Massapequa Herald 10_15_2025 by Richner Communications, Inc

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MPK Village Fall Fest and Street Fair draws hundreds for fun

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

On a crisp Sunday morning, October 5, Massapequa Park Village came alive in a swirl of community spirit as neighbors poured into the streets for the annual Fall Festival & Street Fair.

From 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Park Boulevard and Front Street were transformed into a festive thoroughfare of vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s attractions, and small-town charm. The event was sponsored by the Village of Massapequa Park and the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce.

The air held that aroma of early fall—cool, clear, with the promise of a perfect day outdoors. As tents and booths went up, Mayor Daniel Pearl greeted early arriving residents, shaking hands with local shop owners and welcoming vendors from across Long Island. His goal: turn this day into an “end-of-summer celebration”—a final hurrah before the shorter, quieter days of fall. By 10:30 a.m., the crowds had grown and there wasn’t a parking spot to be found.

Fairgoers Brian and Terry Farley and Kevin and Deb Holland took time to enjoy a drink at the Tap Room, while members of American Legion Post 7763 had a table providing fairgoers with information and a poppy.

“It is great seeing how many people came out to support the community, and the weather is great,” said a resident who asked that her name not be used.

Liz Sforza of Massapequa agreed the crowd was amazing. “It’s great to be here,” she said. “I moved back last year and it’s also wonderful to be back home.”

In addition to the Fall Festival, Sforza said she is looking forward to shopping in the Village for the Christmas season.

Rows of artisan booths offered handmade jewelry, scented candles, seasonal décor, knit scarves, and “you’ll-never-guess-where-this-isfrom” curiosities. That side street corner hosted homemade jams and pickles; further down, local artists displayed watercolors of Long Island vistas.

Food trucks and carts lined a parallel path, with the scent of a variety of foods wafting through the air. Each drew a large crowd of people waiting to sample the specialty food items.

And the scents of all that good food attracted the attention of many four-legged friends on leashes who traversed through the fair too.

There was also music and lots of things for the children to do, including bouncy houses, face-painting, and for the brave—a ride on the electronic bull.

Photos Carolyn James/Herald

Veterans from Post 7763 reach out to the community at fair: Pasquale DiMona, Bob Micalizzi, (standing) Pat Teehan, Artie Krumm, Ron Gabel. In rear, Phil Fioranelli, with Uncle Sam, (Rich McGee).

Liz Szorza and Ashley Moffett enjoy the fair with their children, Emerson, Emma and James.

Village employees worked hard all day at the fair. Shown are workers Rich Protano and Rob Weik.

Hablamos Español

Property

Reduction Group, LLC

MPK Village Fall Fest and Street Fair draws hundreds for fun

“Street fairs like this very important one in the Village of Massapequa Park are a wonderful way for a community to come together, enjoy the weather, music, food, culture and shopping, and are what makes our communities the best places to live in New York State,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino as he mingled with the crowd on Park Boulevard.

The Village made some tweaks this year: additional children’s attractions, more interactive booths, and promotion-

al help to draw out-of-town visitors.

By early afternoon, Park Boulevard was packed with fairgoers, and it was obvious their outreach this year was a success.

“We had absolutely gorgeous weather,” said Mayor Daniel Pearl. “There was a vas vary of craft vendors, food rucks, and as always, our local restaurants were ready to serve all. We also had a ton of things for kids to do in the kids’ area on Fron Street. It was a perfect event to close out the summer.”

Pearl also took a moment to commend the Village employees and Chamber volunteers for their hard work.

For more information on Massapequa Park Village and its events, go online to masspk.com or call (516) 798-0244

Left: This fourlegged friend, Archie, gets a little help navigating the crowd at the fair from his friend Jim Borek.

Rich McGee (aka Uncle Sam) is with veteran Ricky Reyes of Levittown.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 6:00PM

Local band, Bad Sandwich, entertains the crowd

Christopher D. Masters of Massapequa Park poses with a “rock star”.

Right:

All those crowds and that walking can make folks work up a thirst, so taking a breath at the Tap Room are Briand and Terry Farley and Deb and Kevin Holland.

Members of the Knights of Colombus Jim Iulo, Matt Salvo and Joseph Bonarrigo

Woman recovering after being bitten by rabid raccoon

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

What began as a peaceful afternoon for a woman as she sat in her backyard enjoying the final days of summer, turned into a nightmare as a raccoon, later determined to be rabid, attacked her repeatedly, biting her hand, arm and leg.

The woman, a resident of Amityville who asked not to be identified, said she had been speaking on the phone with her daughter around 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, when she suddenly felt something heavy land on her leg.

“It came out of nowhere,” she recalled. “I felt the weight, then the pain. The raccoon was biting and wouldn’t let go.”

As she struggled to fight off the animal, it latched onto her hand. Her screams brought her husband running from the house. He rushed between her and the raccoon, ultimately killing it before it

could attack again.

Emergency responders arrived within minutes. The woman was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital, where she spent five days receiving rabies immunoglobulin, vaccines, antibiotics, and treatment for deep puncture wounds to her hand, leg, and foot.

Tests later confirmed the raccoon was rabid. The Suffolk County Department of Health and the state Department of Environmental Conservation have since been in contact with the family.

She said she knew immediately that the raccoon was sick.

“This raccoon was too aggressive — especially in broad daylight,” she said. “It was insane. I just keep thinking — what if it had been a child?”

Now home and recovering, the woman says she’s grateful to be alive, but the emotional scars linger. “It’s hard for me to go out in the yard,” she admitted. “I

This raccoon was too aggressive - especially in broad daylight. It was insane. I just keep thinking - what if it had been a child?

—VICTIM OF RABID RACCOON BITE

used to spend hours out there tending my flowers and vegetables. Now I can’t step outside without thinking about it. I know that fear will fade, but I’ll never forget what happened.”

Neighbors and village officials, including Amityville’s mayor, have rallied around her with flowers, kind words, and concern.

Authorities are reminding residents to

stay alert for wildlife acting aggressively or appearing unusually tame, and to report any such behavior to animal control or local police immediately.

In related matters, the Suffolk County Health Department announced last week that a sick raccoon found in Lindenhurst has tested positive for rabies. The confirmation was received from the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health. This is the eleventh rabid raccoon reported in Suffolk County this year and health officials urge the public to vaccinate pets for rabies, to refrain from feeding wildlife or stray animals and to keep garbage cans tightly covered tightly.

For questions or more information you can reach the Suffolk County Department of Health at (631) 854-0333 weekdays and at (631) 852-4820 nights, weekends and holidays.

Plainedge voters say yes to new library construction

Bond for $16.9M rebuild wins 2-to-1 margin after earlier defeat

By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent

Plainedge Library district residents voted overwhelmingly on Oct. 7 to approve a $16,865,795 bond to fund construction of a new 24,000-square-foot library on the site of the current building on Hicksville Road.

The 876–425 vote marked a decisive reversal from January, when voters narrowly rejected a larger and more expensive plan.

The new building will include a dedicated children’s program room, a community room that can seat 150 people, quiet study and meeting spaces, a technology lab, and full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“We have taken what the community wants and needs and just made the footprint smaller,” Library Director Susan Santa said.

Santa, Library Board of Trustees

President Ann Doxsey and Vice President Laura Oden-Bell said services will continue at a temporary site while construction proceeds.

Plainedge resident Tracy Behar said she voted yes because of what the new library will mean for families. “This town needs a lot more resources for our children,” she said after casting her ballot. “I’m here to vote for my teens for a better library.”

Another resident, Maria Felix, agreed. “Books and libraries are an essential part of any community, and any investment we can make in them is an investment for our children and the future of our community,” she said.

Plainedge Board of Education President Joseph Beyrouty stopped by the library to vote after coaching a youth football session. “It looks like the new building will become another hub for

after the

for all ages.

the community,” he said, adding that “as someone who cares about education and hoping that kids read more, having a more inviting space in the library will do that.”

Oden-Bell said the bond’s success stemmed from stronger outreach ef -

forts. “We really, really listened to the community this time,” she said, noting that she spent Election Day knocking on doors and encouraging neighbors to vote. She and other board members credited social media and word-ofmouth for helping the plan gain traction.

“This community deserves a library like they just voted for,” Oden-Bell said.

Library officials expect to announce a project timeline and temporary site details in the coming weeks.

Mike Polansky/Herald

All smiles

Oct. 7 bond approval are, from left, Library Director Susan Santa, Board President Ann Doxsey, Vice President Laura Oden-Bell and Board Member Michael Giris. The $16.9 million project will replace the Hicksville Road facility with a modern library designed

Scooter rider seriously injured

Suffolk County police are investigating a crash that seriously injured an electric scooter rider in Amityville on Sat., Oct. 4. Police gave this account:

Richard Newton, 35, of Lindenhurst, was riding an electric scooter east on Louden Avenue around 3:30 p.m. when he ran a red light and collided with a 2007 Mazda traveling south on County Line Road, police said. The car was driven by Randall Morency, 21, of Massapequa.

Newton was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious injuries. Morency was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip with non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives with the First Squad are asking anyone with information about the crash to call them at 631-854-8152.

Off-duty NYC Police Officer stabbed in Lindenhurst

Police: two charged in elder scam

Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a grand larceny scheme that targeted a 74-year-old Nassau County woman, Nassau police said.

