life settlement” which pays more than the cash surrender value.

In a life settlement, you sell the policy to a third party instead of cashing it in. Here, the payment will be something greater than the cash surrender value but less than the death benefit. The buyer assumes the policy, pays the premiums and receives the death benefit.

There are many reasons why people want to cash in their policy. Paying the premiums have become a burden, they no longer need or want the death benefit or the money is needed for some other purpose.

There are some tax advantages to cashing in as well. Any money paid into the policy as premiums comes back to the seller tax-free (since the money used to pay the premiums was already taxed).

The purchaser of the policy will

determine the amount they are willing to pay for the policy based on the amount, if any, of the cash surrender value and the age and health of the seller. Since there are numerous companies out there you may “shop around” for the best offering. Some companies offer a “life settlement calculator” where you may go online, plug in all your information, and receive a quote within twenty-four hours.

You may hear of the term “viatical settlement” when exploring the issue of whether or not to cash in your policy. Viatical settlements generally pay more than life settlements but are limited to terminally ill policy holders with less than two years of life expectancy as determined by a medical professional.

Finally, if you want to do the best you can with your policy, but do not have the time or inclination to shop around, there are “life settlement brokers” who, for a fee, will do the shopping for you.

News briefs

Eye-Deal Optical re-opens following fire

After suffering from a devastating electrical fire in April 2024, Eye-Deal Optical has re-opened at a new location in West Hempstead. Not only did EyeDeal Optical lose valuable equipment and inventory due to the fire, they also lost personal memories, including photos they kept of children in the community receiving their first pair of glasses.

Founded in 1981, Eye-Deal Optical has been a staple of the West Hempstead serving generations of local community members. Despite the setback presented by the fire, owner Bruce Presner was determined to rebuild.

With the support of family and

friends, Eye-Deal Optical has found a new home with modern updates. Now located at 435 Hempstead Ave., Eye-Deal Optical continues to provide quality care and personal service to the West Hempstead community.

“It’s been a long and emotional journey,” Presner said. “Thanks to the incredible support of my family and community, Eye-Deal Optical is back— better than ever. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning customers and continuing our legacy of care.”

–Madison Gusler

Student receives award at Nassau BOCES

The Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation through the annual Dr. Robert R. Dillon Awards awarded students at Nassau BOCES a total of $1,600 in scholarships on July 17. These awards are presented in memory of the former Nassau BOCES District Superintendent.

“These awards recognize and honor Dillon’s commitment to ensuring that all students be provided with equal opportunities and serve as a reminder of his passion for education,” Anthony Fierro, chairperson of the foundation and long-serving a chief administrator at Nassau BOCES, said.

Each of the sixteen recipients

received a $100 scholarship and certificate during their school or program’s completion celebration.

West Hempstead’s Shaquille Flash received the Dr. Robert R. Dillon Core Values Champion Award. The award recognizes students who displays a spirit of kindness and upholds, embraces and embodies the Nassau BOCES core values of Compassion, Equity, Excellence, Integrity and Respect.

Flash received his award during his completion ceremony at Jerusalem Avenue Elementary School.

Malverne students receive arts certificates

Ethan Rayside, Jahi Bradby, Jordan Lewis and Ariella Pabon, all seniors from the Malverne school district, took part in the Long Island High School for the Arts certificate ceremony, which celebrates students’ accomplishments and growth throughout their time in the program.

Rayside majored in Audio Production

while both Bradby and Lewis majored in Performing Arts. Pabon majored in Visual Arts. The students attended LIHSA for half the school day while continuing academic studies at their home high school.

–Madison Gusler

ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460

■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643

■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

–Madison Gusler

Teen hosts school supplies drive COMMUNITY NEWS

By MADISON GUSLER & JUSTIN McKENZIE mgusler@liherald.com

Jules Dekel, 17, is hosting a school supplies drive with all donations going to the Mary Brennan Inn.

The Malverne teen will be accepting donations until August 7. Items they are looking for include pencils, post-it notes, marble notebooks, calculators, rulers, index cards, and more. To donate, text (516) 4181745 or DM Jules’ mother Kristen Cuchel Dekel on Facebook for the drop off location.

Q: Can you tell me about the school supply drive that you’re hosting?

A: I’m collecting school supplies for the Mary Brennan INN because I started volunteering there last summer. There’s a lot of young kids that come in with their families and they’re in need of school supplies so I decided to host a drive

at my house to collect school supplies. I just feel like every kid should be prepared for the school year and they shouldn’t have to be ashamed just because their family is going through a hard time.

Q: Can you tell me what the Mary Brennan INN is and what they do there?

A: At the Mary Brennan INN, we feed the food insecure, so they can come in and get a hot meal everyday. There’s also bathrooms available so they can take showers. When I volunteer there, I work at different stations. Sometimes I’ll check people in, other times I’ll help prepare the food, make sandwiches or sort through clothing. I get to see, firsthand, these people and their families, so that inspired me to do the drive at my house. I see firsthand these families and their experiences and I just don’t think anyone deserves to feel that way, so I’m trying to do whatever I can

to improve their life and make it a bit easier for them.

Q: What inspired you to start volunteering at the Inn?

A: I’ve always had empathy for people going through time, whether it be kids or homeless people or anyone that feels like the underdog or overlooked. Since I was a child, my mom and I would go to the store to buy school supplies and then donate them. She definitely played a big role in what I want to do now. Seeing everyone’s everyday experiences really makes me want to do something, to make an impact in their lives because I just want to do anything that could help them.

Q: How has the reception been from the community for your school supplies drive?

A: We’ve gotten a decent amount of school supplies. A lot of family, friends, and neighbors have been dropping stuff off. My mom posted it to the Malverne Facebook page, which is very active, so a lot of family and friends have reached out.

Q: What do you plan on doing with the school supplies you’ve gathered?

A: The INN is collecting

them currently. I’m gonna bring in everything I collected then we’re gonna make backpacks and fill them with the school supplies. So many back-

packs get donated, but so many families come in and their children need school supplies for the upcoming year, they need all the supplies they can get.

Courtesy Jules Dekel

Malverne teen Jules Dekel, 17, collects school supplies to donate to the Mary Brennan INN.

Bethpage Black preps for Ryder Cup

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

The Ryder Cup is coming to Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale Sept. 26 to 28 and preparations are in full swing for one of golf’s premier international events.

After three years of planning, work to install viewing stands, including two triple-deckers and eight double-deckers, with some flanking the first and 18th fairways, bleachers, hospitality tents and a large merchandise area began May 19 and will continue up until the first practice round Sept. 23.

