HERALD Massapequa
Carolyn James/Herald Workers were also out fixing and securing power lines during and after the recent storms.
Deep freeze triggers cascade of water main breaks in Massapequa
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Snow, ice and frigid temperatures have caused disruptions on roads throughout Massapequa and Massapequa Park, even as water district, village and Town of Oyster Bay crews continue working around the clock to address the damage.
“It’s certainly been a challenge,” said Massapequa Park Village Mayor Dan Pearl, who spoke about several water main breaks over the past 10 days. The breaks occurred on Park Boulevard, Lakeshore Drive and Fulton Street, as well as Merrick Road between Biltmore Boulevard and Alhambra Road. “We are working with the water district and the town cooperatively and getting the job done.”
Most residents have been cooperative and appear to understand the challenges, Pearl added.
Eileen Hegelian, who lives on Park Hill in Massapequa, is one of those residents. She said she left her home one morning and had to wade through water from a water main
break that flooded the area near the Massapequa Preserve.
“When I went through there later in the day, it was all cleared up,” she said last Wednesday as she walked along the street with her husband, John. “They seem to be doing a good job of getting the roads fixed as quickly as possible.”
Because some roads fall under village jurisdiction while others are maintained by the Town of Oyster Bay, cooperation between the two municipalities is critical, Pearl said.
“The town has been very good in responding and has allowed us to get the roads safe and passable as quickly as possible,” he said, adding that workers from both municipalities have been putting in long hours during the day and overnight.
In one instance, a water main break occurred on Roosevelt Avenue, a road that had recently been reconstructed by the village.
“There was a sewer line issue there and the road had to be dug up again because of a water main break,” Pearl said. “The water
Plainedge HS celebrates student excellence
Plainedge High School is celebrating the recent accomplishments of two students who earned recognition for excellence in art and scientific research.
Sophomore Ashley Chen placed second in the Live Figure Drawing Contest at the Huntington School of Fine Art, a competition open to high school art students from across
Long Island. As part of her award, Chen received a $1,500 scholarship to be used toward future classes at the Huntington studio.
Plainedge junior Joanna Nikolis was also honored, winning the 9th Annual New York Institute of Technology Mini Research Grant Award. She received $300 for her research
Courtesy Plainedge school district
Water main breaks in the village
CONTINUED FROM COVER district, town and village employees did a great job, working through the night during frigid weather, right before the snowstorm hit.”
Ray Averna, chair of the Massapequa Water District, said the district has handled at least five water main breaks since the cold temperatures and snowstorm struck and that its employees field staff has been working during the day and through the night to remediate the main breaks.
“We have been fortunate working with residents, community leaders and officials at the town and village level to get the breaks remediated as quickly as possible,” Averna said.
In addition to regular district employees, the district has hired Bancker Construction of Islip to assist when necessary and to help ensure the breaks were fixed promptly, said Averna. “We’ve been fortunate in that we have been able to keep on top of them,” he said.
Residents experiencing water service issues are encouraged to call the Massapequa Water District’s emergency number at (516) 798-5266. For storm-related issues, the Village of Massapequa Park’s emergency number is (516) 7980244. Power outages should be reported to PSEG Long Island at (800) 490-0075.
Pearl also reminded residents not to throw snow into roadways, where it
Eileen and John Hegelian walk near the Massapequa Preserve last week after a water main break near there caused water to fill the roadway.
can refreeze and create hazardous driving conditions. Snow should be placed on lawns or other non-navigable areas
ASH
WEDNESDAY
FEB. 18th
SERVICE & IMPOSITION TIMES
Personal imposition of Ashes and Prayer. 7:00 am - 12:00 noon
Ash Wednesday Services, 7:30 pm All Welcome
Student excellence in Plainedge
fields. She plans to continue developing the project this year.
project, “Generational Cohort and AI Literacy as Predictors of Nurses’ Intent to Integrate AI in the Hospital Setting.”
Nikolis’ work was recognized by NYIT for its scientific merit and potential impact in the STEM and health care
Looking ahead, Nikolis expects to represent Plainedge in several prestigious research competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search and the International Science and Engineering Fair.
—Carolyn James
LOCATION GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 23 Cedar Shore Drive, Massapequa
RECTOR
The Very Rev. Dr. Walter V. Hillebrand
Ashley Chen is shown at right with Plainedge High School Teacher Debra Bazik.
Massapequa C of C welcomes new administrator at luncheon
Members gather to celebrate recent events and look ahead to St. Patrick’s Day Parade
By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent
About 50 members of the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Corner Gallery restaurant on Jan. 29 for the Chamber’s Networking Luncheon.
Chamber President Robin Hepworth introduced Jill Meotti, the new Chamber office administrator, who started earlier this month. Meotti will work from the Chamber’s new office at 511 Ocean Avenue.
Hepworth highlighted recent Chamber events, including the Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Klestinec Park, the annual Holiday Party, and a successful Toys for Tots drive led by Chamber President-Treasurer Karen Gawrych.
Members were encouraged to partici-
pate in the Chamber’s second annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Broadway in Massapequa on March 14. “Last year’s parade was big, but this one is going to be even bigger!” Hepworth said. Embassy Diner is the lead sponsor for this year’s parade.
The Chamber’s scholarship program was also discussed. The program awards one $500 annual scholarship and five $1,000 scholarships, including one reserved for children or grandchildren of Chamber members.
Hepworth then invited attendees to introduce themselves, going around the room to hear from each member.
The luncheon provided an opportunity for members to connect, celebrate recent successes, and plan for upcoming events.
Mike Polansky/Herald
New Chamber Office Administrator Jill Meotti (L), Chamber President Robin Hepworth (C) and Chamber Treasurer Karen Gawrych welcome Chamber members to the Lunceon
New Chamber members Louis Plumitallo (L) and Giancarlo Dandraia of the Pest Paisan exterminating service enjoy the Luncheon
Chamber members enjoy lunch at the Corner Gallery
Chamber First Vice President Sal Polito addresses the audience
Chamber Treasurer Karen Gawrych informs the audience about the Chamber Scholarship Program
Three arrested after police find illegal gambling, drugs at Farmingdale delis
Bust followed quality-of-life initiative near Massapequa
Police arrested three men during a quality-of-life initiative in Farmingdale on Jan. 28, authorities said.
According to police, Strategic Response Team officers responded at about 7:15 p.m. to Gutierrez Deli at 416 Conklin Street and J & W Grocery Deli at 499 Conklin Street, both in Farmingdale, a neighboring community to Massapequa. Investigators said both businesses had illegal gambling devices and prescription medications believed to have originated in South America displayed for sale. Police said the
locations were secured during the investigation.
Jorge Alejandro Pena Rodriguez, 56, of Lindenhurst; Nicolas Gutierrez, 57, of Syosset; and Venancio Espinal Frias, 58, of Lindenhurst were charged with thirddegree criminal diversion of prescription medication, second-degree promoting gambling, possession of gambling devices and disorderly conduct related to onpremise gambling, police said.
All three were issued appearance tickets returnable Feb. 19 at First District Court.
Bay Shore man arrested after Farmingdale assault
A Bay Shore man was arrested following an assault that injured a woman in Farmingdale on Feb. 1, police said.
According to police, officers responded at about 6:30 p.m. to a disturbance on Main Street near South Front Street, where a 45-year-old woman was attacked. Investigators said the victim was punched and stabbed in the chest and shoulder with an unknown object be -
fore the suspect fled.
The woman was taken to an area hospital in stable condition, police said.
After an investigation, police arrested Todd McGee, 49, of Bay Shore, nearby without incident. He was charged with second-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated criminal contempt, authorities said.
McGee was scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 2 at First District Court in Hempstead.
Domestic Violence
N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Crisis services for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault; group/individual counseling for adults and children; bilingual court advocacy; legal consultation and representation; safe emergency housing; elder abuse services; referrals and systems advocacy; community education. Eligibility criteria: Nassau County residents or non-residents seeking safe housing in Nassau. Will serve undocumented immigrants. Payments accepted free or on sliding scale. Address is 250 Fulton Avenue, Mezzanine West, Hempstead. Call 516-572-0700; 24-hour hotline is 516 542-0404.
TODD MCGEE
Valentine’s Day traditions and origins
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Valentine’s Day, celebrated each year on February 14, is a holiday recognized around the world as
1Valentine’s Day has ancient roots that predate romantic love.
Although Valentine’s Day is now strongly associated with romance, its origins are much older and not originally about love. The holiday traces back to ancient Rome, where a festival called Lupercalia was celebrated in midFebruary. Lupercalia was linked to fertility, health, and the coming of spring. During this festival, rituals were performed to promote fertility and ward off evil spirits. When Christianity spread through the Roman Empire, many pagan festivals were adapted into Christian holidays. Over time, Lupercalia was replaced with a day honoring Saint Valentine, helping shift the holiday’s meaning from fertility rituals to something more symbolic and moral.
2
There was likely multiple “Saint Valentines.”