According to detectives with the department’s Electronic Squad Fraud and Forgery Section, the scam began after the woman received a message on her computer claiming it had been compromised. When she called the phone number that appeared on her screen, she was told she needed to withdraw her money from the bank to “protect her funds.”

Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 3, police said, the woman withdrew a total of $117,000 and handed it over to several unknown men who came to her home.

The woman realized she had been deceived and contacted police on Oct. 6 at about 1 p.m. Officers launched an investigation that led to the arrest of Jinqin Jiang of Brooklyn and Chengxiang Jiang of Flushing who police said are in the country illegally and are in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for removal proceedings.

Police said the case remains under investigation and that they are working to identify others who may have been involved.

The Nassau County Police Department urged residents to remain alert to scams that target seniors, especially those involving unsolicited computer warnings or urgent requests to move money.

“Fraudsters are constantly changing their tactics,” a department spokesperson said. “We’re asking residents to speak with their older family members, friends and neighbors about these schemes to help prevent them from becoming victims.”

Authorities reminded residents that legitimate technology companies, financial institutions and government agencies will never demand immediate cash withdrawals or request personal banking information over the phone or through a pop-up message.

Anyone who suspects they may have been targeted by a scam is encouraged to contact the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Section at (516) 573-2815 or call 911. All calls remain anonymous.

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Nassau County Police Department and other law enforcement and emergency service units.

LARCENY

Massapequa: A Louis Vuitton purse as stolen from a vehicle while it was parked at the Long Island Railroad Station between 8 a.m., and 6:15 p.m. Oct. 10.

Farmingdale: An assortment of personal items was stolen from inside a vehicle

that was parked on Cheryl Lane, West Oct. 3.

South Farmingdale: An unidentified male was observed stealing a helmet from a moped parked a 5 Linden Ave., Oct. 6. The theft was reported at 6 p.m., that da. •On Oct. 7, shortly before 11 a.m., an unidentified male subject walked into Walgreens at 918 Main Street and removed four bottles of laundry detergent.

■ WEB SITE: www.massapequapost.com / www.liherald.com/Babylon

Ext.

E-mail: cjames@liherald.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@massapequapost.com

ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legals@liherald.com

Courtesy NCPD Jinqin Jiang and Chengxiang Jiang

Drug Take-Back Event

Turn in your unused or expired medications for safe disposal.

Use New York Avenue Entrance Behind 75 Grand Avenue Massapequa, NY 11758

Instructions:

•Keep all medication in original containers

•Remove name for anonymity

•Do not cross out medication information NOT accepted: •Liquid medications

SARAH FLYNN

V.S. NORTH Senior SWIMMING

A KEY MEMBER OF Valley Stream Central High School District’s girls’ swim program since its inception in 2023, Flynn earned the coaches award as a sophomore and has served as a two-year captain. She has earned an appearance in the Nassau County championships in each season and reached the finals of the 100-yard butterfly as a junior. Her career-best time in the event is 1:07.02, and she also thrives in the 100 and 200 freestyle.

games to watch

Friday, Oct. 17

Girls Volleyball: V.S. North at Clarke 5 p.m.

Football: Freeport at Westbury 5 p.m.

Football: Plainview at Oceanside 6 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at South Side 6 p.m.

Football: Elmont at Hewlett 6 p.m.

Football: Bethpage at Wantagh 6 p.m.

Football: Locust Valley at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.

Girls Volleyball: Mepham at Calhoun 6:45 p.m.

Football: Sewanhaka at V.S. North 7 p.m.

Football: V.S. South at Division 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 18

Football: Carey at Clarke 11 a.m.

Girls Volleyball: E.Meadow at V.S. Central 11:45 a.m.

Girls Volleyball: Plainedge at Elmont 11:45 a.m.

Football: Baldwin at Roosevelt 12 p.m.

Football: Massapequa at Farmingdale 1 p.m.

Football: New Hyde Park at Mepham 2 p.m.

Football: MacArthur at Calhoun 2 p.m.

Football: Long Beach at East Meadow 2 p.m.

Football: Jericho at V.S. Central 2 p.m.

Football: Kennedy at Roslyn 2 p.m.

Football: Lynbrook at Seaford 2 p.m.

Football: East Rockaway at North Shore 2 p.m.

Football: Malverne at Lawrence 2 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

HERALD SPORTS

Plainedge rises amid new challenge

By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com

Barring a straight-set defeat to defending county champion South Side on Sept. 26, Plainedge girls’ volleyball has been rolling without much resistance in yet another successful campaign.

Coach Colin Fratik always knew that the Red Devils would be competitive, even after moving up to Conference A1.

“We won our conference last year and we had a lot of our starters returning,” Fratik said. “So a lot of these girls have been playing together for their second and third consecutive seasons. Going in, I knew we had a pretty strong team.”

South Side remains undefeated through eight matches and controls the standings, but with a 6-1 conference record, Plainedge is not far behind. On Oct. 10, the Red Devils earned their second 3-1 victory over Wantagh, which defeated them in the quarterfinals to end their 2024 campaign.

“For us to come back the following year and get a win [over Wantagh] was really big momentum for us,” Fratik said. “We’ve been able to kind of build off that.”

Barring the two games against Wantagh and another 3-1 victory over Kennedy on Sept. 15, all of Plainedge’s victory have come in straight sets. After the defeat against South Side, the Red Devils easily handled Lynbrook and Seaford to kickstart a new winning streak, which has since extended to three games.

Fratik credited setter Ava

Erik Lee/Herald

Junior setter Ava Nitsch is the quarterback of Plainedge’s offense and had 30 assists in a bgi win over Wantagh Oct. 10.

have blossomed into integral team members since earning starting roles as freshmen. Speicher led Plainedge with 14 kills against Wantagh last time.

The Red Devils’ greatest strength has been defense, propelled by the likes of unsung heroes like junior Payton Wise, who earned a team-leading 19 digs in the uphill battle against South Side. Ava Gandolfo has also stepped up in this area and earned 15 digs against Wantagh in October to support Speicher and Murnane. Plainedge’s ability to spread the ball across the front row has also given them a massive advantage. Speicher is far from alone, as Kennedy Murnane, Angelina Puglisi and Mia DiMarco have all earned healthy kill totals and have stepped up as needed.

Nitsch as the engine behind the offense. The talented junior is Plainedge’s primary source of assists and has also proven capable at the net herself on occasion. In the recent victory over Wantagh, she earned seven kills to go with 30 assists.

Nitsch has also stepped into a key leadership role early in her varsity career, along with junior Savannah Speicher. Fratik said both

Fratik said that Plainedge’s focus never extends beyond the next match, a common adage that seems to be highly effective. To this point, the Red Devils have made the most of an improving junior core to step forward in a new conference. They are one of two teams with a winning record in the group. It will be tempting for them to look ahead to a rematch with South Side on Oct. 24, but five matches in between cannot be overlooked. They must first play Division, Elmont and East Meadow, three non-conference opponents with a combined 26-6 record. Rematches against North Shore and Mineola must not be overlooked either, even if they have already defeated both conference opponents in straight sets.

Phillips has led county’s drive into digital era

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips traces her drive for public service to a childhood defined by independence, perseverance and the generosity of mentors who opened doors. Born in western Pennsylvania, the youngest of four daughters, she was the first in her family to attend college — a milestone achieved without guidance or financial help after her father’s death when she was 12.

“I was kind of left on my own a lot,” Phillips recalled. “There was no guidance for college.” That changed when she became a Rotary exchange student in Brazil for 13 months — an experience she described as life-changing. “It allowed me to mature and figure out who I wanted to be in life,” she said, adding that she still speaks fluent Portuguese nearly five decades later.

Phillips went on to earn both a bachelor’s degree in political science and an MBA in finance from Penn State, working as a bartender to pay tuition. Her career began in finance — first at Metropolitan Life, later at J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, where she helped build mortgage-backed securities departments. After taking time off to raise her three daughters, she negotiated a rare job-sharing arrangement at Goldman that allowed her to balance motherhood with highstakes finance work for nearly a decade.

Public service came later. After serving as mayor of Flower Hill during Superstorm Sandy, she was elected to the State Senate in 2016, where she championed legislation closing a loophole that had allowed those convicted of domestic violence to keep certain firearms. In 2021 she was elected Nassau County’s comptroller — a role she calls both humbling and demanding.

Her signature initiative, she said, has been modernizing the county’s outdated financial system, which dates back to 1999. “We do our accounting basically

using Excel files,” Phillips said. “Departments like DPW, purchasing and accounting all had different data — none of it lined up.”

Her office led a two-year process to select CGI to implement a cloud-based enterprise resource planning system, dubbed Nassau Forward, that will unify county financial operations and automatically update accounting standards. “It’s transformative,” Phillips said. “Our goal is to go live between 2027 and 2028.”

During her tenure, the comptroller’s office also digitized vendor claims, cutting payment times from four months to less than 10 days. “There used to be paper almost to the ceiling,” she said. “Now it’s all online

COUNTY COMPTROLLER

through e-claims.” Phillips also overhauled the audit process, emphasizing collaboration and corrective action rather than punitive reports that “collected dust.”

She credited her staff for the county’s recognition by the Government Finance Officers Association with its Triple Crown award for excellence in financial reporting — the only county in New York state to earn it. Nassau has also received seven bond-rating upgrades during her term.