“We’re expecting 50,000 fans per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” 2025 Ryder Cup Director Bryan Karns said during a press conference held at Bethpage Black July 24. “Living in New York for the past few years and attending Jets, Yankees and Mets games, it’s an incredibly passionate fan base. Any time a major championship has come to Bethpage, the crowds have been remarkable. Fans are going to understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they’re really going to value what it means to attend a Ryder Cup.”

Half a million fans registered for a lottery system used to purchase tickets said Evan Crowder, PGA of America Operations Manager. Tickets for the three scoring rounds of the tournament are sold out, though a handful remain for the Sept. 23 and 24 practice rounds.

Renowned for its degree of difficulty and rich history that includes hosting the U.S. Open (2002 and 2009) and PGA Championship (2019), Bethpage Black will have a slightly different look for the Ryder Cup with the tee box of the first hole — a 430-yard, par-4 — moving 30 yards closer to the pin and about 20 yards to the north for a clearer path to the green.

“The five most important holes at the Ryder Cup are the first, and 15 through 18 where the majority of matches are decided is set up incredibly well,” Karns said.

Added Kenny Kurzendoerfer, 2025 Ryder Cup Operations Manager: “This is where you want to be as a fan, where the first tee box and 18th green are in close proximity. It’s definitely a bucketlist moment to experience the first tee at a Ryder Cup. It’s truly unlike anything you’ve seen before in golf. I’ve been lucky to be a part of a few of them now and it still gives me chills.”

In terms of transportation to and from the course for fans, Jones Beach lots 4 and 5 will serve as the main public parking areas where shuttle service will be provided to Bethpage. Shuttles will also run from both the north and south side of the Farmingdale LIRR station, Crowder said. There will also be a ride-

share lot on site at Yellow Course No. 11.

The Ryder Cup dates back to 1927, when the inaugural matchup was held at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. Initially a contest between the United States and Great Britain, the format expanded in 1979 to include players from continental Europe. The U.S. played host to the event in 2016 and most recently in 2021.

The event features 28 matches across three formats – foursomes, fourballs, and singles. Teamwork and strategy are essential to winning.

Although the 12-player rosters for both teams have yet to be announced,

some of the top U.S. players include Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, and Collin Morikawa, with Europe featuring Rory McIlroy, Rasmus Hojgaard, Matt Wallace and Tyrrell Hatton.

The U.S. team selection is based on a points system, where points are awarded based on performance in PGA Tour events and major championships. Automatic qualifiers, with Scheffler already being one, will be the top six in points after the BMW Championship on Aug. 17. Captain Keegan Bradley will select the remainder of the roster Aug. 27, Karns noted.

Jeff Bessen/Herald Evan Crowder, 2025 Ryder Cup Operations manager at PGA of America, explains tournament ground operations at Bethpage State Park on July 24.

The new first tee box created for the 2025 Ryder Cup match.

Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos Building the grandstand by the first tee and behind the 18th green on the Bethpage Black is in full swing.

Whelan Park now open to the community

Malverne Mayor Tim Sullivan was excited to finally raise the American flag at Whelan Park last Wednesday. A project he’s been working on since 2019, Sullivan has long anticipated sharing the results with the community.

“In my days of playing ball, I remember I used to sit in the outfield and dream of what this place could look like,” Sullivan said. “So it’s just unbelievable for me to now be mayor and build real fields here. It’s a personal dream come true for me.”

The Village of Malverne held a softopening ceremony for Whelan Park on July 23, when the park was originally supposed to have a grand opening followed by a community barbeque. The formal grand opening and barbeque has been rescheduled for September 4, at 4 p.m., as the village accommodates the schedules of government officials who provided the $7 million spent renovating the park.

The project was approved by the state in 2020 and renovations plans began in 2022. The village officially broke down on the Pine Stream Extension Project in June 2024 and completed the majority of the project a few weeks ago.

Currently the baseball and softball fields remain temporarily closed, as adjustments need to be made to the irrigation systems, but the rest of the park is now open to the public.

This includes a scenic ¾ mile jogging

Malverne officials were joined by Department of Public Works staff, members of the Malverne Little League, and

worked on Whelan Park for a soft opening of the facilities on July 23.

path with exercise stations, educational displays on the ecological and historic landscape of the park, new benches and lighting, an expanded dog park that accommodates large and small dogs, a covered pavilion and picnic area, as well as an accessible parking lot.

“It was always our dream to have the field this way,” Mark Westlake, a former president of the Malverne Little

League, said. “Tim and these guys took this field to a whole other level, which is great. The kids are going to love this field.”

Members of the public have already enjoyed the park, taking strolls along the path, bringing their dogs for a run, or biking around the area. Posts on Facebook have showcased people’s excitement about the new space.

Sullivan thanked Laser Industries, H2M Architects + Engineers, Elite Painting, and the Malverne Department of Public Works for their help putting the park together.

“Working with the village has been outstanding,” Anthony Gulino, owner of Laser Industries, said. “They’re one of the best clients we have and the park came out great.”

Madison Gusler/Herald

contractors who

By Herald Staff

Michela Argento-Serra Lynbrook

My favorite part of summer is being outdoors, whether it is in my yard, a local restaurant or Lynbrook Cruise Nights on Thursdays!

What’s your favorite aspect of summer on Long Island?

Gelena Oren Valley Stream

My favorite part of summer on Long Island is relaxing in my backyard, opening up the pool and soaking in the warm weather.

Sean Smith, age 17 East Rockaway

Being able to spend quality time with family and friends, whether it be traveling with my family or sharing the court with my friends. School not being in session also helps.

Mikayla Oren, age 13 Valley Stream

My favorite part is probably going to the beach because I can go with my family or my friends and it’s always fun. I like it because it’s very clean and you can bring your dog there.

Ear Works Audiology: Your Guide to Hearing Health

If you’ve been turning up the TV or struggling in noisy conversations, it might be time for a hearing test— and Ear Works Audiolo gy is here to help. With 11 Long Island locations and a team led by Dr. Victoria Kopec and Dr. Toni Zanetti, Ear Works provides compassionate, personalized hearing care for every step of your journey.

According to audiologist Dr. Meredith Moore, common signs of hearing loss include increasing the TV volume, difficulty understanding speech, and avoiding group conversations. Loved ones often notice these issues first, and Dr. Moore recommends a

Dr. Meredith Moore

no-pressure approach to encourage that first appointment—even if it’s just to establish a baseline.