One interesting fact is that historians are not certain which Valentine the
a time to express love and affection. Its roots trace back centuries, blending religious tradition with cultural customs that have evolved
holiday refers to. There were at least two Christian martyrs named Valentine who lived during the 3rd century. One popular legend claims that a priest named Valentine secretly performed marriages for couples when marriage was banned by Emperor Claudius II. Another story suggests Valentine helped imprisoned Christians and signed letters “from your Valentine,” which may explain the phrase still used today. While these stories are difficult to confirm historically, they contributed to Valentine becoming associated with love, devotion, and kindness.
3
The holiday became romantic in the Middle Ages.
Valentine’s Day did not become strongly linked with romantic love until the Middle Ages, especially in England and France. During this time, people believed that birds began mating in midFebruary, which helped connect the date with romance. Famous writers such
over time.
From ancient legends to modern-day chocolates and cards, here are five things to know about the holiday and its traditions:
as Geoffrey Chaucer wrote poems that linked Valentine’s Day to love and courtship. This literary influence played a major role in shaping how people viewed the holiday, turning it into a day for expressing affection rather than simply honoring a saint.
4
Valentine’s Day cards—and chocolate— have a long history.
Exchanging Valentine’s messages has been popular for centuries. The oldest known Valentine’s card dates to 1415, when Charles, Duke of Orléans, wrote a poem to his wife while he was imprisoned. By the 18th and 19th centuries, printed Valentine’s cards became common, especially in Europe and the United States. Improvements in printing technology and cheaper postage helped make cards widely accessible. Today, Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular card-giving holidays, with millions exchanged each year.
Chocolate and Valentine’s Day are
also loosely connected, but this wasn’t always the case. In the 1800s, a chocolate maker named Richard Cadbury began selling chocolates in decorative, heartshaped boxes. These boxes were often kept as souvenirs after the chocolates were eaten. This idea helped turn chocolate into a classic Valentine’s Day gift, a tradition that continues today.
5
Valentine’s Day is celebrated differently around the world.
While many countries celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14, traditions vary widely. In Japan, it is customary for girls to give chocolate to boys, while boys return the favor a month later on White Day. In Finland and Estonia, the holiday focuses more on friendship than romance and is often called “Friend’s Day.” In some cultures, Valentine’s Day is less commercial or not widely celebrated at all. These differences show how the holiday has been adapted to fit local customs and values.
Nassau girls wrestling takes center stage
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Reese Adams experienced a wave of emotions for the second time in as many years at the Nassau County girls wrestling championships.
While recovering from knee surgery last February, the thenCalhoun High School junior was devastated to be a spectator for the inaugural tournament. This year, however, she was elated to not only participate but to capture a title in what would be her lone opportunity.
Adams rallied from behind to pin MacArthur’s Olivia Rausenberger in 1:52 of the first period of the finals to win the 126-pound crown Feb. 1 at her home away from home — Long Beach High School. Her father, Ray, has coached the Marines’ wrestlers for 30 years.
“It was thrilling and a relief at the same time because I put so much pressure on myself,” Reese said. “To finally accomplish what I’ve worked so hard for is exciting.”
She underwent surgery the day before Thanksgiving in 2024 and missed all of last season. That didn’t stop her from attending the county championships at Bethpage High School, but it wasn’t easy to watch.
“I cried a lot, but I wanted to support some of my best friends who were competing,” said Reese, who is Calhoun’s lone female wrestler and practiced with the boys team every day. “I’m glad it was at Long Beach this time,” she added. “I practically grew up watching wrestling in that gym so it was a comfortable environment.”
Adams fell behind Rausenberger 5-0 before scoring a take-
down to get on the board, followed by the pin.
“It was a rough year for her rehabbing and I’m so proud to see her win a county title,” Ray Adams said of his Lehigh University bound daughter. “She worked so hard to get back on the mat.”
Long Beach girls coach Miguel Rodriguez said the vibe for the finals was “incredible.”
The Marines had five finalists and saw seventh-grader Brooke Varian finish a surprise runner-up at 94 pounds, and freshman Harley Eidens repeat as a county champ, taking the 107pound title.
“We had a lot of great performances and those two really had a day,” Rodriguez said. “Brooke is a great athlete who loves lacrosse and is so coachable. Harley was familiar with her opponent in the finals and was very strong defensively at the end to hold on.”
Harley’s sister, Presley, was second at 114 to MacArthur’s Grace Palumbo and earned a wild-card berth to join her twin at the state tournament Feb. 26 in Albany. Junior Goddiss Hodge and Arianna Balsamo and also reached the county finals stage.
Uniondale, which captured the Nassau dual meet team title with a 34-30 victory over Long Beach Jan. 21, continued its spectacular season with three county champions and two runners-up. Coach Tim Godoy said the Knights began the campaign with 45 girls as interest in the sport has exploded.
“The girls are excited to be a part of something new and they really put the work in,” he said. “We had great support from parents and family members as well as about half of
Uniondale’s Angeline Bonilla, won the first finals bout of the tournament at 94 pounds.
our boys team showed up. It was a special day.”
Uniondale junior Angeline Bonilla, who took third place last season, captured the 94-pound title over Varian with a 12-5 decision.
“The impossible doesn’t seem that far away if you keep pushing,” Bonilla said. “It was the first match of the finals and not going to lie, I was a little nervous. Brooke is a tough wrestler and I felt it was a 50-50 match. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches.”
Also for the Knights, junior Brianna Marquez captured the 100-pound championship and junior Keishara Tulloch was a repeat county champ, winning at 152 over junior teammate Gabrielle Christian. Senior and first-year wrestler Emely Ramos reached the finals at 165, pulling several upsets along the way.
“The support these girls have for each other is awesome,” Godoy said. “They were all screaming at the top of their lungs.”
Arianna Balsamo, top, was one of five Long Beach finalists.
Terry Uellendahl/Herald photos Calhoun’s Reese Adams, top, rallied to capture the 126-pound title.
HERALD SPORTS
Best in state: Chiefs wrestle to dual meet title
By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com
The Massapequa wrestling team is back on top, winning the New York State Division I dual meet title for the first time since 2019 and accomplishing a goal set back in November.
“I’m glad we kept our eye on the prize, everybody stuck to the script,” Chiefs coach Mike McCann said. “The goal is always to peak in February. And if they stick to the script and they buy into the process, we’re going to get them to exactly where they need to be right now.”
At SRC Arena in Syracuse, Massapequa reached the final by knocking off perennial powerhouse Minisink Valley, 31-30, in the semifinals.
With Jon Tutku getting things started by pinning Brady Zabriskie in 3:35 at 110 pounds, the Chiefs won five of the first seven bouts. And when Joe Brooks pinned Roman Gangi in 1:02 at 165 pounds, Massapequa had a 31-12 lead over the top-ranked team in the state.
“Brooks going out there and getting the fall made up for Kai [Tiringer’s] loss,” McCann said. “That was a huge pin for us because we’d be in trouble without that six.”
Minisink Valley reeled off three consecutive wins, including Wyatt Boice earning a technical fall against Tanner Tutku.
“To go out there and not get pinned was huge,” McCann said of Tutku. “That’s an awesome responsi-
Paul Grassini/Herald
Joe Brooks, left, helped Massapequa defeat Minisink Valley in the state semis, 31-30.
bility to take as a freshman. He’s wrestling literally the top-ranked kid in New York as a freshman at a big weight.”
Minisink Valley bumped up Zach Filip, the topranked wrestler at 215 pounds, to 285 to take on James
Mulhern. But the Massapequa senior stood strong, losing 5-3.
“He didn’t overextend himself, he didn’t try to do too much,” McCann said. “His job is to go out there and do anything but get pinned. And he maintained good position.”
From there, Massapequa (26-1) defeated Shenendehowa, 42-21, in the state final, avenging the Chiefs’ lone loss of the season Dec. 20 at the Van Slyke Duals in Burnt Hills.
It was capped by Jaxon McDonough’s pin of Mason Little in 1:52 at 103 pounds.
Massapequa won a ninth county title, and first since 2019, in dramatic fashion, edging Long Beach, 39-33, for the Division I title.
With the match tied at 33, it came down to the 285pound bout, and Mulhern came up huge again, pinning David Cruz in 2:40.
“This is not new to him, so the panic button never really sets in,” McCann said of Mulhern, who finished third at the prestigious Eastern States Classic. “This is chartered waters, he’s been through this multiple times in his career.”
The seeds were sown four years ago, when McCann met with the parents and wrestlers. There were some lumps along the way, but led by Brooks and Mulhern, the four-year process resulted in another state title.
“I let the parents as well as the athletes know that this is going to be a process, but I promise you we’ll get there,” McCann said. “I’m glad we got it with these kids because they deserved it.”
County championship for Massapequa girls track
By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com
Massapequa girls’ indoor track and field took home the Nassau Class A championship Feb. 3, defeating East Meadow with a gritty all-around performance in which a pair of athletes recorded individual county titles For head coach Mike Dellicurti, preparing the Chiefs to take on the Jets was a matter of perspective.
“The more we contribute, and the more girls that we have involved in this meet, the better we’re going to do,” Dellicurti said. “And they bought into it. They scrapped up all those back-end points, and everyone just stepped up the way they should have.”