Looking ahead, Phillips said her top priorities, if re-elected, would be completing the Nassau Forward project, hiring additional accountants and expanding electronic systems for retirees’ benefits. “We’re still sending out paper checks to some retirees,” she said. “We want to move to direct deposit — it’s safer and more efficient.”

She acknowledged ongoing challenges balancing employee wages and benefits with affordability for residents. “You want to pay your employees a fair wage and provide good health care,” Phillips said. “But you also want to make sure people can still afford to live here.”

Reflecting on her career, she credited her success to teamwork. “I’m as good as the people around me,” she said. “You always want to do more — to make government more efficient, save taxpayers money, and keep Nassau in strong fiscal shape.”

Wink: Comptroller must be ‘fiscal watchdog’

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Wayne Wink says Nassau County is once again standing on shaky financial ground — and he believes the comptroller’s office should be the first line of defense. The longtime public servant, attorney and former legislator is challenging incumbent Comptroller Elaine Phillips, arguing that the county needs more transparency, oversight and independence from the administration.

“I’ve always spoken truth to power,” said Wink, 58, who currently serves as minority counsel to the County Legislature. “What we need is a fiscal watchdog. What we have is a fiscal lapdog.”

A Hofstra University and St. John’s University School of Law graduate, Wink grew up in Uniondale, in what he describes as a “barely middle-class” household, and was the first in his family to go to college. He was elected to public office for the first time in the early 2000s and went on to serve 20 years in local government — including as a North Hempstead town councilman, county legislator and town clerk.

Among his legislative accomplishments, Wink cites the creation of Nassau’s Silver Alert law, modeled after the Amber Alert system but designed to locate missing seniors with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. “We’ve had a number of people saved because of that program,” he said. He also helped establish North Hempstead’s domestic partner registry before same-sex marriage was legalized in New York. and pushed for “right-sizing” government by transferring underused county assets to towns that could better manage them.

Jeff Bessen/Herald

Among his legislative accomplishments, Wink cites the creation of Nassau’s Silver Alert law, modeled after the Amber Alerts system.

Now, as he seeks to return to countywide office, Wink says that Nassau’s biggest problems aren’t new — they’re just unresolved. “When I left the Legislature in 2013, I came back 10 years later and found the same issues: the college, the medical center, the jail, assessments,” he said. “They’re all repackaged, but the same issues.”

One of his top concerns is the county’s ongoing fiscal oversight by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, which was created more than 20 years ago amid

budget turmoil. “No county our size with our affluence and abilities should still be under a control board,” he said, adding that sustainable budgeting and stronger auditing practices could allow the county to regain autonomy.

Wink has been especially critical of the county’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds to plug operating deficits. “The only way they’re balancing the 2025 budget is to take $120 million of Covid money,” he said. “We’re spending down reserves that were built up under Laura Curran,” he added, referring to the former county executive. “It’s unsustainable.” He said that Nassau faces a structural deficit of $200 million to $250 million per year in its four-year plan.

Wink argues that genuine transparency begins with full disclosure of how public money is spent — including vendor identities. “The county’s ‘open checkbook’ lists every transaction except who got the money,” he said. “That’s not transparency.”

If elected, he said, his first priority would be to restore field audits, which he claims have disappeared under the current administration. “The comptroller is there to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” Wink said. “We need to get back to real audits, in the weeds, to find waste, fraud and abuse.”

He also called for greater oversight of county contracts, jail operations and agencies such as the Nassau University Medical Center, which he says have faced mounting financial and management issues.

“The county is slowly fading into the fiscal abyss again,” Wink said. “We’ve been here before — and if we keep the status quo, we’ll be back there again. Nassau needs new eyes, real accountability, and leadership willing to tell the truth.”

Tim Baker/Herald

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips is seeking re-election.

Massapequa Perk owners Lorenzo Puglino and Peter Mangouranes are shown with members of the Nassau County Police Department—

Dusharme, PO Grande, PO Torres, and PO who met with residents at the coffeehouse as part of the annual Coffee With a Cop Day.

Nassau Police meet residents for Coffee With a Cop Day

Members of the Nassau County Police Department met with residents at as part of the annual Coffee with a Cop Day at The Perk & Press, 37 Broadway, Massapequa.

The national event, held on the first

Wednesday of October, encourages casual, agenda-free conversations between police officers and the public to build trust and strengthen community relationships.

Coffee with a Cop began in 2011 in

Hawthorne, California, when local officers sought an informal way to connect with residents outside of emergencies and official settings. The concept quickly spread nationwide and has since been adopted by departments across the Unit-

ed States and in other countries.

The program’s goal is simple: give community members a chance to ask questions, share concerns and get to know the officers who serve their neighborhoods.

Carolyn James/Herald

PO Meadows, PO David, PO Capellan, PO

HERALD NEIGHBORS

NOT Ms. Rachel to bring songs, stories and smiles to Adventureland Massapequa mom Gabrielle Freeman brings

hit kids’ show to life with Long Island twist

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

The hit children’s program that has toddlers and preschoolers singing and clapping from coast to coast now has a local spin, thanks to a Massapequa mom who’s made it her mission to bring joy and learning to Long Island families.

Gabrielle Freeman is the creator of the NOT Ms. Rachel Show — an interactive, in-person experience inspired by the popular YouTube series “Songs for Littles” — and she’ll be bringing her energy, stories and songs to Adventureland in Farmingdale on Saturday, Oct. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. as part of the park’s Fall into Savings lineup.

The Herald caught up with Freeman to learn more about what inspired her to create the show, what makes it different from what kids see on screens, and what families can expect at Adventureland.

What are you most excited for with your shows at Adventureland?

I love the number of kids that are there. It makes it more interactive and fun. I love meeting all the new kids and really getting to see their excitement.

What first inspired you to start the NOT Ms. Rachel Show?

A friend of mine has a younger daughter. My girls are a bit older, so they didn’t really know who Ms. Rachel was. But I was visiting, and her daughter was watching, and I thought — wow, I really look like her. And my friends all agreed.

I said, “How cool would it be to do parties and bring that kind of joy to little kids locally?” I just decided that day to go for it. I’ve always loved working with children. I have three daughters — my youngest is eight, her name is Maeve. My middle daughter is turning 10 this month, Cyleigh. And my oldest is 14 — her name is Nyiela.

Tell me a little about your background.

I started working in early childhood at a young age. In high school, I worked in daycares, and now I’m in a master’s program for social work. When I finish, I plan to keep working

with kids. I also perform as other characters, including Stitch. I’m building slowly, and I hope to eventually incorporate more social-emotional learning into the shows as I progress through my degree and become licensed.

Tell me about your show — how is it different from the Ms. Rachel show on TV?

I usually start with a readaloud, but it depends on the age group and how many kids are there. We do a set of songs, and I always take requests from the kids. I want to include their favorite things so they really get the most out of the experience.

The interaction is my favorite part. Ms. Rachel is on the screen, so it’s not face-to-face. My show is different because I’m right there with the kids. I’ll ask them questions about songs, have them sing parts with me, or ask things like, “What does a cow say?” If they’re old enough to interact, I bring them right into the show.

What has been the best feedback you’ve received from the show?

I love when families send me messages and pictures afterward. When someone tells me how special it was to have me there, it means a lot. I’m always surprised at how much it moves people. It really does make it all worth it.

Sometimes, I think the parents are even more excited than the kids — especially when the children very young. And grandparents too! They love it.

To learn more about the NOT Ms. Rachel Show, follow @Not_ Ms_Rachel on Instagram.

Freeman’s upcoming shows at Adventureland are part of the park’s Fall into Savings program. Admission is discounted to $34.50 plus tax per person and includes the live show, access to a free pumpkin patch and free pumpkin decorating (one pumpkin per child). For tickets and details, visit Adventureland.us Tickets are available online or at the park.

Adventureland is located at 2245 Broad Hollow Road (Route 110) in Farmingdale.

Courtesy/Adventureland

In the photos: Gabrielle Freeman, also known as NOT Ms. Rachel, is shown at some of her recent events. She is bringing her live show to Adventureland Oct. 18 as part of the park’s Fall into Savings program.

Mega job fair set to connect Massapequa residents

Massapequa residents looking for new career opportunities will have a chance to meet with some of Long Island’s top employers at the Town of Oyster Bay’s Mega Job Fair, set for Thursday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, 1001 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage. Admission and parking are free.

The event, hosted by Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and The Workforce Partnership, will feature companies from across Long Island hiring for positions in industries such as hospitality, banking, information technology, and professional services. Openings range from entry-level to mid-management roles.

“We’re proud to have helped thousands of residents find meaningful employment through our career center and private-sector job fairs,” Saladino said. “The Workforce Partnership and the Town of Oyster Bay are committed to helping residents find meaningful employment opportunities as well as assisting local businesses in recruiting qualified employees. This Mega Job Fair will connect private and public sector employers with job seekers.”

The Town of Oyster Bay serves as administrator of The Workforce Partnership, a consortium of local governments funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The partnership operates Career Centers in Hicks-

with employers

ville and Massapequa, which provide free job-training services, résumé assistance, and computer skills workshops for residents throughout the town.