At your appointment, you can expect a comfor table, non-invasive visit that includes questions about your hearing history, an ear exam, and a 10- to 15-minute test involving tones and word reco gnition in both quiet and noisy settings.

If hearing aids are recommended, patients can try them out immediately in-office. Today’s devices are discreet, Bluetooth-enabled, and even offer tinnitus relief through pro grams like those from Widex. While over-the-

counter devices may seem convenient, they often lack customization and effective noise management.

What truly sets Ear Works Audiolo gy apar t is their commitment to tailored solutions and ongoing support. Whether you’re ready to act or just gathering infor mation, their team is here to guide you toward better hearing health.

Throughout Long Island

Nelly Oren Valley Stream

The singers entertained the crowd with hits from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Risky Business performs for village residents

Risky Business dazzled in the Village of Malverne Friday night, as the show continued on following rain in the early afternoon. At Gazebo Park, the eight-piece band delighted the audience with their performance.

The performance is part of Malverne’s Summer Concert Series, providing entertainment to residents of the village.

Risky Business had people on their feet, dancing under the stars as they performed hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

– Madison Gusler

Risky Business performers include

Christine Rivera/Herald photos

Miles Vega, 2, from Lynbrook, was jamming out to the performance.

singer Eddie Genninger, left, drummer Bill Onesius. Greg Guarino on keys, singers Sal Ferraro, Andrew Anton, and Camille Saturday, bassist Willie Medwidew and guitarist Domonic D’Paolo.

Dozens of residents from the village came out after Friday’s rain to enjoy the performance.

Patti Clements, of Babylon, left, Alejandra Lamarche, a Malverne resident, Daneen Katz, from Franklin Square, and Beth Summerhayes of Malverne, danced while enjoying the show at Gazebo Park.

News briefs

MHS honors 104 AP Scholar students

The Malverne school district congratulated 104 high school students who earned the distinction of Advanced Placement Scholars for their success on the 2025 AP exams. This is the largest group of students to achieve AP Scholar honors in Malverne High School history.

Several of the 104 students were honored for this accomplishment

with a breakfast at Malverne High School on July 23.

The AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. Students must meet a rigorous criterion to be eligible for this honor.

–Madison Gusler

On July 15 members of the

American Legion hosts Walk-a-thon

On July 15, members of the Malverne community participated in the American Legion’s New York State 2025 Walk-a-thon. Local officials joined the Malverne American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 44 and Sons of the Legion in their efforts to support of local veterans.

This event took place in Malverne’s newly renovated Whelan Field, as participants walked the ¾ mile scenic walking path that loops around the park.

Funds raised from this walk, along

with walks hosted throughout the state, will help support 13 Veterans Health Administration hospitals and five nursing facilities in New York.

“Events like these remind us of the strength, unity and patriotism that connect our communities,” Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said in a press release. “I appreciate all that the Malverne American Legion Family does for veterans and the community.”

–Madison Gusler

Courtesy Malverne school district

Malverne School District honored some of the 104 students recognized as AP Scholars at a breakfast on July 23 at Malverne High School.

Courtesy Assemblywoman Judy Griffin

Malverne community gathered for Walk-a-thon in support of local veterans.

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD — July 31,

Fahrenheit 516 trains future firefighters

Every year, 25 fire departments from Nassau and Suffolk counties join together to create Camp Fahrenheit 516, sponsored by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York to train those ages 14 to 18 at the Nassau County Fire Academy in Bethpage for a weeklong training course in junior firefighting.

This summer, roughly 65 teenagers attended Camp Fahrenheit 516, with 13 from Lower Saxony Germany and two from Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania. Other participants included Jerry Presta, Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association chairman and vice chairman of FASNY’s Youth Committee, Paul Wilders, chief fire academy instructor, from the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and other FASNY representatives.

Camp Fahrenheit 516 hosted German junior firefighters this year to maintain its exchange relationship with Germany since the program sent its Long Island juniors to Germany last year for a summer abroad.

Throughout the five-day-long intensive, which started on July 21, the participants worked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on courses like search and rescue, forcible entry, emergency evacuation procedures, fire extinguisher drills, and in honor of the program’s 10 year anniversary, alumni returned to the program to take part in a live fire evolution.

FASNY along with the Nassau County Fire Service Academy held a media day for Camp Fahrenheit 516 on July 24. Reporters were introduced to Long Island’s future firefighters and the intense training the junior firefighters underwent throughout their time through the program.

Recently, fire departments across the state have encountered challenges when looking for possible recruits. Firefighters have gotten more and more emergency calls ranging from medical emergencies,

flooded basements, car accidents and fires.

Camp Fahrenheit 516 was created to give junior firefighters a chance to train as firefighters and one day, have the opportunity to serve their community and become volunteer firefighters when they turn 18.

“We have the best firefighters in America,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a news release, not-

ing that fire service academy will be given an additional $100,000 for Camp Fahrenheit. “They are the reason why we are the safest county in America. Our volunteer firefighters do an amazing job, and we’re so happy that we have our Junior firefighters here.”

–Samantha Wright

Courtesy Nassau County

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman met several of the teens that took part in Camp Fahrenheit 516, the weeklong training course in junior firefighting.

STEPPING OUT A instoryevery step

Celebrate culture and community at the Gold Coast Dance Festival

By Roksana Amid

As sundown takes hold at Morgan Memorial Park on Aug. 2, artists representing a rich spectrum of dance styles — from classical ballet and folklorico to tap, contemporary and hip-hop — take to a stage. The ﬁfth annual Gold Coast Dance Festival — set against the backdrop of the Long Island Sound — is a grand celebration of culture, movement and community connection.

Hosted by New York Dance Theatre, the free event attracts folks to see a varied lineup of dancers from Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York City Ballet, Broadway, and more. This year’s edition also includes Ballet Nepantla, a returning favorite known for blending traditional Mexican folklorico with contemporary dance.

“Ballet Nepantla are an astounding company,” Festival Executive Producer Nicole Loizides Albruzzese says. “They’ve been noted as embodying the in-between-ness of those who live on the borderland, mixing in cultures and gaining a little bit from either side.”

Founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, this began as an informal gathering of dancers organized by Albruzzese, a professional performer and Glen Cove resident. She invited a few colleagues to Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay as a way to decompress from the emotional toll of the lockdown. This experience inspired her to bring a professional dance festival to Glen Cove the following year.