At the 2025 championship meet, Massapequa fell 86-77 to East Meadow, which appeared similarly imposing in 2026. Jets standout Zaria Hall was a favorite in three events and lived up to her billing, sweeping the 1000-, 1500and 3000-meter runs in dominant fashion. Dellicurti, along with assistants Mike Lisa and Chris Drury, knew Massapequa would be in a 30-point hole from the jump.
“They knew going in, we could overcome 30 points from their best runner as long as we all worked
together as a team,” Dellicurti said.
Instead of prioritizing victories, the coaches told the girls to do what they could. In the end, small contributions won the day, as Massapequa grinded its way to a 92-88 championship victory at St. Anthony’s High School. Freeport finished third with 59 points.
All three of Massapequa’s relay teams scored points in their events, with the 4x200 and 4x800 teams each finishing second. The 4x200 team of Kailyn Duffy, Keira Stealey, Karlye Irving and Emma Villalta was the first in Massapequa history to qualify for All-County honors.
Villalta, who was also in the 4x800 relay with Sophia Vukelic, Shannon Carter and Kyra Florio-Marinello, contributed to a team-high 26 points for the Chiefs. Villalta also won the 600-meter run with a commanding time of 1:37.18.
Keira McLaughlin, another senior leader, set a school record to win the pole vault title by clearing 10 feet and a half-inch, more than a foot higher than the runner-up. She also finished fourth in the 55-meter hurdles and sixth in the triple jump, becoming yet another senior to secure points in three events.
Vukelic, the Chiefs’ long-distance specialist, had the unenviable task of going head-to-head with Hall in the 1500- and 3000-meter runs. Lionhearted in defeat, she managed to finish second and third in the two events, scoring 14 crucial points in Massapequa’s championship victory. Florio-Marinello also took on Hall in the 1000- and 1500 meter runs and earned two points finishes.
In a similarly determined meet, Duffy did her part in the 4x200 relay and secured two runner-up finishes in the 55-meter hurdles and high jump. Alessandra Razzano rounded out Massapequa’s stellar cast of seniors, finishing fourth in the triple jump and sixth in the long jump.
“We knew when they were all freshmen,” Dellicurti said. “We said we will win a championship one day. I still remember that conversation, and most of them have done three seasons for us every year since. We made a promise to each other that we would try to fight for a county championship. I’m just very, very happy for them.”
Kailyn Duffy was second in Class A the 55 hurdles and high jump and also part of the Chiefs 4x200 runner-up relay.
Derrick Dinglei/Herald
Top real estate professionals honored at Heritage Club
By HAILEY FULMER
The Herald’s Real Estate Achievement +Leadership Awards at the Heritage Club on Jan. 28 celebrated professionals whose leadership and innovation have shaped the region’s real estate landscape.
Kelly Killoren Bensimon, founder, owner and broker specialist of Kelly Killoren Bensimon Inc. and Douglas Elliman was honored for her impact on real estate leadership. A former model and reality television personality, Bensimon has successfully transitioned into a successful real estate career. Her keynote speech reflected on her path into the industry.
After her mother became ill, Bensimon said she sold her family home by herself — a moment that inspired her to shift from television to real estate. Today, she focuses on client relationships and enhancing the value of the properties she represents.
I became licensed because I needed to protect my family — and today, that instinct drives everything I do,” she said.
Steven Krieger, chief executive officer of B2K Development, was named Real Estate Visionary of the Year, while Jan Burman, chairman of B2K Development, received the Legacy in Real Estate award.
The Rising Stars category recognized emerging professionals. Honorees included James La Dolce, vice president and branch manager at Flushing Bank, and Ashley Infantino, a licensed real estate salesperson with DeSimone Real Estate Agency.
Awards for construction, development and engineering recognized Rob Mannino, chief operating officer of The Kulka Group, who received the Commercial and Residential Construction Management award.
“It is such a pleasure to go to work every day and be surrounded by those people,” Mannino said, crediting his team’s growth over the past two years. He also expressed gratitude to partner Devin Kulka, chief executive officer of The Kulka Group, and his father, citing their guidance and leadership.
Joseph Picataggi Jr., principal of Terra Construction Group, received the Development and Construction award, while Matthew K. Aylward, a partner at R&M Engi-
neering, was recognized for excellence in engineering.
Michael S. Ackerman, managing partner of Ackerman Law, took home the Excellence in Real Estate Law, PLLC. Keith P. Brown, a partner at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman LLP, received recognition in the Legal category, and Robert M. Connelly of Romer Debbas, LLP, earned the Excellence in Real Estate Law award.
“We are proud to honor Long Island’s most accomplished real estate professionals — individuals whose vision, dedication and innovation continue to shape the towns where we live, work and raise our families,” said Stuart Richner, president of Richner Communications for 26 years.
The Father/Son Duo award was presented to John and Dylan Vitale, president and vice president of Vitale Properties, recognizing multigenerational leadership.
The Next Gen Brokerage category recognized Luca Di Ciero, founder and CEO of NYSpace Finders, and Giuseppe Gregorio, an associate broker with the firm. Gregorio, who began his real estate career 12 years ago, said he was drawn to the industry’s evolving challenges. he Power Team honor was awarded to Darab Lawyer and Vanessa Ambrosecchia, licensed real estate salespersons with Douglas Elliman. Ambrosecchia highlighted the impact of her work on clients.
“I just like helping people,” she said, “to change more lives.”
Additional awards recognized
leadership across the industry.
Shaan Khan, president of the Long Island Board of REALTORS® and broker-owner of RK Realty Group, received the Real Estate Excellence award. Denise Savino-Erichsen, president and CEO of Automatic Industries, was honored in the Technology category.
In the commercial sector, Jonathan M. Stern, chief growth officer of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, was recognized in celebration of the firm’s centennial anniversary. Michael Tucker, associate broker at DGNY Commercial, received the Commercial Brokerage award. Joel Lipsky, chief executive officer of Lipsky Construction, received the Construction Management award.
Tom Attivissimo, CEO and principal of Greiner-Maltz Co. of Long Island LLC, was named Top In-
dustrial and Investment Sales and Leasing Counselor of the Year. Shalom Maidenbaum, founder and owner of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group LLC, received the Property Tax Reduction award.
Additional residential awards were presented to Nicholas Sforza of Manhasset Realty Group and Marisa Filardo of Douglas Elliman, both recognized for Real Estate Excellence. Filardo, a mother of two, serves clients across Long Island and Queens.
The Team Leadership award went to Rachel King, a licensed associate real estate broker and team leader of The King Team at SERHANT.
For photos, go to RichnerLive. com/realawards/2026-photos/ For more on RichnerLive events visit RichnerLive.com.
Tim Baker and Holden Leeds/Herald photos
The real estate movers and shakers networked before the awards ceremony.
Keynote speaker Kelly Killoren Bensimon from Kelly Killoren Bensimon Inc. and Douglas Elliman.
The Kulka Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Rob Mannino.
R&M Engineering, Partner, Matthew K. Aylward, PE.
Interior Motives New York, Founder and Principal Designer, Susan Mandel.
Awarded the Father/Son Duo Award, President and Vice President, respectively, Dylan and John Vitale from Vitale Properties.
DGNY Commercial, Associate Broker, Michael Tucker walking up to accept his award.
From NYSpace Finders, Founder & CEO Luca Di Ciero and Associate Broker Giuseppe Gregorio took home the Next Gen Brokerage award.
Licensed Real Estate Salespersons Darab Lawyer and Vanessa Ambrosecchia from Douglas Elliman won the Power Team award.
From Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP, Partner, Keith P. Brown.
Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, Chief Growth officer, Jonathan M. Stern with his award.
From Greiner-Maltz Co. of Long Island, LLC, CEO & Principal, Tom Attivissimo heads to accept his award.
HERALD NEIGHBORS
Chef Sakari Smithwick inspires readers to reflect on the journey in debut book
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD
Sakari Smithwick, a celebrated chef raised in Amityville and a graduate of Farmingdale High School, released his debut book, “Savor Your Journey: 3 Simple Steps to Find Your Secret Sauce for Life” late last year. At 31, Smithwick has appeared on major television foold competition shows, including Food Network’s Chopped and Season 21 of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen, and has worked at some of the world’s top restaurants from Eleven Madison Park to Marea.
Featuring one-on-one interviews with prominent chefs and entrepreneurs, the book reflects on the journey that shaped Smithwick’s career and purpose. He spoke with the Herald about the lessons behind the book and how his upbringing influenced his path.
What would you say is the greatest theme of Savor Your Journey?
To enjoy the process and understand that the journey is the reward. I think everyone’s life becomes better when you understand that.
You starred on Chopped and Hell’s Kitchen. What was the most lifechanging aspect of being on those shows?
I was always competitive, but I didn’t know if cooking was what I was meant to do until a competition class at SUNY Delhi helped me realize, this is my thing. Being on those shows was another step to test my skills. When strangers — especially judges — enjoyed my food, it aligned me with my path. It gave me confidence to keep going, even through hardships like losing my father.
You divided your book into three parts: Passion, Purpose and Promise. Why structure it that way?