At the Massapequa Career Center, residents can take advantage of computer labs equipped with Microsoft software, internet access, and other tools to help prepare for interviews and job applications. The center also offers one-on-one career counseling, employability workshops, and access to job listings that are updated daily.

“These centers help connect qualified job seekers with employers who are looking for talent right here on Long Island,” Saladino said. “They also help train residents so that our workforce can continue to grow stronger and more competitive.”

Officials encourage attendees to bring multiple copies of their résumés and to dress professionally. Job seekers will have the chance to meet directly with hiring managers representing both public- and private-sector organizations.

Residents unable to attend the Bethpage event can still explore job leads and training opportunities year-round through the Workforce Partnership’s Massapequa Career Center, located within the Town of Oyster Bay’s local service network.

For more information about the job fair or other Workforce Partnership programs, call (516) 797-4560 or email business@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Town collecting DVDs for Troops and Children’s hospitals

The Oyster Bay Town Board is partnering with Massapequa-based “Big Hy for Heroes” to collect DVDs for those deployed and serving overseas in the United States Armed Forces as well as movies for children’s hospitals. Donations will be accepted during the month of October and then delivered to Chaplains, Commanding Officers, Sergeant Majors and Sergeants around the globe to distribute to troops and arrange movie nights this holiday season.

“The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to partner with Big Hy for Heroes for our Annual DVD Collection Drive and send thousands of DVDs to troops serving around the globe as well as to children receiving care in local hospitals,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We are asking everyone to help support these brave men, women and children by donating DVDs.”

The Big Hy for Heroes organization was founded in 2002 by Massapequa resident and WWII veteran Hyman Strachman who, along with his son Arthur Strachman, personally began sending DVDs to U.S. troops overseas. Over the years, Big Hy for Heroes has shipped hundreds of thousands of DVDs all around the world and continues to do so today.

Exciting, suspenseful, comedy and classic DVDs are among the most requested by the troops for movie nights. Children’s movies are needed for local hospitals. Residents can donate DVDs at these two locations from Oct. 1-31: Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa

For more information on the DVD Collection Drive for U.S. Troops and local children’s hospitals, please call 516 624-6380.

‘‘They were wonderful.’’

We hear kind words consistently.We’re proud that people feel comfortable enough with us to openly tell us how much they appreciate what we did for them. In fact,it’s this appreciation that drives us to offer the very best in comfort,compassion and service.

O’Connell seeks to build on 20-year record

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Maureen O’Connell, the Nassau County clerk since 2006, is seeking re-election, with a focus on continuing the modernization of county records and expanding services for senior citizens and non-English speakers.

A registered nurse and an attorney, O’Connell, 74, has served in public office for more than three decades, including a term in the Assembly and as deputy mayor of East Williston. In the clerk’s office, she says, she is committed to improving access and service for residents.

“When I walked into that office … there were about 2 million unprocessed documents,” she said. “We were not really modernized.”

Since then, O’Connell said, the office has undergone a significant transformation. Court and land records are now digitized and available online, allowing attorneys and members of the public to file and access documents without visiting the clerk’s office in a building on Old Country Road in Mineola that is notorious for its limited parking.

“We created an electronic database so that a lawyer who wants to start a lawsuit doesn’t have to drive over,” O’Connell said. “They can electronically file a lawsuit from their home office.”

In addition to overseeing deed and mortgage filings, the clerk also serves as the clerk of county Supreme Court. O’Connell said she implemented one of the state’s first Supreme Court filing databases, and added digital interfaces with local and state agencies to streamline access to records.

She has also led efforts to digitize historical documents, a process she refers to as “backfilling.” “The more we backfill, the better the public is served,” O’Connell said. She noted frequent visits from senior

citizens needing access to decades-old property records they have misplaced. “Sometimes that safe place is so safe they can never find it again,” she said.

To further assist homeowners, O’Connell created a Property Fraud Alert Program. Property owners can sign up to receive email alerts if any documents — such as deeds or mortgages — are filed relating to their property. The goal is to prevent fraud involving falsified documents.

“Fortunately, we have not seen a lot of it in Nassau — a very minimal amount,” O’Connell said. “But the county clerks statewide do see it in some counties.”

COUNTY CLERK

If she is re-elected, O’Connell said, she plans to focus on expanding parking at the Mineola complex and to continue efforts to digitize older records. She also hopes to expand the effort to adapting services to the growing population of residents for whom English is not their primary language. A language line, which translates conversations between clerk’s office employees and visitors in real time, has been implemented to aid communication.

O’Connell said that her dual background in nursing and law has shaped her approach to public service. “As a nurse, you like to help people,” she said. “Get the problem solved, and help them resolve whatever issues they’re in need of resolving.”

A lifelong Nassau County resident, O’Connell grew up in Mineola and now lives in East Williston. She trained at Flushing Hospital School of Nursing, and has a bachelor’s degree in health care management from St. Joseph’s College and a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. She is an assistant professor of nursing at SUNY Farmingdale, and serves on several local boards, including the Farmingdale School of Nursing advisory board and Harbor Child Care in Mineola.

She remains passionate about her work for the county. “It’s just a wonderful job,” she said. “I love working, serving in public.”

Clerk must be more accessible,Williams says

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Joylette E. Williams, a professor of English at Nassau Community College, is running for Nassau County clerk. A resident of the Village of Hempstead since 1993, she has built her career in education and local service, and in her campaign is emphasizing administrative experience, accessibility and modernization.

Williams has a Ph.D. in English, is completing a second doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Connecticut and is in her second term on the Hempstead Board of Education. She was first elected in 2022, and re-elected in May after community members urged her to continue her service. Her current term runs through 2028.

“It helps me to understand not only the concerns that residents have throughout the county, but it’s very, very rewarding to actually participate in those advocacy roles,” Williams said.

Her academic background, she added, which includes several master’s degrees and over two decades of teaching, has prepared her for the administrative demands of the clerk’s office, which manages the county’s legal documents, property records and business filings. She noted her experience with recordkeeping, document management and organizational leadership in higher education.

Williams served as a Hempstead village trustee from 2021 to 2022, and sits on the Town of Hempstead’s Industrial Development Agency board. She is also the assistant secretary of the Hempstead chapter of the NAACP, is active in the Hempstead Community Land Trust, the Hempstead chapter of the AARP and the Long Island chapter of the National Coalition of 100

Tim Baker/Herald

Joylette Williams has a Ph.D. in English and is completing a second doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Connecticut.

Black Women. She is a member of the Nassau Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

A central goal of her campaign is to digitize county records and to modernize the operating systems of the clerk’s office. “Right now it’s running like it’s 1974,” she said.

Williams has spoken with title insurance companies and attorneys who frequent the clerk’s office, she said, and has identified inefficiencies, including a lack

of online access to court records that makes it necessary for paralegals to visit the office in person.

The clerk’s mobile outreach van is underutilized, she added, and she has proposed increasing its presence across the county, including at libraries and senior centers. She has also proposed extending the office’s hours to 7 p.m. one day a week to accommodate working residents.

“The clerk’s office needs to be more accessible to all residents of Nassau County, and not just a few areas,” Williams said.

If elected, she plans to propose to the Legislature that fees for deed transfers and property transactions be reduced, and has identified seniors, first responders, first-time homebuyers and veterans as populations that could benefit from fee reductions or waivers.

Williams also cited the need for translators in the clerk’s office, noting a range of languages, from Spanish to Urdu, that are spoken by residents who visit the office regularly. Increased language accessibility, she said, would ensure equitable service across the county’s diverse population.

Her work in civic organizations, Williams said, has helped her better understand residents’ needs and leadership strategies. She added that she plans to request a leave of absence from Nassau Community College if she is elected, because both positions are county-funded and cannot be held simultaneously.

Williams was invited to join the ticket by the Democratic Party leadership, and underwent a vetting process that included interviews, reference checks and social media review. Her commitment to public service and community advocacy, she said, motivated her to accept the nomination.

Tim Baker/Herald

A registered nurse and an attorney, Maureen O’Connell has served in public office for over three decades, including a term in the Assembly.

For more than 100 years the American Red Cross on Long Island has helped the community prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

HONORING

COMMUNITY IMPACT HERO

Luv Michael

FIRST RESPONDER HEROES

Officers Timothy Deegan and Matthew Walling

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP HERO

Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize

DISASTER HERO

Jennifer Keane

MILITARY HERO

Mel Cohen

YOUTH HEROES

Charlie Dubofsky and Sydney Hassenbein

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025

8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.

The Heritage Club at Bethpage

Event Co-chairs: James Quent, Greg Lavine, and Jennifer Solomon

For tickets, sponsorships, journal ads and to learn more, please visit redcross.org/LIheroes

Ear Works Audiology:

Patient-Centered Hearing Care

When it comes to hearing healthcare, one size does not fit all. At Ear Works Audiology, providers take the time to understand each patient’s unique experience — whether it’s a child hearing clearly in class or a grandparent reconnecting with family.

“Hearing loss is a very individualized disorder,” says Dr. Anne Capogna, audiologist with Ear Works Audiology. “People can have the exact same level of hearing loss and have very, very different experiences with it…so, as an audiologist, our first job is to diagnose the level of the hearing loss. But then we really spend a lot of time working

one-on-one with our patients to see how this hearing loss is impacting their life and what their situations they have the most difficulty with.”