“Because the world just stopped talking to one another, stopped dining together, we wanted to create something that brought people together without the need for words,” Albruzzese says. “Dance can do that.”

Since then, the festival has grown to involve dozens of performers and companies, including John Manzari, a renowned Broadway tap dancer and featured artist from “So You Think You Can Dance,” and MorDance, a contemporary ballet company based in Yonkers. This will be MorDance’s ﬁrst appearance here.

For those inspired to dance themselves, join Jamie Shannon of Kilowatt Dance Theater for an introductory Lindy Hop class on the beach at 4:30 p.m., open to all ages and skill levels, before performances begin.

“Lindy Hop is one of America’s beloved early social dances, stemming from jazz and Harlem and a beautiful social era,” Albruzzese explains. “Bring your dinner down, enjoy a class, and go see a show. You get a more intimate look at the artists beforehand, and then you get to see them on stage.”

New York Dance Theatre, which is celebrating its 51st year, produces the festival through its nonproﬁt mission to make high-level dance accessible to all audiences.

•

Aug. 2, 6

date is Aug. 9

• Morgan Memorial Park, Germaine Street, Glen Cove

•

announcements

and

The company also runs the Développé program, a a scholarship initiative that provides free yearlong dance education to atrisk youth, foster families and English-language learners across Long Island.

Développé partners with community organizations, including Options for Community Living, which supports families experiencing homelessness and ﬁnancial hardship. One of the newest scholarship recipients is an 11-year-old girl who had never taken a dance class before this summer.

“She leaves the studio glowing,” Albruzzese says. “She’s one of the most graceful dancers in the class. Starting classical dance between the ages of 11 and 14 can be intimidating, but she’s handling it so beautifully.”

A suggested festival donation of $20 supports the Développé program. Contributions help fund workshops, lectures, performances and scholarships provided by NYDT throughout the year.

Albruzzese says the festival is designed to be inclusive, welcoming people of all backgrounds and abilities.

“A woman came up to me last year and said, ‘It’s not so often I ﬁnd something to do with my mom or my grandmother,’” she recalls. “Her grandmother was 92 and squealing with excitement watching the performances. That’s what this is about. You can just grab a park bench, sit on the grass and stay for ﬁve minutes or the entire evening.”

‘So

in love with you am I’

Last year’s featured performers represented Haiti, China, Iraq, and Mexico. Each year’s lineup is curated to reﬂect global traditions and storytelling through movement, according to Albruzzese.

“I think because we offer such a huge, diverse array of cultural programming, everyone leaves loving something. We birthed a star, and it’s shining everywhere. It’s beneﬁting the artists, the audience and our local cultural institutions,” she adds enthusiastically.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs and picnic dinners.

Check out a stylized concert version of the classic golden age musical. Egotistical leading man-directorproducer Fred Graham (Broadway’s Charlie Marcus) is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi (Broadway talent Christina DeCicco, of Rockville Centre) when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” The battle of the sexes continues onstage and off, as it becomes clear that, as much as this couple profess to hate each other, they are also still in love. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, the mob, and comedic routines into the mix and you get “Kiss Me, Kate” — a dazzling Broadway classic that earned the very ﬁrst Tony award for Best Musical. A cast of 30 brings this “concert” production to life with limited costumes and scenic elements. The dynamic performers include Molloy’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students and also alumni.

Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2-3, 3 p.m. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or call (516) 323-4444.

Magic Rocks!

Illusionist Leon Etienne has sold out venues all over the world with his blockbuster performances of Magic Rocks! Now he arrives here with his jaw-dropping, critically acclaimed hit show. You’ve seen him on “America’s Got Talent,” “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, “Masters of Illusion,” and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us!” Hailed by critics as “America’s Rock Illusionist,” Leon is a worldwide hit with audiences, critics and producers. He’s recognized for his onstage charisma, a fast-paced, high energy, rock n’ roll performance style — and his no-nonsense approach to magic. This interactive, family-friendly spectacular showcases mind-blowing tricks, award-winning sleight of hand and non-stop laughter. Perfect for audiences of all ages, it’s an immersive experience ﬁlled with wonder, laughter and jaw-dropping moments you won’t soon forget. Etienne’s performance style attracts worldwide attention; join in this unforgettable night of magic and you’ll see why.

Sunday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m. $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $31.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Saturday,

p.m.; rain

Festival updates

class

available on New York Dance Theatre’s social media platforms

Photos courtesy Nicole Albruzzese

Last year, Wendi Weng, a Chinese immigrant and resident of Huntington, wowed the festival audience.

Graceanne Pierce, a Queens resident and New York Dance Theatre artist, takes the stage this year.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

JULY

Mid-Summer

Movie

The Village of Malverne hosts a screening of Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” as part of its summer series. Bring seating.

• Where: Whelan Field

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainmentrelated activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

•Time: Ongoing

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

Lakeview

AUG

‘The Rocketman Show’

Remember when rock was young? You will after this enthralling show, on the Paramount stage. Blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself. With a nostalgic setlist that’ll take you right back to when rock was young, this is a must-see for Elton John fans — of all generations. Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself.

AUG

Summer sounds Enjoy Lady Supreme, a Diana Ross Experience, at Eisenhower Park.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

•Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Line dancing class

Lakeview Public Library welcomes all to a fun, energetic linedancing class with the Long Island Soul Sliders! Groove to the beats of hip-hop, R&B, gospel, and even a little country as you learn easy-to-follow moves and dance your way to joy and fitness. All levels welcome.

•Where: 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre

•Time: 6:30 p.m.; also Aug. 14

•Contact: lakeviewlibrary.org

Little Learners Art Lab

Day pep rally

Enjoy a free concert and pep rally at Harold Walker Park as part of Lakeview Day.

•Where: 1085 Woodfield Rd., Lakeview

• Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: Rev. Sheila Thomas at (516) 761-4913

Band Camp Show

Enjoy a performance with the Pride of Malverne Marching Band as band members celebrate the end of 2025 Band Camp.

• Where: Malverne High School Field, 80 Ocean Ave.

• Time: 7 p.m.

Summer tunes

Rock on with Half Step’s tribute to the Grateful Dead at Eisenhower Park.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow.

• Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

AUG

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure Stroll the gardens and enjoy a telling of Eva Moore’s “Lucky Ducklings.” With a 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

Lakeview Day parade

Join in the parade or simply watch and show your community pride. The parade will begin at St. Johns Baptist Church of Lakeview and make its way through Lakeview before finishing at Harold Walker Park. Following the parade, the SJBC Annual Basketball Tournament commences at 10 a.m.