We all go through tragic losses. If you can transform your worst day into your best day, it leads you toward what you’re meant to do. After losing my father, I found purpose in helping the next generation by supporting nutritious school lunch programs. A portion of every book sold goes toward meals across the country through FoodCorps.
You recently visited Farmingdale High School. What was it like being back?
It was surreal seeing my former
cbabirad@liherld.com
home economics teacher and having that full-circle moment. My family wanted me to go to college, and her class helped me realize I could do something I’m naturally good at while making them proud. How did growing up in Amityville influence your passion for cooking?
Growing up on Long Island meant being surrounded by water and seafood. We visited seafood restaurants in Amityville and Bay Shore all the time. The kitchen felt off-limits when I was young, which made it more interesting. It was like the button you’re told not to push. That curiosity pulled me toward cooking. Later, working at Marea felt natural because seafood was already part of my life. Even commuting daily to the city felt connected to home.
Can you elaborate on the climb to where you are now?
I started cooking in high school. Everyone has their own journey and climb. For me, the people you meet along the way are everything — family, friends, mentors. One thing I’m proud of is including voices from my journey in the book. I interviewed people who helped shape me so their insights can help the next generation. If you enjoy each step, you can look back and appreciate the climb.
What did you learn from interviewing chefs and entrepreneurs for the book?
The common theme wasn’t accolades — it was enjoying the process. Success isn’t the destination. It’s finding peace in the day-to-day work. That idea came across in every conversation and really defines the book’s message: helping readers appreciate their own path.
What advice would you give to someone pursuing a passion but facing obstacles?
Find the thing that doesn’t feel like work. It takes testing different paths, but when you find that sense of bliss where you get lost in the moment, life improves. I hope people find their thing.
What are you working on now?
We’re focused on the book tour and raising funds for a café concept in New York City, hopefully opening in 2027 or 2028. The goal is to make nourishing, organic food accessible to people across neigh-
Courtesy Jihan Antoine
Sakari making his classic gluten-free pancakes for the Home Economics seniors at Farmingdale High School. borhoods and income levels.
To learn more about Smithwick’s book and upcoming events, follow @ sakarismithwick and @savoryour-
journey on Instagram. Savor Your Journey is available at books.by/ noblepromise.
CHEF SAKARI’S SIGNATURE PANCAKE
In honor of National Pancake Month, Smithwick shared his signature gluten-free pancake recipe.
Inspired by Dutch-style pancakes brought to New York by early settlers, the dish blends tradition with healthier ingredients. Smithwick says breakfast was the first thing he learned to cook, and weekend pancake outings inspired him to create a version that feels lighter without sacrificing flavor.
Chef’s note: Let the yeast bloom and rest the batter 20–30 minutes for better tex- ture and flavor. Xanthan gum helps bind the gluten-free mix. Cook low and slow to keep pancakes fluffy.
Yield: 4 servings (about 12 pancakes)
Dry mix
50 g tapioca starch
25 g millet flour
25 g buckwheat flour
4 g sea salt
1 g baking soda (add before cooking)
½ g xanthan gum
Yeast bloom
55 ml warm milk
2½ g active dry yeast
1 g malt extract (optional)
Buttermilk
55 ml milk
10 g apple cider vinegar
Emulsified base
30 g mayonnaise
1 egg yolk
9 g melted coconut oil
3 g vanilla extract
½ g malt extract (optional)
6 g baking powder
Procedure 1
•Warm milk to about 100°F. Add yeast and malt extract; rest 10 minutes until foamy
•Mix milk and vinegar; rest 10 minutesto curdle.
•Combine emulsified base ingredients.
•Stir yeast bloom and buttermilk into base.
•Fold wet mixture into dry mix until smooth.
•Rest batter 20–30 minutes.
Cook pancakes on a medium-low griddle until golden, about 2–3 minutes per side.Serve warm with fruit or top- pings of choice.
Get a head start on 2026 by scheduling an annual memory screening appointment
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is encouraging Long Islanders to get a head start on 2026 by scheduling their annual memory screening appointment. AFA offers free, confidential memory screenings at its AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center (149 Schleigel Blvd., Amityville) with no minimum age or insurance prerequisites every Wednesday. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the Center at 631-2234000.
Annual memory screenings should be part of everyone’s health and wellness routine. They are quick (approximately 10-15 minutes), noninvasive, and consist of a series of questions to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other cognitive functions. Screenings are administered one on one by a qualified professional, and results are confidential and provided immediately at the end of the screening. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.
Early detection of memory impair-
ments is vital. Many different conditions can cause memory issues, including treatable or curable conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Even in the case of a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer’s, early detection can provide greater opportunity to begin treatments when they are most effective, as well as taking part in a clinical trial. In addition, it affords the person the chance to take advantage of community services, such as support groups and therapeutic programming, which can help maximize quality of life, as well as have a greater say in making legal, financial, and health care decisions.
Memory screenings are equally important for people who aren’t experiencing symptoms of memory loss. Like other health screenings, they provide a baseline that can help uncover a potential issue sooner.
Residents can schedule their free memory screening appointment by calling the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center at 631-223-4000.
State comptroller urges residents to check for unclaimed funds
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging residents on Long Island and across the state to take a few minutes to see whether they have unclaimed money, as part of National Unclaimed Property Day.
The annual observance is intended to raise awareness about forgotten funds and help reconnect people with money that belongs to them. In 2025, the comptroller’s office returned more than $580 million to rightful owners statewide, including through a new fast-track program that automatically mails checks to eligible individuals without requiring a claim form.
“Spend a few minutes on Unclaimed Property Day checking for your lost money,” DiNapoli said. “It’s free, easy, and the
money is yours. Lost funds can come from an uncashed check, an unused gift card or a forgotten refund — even small amounts can add up.”
Unclaimed funds are turned over to the state when people lose track of money owed to them. Common sources include utility security deposits, trust accounts, old bank accounts, uncashed checks and unused gift cards. The funds do not expire, and residents can search for them at any time.
The comptroller’s office maintains an online database where people can check whether money is being held in their name. A county-by-county map showing unclaimed funds owed to residents statewide is also available. More information is available at osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15
•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16
•Massapequa Fire District Monthly Work Session: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-per -
son meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
•Plainedge Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting: 7 p.m., Plainedge Public Library, 1060 Hicksville Road, N. Massapequa. For more information, please call (516) 735-4210.
• Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.
Calendar items are printed for non-profit organizations, as space permits, or when an event, service or information is being sponsored by a profit-making organization without charge to readers. Submit items to us at Richner Communications, attn: Post Editor, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530; or email: dconsola@liherald.com at least two - three weeks prior to the publication date in which the item must appear. Sorry, but open-ended requests without the specific dates of the events are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication of any items. For more information, call 516-569-4000.
DEC head discusses state’s goals, policies
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
More than 200 people attended the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Feb. 5 at LIA headquarters in Melville. The highlight of the program was a discussion with the commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Amanda Lefton.
“Long Island’s environment is our economy,” Matt Cohen, LIA president and CEO, said. LIA is a nonprofit association that works to ensure Long Island’s economic vitality.
Lefton previously served as the director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the Department of the Interior. She has over 15 years of experience working on energy and environment in both the public and private sector.
“As Long Islanders, we know that things like water quality and our natural resources are critical to our livelihood,” she said. “We know these things aren’t in competition, but actually complement each other if done correctly. That is the perspective that I bring to the department.
“We continue to move forward,” Lefton added, “to make sure that we’re not just delivering on our mission of protecting the state’s environment, protecting water quality, delivering on clean air, protecting our natural resources,
but also doing so in a way that there’s transparency.”
Billy Haugland, vice chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, who led the discussion, praised Lefton’s ability to bring government and industry leaders together, leading to productive outcomes, increased collaboration, and reliable environmental stewardship.
Lefton discussed aspects of the state’s policy proposals and 2026 executive budget, and highlighted its steps to reduce pollution, its transition to clean energy and investments in infrastructure and transportation. She contrasted state actions with federal efforts to dismantle environmental protections. “The jobs and benefits that could be lost on Long Island through the stalling of offshore wind projects are one of the many causalities of this chaos,” she said.
Lefton pledged to continue communicating with stakeholders around New York. The DEC is prioritizing accessibility, streamlining its processes and improving data navigation, supported by investments from Gov. Kathy Hochul to modernize its website and technology.
Hochul’s 2026 budget proposal also supports a robust environmental agenda, and Lefton complimented the tangible results for New Yorkers. The governor’s “Let Them Build” agenda includes a series of reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure projects and reduce costs. The initiative includes adopting
common-sense reforms of the State Environmental Quality Review Act to speed up construction of zoned and permitted housing while preserving environmental safeguards. It also aims to reduce delays in building critical infrastructure, including clean-water projects.
“The governor’s common-sense approach to securing more certainty in environmental review timelines,” Lefton said, “will help advance more critically important projects.”
She discussed Hochul’s investments in water infrastructure, a commitment of $3.75 billion to clean-water projects over the next five years, including improving sewer infrastructure. “We can ensure that we’re continuing to tackle urban contaminants, protecting clean water, and delivering on the funding for our municipalities,” Lefton said.