That means looking beyond the test results. “We strive to improve their quality of life through better hearing,” Dr. Capogna says. Empathy plays a key role. “There’s a level of vulnerability to explain why you need help…that’s why I’m very vocal in encouraging my patients to give me as much feedback as possible. The more the patient shares about their hearing difficulties, the better I can assist and improve their communication goals.”

Follow-up visits are where real progress happens. “It is during these appointments that we can really fine tune the hearing aid to meet all of our patients’ needs,” she explains. “Helping [patients] is the most important part of my day.”

At Ear Works, it’s not just about better hearing — it’s about better living.

The American Red Cross Heroes Celebration is the signature fundraising event for the American Red Cross on Long Island, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Dr. Anne Capogna

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16

•Town of Oyster Bay Planning Advisory Board Meeting: 7 p.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. For more information, please call (516) 624-6333.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19

•Farmingdale Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Village Green, 361 Main St., Farmingdale. The market will be open until Nov. 23. For more information, call (516) 249-0093.

•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, OCTOBER 20

•Plainedge Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting: 7 p.m, Plainedge Public Library, 1060 Hicksville Road, N. Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 735-4133.

•Nassau County Legislature Full Legislative Meeting: 1p.m., Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola. For more information, call 516-571-6200.

•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, OCTOBER 21

•Town of Oyster Bay Town Board Meeting, Budget Hearing, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay.

•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-person 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.

•Plainedge School District Board of Education Meeting: 7:30 p.m., High School Cafeteria, Plainedge High School, 241 Wyngate Dr., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 992-7450.

•Massapequa School District Board of Education Meeting: 8 p.m., Board Room, 4925 Merrick Rd., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 308-5000.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22

• 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.

Forum to focus on empowering women in fight against Alzheimer’s

With women making up two-thirds of all Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease — and two-thirds of the family members caring for them — the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is inviting Long Islanders to a free forum aimed at education and empowerment.

Women & Alzheimer’s: The Empowerment Forum 2025 will take place Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Villas at Dominican Village’s Helen Butler Hall, 565 Albany Ave., Amityville. Doors open at 8:45 a.m. for breakfast, exhibits and free memory screenings. Registration is available at alzfdn.org/WEF2025

The event will explore Alzheimer’s disproportionate impact on women, offering ways to reduce risk, plan for long-term care and improve quality of life. It will include three panel discussions — featuring medical researchers, legal and care professionals, and care -

givers — as well as interactive exhibits and question-and-answer sessions.

Panelists include Columbia University neuropsychologist Dr. Stephanie Cosentino, NYU emergency medicine specialist Dr. Ula Hwang, and NYU nursing researcher Dr. Bei Wu. Other speakers include elder law attorney Stephanie Alberts, Stony Brook healthcare administrator Daphne Perry, and caregiver advocates Alicia Evans and Cary Lopez.

“Women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis — as caregivers, advocates, and the majority of those diagnosed,” said Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., president and chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

“This forum is about turning awareness into action.”

For more information or to register, visit alzfdn.org/WEF2025 or call (866) 232-8484.

Massapequa Historical Society Music Bingo

The Massapequa Historical Society will be presenting Music Bingo on Nov. 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Grace Church auditorium. The cost is $25 per person. Light refreshments will be served. You are welcome to bring your own food and/ or beverages.

To reserve seats, please call Valerie at (516) 633-5024 or Gail at (516) 8042363.

For more information, visit massapequahistoricalsociety.org or email pequahistory@gmail.com

Grace Church is located at 23 Cedar Shore Drive Suite 4A, Massapequa.

T:6.3"

STEPPING OUT

At the mock store modeled after Freeport’s Two Cousins Fish Market, kids role play as ﬁshmongers and customers.

Visitors are introduced to the exhibit’s many components.

THE SEA IS CALLING

Children’s Museum’s ‘Saltwater Stories’ is rooted in local maritime traditions

By Abbey Salvemini

Long Island Children’s Museum sets sail on a bold new chapter with “Saltwater Stories: We Need the Sea and the Sea Needs Me,” its ﬁrst new permanent exhibition in over a decade. The 1,900-square-foot immersive installation, which ofﬁcially opened last week, invites families to explore Long Island’s rich nautical heritage, celebrating the people, traditions and cultures that have long relied on the sea.

Our coastal identity comes to life through storytelling, interactive play and local traditions. Kids (and grown-ups!) can climb into a full-size bay house, sort the day’s catch in a bustling ﬁsh market, explore the wonders under the sea and even hop inside a 500-pound hand-carved canoe. That canoe — a mishoon (Indigenous dugout canoe) commissioned by the museum — was created through the collaboration of Shinnecock Cultural Steward Chenae Bullock, her mentor Darius Coombs of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and apprentice Shane Weeks of the Shinnecock Nation. Welcomed by the museum in June, it now takes up residence within “Saltwater Stories.”

A culmination of more than 15 years of museum programming and partnerships with local ﬁshermen, Indigenous communities and historians, it anchors Long Island’s past to its future with creativity and care. The concept ﬁrst took shape several years ago, sparked by the museum’s long-running partnerships with tradition bearers and a desire to give families a more personal connection to the natural world around them.

Museum President Erika Floreska describes the exhibit as “authentic, playful and beautiful.”

Director of Exhibits Margo Malter traces its roots back to weekend programs begun in 2009, when local baymen and fishermen shared firsthand stories about life on the water. Over the years, those early conversations grew into a deeper exploration of Long Island’s maritime culture. The turning point came in 2019, when the museum received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. That funding allowed the team to assemble a cohort of community advisors — fisherfolk, Indigenous leaders, historians, and educators — whose voices helped shape Saltwater’s foundation.

“We like to say the exhibit is informed by community, for the community,” Floreska adds.

From the stories of generations of baymen to the bustling ﬁsh markets of the Nautical Mile, the exhibit’s components are rooted in the everyday lives of Long

Anthony Rodia

Anthony Rodia is back with his “Laugh Till It Hurts” tour. Building on the success of his previous outing, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet. Born and raised in Westchester, Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. With a background steeped in family traditions, Italian-American culture and the ups and downs of modern life, Anthony’s comedy feels like a conversation with your funniest friend. His blend of observational humor, self-deprecation and witty impressions has led him on his path as one of the most exciting rising stars on the comedy scene.

Saturday, Oct. 18, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

15, 2025

Islanders past and present. It also highlights the connections between the traditions of immigrant communities who share seaside cultures, offering opportunities for shared experiences and dialogue.

Visitors are welcomed by a nine-foot high immersive, stylized wave tunnel. Visible from the three entries to the museum’s second ﬂoor, this wow-moment hooks you into the gallery and recreates that ﬁrst introduction to the sea for many of us — a day at the beach. Lighting and sound effects give a transportive transition into “Saltwater Stories.”

• Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Among the exhibit’s many features, young visitors can role-play life on the bay in a walkin replica of a bay house, where a “magic window” lets them observe real-time changes in weather, tides and marsh life. Nearby, in a classic Long Island ﬁsh market, you can sort, weigh and sell the day’s catch — mimicking the work of generations who lived off the sea. Also everyone will enjoy “Lifting the Ocean’s Lid,” an early learner area where kids can get a close-up look at what lives under the sea.

• View the events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800

• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City

For Floreska, Saltwater’s heart lies in its ability to tell a local story while providing a playful, hands-on space that’s deeply connected to the real world — something she describes as both unique and meaningful.

“It gives visitors of all ages a chance to connect with a cultural richness that deﬁnes Long Island,” she says.

Integrating new technology felt like a natural next step in the evolution of the museum’s approach to storytelling, according to Malter. She highlights the bay house installation as a standout example, where digital features are used to make the environment feel dynamic and real.

To create the immersive “magic window,” the team hired a videographer to capture time-lapse footage of a local marsh over the course of several days, including scenes at night and during a storm. With the push of a button, kids can change the view outside the window — transforming from day to night or calm to stormy — making the experience both magical and grounded in the real world.

“Observing the natural world was a big educational goal for me,” Malter explains. By blending real footage with playful interaction, young visitors notice environmental details they might otherwise overlook — fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity rooted in the rhythms of local life.

The phrase “we need the sea and the sea needs me” serves as the exhibit’s guiding inspiration.

Even the quintessential Long Island Islander — Billy Joel — has a place here. Everyone can watch a video of his “The Downeaster ‘Alexa’,” commercial ﬁshing’s unofﬁcial anthem.

To help families turn inspiration into action, a resource guide on the museum website provides ideas for local, family-friendly activities that extend the learning into the home. Floreska points to community programs like Freeport-based “Operation Splash,” where families can participate in cleaning up local shorelines.

As a permanent ﬁxture now, “Saltwater Stories” continues the museum’s commitment to ignite curiosity, encourage stewardship and strengthen our bond with the environment — reminding us all that the sea’s story is deeply intertwined with our own.

$144.75, $108.75, $98.25, $86.50, $76.25, $64.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra

Maestro Louis Panacciulli and the Nassau Pops Orchestra return to the Tilles Center for their annual gala supporting the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, joined again by Tony Danza and his band. Danza’s latest cabaret show, “Sinatra and Stories,” blends personal anecdotes, humor and some classic tunes. He pays tribute to the music of ‘Ol Blue Eyes, whose music formed the soundtrack of his childhood. He brings his trademark charisma and storytelling — along with touch of soft shoe and ukulele-strumming — to his selection of Sinatra’s timeless classics. Swing into an afternoon of great tunes and fascinating stories — all to beneﬁt this vital organization.

Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m. Tickets start at $30. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at npso.org/tickets or tillescenter.org.

Gala

Photos courtesy Kevin Chu/KCJP Everyone is welcomed into “Saltwater Stories” through a stylized wave tunnel.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

Wendy Klemperer: Wrought Taxonomies

Vanderbilt Museum welcomes everyone to enjoy the ehibition of outdoor sculpture at the historic summer estate of William Kissam Vanderbilt II. Klemperer’s sculptures. a haunting assemblage of animal forms that span imaginary, endangered, familiar, and exotic species, celebrate natural history and the nonhuman world through evocative interactions with the surrounding environment. Using materials salvaged from scrapyards, she composes ecological narratives that respond to the history and collections of Suffolk County’s first public park and museum. Her brilliant use of gestural lines captures the spectator’s attention and invites museumgoers to reflect on the relationship between an interest in animal life and the incessant push of human industry. Visitors are encourage to picnic on the grounds.

• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport

• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Contact: vanderbiltmuseum.org or call (631) 854-5579

Billy Joel Exhibit is ‘Movin’ Out’

Now is your last chance to catch the Billy Joel Exhibit at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. The exhibit, ‘Billy Joel: My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey,’ closes Oct. 26. Billy Joel fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance as it is anticipated that many days will sell out.

• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook

• Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Contact: imusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

Trunk or Treat

OCT 18

The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce hosts their 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat. With fun prizes and games. Registration required.

• Where: McKenna Elementary Senior Center Parking Lot, 2nd Ave., Massapequa Park

• Time: 11 a.m.=1 p.m.

• Contact: shorturl.at/rWz95 or (516) 541-1443

Ghostly Gala

Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum’s annual Halloween celebration. Enjoy the holiday in a fun, safe and spooky (not scary) way! Show off your costumes and dance moves in a Monster Mash Dance Party. Visit the Spooky Studio and meet mysterious underwater creatures. Also make some cool and creepy crafts. Start

OCT 25

Little Feat

One of America’s most distinctive and longest-running rock bands, Little Feat is back in a big way with a revitalized lineup, a stellar new record — its first album of original material in over a decade The venerable six-piece is touring in support of ‘Strike Up the Band,” their first new studio album reliant on new material since 2012’s Rooster Rag. It’s Little Feat’s triumphant return to rock ‘n roll with plenty of swampy Southern soul. The band builds on a deep, over 50-year history. Little Feat used a combination of elite musicianship and brilliant, idiosyncratic songwriting to create a repertoire that transcends all boundaries. California rock, funk, folk, jazz, country and rockabilly mixed with New Orleans swamp boogie led to a powerful sound that has kept the audience dancing for decades. Their groove — in songs like “Dixie Chicken,” “Spanish Moon,” “Fat Man in the Bathtub,” and “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” — was so infectious it allowed them to endure and press on even when losing their founder, Lowell George, and founding drummer, Richie Hayward. They’re in top form now with Scott Sharrard on lead/vox and Tony Leone on drums/vox, and with founder Bill Payne on keys/vox, Fred Tackett on guitars/vox, Kenny Gradney on bass, and Sam Clayton on percussion/vox. Fifty years on, they’ve been up and they’ve been down and they know where they belong — standing or sitting behind their instruments, playing for you. And anything’s possible, because the end is not in sight. Tickets are $141.25, $120.25, $99.75, $77.75, $66.25

offyour spooky night by decorating a bewitching trick-or-treat bag, then collect ghostly goodies from the museum’s roaming staff. Also a special showing of “Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch” in the LICM theater. $16, $14 members; show $5.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 6-9 p.m.

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

OCT 19

Farmers Market

Schneider’s Farm Farmingdale Farmers Market is open weekly until Nov. 23, weather permitting, at Farmingdale Village Green.

• Where: 361 Main St., Farmingdale

• Time: Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Plainedge

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 735-4210

Spooky Book Nook

Make your own Book Nook! Maggie with Plainedge Public Library shows everyone how to create a spooky themed Book Nook for Halloween from scratch. Start with an empty room, and glue down your flooring and wallpaper. Then the real fun starts! Decorate your Book Nook with fun spooky and bookish accessories. All supplies needed are included. $5. For ages 18 and up. Registration required.

• Where: 1060 Hicksville Road, N. Massapequa

• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

• Contact: plainedgelibrary.org or (516) 735-4133

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Nassau County HELP workshop

Are you looking to understand your property assessment better? Do you have questions about how exemptions can benefit you? The Nassau County Department of Assessment Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program (HELP) visits Massapequa Public Library with guidance.

• Where: 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: massapequlibrary.org or call (516) 799-0770

Farmingdale Library

Cinema

OCT 21

OCT

23

Comedy Night

Enjoy an evening of laughs at Farmingdale Chamber’s Annual Comedy Night. $75 per person, includes buffet dining, beer, wine, soda, coffee and dessert.Tickets must be purchased in advance.

• Where: Main Street Restaurant, 317 Main St., Farmingdale

• Time: 6-9:30 p.m.

• Contact: shorturl.at/gZYMF or (516) 200-1228

OCT

25 Dog Days Weekend

Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens with your pooch (leashed of course), With fall dog parade and costume contest on Sunday.Prizes awarded to best dog costumes, including Prettiest, Most Handsome, Most Original, Best Duo or Group, Funniest. Costume contest participants must register.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury.

• Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: also Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with costume parade/contest, 3-5 p.m.

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

OCT

25 Haunted Halloween

Step back in time at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for some Halloween fun. Enjoy safe trick or treating, a kids’ costume parade and contest, witch-broom making, pumpkin painting, and other family fun. Meet the Headless Horseman and listen to a reading of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Enjoy the spooky fun while you appreciate the colors and beauty of the fall season in the farms, woods, and fields of the historic site. $15, $12 seniors and children 5-12.

• Where: 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Contact: oldbethpagevillagerestoration. org or call (516) 572-8409

Having an event?

Public Library Board of Trustees meet

The library holds its monthly meeting. All are welcome to attend.

• Where: 1060 Hicksville Road, N. Massapequa OCT 20

York Small Business Development Centers Business Advisor Lauren Linakis holds another free virtual workshops, “Marketing to The Government” is part 3 of 4 in the series.

• Where: Tuesdays Online

• Time: 11 a.m.-noon

• Contact: eventbrite.com/cc/ government-contracting-webinarseries-4602113 or (934) 420-2765

Stop by Farmingdale Public Library for a showing “The Amateur” starring Rami Malek and Rachel Brosnahan. The 2025 action thriller follows a CIA cryptographer, who manages to blackmail his agency into training him to let him go after a group of terrorist who killed his wife in London.

• Where: 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale

• Time: 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4 p.m.

• Contact: farmingdalelibrary.org or (516) 249-9090

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.

nearly extinct.

Since Indigenous Peoples Day just passed, let’s look at dog breeds that originated with native North Americans before any European influence. Most of these pre-Columbian breeds are extinct, but their DNA helped shape the surviving indigenous breeds.

As long as 40,000 years ago, dogs descended from an extinct population of Pleistocene wolves, sharing over 99 percent of their DNA with gray wolves today. That remaining 1 percent makes an enormous difference. Natural and human selection within that tiny percent produced more variation in dogs than in any other mammal.

JOANNE ANDERSON Pets, Pets, Pets...

Domesticated dogs accompanied the first people crossing from Siberia over the Bering land bridge about 15,000 years ago. They hunted, herded, pulled sleds and travois, provided wool and companionship — and, at times, food.

Evidence of the human-canine bond dates back nearly 10,000 years. In Utah’s Danger Cave, archaeologists found a small pup buried with a human — wrapped in woven fabric and placed under the person’s left arm.

TWO EXTINCT NATIVE BREEDS:

Beginning in the 1500s, European dogs brought new diseases to North America that native breeds weren’t equipped to resist. The Coast Salish tribe of southwestern British Columbia developed the Salish Wool Dog, using its hair to weave blankets. Hare Indian Dogs — also extinct — were known as Trap Line Dogs, used to check beaver traps. These Collie-like canids were gentle companions to the Hare Indians of northeast Canada.

THREE NATIVE BREEDS THAT STILL EXIST:

Alaskan Malamute: Bred by the Malimiut Inuit of Alaska’s Norton Sound region for strength and endurance in hauling sleds. The Malamute shares genetic markers with the Siberian husky and Chukotka Sled Dog, an aboriginal Spitz-type breed from Siberia.

Canadian Eskimo Dog: A working Arctic breed, also called qimmiq — Inuit for “dog.” The Greenland Dog is considered the same breed because their genetic markers are nearly identical. Both trace to the Thule people of Siberia, who used them for transport. Today, the preference for snowmobiles has left the Canadian Eskimo Dog

Carolina Dog: Also known as the American or Dixie Dingo, this medium-sized, yellow dog from the southeastern United States sometimes lives feral. With pointed ears, a hooked tail and a jackal-like frame, the breed likely descends from canines that traveled with Paleo-Indians over the Bering land bridge. Some still roam wild in the cypress swamps near the South Carolina–Georgia border.