•Where: 632 Chautauqua Ave., West Hempstead

• Time: 8 a.m.

•Contact: Rev. Sheila Thomas at (516) 761-4913

concert, featuring American Bombshells and Rolling Stones tribute band Streetfighter.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 6:45 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

AUG 3

Unbox A-Saurus for Us!

Dr. Patricia Osiris visits with young paleontologistsin-training at Long Island Children’s Museum’s new stage production. This interactive theatrical experience invites visitors to join eccentric paleontologist Dr. Patricia Osiris (a.k.a. “Dr. Patti”) as she attempts to reveal a neverbefore-seen dinosaur specimen — if only she can figure out how to open the crate it’s locked in. Along the way, the audience becomes key players in solving problems, sparking laughter and exploring the world of dinosaurs in a lighthearted “scientific” comedy that blends imagination and learning. $5 with museum admission, $10 theater only.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also Aug 6

•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics come to life again as Anderson recreates the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. He storms around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, part soccer player, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. This is a detailed re-creation of Elton John’s ‘70s shows that’s not to be missed. Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing gorgeous, colorful and spectacular costumes, including Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from 1984. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $35.

Bubble Magic

AUG

Check out Long Island Children’s Museum’s Bubbles exhibit for some extra sudsy fun. Through playful, hands-on experiments explore what makes a bubble form, what makes them pop and discover new creative ways to make bubbles. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to participate.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Family movie night

Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. Enjoy Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Set more than three decades after the first film, it follows Lydia Deetz, now a mother, struggling to keep her family together in the wake of a loss as Betelgeuse returns to haunt her. Starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

•Time: Movie begins at dusk

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

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, craft a functioning lighthouse. $4 with museum admission.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon

•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

AUG

Rock on at the park

Get in the groove with The Boss Project, the Bruce Springsteen tribute band at Eisenhower Park.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

•Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

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.

In concert Eisenhower Park welcomes all to its annual Salute to Veterans

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JOAN MORRIS, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 24, 2023 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on October 29, 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 August 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 77 Alden Court, Malverne, NY 11565. 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 Malverne, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 20 and Lot 474. Approximate amount of judgment is $754,838.70 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #003452/2014. Cash will not be accepted.

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 154488

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AR13, PLAINTIFF,

VS. ANTHONY A. SZOKE SR. A/K/A

ANTHONY SZOKE, AND ANTHONY SZOKE, JR., ET AL., DEFENDANT(S).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 5, 2016 and an Order Substituting CourtAppointed Referee duly entered on January 3, 2025, 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 August 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 523 Cedar Street, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at West Hempstead, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 387 and Lot 7. Approximate amount of judgment is $420,902.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011112/2012.

John Boklak, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 154519

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the MALVERNE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the MALVERNE VILLAGE HALL, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York 11565 and will hear the following cases at 7:00 PM: Steven Femminello 66 N. Cambridge St.; Residential “B” District

Building Permit

Application #2025-0409

Proposes to construct

273.5 sq. ft. wood deck in rear yard. All interested parties should appear at the above time and place. BY ORDER OF THE MALVERNE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MALVERNE

Jill Valli, Village Clerk Dated: July 14, 2025 154831

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 08/06/2025 at 9:30

A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30

A.M.

404/25. WEST

HEMPSTEAD - Satpal

Singh, Renewal of grant to maintain 2family dwelling., E/s Maplewood St., 80’ N/o Willets Ave., a/k/a 99 Maplewood St. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00

P.M.

424/25. - 426/25. WEST HEMPSTEAD - 590 Hempstead LLC, Variance, front yard setback on Nassau Blvd., construct addition to existing building for proposed restaurant (Chipotle); Variance in off-street parking; parking in the front yard setbacks on Hempstead Tpke. &

Euston Rd. & in the clear sight triangles on Hempstead Tpke., Nassau Blvd. & Euston Rd.; Variance, front yard setback on Hempstead Tpke., construct trash enclosure; Install 6’ high fence forward of building line on Nassau Blvd. & Euston Rd. both which may substantially obstruct line of sight., N/W cor. Hempstead Tpke. & Nassau Blvd. running thru to Euston Rd., a/k/a 590 Hempstead Tpke.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in West Hempstead within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

154821

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

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

West Hempstead civic run food pantry reopens

received food donated to the pantry by Island Harvest Food Bank and Costco. At the time of the shutdown, Ramkissoon said, the foundation served 250 people on a weekly basis, no matter the weather.

The food costs nothing for those who need it, and is run by volunteers, many of whom were neighbors who supported Ramkissoon’s work.

The pantry was shut down on the first Saturday in May following complaints from a resident in the neighborhood. People in need were forced to leave empty-handed, despite the truckloads of food Ramkissoon and volunteers were prepared to give away.

“A lot of people were heartbroken that the pantry was closed for that reason,” Ramkissoon said. “They were shocked. Many came, asked what happened, and I told them one person made reports after four years of us doing this.”

THEM

Oto hold the pantry.

“It was something I was just doing for a long time,” Mitchell said. “Going to shelters to feed people, giving out clothes, helping single mothers. So I thought it would be a great idea to partner with the pantry so they can come here and have everything they need.”

ur country is getting hard, and I know people need this. To know that I can offer help, it’s a blessing to me.

RamOnia RamkissOOn director, Friends for the Poor Foundation

“But I understand, the town was very nice to me,” she added. “Instead of the $3,000 fine, they had me pay $100, so I was very lucky.”

Following her interactions with the town, Power of Prayer Church stepped in to assist Ramkissoon in reopening the weekly pantry at the church.

After briefly meeting during a holiday gift drive last December, Ramkissoon and Telia Mitchell, a pastor with Power of Prayer Evangelistic Ministries, had discussed working together on a project. They reconnected while Ramkissoon was looking for someplace new

Power of Prayer had previously operated a food pantry before the coronavirus pandemic ended it. But the church already had the facilities necessary for the Friends for the Poor food pantry to continue their operations at the church.

“I walked through and met people today who were really excited about hearing that there’s a pantry,” Mitchell said following the grand reopening, adding that people in the neighborhood, along Mahopac Road, expressed excitement about the opening as well. “It both brings awareness to the pantry as well as the ministry,” Mitchell added.

“My heart was broken, but now it’s warm,” Ramkissoon said of the reopening. “Our country is getting hard, and I know people need this. To know that I can offer help, it’s a blessing to me.”