The Hochul administration has authorized a critical resiliency project on Long Island, with a $1.7 billion investment in protecting the expanse from Fire Island to Montauk against storms and erosion. Additional investments have been made for various other Army Corps of Engineers resiliency projects in the Rockaways and Long Beach.
Lefton also mentioned a state grant award to Freeport, supporting the expansion of its advanced stormwater system, which is designed to reduce chronic flooding of the village’s lowlying streets.
state Department of Environmental Conservation, spoke at the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Feb. 5.
“We have strong programs in place to protect our air and water while encouraging investment in our communities,” Lefton said. “We’re ensuring that we have these programs available specifically to deliver for Long Islanders.”
Madison Gusler/Herald Amanda Lefton, commissioner of the
STEPPING OUT
Our nation 250 years later
An artistic perspective
By Abbey Salvemini
The American Revolution might have happened 250 years ago, but the conversation about who really benefited from it is far from over. That’s the idea behind Hofstra University Museum of Art’s newlly opened exhibition, “Our Unfinished Revolution(s).” On view, through July 24, it invites visitors to reflect on the promises of liberty, exploring how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence have shaped the nation.
July 4, 1776, has long been ascribed as the date that the United States was formed, Presley Rodriguez — the museum’s assistant director of exhibitions and collections — writes in her essay in the exhibit catalog. There are other events that could have represented the birth of the nation — perhaps first battles of the Revolutionary War, or the signing of the treaty that formally ended the conflict. But it is the day that the Declaration of Independence was ratified that is credited with changing the world as we know it.
‘RENT’ in concert
Today, many consider the Declaration of Independence as the document that proclaimed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as guiding priorities of the United States. As significant as the signing of the Declaration of Independence was, however, it was also a rebellious act that those loyal to the English king viewed unfavorably in 1776.
“The Declaration of Independence is the North Star of liberty, democracy and freedom,” says Hofstra Museum Director Sasha Giordano. “The exhibition explores who most benefitted from the Declaration of Independence. Although women, Black and enslaved people, Indigenous peoples, and immigrants played instrumental roles during the Revolution and were closely connected to the events surrounding the Declaration, they were not granted the same liberties at the nation’s founding.”
The 250 years of history are organized into four dated sections: 1776, 1876, 1976 and 2026. The artworks and archival materials on view illuminate the ways in which the Declaration of Independence has been interpreted, challenged and defended over time. Works drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, alongside loans featuring artists such as Faith Ringgold, demonstrate the diversity of artistic responses to the Revolution’s legacy across 250 years. Included are a mix of 18th-century prints, mid-century works and contemporary pieces by artists such as Alexander Calder, Larry Rivers and Jeremy Dennis, the show’s featured artist.
Groups whose liberties were initially denied come into focus: women, Black, Indigenous and immigrant communities. Rodriguez — who curated this exhibit — searched Hofstra’s database for art that best captures their stories.
“This is really an homage to 250 years of freedom,” she explains. “There are walls in the gallery dedicated to each of these anniversary years, and the artwork was created around these moments.”
Beginning with 1776 section, works reflect the founding ideals and the exclusion of certain communities, while later sections show how those
Map of New England, 1676, ink on paper. Gift of unknown donor, HU62.7.
Washington Crossing the Delaware, Evening Previous to the Battle of Trenton, December 5 (sic), 1776, 18001900, hand-colored lithograph. Gift of Mary Estabrook, HU64.98.
Bill of Sale for Enslaved Person, 1779. Courtesy of Special Collections/ Long Island Studies Institute, Hofstra University Library.
struggles continued and evolved.
For Giordano, framing the Revolution as “unfinished” allows us to revisit and reclaim its milestones. It’s presented as an ongoing conversation, rather than a closed chapter in history.
“Anniversaries are a way to remind us of what we celebrate and how we honor our country’s life,” she says. “This exhibition meets viewers where they are. You bring your own ideas and thoughts, and it encourages reflection. It could challenge you, or it could reaffirm what you already feel.”
Jeremy Dennis, an enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and founder of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio Inc., brings an Indigenous perspective into the narrative of America’s evolving freedom through his photography.
“As a leader making art representing Indigenous people, his work speaks to current times and shares a relevant story,” Giordano adds. “Through his art and photography, he takes us into that world.”
Another standout is Faith
Ringgold’s 2009 series, “Declaration of Freedom and Independence.” Her work perfectly embodies the exhibition’s theme and reflects the ongoing struggle to make liberty a reality for all, according to Rodriguez.
“The exhibition invites you to consider your own role in shaping the nation’s future. The response wall allows visitors to contribute their perspectives, and those ideas will literally be on display for others to see,” she adds.
Her aim is that visitors reflect not only on the past but think hard about what our future holds. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to the Wish Wall Project, the collaborative response wall developed by a nationwide network of museums and libraries, where all can leave their thoughts, reflections and reactions to the exhibition.
“Our Unfinished Revolution(s),” connects to the broader Untold Stories of Revolution: A Hofstra University Initiative for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, a campus-wide exploration of the Revolution’s lesser-known narratives. Related programming tied to the exhibit invites students, faculty and the public to engage with themes of democracy, equity and civic responsibility.
Events include a conversation with Dennis on March 5 and a curator-led gallery tour on April 9; programs that allow participants to engage more deeply with the exhibit.
“During the gallery tour, visitors will have a chance to notice details they might miss on a casual visit, and they can hear the stories behind why specific works were included,” Rodriguez says.
The unforgettable music of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical fills Tilles Center in a powerful symphonic concert setting. RENT is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades since its Off-Broadway debut in January 1996 and subsequent move to Broadway. Experience the music of Larson’s landmark work through its original Broadway legacy as Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Roger, hosts the evening and returns to the stage for a special encore performance. Presented in a symphonic concert format with full orchestra, the event celebrates the iconic songs that changed musical theater forever. “To be able to host RENT in concert and then step back on stage for an encore is incredibly special, Pascal says. This concert is about honoring Jonathan Larson’s voice, the community that formed around this show, and the power of these songs to still speak, loudly and honestly, to audiences today.”
Friday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
‘So don’t stop me now’ Queen-mania rolls on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. The carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, including, of course, classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more.
Saturday, Feb. 14, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
• Now through July 24 Programs require advance registration; visit events. hofstra.edu to RSVP or call (516) 463-5672
• Emily Lowe Gallery, behind Emily Lowe Hall, Hofstra University’s South Campus, Hempstead
Courtesy Hofstra University Museum of Art
Jeremy Dennis’ Cloak of Divisibility, from the series Rise, 2025, archival inkjet print. Courtesy of the artist.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
FEB
Long Island Children’s Museum’s welcomes all to its new exhibit. Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out provides interactive experiences that help visitors learn about the important role emotions, memory and imagination play in our everyday lives. Hands-on and digital experiences focus on the five emotions featured in the film: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear. Kids learn to recognize emotions and explore ways that we express and manage our own emotions. With related activities.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Oyster Bay Planning Advisory Board
meets
The Town of Oyster Bay holds their Planning Advisory Board meeting. All are welcome to attend.
• Where: Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 624-6333.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out
‘Everybody Loves
Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’
Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for its latest exhibit. The immersive exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director, renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan) features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets, which include the living room, the kitchen and other areas of the house. Also see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare out-takes and a range of related videos play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater.
• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook
• Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888
Thrift Shop
FEB
FEB
Wild days in the Bronx
Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds.
• Time: 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4 p.m.
• Contact: farmingdalelibrary.org or (516) 249-9090
FEB
16
Pete’s Blue Carpet Catwalk
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
Chazz Palminteri is back on the Paramount stage with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his remarkable career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on Palminteri’s own bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nine-years-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that would forever shape his view of the world. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro — and later a hit Broadway musical. Born and raised in the Bronx, Palminteri stands firmly in the lineage of iconic Italian-American artists who redefined New York storytelling in the 1970s, including Martin Scorsese, De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Like them, he brings grit, muscle and an unflinching realism to his work, capturing both the violence and the humanity of life on those sidewalks. This return engagement offers audiences a chance to experience the original, powerhouse performance that started it all — up close, uncompromising and unforgettable.
• Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville
• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 789-2569
St. Mary’s Thrift Shop
Stop by St. Mary’s Thrift Shop to start your new year with found treasures. Choose from collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items.
• Where: St. Mary’s, 175 Broadway, Amityville (enter from rear parking lot)
• Time: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 464-4899
Film Screening
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomes all to a screening of “Hello My Name is Blotto.” The film chronicles the journey of upstate New York rock band Blotto, from their 1970s beginnings to 1980s MTV fame and beyond. This event is $10 for non-members and free for members. Tickets may be purchased upon arrival.
• Where: Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook.