DNA testing at the University of Georgia supports that Carolina Dogs descend from Asian pariah dogs. Interestingly, females have three heat cycles in succession — unlike the usual two — possibly an adaptation for quick breeding be-

The Carolina dog is a breed believed to be descended from dogs that accompanied people who crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia to North America 15,000 years ago.

fore disease takes its toll. Last Hope Animal Rescue has saved Carolina Dogs from Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, noting their gentle temperaments.

PETS FOR ADOPTION

AT BABYLON ANIMAL SHELTER

Speaking of Siberian Huskies, Kenya (No. 25-356) is a female 4-year-old purebred with striking blue eyes. Meanwhile, Starling (No. 5-448) is a 6-month-old tortoiseshell kitten. The shelter’s October promotion offers $10 off the adoption fee for any cat or kitten. Regular fees are $65 for cats and kittens, or $35 for adopters age 60 or older.

The Babylon Animal Shelter is at 80 New Highway in North Amityville. Call (631) 643-9270 for more information.

HERALD

ATTENTION STUDENTS: THE HERALD IS HOLDING A CONTEST TO DESIGN HOLIDAY WRAPPING PAPER

THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE PRINTED AS HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP IN 12/4/25 & 12/11/25 ISSUES OF YOUR HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

CONTEST RULES:

Who can enter: There will be 2 categories:

Students in grades k-5. Students in 6-12

One entry per student

Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m.

Friday, October 31, 2025

Grand prize: Winners will have their design printed as wrapping paper in the Herald and will be featured in an article in their local Herald newspaper.

Entry format: Please use an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of unlined paper. All entries should have the student’s name, age, address, telephone number, email, grade and school printed on the back. Design can be reflective of all religious holidays. Entries will not be returned.

Mail or hand-deliver to:

Wrapping Paper Contest

Herald Community Newspapers

2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 OR Scan and email to: ekimbrell@liherald.com

(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted).

Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 14

HELPFUL HINTS

• Must use 8 1/2 x 11” unlined paper, copy paper or construction paper.

• Be creative & original.

• Use bright colors.

• Fill the entire page.

• Choose paint, crayon, chalk, markers, pens, or other creative materials.

• Remember your design will be used to make a real sheet of wrapping paper.

Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals

TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771-1592 -

TELEPHONE: (516) 624-6232 – FAX: (516) 624-6149

RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman – LOIS

SCHMITT, Vice Chairwoman –

KATHLEEN MULLIGAN

REBECCA M. ALESIA –LISA CICCOLELLA – 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 OCTOBER 23, 2025, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals: BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 25-261

MASSAPEQUA

5250 MERRICK LLC:

(A) Variance to allow existing site having less landscape buffer between residential and commercial zones than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing offstreet parking spaces having less maneuvering aisle width than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing site with off-street parking having less landscape along the periphery than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance for the reduction of off-street parking spaces. Reduction of spaces to 3 when 10 parking spaces are required. (E) Variance to allow existing off-

street parking spaces having less setback than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o Merrick Rd., 252.43 ft. E/o W. Shore Dr., a/k/a 5250 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-268

MASSAPEQUA

FRED E. KIRK: (A)

Variance to allow existing generator having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing gazebo exceeding maximum height, building coverage and gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance.

W/s/o Fairwater Ave., N/o Highwater Ave., a/k/a 81 Fairwater Avenue, Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-363

MASSAPEQUA

ARACY SACKS: (A)

Variance to allow existing wood deck having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing wood deck and one story rear addition having less aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing one story addition, gazebo and one story front addition exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing second floor addition, one story rear addition, gazebo and one story front addition exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance.

(E) Variance for the reduction of off-street parking spaces. Reduction of spaces to 1 when 2 parking spaces are required.

W/s/o Marlboro Ave., 90 ft. N/o N. Pine St., a/k/a 1 Marlboro Avenue, Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 03-571

- AMENDMENT

NORTH MASS -

Public Notices

APEQUA

NORMA FIORAVANTE: (A) Amend Decision of Zoning Board of Appeals, dated November 13, 2003 in order to Amend the Declaration of Restrictive Covenants to indicate a change in occupancy while still maintaining a Parent/Child relationship. (B) Extend the Special Use Permit to maintain an existing second kitchen in a one-family dwelling for use as a Parent/ Child residence.

S/s/o N Chestnut St., 380 ft. W/o N. Bay Ave., a/k/a 220A N Chesnut St., North Massapequa, NY

ZONING

BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING OF 10/23/25

APPEAL NO. 25-252

NORTH MASSAPEQUA

STEVEN PRISTINA:

Variance to allow existing gas firepit having less front yard setback (N. Walnut Street) than permitted by Ordinance.

SW/ cor. of N. Central Ave. & N. Walnut St., a/k/a 915 N. Central Avenue, North Massapequa, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-347

FARMINGDALE

MEGAN ORBON:

(A) Variance to construct second floor addition with cantilever having less side yard setback, aggregate side yards and exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (B) Variance to construct front roof-over porch and second floor addition with cantilever exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance.

N/s/o Maple Ave., E/o Hemlock St., a/k/a 43 Maple Avenue, Farmingdale, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-170

FARMINGDALE

RONELLE HILLS:

(A) Variance to allow

existing deck having less side yard setback, rear yard setback, exceeding maximum building coverage and gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing aboveground swimming pool having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o Robin Ln., 358.82 ft. E/o Washington St., a/k/a 21 Robin Lane, Farmingdale, NY

OCTOBER 13, 2025 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 25-284 10/15

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-25130935 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 910 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Garden City Elite LLC.

25-280. 10/8, 15

Notice of formation of Rapid Analytical LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/19/2025

Office location, County of Nassau. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a process served to: Rapid Analytical LLC, 11 Stephen Ln, Hicksville NY 11801

Purpose: any lawful act.

25-279. 10/8, 15, 22, 29, 11/5,12

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Premiere Homes Cleaning Services LLC.

Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/08/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Olina Esmeralda Osorio: 464 Bellmore Road, Apt. A, East Meadow, NY 11554. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 25-266. 9/24, 10/1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0240-25130648 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 556 Westbury Ave, Carle Place, NY 11514, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Sivar Food Inc. 25-281. 10/8, 15

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 10/24/2025 at 10:30AM. Unless listed below, the contents consist of household

goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Said Beydoun unit #2421; Nicole Pascale unit #3440. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

See manager for details. 25-278 10/8, 15

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF SUREFIX STRATEGIES LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/12/2025.

Office location: County of Nassau. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to:

SureFix Strategies LLC, 236 Broadway, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. 25-270. 9/24, 10/1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0370-25132066 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/ Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1500 Old Country Road, 2nd FL, Unit 240, Westbury, NY 11590, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at NY Axe Westbury LLC. 25-285 10/15, 22

TOBAY and Farmindgale Men’s Club Peanut Butter Collection drive

Oyster Bay Town officials will, once again, partner with the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club to host a Peanut Butter Collection Drive to help replenish local food pantries. Beginning October 1, residents are invited to donate new, unopened and sealed peanut butter to help support local families in need. Drop-off containers are located at Town Halls North and South, as well as at the Town Ice Skating Center. Alternative butters, including sun butters, almond butters and cookie butters, as well as jelly, are also accepted.

“We are proud to once again partner with this great organization to help ‘spread the love’ and stock local food pantry shelves with this very popular product,” said Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Peanut butter is among the most highly requested food items at local food banks as it has a long shelf life, provides many nutrients and doesn’t require refrigeration. We thank the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club for again putting our local communities first with this wonderful initiative.”

The Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club mission is to provide and encourage involvement in education, charitable and social programs for the men of local communities, and to support the local and wider community with activities and contributions.

“The Massapequa-Farmingdale Men’s Club has been assisting members of local communities and foodbanks for several years, and we’re thrilled to partner with them on such initiatives,” said Councilman Hand.

The Peanut Butter Collection Drive will run through November 15. Drop off bins are located during regular business hours at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay; Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa and the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center at1001 Stewart Ave, Bethpage.

“Our organization works tirelessly to help the local and greater community, and we wouldn’t have the success we have without great partners in government like the Town of Oyster Bay,” said Tom Sabellico, president and founder of the Men’s Club. “This very popular food drive is appreciated by many food banks, who have expressed they particularly like peanut butter thanks to it being easy to use, it keeps a long time, provides a variety of nutrients, is high in protection and is enjoyed by all age groups.”

For more information about the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club and their mission, visit www. massapequafarmingdalemensclub. com. For more information about the Peanut Butter Collection Drive and other Town programs, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown. com or call (516) 624-6380.

Stunning Euro Chic Home

TWhy can’t the architect and the contractor be friends?

Q. We’re trying to figure out how a mess started right at the beginning of our renovation. The plans were permitted, so we believe they were properly reviewed, but the mason and the contractor built something different than what was in the plans. The contractor is a friend who we trust. They have told us that the architect made mistakes, and they couldn’t build it the way the plans show, so they did something different.

We don’t want to stop the job, but the architect came by and said that there are many problems now, because the structure isn’t going to work the way the contractor made changes, and because the structure had to be a certain way. The contractor keeps sending us texts showing different ways to do the job, complete with sketches. The architect is saying that the work will be unsafe the way the contractor is proposing the changes. What should we do?