Now that Friends for the Poor has a commercial space in which to continue its operations, the pantry will be open to the public every Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 14 Mahopac Road. The foundation will continue to accept donations to support its mission.

“We have to share it out to make sure that people know that we’ve reopened,” Ramkissoon said. “We’re back.”

Continued from page 1

Courtesy Ramonia Ramkissoon the food pantry had a range of goods, from fresh fruits and vegetables to staples to sweet treats.

EMPLOYMENT

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

NYSED Fingerprint Clearance

Candidates should email a letter of interest and resume to:

Is a doorbell camera enough?

Where Style Meets Drama

Mark Stempel CEO/Licensed Real Estate Broker

Mobile: (646) 678-2875 • Phone: (516) 613-3600

Email: Mark@blueislandhomesny.com 2878 Merrick Road Bellmore, New York 11710 BlueIslandHomesNY.com

Q. We have a doorbell camera, and understand that it’s a deterrent to would-be burglars, but as we’re renovating our home, are there other ways we can “design” in ways to keep people from robbing it? We keep seeing reports on the neighbor app of our door camera about people checking out houses in the area, and we’re very concerned. Any ideas would are appreciated.

A. People often plan the latest technology items into renovations, and I learn from my clients, all the time, about ideas they’ve researched, from locations for hidden cameras to sensor devices that tell them when people are approaching. Some clients ask about electronically controlled driveway gates, and I advise them that unless the fencing is also monitored, all they’re stopping is a vehicle.

When you have a very long driveway to the house, gates make sense, even if just to give the impression that the property is more secure, but when you can see the entrance from the street from the front door or windows, it’s a moot point to have a controlled driveway gate, because 80 percent of the time, burglars approach a home on foot, slipping around a gate, or over a short fence, to get to a more secluded spot to enter without being seen. With that in mind, outside areas of buildings that create hidden corners should be planned out of the design.

According to the National Center for Policing Innovation, the average burglar will spend no more than 60 seconds breaking in. If you can delay a break-in for 90 seconds or longer, a burglar may get nervous and leave. A hiding spot gives them extra time.

Fortify exterior doors with deadbolts that extend at least an inch and a half into the door frame. Glass doors in the front or back of a dwelling can be fortified by installing “hurricane”-strength glass instead of standard glazed doors, and sliding doors with a metal track rod can be effective. Hurricaneglass windows are much more costly than regular windows, but protect your home from burglars as well as storms.

Remember that even with an alarm system, which can be a deterrent, if a burglar has already had a look at the interior of your home and knows where to go, they will be in and out before any law enforcement gets there.

I was impressed that the police came to my home quickly when a door accidentally blew open, and checked every closet and potential hiding place before pronouncing the home secure. So if you come home to an open door or window, it’s advisable not to enter without calling the police for a safety check. It could save you from injury or worse, confronting a burglar.

Pet doors measuring more than six inches across should be avoided. Silly as it sounds, some burglars actually use a child to squeeze through a pet door and open the doors from the inside. More to come.

Readers are encouraged to send questions to

Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

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Why I care about immigration — and

why all of us should

people often ask me why I care so much about immigration.

Of course, my constituents care about it; they want to stop the chaos at the southern border and fix the asylum system, and they want to see people treated like human beings.

I agree with them. More than that, though, immigration is personal for me.

I look at America through the lens of the immigrant story — the story of my family, and the story of the American dream. My father came to this country as an infant. His parents — my grandparents — came from Italy with nothing. And yet, through hard work and devotion to family, they built a life here. Their son went to law school on the GI bill after serving in World War II, rising to become a mayor and a State Supreme Court justice. Their grandson is a member of the United States Congress.

An article that hung in my grandfather’s home, from Nov. 10, 1960, is titled “Success Story.” A segment reads:

“Glen Cove can be proud of its Mayor

Joseph A. Suozzi, who was elected to the State Supreme Court on Tuesday . . .

“Judge Suozzi came to these shores as an infant, the son of immigrant parents. Their lot was not an easy one, in a strange land, but Mr. and Mrs. Michael Suozzi raised a fine family, and while they lived comfortably, they did not gain great material wealth. But they did gain another kind of wealth which no Depression, no misfortune can ever take away from them. They devoted their lives to their family and their success of their children is their great fortune.

ieven wrote to the president, asking him to work with me on comprehensive reform.

“Now their boy, Joe, will soon be a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. How proud they must be! And we who know them share their pride.

“Mike and Rosa Suozzi certainly made good in America. God bless them.”

That’s why I care about immigration. Through my own family, I’ve seen the promise of America fulfilled. But I also see how that promise is at risk — because our immigration system is broken, and Congress has failed to fix it. It’s painful for me that this issue by which I define my American experience has become such a negative, controversial force in our politics.

Congress has failed for decades to pass comprehensive immigration reform because too many politicians have weaponized immigration policy for political gain without doing a thing to fix it. Even when bipartisan solutions emerge, they’re often derailed by political forces more interested in scoring points than solving problems.

Reasonable people should agree that violent criminals who are here illegally should be deported. But what’s happening now is far more chaotic.

Parents who’ve lived here for years, send their kids to school with my kids, work six days a week and go to church on Sunday are living in fear. We need to figure out a way for people who work, pay taxes and follow the rules to stop having to look over their shoulder. Families that have been here for decades deserve legal status so they can build lives for their children and grandchildren, like our family did. We must secure the border, fix the broken asylum system, and create legal pathways for Dreamers, farm workers, TPS holders, essential workers in fields like health care and hospitality, and residents who’ve been here for over a

decade.

Democrats and Republicans must come together. While President Trump has had remarkable success securing the border, he has done so through executive orders, which can easily be overturned. Real progress must come from Congress.

I’ll continue to do my part. I’ve worked toward comprehensive immigration reform as co-chair of the Democrats for Border Security Taskforce, as co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, and through the bipartisan coalition I built of “business, badges and the Bible” — members of the business, law enforcement and religious communities who have longstanding stakes in American immigration policy.

I even wrote a letter to the president, asking him to work with me and make a deal on comprehensive reform. I’ve reached out, and I hope he reaches back.

We can uphold the law and our values. We can protect our borders and treat people with dignity. We can be safe and fair.

That’s the America my grandparents believed in when they arrived in this country. It’s the America I still believe in. And it’s the one we have to keep fighting for — together.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.

How will the summer of ’25 be remembered?

it is said that each of us, if we’re lucky, gets 80 summers. Some folks prefer winter or the rebirth vibe of spring, but for most, it is summer, the short season of our years, that seems sweetest.