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888
14
Walk the blue carpet as a VIP to celebrate Long Island Children’s Museum’s premiere performance of Pete the Cat! Dress your best, smile for the paparazzi, and take a picture with Pete! Our special youth emcee will be interviewing VIPs on camera. Gain exclusive access to Pete’s Groovy Lounge for refreshments, enjoy the opening day performance of the show and take home a fun swag bag! You’ll even get to meet the cast after the show! For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW bus! $16 ($14 members), $20 theater and catwalk experience only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: Starting at 11:30 a.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Washington
Lunar New Year program
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes Chinese Theatre Works to the museum stage. Join in a celebration of the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” glove puppet production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Hao Bang Ah! Horse! A hands-on post show demonstration will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members. Also celebrate the Year of the Horse by creating Lunar New Year lanterns, noon-3 p.m., at the drop-in program. $5, $4 members, $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis. Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800 FEB
FEB
15
Crossing the Delaware: Emanuel Leutze’s masterpiece
Long Island Maritime Museum welcomes museum educator Alice W. Iglehart in an exploration of the 19th century painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by German-American artist Emmanuel Leutze. Registration is required. $10, members free.
• Where: 88 West Ave., W. Sayville
• Time: Light refreshments.12:30-1 p.m.; lecture 1-2 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 854-4974
Farmingdale Library
Cinema
Stop by Farmingdale Library for a showing “Sketch”. When a young girl’s sketchbook falls into a strange pond, her drawings come to life-chaotic, real and on the loose. As the town descends into chaos, her family must reunite and stop the monsters they never meant to unleash. There is no registration for this event.
• Where: 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale
FEB
18
Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group
This group meets weekly, at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, in person with Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. All calls are confidential.
• Where: 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown
• Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
• Contact: Steve at (631) 3320552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808
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.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as Indenture Trustee for the Registered Holders of Saxon Asset Securities Trust 2006-3 Mortgage Loan Asset Backed Notes, Series 2006-3, Plaintiff AGAINST
Jeffrey A. Mazes, Leslie A. WillisMazes; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 13, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York, 11501 on March 3,2026, at 2:00PM, premises known as 21 Delta Road, Massapequa, NY 11758. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Amityville, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 66 Block 100 Lot 650. Approximate amount of judgment $535,622.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 003203/2015. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine."
Jane Pastor Shrenkel, Esq. LOGS Legal Group
Public Notices
LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff
175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624
(877) 430-4792
Dated: January 9, 2026
For sale information, please visit www. Auction.com or call (800) 280-2831
26-16 1/28, 2/4, 11, 18
Notice of Application for Authority
AD MORT LLC filed an Application for Authority with the New York Department of State on November 6, 2025. The LLC was organized in the State of New Jersey on March 11, 2021. The county within New York State in which the office of the LLC is to be located is Nassau County.
The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served, and the address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process is 316 Fulton Avenue, Apt. 7, Hempstead, NY 11550.
The address of the office of the LLC in its jurisdiction of formation is 912 Cedar Bridge Avenue, #7, Brick, NJ 08723. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
26-7 1/14, 21, 28, 2/4, 11, 18
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.
NAME: Notoriously Made Photography LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 12/19/2025. NY
Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 11 Clarissa Drive, Syosset, NY 11791
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity.
26-14. 1/18, 2/4, 11, 18, 25, 3/4
NOTICE OF FORMATION of Devora Finkel Law
PLLC. Arts of Org
filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/31/25 OBice location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 262 Mulberry Lane West Hempstead NY 11552. Purpose: any lawful act.
26-11. 1/21. 28. 2/4, 11, 18, 25
:Notice of Self Storage Sale
Please take notice Safeguard Self Storage #190113 located at 6000 Sunrise Highway Massapequa NY 11758 intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the below listed Storage Spaces. The public sale shall occur as an online auction via www. storagetreasures. com on 2/25/2026 at 10:30AM. Unless listed below, the contents consist of household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Patrick Dunn unit #2320; Stephen Griffiths unit #3441. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. See manager for details. 26-18 2/4, 11
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Nassau Nationstar Mortgage LLC dba Mr. Cooper, Plaintiff AGAINST Peter Falci, Kim Falci, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 5, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 287 North Delaware Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 52, BLOCK: 527, LOT: 245. Approximate amount of judgment is $800,575.12 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 009037/2013. NO CASH DEPOSITS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT SALE. Lisa Goodwin, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01046203-F00 88288
26-19 2/4, 11, 18, 25
Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-26101303 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1015 Park Blvd, Massapequa, NY 11762, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Park Blvd Associates, LLC.
26-20. 2/4, 11
Native American history comes alive at Fairfield
The first inhabitants of North America were the focus of an in-school field trip for fourth graders at Fairfield Elementary School in Massapequa on Jan. 15. Students attended presentations throughout the day hosted by Journeys Into American Indian Territory, an annual experience that supports the social studies curriculum.
The auditorium was converted into a museum, in which students saw Native American artifacts such as clothing, hunting tools and toys. In a hands-on experience, they got to touch animal fur, practice hand-drilling and pound corn.
The stories and games station featured Native American folklore and the chance
to play a pin and ring game. Students split into teams and kept score. In the afternoon, the young historians got to make clay pots.
In social studies, fourth graders learn about the Eastern Woodlands Indians, which included tribes in New York State. Teacher Peggy Meininger said that the Journeys program brings to life the history students have been learning over the past several months.
“It directly relates to everything we learn in social studies,” Meininger said. “This is one of the best days. The students love experiencing it and seeing the artifacts.”
Courtesy Massapequa school district
Fourth graders visited the animal fur-touching station during the Journeys Into American Indian Territory program at Fairfield Elementary School.
Journeys instructor Ryan Aparo had help from students, from left, Ahmad Faheem, Paul Pesce and Matthew Shenderovich, for a demonstration on hunting tools.
Elliott Durnin got to try a Native American lacrosse stick.
Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals
TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771-1592TELEPHONE: (516) 624-6232 – FAX: (516) 624-6149
RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman – LOIS
SCHMITT, Vice Chairwoman –KATHLEEN MULLIGAN
REBECCA M. ALESIA –LISA CIC -
COLELLA – FLORESTANO GIRARDI – BRIAN GRIFFIN
*********************
********************
PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on FEBRUARY 19, 2026, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals: BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
APPEAL NO. 25-434
MASSAPEQUA
ROSALIA PISIC -
CHIO MURPHY: (A)
Variance to construct second floor addition having less side yard setback and aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (B) Variance to allow existing shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing driveway having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.
E/s/o Burton Ln. E., 249.04 ft. S/o Burton
Ln. N., a/k/a 22 Burton Lane E., Massapequa, NY
APPEAL NO. 25-439
MASSAPEQUA
SUNRISE MASS LLC:
(A) Variance to erect 5 ft. by 6.08 ft. drive-thru directional with logo (located near northeast corner of building facing Sunrise Highway) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to erect 10 ft. by 9 ft. clearance bar (Lane 1) with drive-thru sign (located near northeast corner of building facing Sunrise Highway) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to erect 10 ft. by 9 ft. clearance bar (Lane 2) with drive-thru sign (located near northeast corner of building facing Sunrise Highway) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to erect 10.67 ft. by 1 ft. illuminated drive-thru wall sign (located on South side of building facing parking lot) exceeding maximum number of wall signs than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to erect 7.85 ft. by 3.54 ft. illuminated 5-panel menu board (located on North side of building facing Sunrise Highway) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance. (F) Variance to erect 10.67 ft. by 1 ft. illuminated wall sign (located on East side of building facing parking lot) exceeding maximum number of wall signs than permitted by Ordinance. (G) Variance to erect 5 ft. by 5 ft. illuminated siren logo wall sign (located on East side of building facing
Public Notices
parking lot) exceeding maximum number of wall signs than permitted by Ordinance.
S/s/o Sunrise Hwy., E/o Carman Mill Rd., a/k/a 5500 Sunrise Highway, Massapequa, NY
APPEAL NO. 25-440
MASSAPEQUA
SUNRISE MASS LLC:
(A) Variance to erect 2.2 ft. by 1.25 ft. illuminated thank you sign (located in southwest corner of lot facing parking lot) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance.
(B) Variance to erect 2.5 ft. by 3.5 ft. illuminated pre-menu board (located on North side of building facing Sunrise Highway) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to erect 10.67 ft. by 1 ft. illuminated wall sign (located on West side of building facing parking lot) exceeding maximum number of wall signs than permitted by Ordinance.
(D) Variance to erect 10.25 ft. by 4.67 ft. illuminated canopy and screen (located on North side of building facing Sunrise Highway) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance.
(E) Variance to erect 5 ft. by 5 ft. illuminated siren logo wall sign (located on South side of building facing parking lot) exceeding maximum number of wall signs than permitted by Ordinance. (F) Variance to erect 2.2 ft. by 1.25 ft. illuminated drive-thru sign (located on northeast corner of lot facing parking lot) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance. (G) Variance to erect 2.2 ft. by 1.25 ft. illuminated thank you sign (located on
southeast corner of lot facing parking lot) exceeding maximum number of ground signs than permitted by Ordinance.
S/s/o Sunrise Hwy., E/o Carman Mill Rd., a/k/a 5500 Sunrise Highway, Massapequa, NY
ZONING
BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF 02/19/26
APPEAL NO. 25-451
MASSAPEQUA NEW YORK LAND DEVELOPMENT
II CORP.: (A) Variance to construct new dwelling having less side yard setback and aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (B) Variance to construct driveway having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.