Summers have telescoped lives of their own. Whatever our age, summer begins in our minds as hopes and expectations, is realized in the days from June 21 to Sept. 21 and is remembered ever after.

The very first summer I remember was 1951, at Rockaway Beach, where we rented a bungalow on 54th Street. That was the Summer of My Sister, who had recently been born and, for some reason, expected to come along on our vacation. The fireworks on the boardwalk every Wednesday night were my big-sister treat, and best memory. There was the Summer of New Hampshire, when our parents took us on a much-hyped car trip to the Granite State. I was 8, my sister was 4 and our

grandmother, who sat in the back seat, was ancient, I guess in her 50s. My father had made all the arrangements via mail, writing to Stonybrook Farms to set up our holiday. We drove 10 hours, pumped with excitement. When we drove through the broken gates, the moment collapsed on itself like a black hole. The cabins were like chicken coops. My mother started to sob. But Dad had a plan. We stayed one night, skipped out in the predawn hours and drove all the way to Canada. That summer I learned to have a Plan B, and how to skip out under cover of darkness.

i lived through the Summer of Love, but this summer is not feeling like love.

The Summer of Robert English was a doozie. I was about 15, living in Cedarhurst, and my mother’s best friend invited her nephew, 16, to visit for the summer from New Mexico. I fell wildly in love with Robert the second I saw him. Which was also how he felt when I introduced him to my best friend, Jackie. I barely survived their romance.

The Summer of Working for Dad was like pinning a golden moment in time. My dad was a dentist, and after my

freshman year in college, I worked in his office in Brooklyn. Chairside assistant. Holder of hands. But it wasn’t the work that made the summer remarkable; it was getting to know my father. We went out to lunch every day and we talked. Without the context of our regular family life, he became a real person to me.

Also, one of his patients gave me a $10 tip.

I remember the Summer of the Diet Doctor, when I answered an ad for an assistant in a diet-pill practice. The doctor was 48 and his wife was 18, my age. I remember that summer because I lied to get the job, not revealing that I was going back to college in the fall.

By July I couldn’t stand it; I told them the truth. They asked me to stay on. That was the good part. The bad part was that the doctor was a groper. Quite a few life lessons were learned.

Our best summers were the Montana Summers, the five years we traveled the state, from Missoula to Glacier Park, from Flathead Lake to White Fish to Helena. We hiked and learned to fly fish and, as a family and for the first time,

leaped out of our comfort zone and found footing in new terrain.

More recently, the Summer of Covid was, for us, not deadly, but frightening. We stayed at our place in Florida through the summer, hidden away inside, except for late afternoon, when we went down to the beach and into the Gulf. Every day, the same routine. We didn’t see our children and grandchildren for months. We think of that summer with gratitude, for our family surviving, and even for the endless open expanses of time to think and read and test ourselves against the unknown.

What will the Summer of ’25 be remembered for? I lived through the Summer of Love in 1967, high on freedom and music and just being young. We protested the war in Vietnam and sat in on sit-ins and danced to the Dead.

But this summer is not feeling like love. Political strife ramped up by bad actors has supercharged the atmosphere.

I’ll keep calling out the threats to our freedoms and democracy, but that’s not a full-time job. I will also find the joyful moments, hold on to them and try not to let go.

RAnDi KREiss

Malverne/West HeMpstead

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rhonda GlickMan Vice President - Sales office

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iHERALD

Become a rescuer, not a bystander

t happened in an instant. One moment, 9-year-old Robbie Levine, of Merrick, was rounding the bases in a 2005 Little League game; the next, he collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest.

Teammates, coaches and parents could only watch in horror. There was no automated external defibrillator available on the field, no trained bystander able to keep the boy’s heart beating until help arrived. Robbie never made it home.

Sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t wait — not for an ambulance, and not for advanced age. It strikes without warning, even in children and young athletes who seem perfectly healthy. That’s why learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and ensuring rapid access to an AED, can mean the difference between life and death.

Every minute without intervention in a cardiac emergency decreases survival by 10 percent, according to the American Heart Association, yet far too many public athletic fields — so many of them used by kids — remain unprepared for the worst.

Nassau County is taking a critical step with the proposed Robbie’s Law, legislation that would require AEDs at all county-run athletic fields. Named in memory of Robbie Levine, the measure underscores the urgent need to equip public spaces with lifesaving tools. It is unclear when the Legislature will vote on it.

This effort shouldn’t be controversial: AEDs are relatively easy to use, with clear voice instructions, designed for anyone — even those without medical training — to operate. When paired with immediate CPR, a defibrillator can increase a victim’s survival rate by more than 70 percent, according to the American Red Cross.

The American Heart Association estimates that nearly 90 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside hospitals are fatal, often because bystanders don’t act quickly enough. Every second matters, because emergency medical services often take six to eight minutes to arrive in heavily populated areas. Brain death begins in as little as four minutes. Those first critical minutes belong to those on the scene and whatever tools they have on hand. Without AEDs, families lose loved ones not because paramedics were late, but because no one nearby was ready.

The AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign aims to change that by making CPR training a more regular part of American life. Members of Duke University’s men’s basketball and football teams were recently trained in handsonly CPR — a streamlined method that doesn’t involve mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and can be mastered in under an hour. If elite college athletes can take the time to learn this lifesaving skill, so can

letters

Nassau County is showing signs of becoming a police state

Editors’ note: This letter was sent on Monday to the Nassau County Legislature.

Nassau County’s government structure mirrors that of the federal government, with three equal branches: the county executive, the Legislature and the judicial branch. Like Congress, the Nassau Legislature crafts laws, controls the county’s purse strings, and oversees the county executive and various government entities. Therefore, it’s up to you to hold the reins on a county executive who overspends and writes policies that put your constituents in danger.

A police state is characterized by an overwhelming government control that permeates civil society and liberties. There is typically little distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive, and the deployment of internal security and police forces play a heightened role in governance. A police state is a characteristic of an authoritarian government, typically in one-party governments. Nassau County is showing signs of becoming such a state.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman took the safest county in the nation, with a police force that is beyond reproach, and decided that it is not good

the rest of us.

Nassau’s Robbie’s Law must be just the beginning. CPR training should be as universal as learning to swim, or drive. Schools should make it a part of health class curriculums. Community centers, youth sports leagues and workplaces can host free or low-cost training sessions. The more people who know what to do when a heart stops, the more likely it is that bystanders will become confident rescuers.