W/s/o E. Hamilton Ave., 497.43 ft. S/o Carman Pl., a/k/a 10A E. Hamilton Avenue, Massapequa, NY
APPEAL NO. 25-452
MASSAPEQUA
MICHAEL CARDINO: (A) Variance to allow existing generator having less front yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing rear platform having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing masonry deck and shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing shed having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to allow existing shed, pavilion, rear platform and portico exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (F) Variance for the reduction of off-street park-
ing spaces. Reduction of spaces to 1 when 2 parking spaces are required.
S/s/o Hamilton Ave. 320 ft. E/o Reed Pl., a/k/a 272 Hamilton Avenue, Massapequa, NY
APPEAL NO. 25-459
MASSAPEQUA
MICHELLE DRE -
SCHER: Variance to construct rear one story addition exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance.
W/s/o Hollywood Ave., 260 ft. N/o Suffolk Rd., a/k/a 25 Hollywood Avenue, Massapequa, NY
APPEAL NO. 25-464
MASSAPEQUA
PHILIP DIPALMA:
(A) Variance to allow existing shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 65-522 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated October 28, 1965.
N/s/o Jetmore Pl., 1234.05 ft. W/o Forest Ave., a/k/a 9 Jetmore Place, Massapequa, NY
APPEAL NO. 25-416 NORTH MASSAPEQUA
ACOB MOORE: (A) Variance to construct one story addition and second story addition having less aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to construct one story addition exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance.
N/s/o N. Cedar St., 140 ft. W/o N. Park Ave., a/k/a 269 N. Cedar Street, North Massapequa, NY
APPEAL NO. 25-457
NORTH MASSAPEQUA
MICHAEL MESSINA: (A) Variance to
allow existing chicken coop to remain, having less side/front yard setback (N. Hickory Avenue), side yard setback and front yard setback (N. Central Avenue) than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across front yard (N. Central Avenue) than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing shed having less front yard setback (N. Central Avenue) than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing enclosed vestibule having less side/front yard setback (N. Hickory Street) than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to allow existing roof over and second story wood deck having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (F) Variance to allow existing roof over, one story addition, second floor wood deck, enclosed vestibule, shed and chicken coop exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (G) Variance to allow existing roof over, one story addition, second floor wood deck, enclosed vestibule and chicken coop exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance. (H) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 62-641 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated December 13, 1962. SW/ cor. of N. Hickory St. & N. Central Ave., a/k/a 230 N. Hickory Street, North Massapequa, NY
ZONING
BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF 02/19/26
APPEAL NO. 25-157 MASSAPEQUA
CAMILO RINCON:
Variance to construct one story addition having less side yard setback and aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance. W/s/o Fox Blvd., 275.35 ft. S/o Merrick Rd., a/k/a 9 Fox Boule-
Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0240-26102056 for beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1383 Jerusalem Ave, Merrick, NY 11566, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at CATALEYA PIZZERIA LLC. 26-27 2/11, 18
vard, Massapequa, NY
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 26-26 2/11
Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-26101559 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 323 Merrick Road, Lynbrook, NY 11563, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Sontay Brothers LLC.
26-28. 2/11, 18
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What do we do about cold spots in a new house?
Q. We are in our house for the first winter, and are noticing lots of cold spots. Our concern is pipes freezing. Is there anything we can do, temporarily, before spring comes, when we can open outside walls to see where insulation is missing? Also, we have a lot of creaking in the stairs and doors, and even just when the wind is howling. Is there anything we can do?
A. With freezing temperatures comes the reveal of lots of cold spots. As you stated, the biggest concern, immediately, is whether cold areas are near pipes, such as heat pipes or bathroom plumbing. Cold air outside will radiate cold to anything not protected, and if you see that the heat has dropped and the pipes feel cool or cold to touch, that should be the first place to start.
Sometimes people just add a jacket of pipe insulation, but this may worsen the problem in some instances, because the warmer interior air must reach the pipes to keep them from being jammed with ice from the cold-air exposure. In situations like this, it’s best to open the walls where the pipes have frozen and get the pipes warmed up. Don’t use anything with extreme heat or an open flame. A hair dryer may work, but be careful not to make the heat intense enough to start any kind of melting or scorching of the surrounding materials.
I once felt around heat pipes, found the specific spot by touch, and before heat could be applied, the pipe actually split right there in front of me. My plumber used an electric heat clamp to thaw the pipe before cutting the section and replacing it.
As for other parts of the house where it just feels chilled, check for visible gaps around windows, walk barefoot to feel the cool spots and make a list. Some may be almost unreachable without tearing out large sections of interior gypsum or plaster, while others may be able to be filled with insulation. I recommend blown-in cellulose instead of foam, because the foam may encase wires or pipes that later will take much more effort to remove.
Apply foam to areas you can see. Be careful not to use expanding foam in areas that will cause the materials around to move too much, such as around window frames, unless the windows and doors are tightly closed in the frame. Expanding foam will bow the door and window frames so that you can’t close doors and windows later.
This is a good time to use a silicone lubricant, adding a few drops to hinges of doors. The stairs need to be addressed with care, especially hardwood finished treads, so as to not damage them. If you can get under the stairs, try using construction glue at joints before moving on to screws. Only treated, finished nails, adhesive-coated, will work from above. Be prepared to match the wood finish over the tiny nail heads. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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There are better ways to resolve the immigration crisis
The raging debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policies and practices has potential long-term consequences for the nation that transcend the political partisanship of the moment. Let me say up front that I support ICE, and believe it serves an important national purpose. I also believe that constructive changes can be made in those policies and practices that will not undermine the agency’s underlying mission to enforce America’s immigration laws.
As a grandson of immigrants who grew up in an immigrant environment, I strongly support legal immigration, which I believe is the lifeblood of our nation and has made us unique in the world. I emphasize “legal” because, especially in today’s world of drug cartels and violent gangs, it is vital that we know who it is we are inviting to live among us. There is also the reality that a country without borders isn’t really a country. It is generally accepted that the Biden administration allowed at least 10 million immigrants to enter the country illegally. If only 1 percent of that number were bad actors, it would mean that at least 100,000 potential drug dealers,
sex traffickers and gang members are loose on our streets and in our neighborhoods.
Some historical perspective: President Obama determined that 5 million undocumented immigrants in the country constituted a crisis, and during his administration more than 3 million were deported. Not only was there little or no media hysteria about Obama’s reliance on ICE, but it was actually hailed. CNN, which now runs antiICE stories almost 24/7, not only supported ICE, but had star reporter Pamela Brown accompany ICE agents on raids as they broke into homes in a sanctuary city in the dark of night to apprehend undocumented immigrants.
Itions in Minneapolis is a major step in that direction. Administration officials like Stephen Miller setting arbitrary quotas of apprehensions makes no sense and is inevitably counterproductive.
CE remains an essential component, but raids no longer need to be as extensive.
In dealing with Minneapolis, however, it must be noted that almost no other city or state where ICE is operating has seen these kinds of disturbances, primarily because other elected leaders, and local and state law enforcement, cooperate with ICE. At a minimum, that means keeping demonstrators from getting in the faces of ICE agents or interfering with their operations.
will be accepted and implemented. But I would strongly oppose any requirement that ICE agents remove their masks. Despite the hysterics of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and others who shamelessly label ICE agents “Nazis” and “Gestapo,” wearing masks has become absolutely essential for them. There are well-organized, systematic efforts to identify and “dox” ICE agents and their families. In cases of their alleged improper actions, they can be identified for investigation by numbers on their uniforms.
While ICE remains an essential component of immigration enforcement, raids no longer need to be as extensive. President Trump’s strict border-enforcement policies have brought illegal immigration to the lowest levels in decades. It is virtually nonexistent.
While the law must be enforced, however, there is always room for reasonable discretion. There is no longer the need for dragnet-style raids. The time has come for a more surgical strategy, focusing almost entirely on criminal elements. Trump’s designation of border czar Tom Homan to oversee ICE opera-
Also, Minnesota, and Minneapolis, must agree to honor ICE detainers and turn over undocumented criminals in their prisons and jails before their release. This minimizes the possibility of fatal interactions. (It is slanderous and irresponsible for officials and critics to describe ICE agents as “murderers.” While investigations are ongoing, the reasonable interpretation of the multitude of videos we’ve all seen is that, at worst, there were heat-of-themoment reactions to unexpected incidents.)
Various “reforms” of ICE are being suggested, and I’m sure a number of them, such as the use of body cameras,
Now that the border is secure and the crisis is past, our elected officials should make reasonable immigration reforms. Those who are undocumented, but were brought to our country as children and have lived here for a specified period of time without incident, should be given a path to citizenship. There should be no attempts to track down undocumented people who are living here without bothering anyone. They should be urged to register and, after a certain period, be allowed to apply for residency.