AEDs should be as common as fire extinguishers — not just in gyms and schools, but also in parks, libraries, shopping centers and other places where people gather. They must be easy to locate, clearly marked, and regularly maintained. Nassau should follow the lead of Suffolk County, where at least 135 AEDs have been deployed across the county. The cost is modest; the value of a saved life is immeasurable.

We teach children to look both ways before crossing the street, to buckle their seat belts and to wear helmets when they ride bikes. CPR and AED familiarity deserve the same emphasis. No family should endure the heartbreak the Levines carry to this day.

Call your county legislator and tell them to support Robbie’s Law. To find your legislator, go to NassauCountyNy. gov/489/County-Legislature. And to find out where you can be trained in CPR and the use of an AED, go to RedCross.org.

enough. With the establishment of a personal militia, Blakeman’s authoritarian tendencies have raised significant concerns about public safety and accountability.

It is imperative for the Legislature to illuminate the financial implications of this decision, not only in terms of direct costs associated with maintaining such a force, but also the potential

As ticks thrive on L.I., Lyme disease is on the rise

nearly three decades ago, after reporting on severe Lyme disease cases on Long Island, I chose to receive a series of newly available vaccinations designed to prevent the illness following a tick bite.

In 1998, SmithKline Beecham introduced LYMErix, the first vaccine to help protect against Lyme disease. I received three doses from my family physician. I experienced no side effects, and although I was bitten by ticks in the years that followed, I never contracted Lyme disease.

In 2002, however, LYMErix was withdrawn from the market following a class-action lawsuit filed by 121 people who claimed they experienced adverse reactions, including arthritis, after being vaccinated.

Since then, Lyme disease has continued to surge across Long Island.

Testing now shows that about half of all deer ticks in the region carry the disease. Many physicians no longer wait for the telltale bull’s-eye rash before starting treatment — instead, they prescribe antibiotics immediately when they confirm a tick bite.

Tick-borne diseases, including Lyme, have also spread worldwide. Climate change has contributed to the problem, with warmer winters leading to fewer cold days that might otherwise reduce tick populations.

aborne diseases in the U.S. has more than doubled.”

While no Lyme vaccine is currently available in the United States, several are under development. One candidate uses OspC protein antigens to provoke an immune response, and could be released in the coming years.

nd my experience helps make the case that a vaccine can work.

An article published last month in New Scientist, titled “Ticking Time Bomb,” described the global rise of tick-borne illnesses. It stated that ticks “represent a vast and growing reservoir of viral, parasitic and bacterial pathogens” and currently “carry more human-infecting pathogens than any other disease-carrying organism.”

The report noted that tick populations are expanding rapidly, and bringing a growing number of diseases with them. “In the past 20 years,” it said, “the annual number of cases of tick-

Letters

human and monetary liabilities that could arise from trigger-happy citizens who enjoy playing cop. The community deserves transparency regarding how taxpayer dollars are being allocated, especially when it comes to the exorbitant fees paid to politically connected attorneys defending unconstitutional policies. And the Legislature must investigate whether using our tax dollars to pay outside attorneys has been the purpose all along.

The Nassau County Police Department has long been regarded as a model of integrity and excellence in law enforcement, earning the trust and respect of the community it serves. However, there is a shortage of detectives on our streets. Knowing this, it is unconscionable that the Legislature permitted Blakeman to reassign 10 detectives from their vital roles to serve as ICE officers, compromising the safety of your constituents.

How much is this costing taxpayers? When will our Legislature take the initiative to hold hearings and investigate the repercussions of such decisions on our community’s safety? It is imperative that we prioritize the well-being of our neighborhoods and ensure that our law enforcement resources are effectively deployed to protect and serve all residents.

The NCPD’s mission statement promises to “strengthen and expand the partnerships between the police and the communities we serve.” Yet Blakeman’s cozy collaboration with ICE has thrown

a wrench into the NCPD partnership with the communities it serves. Parents are gripped by fear, hesitating to send their children to school or venture out for basic necessities like food or health care. The irony is inescapable: The very people who are supposed to protect us are now viewed with suspicion. Immigrants are hesitant to call for help in times of need.

Your constituents need to know where the money is going from the 1,400 immigrants detained in Blakeman’s mini-internment camp. With each staying for three days at $195 a day, Nassau is reaping profits from the deportation of primarily hardworking, taxpaying residents, many of whom have been contributing to the community for years and have no criminal record. If you intended to go into the prison business, shouldn’t it have been brought to a vote? The county should not be making money off deporting our immigrant neighbors and then turning a blind eye to the needs of the families left behind. Out of an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, only 3 percent have criminal records, with 20 percent of those records consisting of minor traffic violations. Immigrants contribute 21 percent to the overall economy. Yet amid their tireless efforts as house cleaners, landscapers and restaurant workers, many are being suddenly swept away while their children — who may or may not be citizens — are left in school, wondering where their parents have gone.

A June article in Newsday reported that New York-based Pfizer Inc. and the French pharmaceutical company Valneva have developed a Lyme vaccine called VLA15. It is in latestage clinical trials, and could be submitted for Food and Drug Administration approval as early as 2026.

Still, the article noted that vaccine hesitancy may pose a barrier to widespread acceptance. “If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is,” the article stated, referencing the public pushback that followed LYMErix’s release in the late 1990s.

“A new shot for Lyme could face pushback,” the Newsday article’s headline, featured mixed public opinions. A retired police detective from East

Yaphank said, “I don’t get any shots.”

A woman from Bay Shore, however, said she would “for sure” get the new vaccine if it is approved by the FDA.

Additional resources on tick safety and disease prevention are available on Suffolk County’s Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory website, under the section “Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases.”

Meanwhile, the State Legislature recently passed a resolution unanimously requiring the state Department of Health and other agencies to publish a report detailing tick populations and tick-borne illnesses by county. The measure was introduced by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., with co-sponsorship by Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, of Sag Harbor.

“We need to fight this, and the only way to do so is to have timely and correct information at our fingertips,” Schiavoni said.

Carl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury whose courses include investigative reporting and environmental journalism.

This is happening in Nassau County. The Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club is calling on the Legislature to fulfill its responsibilities of oversight and hold the reins on Blakeman’s authoritarian tendencies for a police state; investigate whether forming a private militia, taking detectives off the street, creating an internment camp and

masking law enforcement make us safer. Further, the Legislature must disclose to the public how tax dollars are being allocated to fund these unconstitutional initiatives and their defense.

CLAUDIA BOrECKY President, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club

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