It is to everyone’s benefit, and society’s gain, for people to be brought out from the shadows. With proper leadership and cooperation, we could be approaching a reasoned resolution of this divisive crisis.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Keep driverless cars off Long Island roads
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that the state plans to test driverless forhire cars outside New York City. I’m a Long Island resident, and the idea of robot cars on our streets is scary. As a transportation professional with over 25 years of experience on the roadways of our communities, I know how extraordinarily unsafe a plan like this would make us.
On Long Island, our cars are how life happens. Parents, kids, commuters and seniors are on the road every day, often navigating heavy traffic, construction and unpredictable weather. Spend five minutes on the Long Island Expressway at
rush hour, or near a busy school zone at the beginning or end of a school day, and it becomes clear why safety cannot be left to unproven technology.
And let’s be honest about what’s really going on here. The goal for these tech companies is New York City. Testing driverless cars just outside the city line is a sneaky way to move closer to that goal without facing the complexity, scrutiny and opposition that would come with starting in the city itself. In the meantime, Long Island is expected to carry the risks as the testing ground.
of the country. When you complicate that track record with a February snowstorm or a rainy evening rush hour here, the risks become obvious.
T he safety of so many drivers cannot be left to unproven technology.
Safety is where this proposal really starts to fall apart. Driverless cars have already stalled in traffic, blocked emergency vehicles, sped past school buses loading children and failed to handle basic roadway situations in other parts
And these risks aren’t just on paper — driverless cars are already hurting people. Reuters reported three weeks ago that a Waymo self-driving car hit a child during morning school drop-off near an elementary school in California. Federal regulators were investigating the incident, which raised serious questions about whether this technology can safely operate around children, parents and busy school zones. It should give every Long Island family pause.
The pressure behind the proposal to deploy more driverless cars is coming from powerful technology companies and executives like Elon Musk, who are focused on expanding their platforms
and opening new markets. Their priorities are driven by growth and investors’ demands, not by the realities of Long Island roads or the safety concerns of the families who live here.
Long Islanders tend to be practical. We care about safety, accountability and systems that work. Decisions that affect our roads and neighborhoods should reflect those values, not treat our communities as a steppingstone to somewhere else.
Governor Hochul should listen to the people who live and work here and understand these roads firsthand. Long Island should not be asked to bear unfair risks so that technology companies can inch closer to New York City. Transportation policy should put safety first. For Long Island, that means protecting our roads, our workers and the people who rely on them every day. We’re nobody’s guinea pigs.
Tom Gouldsbury is president of the Long Island Limousine Association.
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Massapequa
pOsT
HERALD
eBlack History is Long Island history
very February, Black History Month arrives with familiar names and stories. We rightly honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and other giants whose courage reshaped the nation. Their legacies deserve remembrance.
But for many people on Long Island, those stories might feel distant — heroic, yes, but abstract, having unfolded somewhere else, in another place at another time.
What often goes missing is the understanding that Black history did not only happen on the National Mall or in Southern courtrooms. It happened here. It happened in the neighborhoods we walk every day, in the schools our children attend, in churches tucked onto residential blocks, and in town halls where decisions quietly shaped who could live where, who could teach, who could lead and who could serve.
On Long Island, Black residents confronted segregated housing patterns long after the law said discrimination was over. Veterans returned home from fighting for democracy abroad only to find out that it did not fully extend to them in their own communities. Black educators pushed open doors in school districts where they were once excluded from classrooms except as students. Black churches became organizing centers, social safety nets and sources of political power when other institutions shut their doors.
King spoke at Rockville Centre’s South Side Junior High School — now
letters
What’s Saladino doing on an excavator?
To the Editor:
South Side Middle School — on March 26, 1968, just nine days before he was assassinated in Memphis. In his remarks, he spoke of poverty and injustice, and urged unity. People like Roslyn’s Hazel Dukes, who served as president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1990 to 1992, made it their life’s work to combat pervasive housing discrimination in many of our communities.
These are not footnotes to history. They are history.
Local athletes who broke color barriers on high school fields, teachers who became the first Black faces in faculty rooms, small-business owners who built livelihoods despite limited access to credit, and community leaders who advocated for basic services all helped shape what our communities look like today. Their contributions did not always come with applause or recognition. Many are remembered only by those who lived through the changes, if they are remembered at all.
That absence matters. When history is presented only as something that happened “somewhere else,” it becomes easier to disconnect from it. It becomes symbolic rather than instructive.
But when Black history is grounded in familiar places — the elementary school you attended, the block where you grew up, the library or park you pass without a second thought — it becomes harder to ignore and easier to understand.
It also forces uncomfortable but necessary questions. Why do some figures
Re “Demolition of Budget Inn underway, finally!” in last week’s issue of the Herald Post, in which we read of the antics of Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino operating a piece of heavy equipment during the demolition of the Budget Inn in East Massapequa: The excavator is not a toy, and can be a very dangerous piece of equipment operating at a construction site. For job-site safety, a licensed and experienced operating engineer must be at the controls.
Saladino could have easily killed or injured someone in his performance of this irresponsible, foolish and dangerous political stunt. And where was the town’s building inspector during this show? It is their responsibility to keep the work site safe and in compliance with New York state law.
MICHAEL J. LOPRESTI, RA New York State Code Enforcement official
receive plaques and street names while others fade from memory? Why are certain struggles celebrated as defining moments, while local battles for fairness are overlooked? And what does it say about us if we fail to acknowledge the people who made our own communities more just, more open and more representative?
Black History Month should be an invitation to look closer, not just farther away. It should prompt school districts to examine whose stories are included in local curriculums. It should challenge libraries, historical societies and news organizations to document and elevate the experiences of Black residents who helped build these communities. It should encourage towns, villages and neighborhoods to ask whether public recognition truly reflects their full history.
This is not about diminishing national heroes. It is about completing the picture. National change is always the sum of local actions, people showing up to meetings, organizing neighbors, mentoring students, opening businesses and insisting on dignity in places where they were told to wait their turn.
For Black history to matter, it cannot live only in textbooks or documentaries. It must live where people live.
On Long Island, Black history did not unfold at a distance. It unfolded on our blocks, in our schools and in our town halls. Remembering that truth honors the past, helps us understand the present and reminds us that the next chapter of history is still being written, right here.
Thirty days of the good, the bad and the ugly
The year 2025 was a dizzying one for all Americans. So many things happened in Washington that it would take about 50 pages of the Herald to walk readers through every one. Rather than take on that project, I prefer to write about January, and how we were impacted by the news of the month. I declare January the month of the good, the bad and the ugly.
Of the good things that happened, I’ll focus on the Cinderella story of Indiana University football quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Every time I think about him and his accomplishments, I can’t help but smile. If you love an example of perfection, Mendoza is exactly that.
It starts with his decision to enroll at Indiana, which was roundly criticized by all of his supporters. Why would you go to a school that has never won a national championship? But Mendoza defied the taunts and joined that muchmaligned Hoosiers team.
Then, with smarts and determination, he guided the team to a 16-0 season and a national championship. He won the coveted Heisman Trophy and charmed all of America with his mature and impressive interviews. His displays of love for his wheelchair-bound mother were touching and memorable.
So the Mendoza story tops the good. The decision to send thousands of ICE and border-patrol agents to Minneapolis definitely tops January’s bad news.
Fcrowds of protesters. The 600 members of the Minneapolis police force, who handled the George Floyd demonstrations, were the best people to deal with such a crisis, but they were bypassed.
rom Fernando Mendoza to Alex Pretti to federal buildings in
Philadelphia.
The Trump administration’s actions were poorly handled by Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security. Her instant labeling of Alex Pretti, the second Minnesotan shot by ICE agents, as a “domestic terrorist” was a reckless reaction to the death of a U.S. citizen with no criminal record.
The idea of drowning a major American city with thousands of law enforcement agents never made sense to begin with. Ask any respected police official about how the situation in Minneapolis was handled and he or she will tell you that the vast majority of the officers sent there were not trained to handle
The White House staff, headed by close Trump adviser Stephen Miller, bungled every stage of the Pretti shooting, and poured more gasoline on the fire by labeling him an “assassin.” Miller and Noem were the wrong people to juggle a political crisis, and every step they took proved it. President Trump, who ordered the mass invasion into Minneapolis, was eventually forced to say he wanted to “de-escalate” the situation, but he’s stuck with the optics of a horrible event.
There are so many things I could classify as ugly, but one stands out, because it has largely escaped public attention. A few weeks ago, a group of federal employees in Philadelphia were captured on local television removing historical materials relating to the history of slavery. This on top of media reports that the administration is taking a number of measures to eliminate
any references to slavery in numerous federal facilities.
The attempts to erase this sad chapter of American history are part of the run-up to the July Fourth observation of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Apparently, some people in the White House have decided that we must reflect only on the happy things that have happened during the past 250 years, but slavery is part of our history, and it can’t be wiped away. There are people who promote the idea that the Holocaust never happened, which is why we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day each year.
It’s hard to predict what the next 11 months are going to be like in our nation’s capital. There’s new evidence every day of our bitter partisan divide. The president’s postings on social media are often inflammatory. The tone that dominates the daily news is depressing. I wish there were a little more happy talk in our political world, but that, as Shakespeare said, is devoutly to be wished.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
JERRY KREMER
FRaMEwoRK by Tim Baker