A. When plans aren’t followed, which happens all too frequently, the job has to stop while the design is reassessed by the architect. If you take that authority away from the architect, you set yourself up for a prolonged set of problems that can go on and on, delaying the work and possibly not even getting the outcome you were looking for.

The contractor is not given the authority to change the design or construction. Most construction plans have clauses stating that the contractor is not to deviate from them, and also instruct the contractor to contact the architect with questions, or to get clarification on any issues or discrepancies before any work starts. Once the work starts, the contractor will often begin to point fingers at the architect for anything not clear and misunderstood. I refer to this as “divide and conquer,” a common practice in which the contractor, empowered to run the construction job, alienates the architect from the owner, creating an often permanent rift.

Contractors and building inspectors have told me it is rare to see an architect on a construction site, but I recommend that the architect look at the work — especially foundation forms — before a concrete pour and also framing. During demolition is an important time to see previously hidden structure, especially because older homes were often built with bare-minimum beams — hence the explanation for sagging floors that people often point out before the architect starts redesigning. You need to listen to the architect before this problem becomes harder, and more expensive, to undo.

If you have doubts about the architect, especially about structure, bring in a structural engineer to meet with the architect. One of the biggest reasons these problems occur is because of a lack of communication. You, the owner, should have brought everyone, including the architect, contractor, subcontractors — especially the mason — together and had a team meeting. Letting everyone do their own thing with the assumption that everything would run smoothly was the first problem. But it’s not too late. Good luck!

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tag Sales

COPIAGUE LIBRARY- TAG Sale Sun. October 19th 12-3pm. 50 Deauville Blvd. Copiague – 631-691-1111

Announcements

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Wanted To Buy

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Long Island / Will Travel FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

(2) 30 X 36 mirror, bevelled edge, etchings in corners, hardware attached. beautiful 516-579-9089 $45.00

AIWA NSX-AJ200 STEREO. Digital Compact 3 CD changer. AM/FM Radio Remote, 2 speakers. $60 516-320-1906

ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE, 6.5Ft, Lights attached. with stand, good condition FREE Jack Taylor (516) 486-2363

BRAND NEW HOLLY Pattern Vase, Vintage Statues (Christmas), Christmas ornaments, excellent. (516)579-9089 under $25.00 all

CEDAR RABBIT HUTCH: Mica cleanout drawers, Casters, 54" X 24", Solid construction. $95. 516-343-4010

DRESSERS: TWO BLACK Wood. Single drawer, 2 doors w/shelf. Formica top. W-32"xH-30"xD-18" $35 each. 516-320-1906

GIRLS SIZE 10, Hoodies, Long-sleeve tops & pants, New with Tags $10. Text (917) 420-5814

Finds Under $100

GIRLS SIZE 6 Tops and Jeans - New with Tags $8. Text (917) 420-5814

GRACE FOODS, JAMAICAN style BBQ gift basket. $15. Valley Stream. (516)209-7970.

IKEA SOLID OAK: Unassembled, Media Storage Cabinets, New in Box: DVD, CD VCR $50 each. 516-486-7941

MIKASA SENTIMENTS CARAFE, glass, new, boxed, inscribed with Happiness, Success, Wisdom and Friendship. $25, 516-678-0694.

MIKASA SENTIMENTS CHAMPAGNE Fluted Glasses, 4, inscribed with Friendship, Wisdom, Success and Happiness. $40. 516-678-0694.

NEW BASEBALL H.O.F. "UNTUCKit" black shirt, large, $25 (Retail $50). (516)705-8398."

QUARTERS: ALL FIFTY STATES: Uncirculated, in presentation folders. 3 sets all 50 States. $50. 516-486-7941

SERVICES

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Services

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AUTOMOBILE

& MARINE

A clearer view: understanding and treating cataracts

Have you noticed that your vision is becoming a little hazy, like you’re looking through a foggy window? If so, you might be experiencing the effects of cataracts.

contact lens prescription, or double vision in one eye.

What, exactly, is a cataract? Imagine the lens of your eye is like the lens of a camera. It’s a clear, natural part of your eye that focuses light onto the retina, which is at the back of your eye. The retina then sends signals to your brain, creating the images you see.

A cataract is simply the clouding of this natural lens. It’s a bit like a clear camera lens becoming frosted over. This clouding prevents light from passing through properly, leading to blurry, hazy or dim vision. Cataracts typically develop slowly and painlessly, so you might not even notice a change in your vision at first. As they progress, however, you may experience cloudy or blurry vision, the fading or yellowing of colors, an increased sensitivity to light, difficulty with night vision, halos around lights, frequent changes in your eyeglass or

The most common cause of cataracts is aging, but other factors can also contribute to their development, including family history, medical conditions, previous eye injury or surgery, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.

When cataracts begin to interfere with your daily life, making it difficult to read, drive or watch TV, it’s time to consider cataract surgery. It’s one of the most common and routinely successful surgical procedures performed today.

Tdistance (i.e. driving, watching a Broadway show). You will likely still need glasses for reading, using a computer and other close-up tasks.

Toric lenses (astigmatism correction): Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped more like a football than a baseball, causing blurry or distorted vision. Toric IOLs have a special design that corrects both your cataract and your astigmatism in a single procedure.

hey’re a normal part of aging, but they don’t have to define your vision.

The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the eye, and then uses a special tool to break up and remove the cloudy natural lens. Then a new, clear artificial lens — called an intraocular lens, or IOL — is implanted in its place. The new lens becomes a permanent part of your eye and requires no special care.

With modern cataract surgery, you have options for your new lens. Your doctor will help you choose the best one to fit your lifestyle and needs.

Monofocal IOL: This is the most common type of IOL. It provides clear vision at a single distance, usually for

LeTTers

ish-American War.

Closer to our time, the press remained curiously silent about the 1940s Levittown covenant restricting home ownership in that community to white people. And in 2002, when President George W. Bush justified our invasion of Iraq by insisting that the country’s weapons of mass destruction posed a threat to America, few newspapers questioned his claim.

I’m sure Mr. Buglione enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with his Herald colleagues 20 years ago. And while I’ve no reason to doubt his statement that Herald reporters were genuinely committed to presenting the news accurately, we’d be hard-pressed to find a time when the press — in general — has been entirely squeaky clean.

RICHARd J. COnWAY Massapequa

Koslow’s a better choice than Blakeman

To the Editor:

It can be an easy win for a candidate with name recognition who has enough money and government power to bombard us with fliers, signs and TV ads

each day. Bruce Blakeman, our current n assau County executive, has this power. We need to look beyond the hype. It’s time for a more centrist candidate. Blakeman and his team are entrenched in national politics, pleasing President Trump by doing such things as training a group of our county police officers to work in tandem with the president’s controversial ICE force, setting aside cells in our county jail for nonviolent ICE detainees, and creating a volunteer, private militia that Blakeman can use when and how he decides.

On the other hand, Seth Koslow is a centrist candidate for county executive with years of experience as a Queens district attorney, a private-practice lawyer and a current member of the nassau County Legislature. He has lived in n assau County his entire life, and is raising his family here. He is very concerned about our taxes in nassau, and has said that he would order a full, independent audit of county spending to see where our money is being spent.

Koslow has stated that he would share ideas with his Republican counterpart in Suffolk County, because he believes in the idea of people on both sides working together for the benefit of the county. He has said he would disband Blakeman’s private militia because he believes that our excellent

Extended depth of focus lenses: These lenses create a single, elongated focal point to provide a continuous range of vision. They offer excellent distance vision and a solid range of intermediate vision — great for computer work or seeing a car dashboard — with a lower chance of nighttime glare or halos than other multifocal designs. You may still need glasses for very fine print.

Light adjustable lenses: These are the only IOLs that can be customized after they have been implanted. The lenses are made of unique, photosensitive material. After a few weeks of healing, your surgeon uses a special light-delivery device to fine-tune the lenses’ power to your exact visual needs (distance, near or a blend), eliminating any small remaining prescription errors. Once

the optimal vision is achieved, the lens is “locked in” and the adjustments are permanent. This offers the highest level of precision and customization.

Femtosecond cataract surgery: precision with lasers: While traditional cataract surgery is very safe and effective, many surgeons now offer laser-assisted surgery. It uses a highly precise, computer-controlled laser to perform several key steps of the surgery that were traditionally done by hand with a blade. The laser creates the tiny incision, opens the lens capsule and even softens the cataract before it is removed. This allows for extraordinary accuracy and consistency, can lead to a more predictable outcome and a faster recovery, and is a safer procedure for certain patients.

Cataracts are a normal part of aging, but they don’t have to define your vision. With simple preventive measures and highly effective surgical options, you can look forward to a world that is once again clear, vibrant and full of light. If you have any concerns about your vision, don’t hesitate to speak with your eye doctor.

Dr. Carolyn Shih is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and works at South Shore Eye Care, a member of the Northwell Health Eye Institute.

county police force is more than capable of handling our citizens’ safety.

The bottom line is that Seth Koslow is a highly qualified local resident who would concentrate solely on the needs

of our county. This makes him and his team best suited to run our county.

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HERALD

iHerald editorial

Real journalists, reporting real stories

n an age of uncertainty and skepticism toward the media, one mission has remained unwavering: to inform, empower and connect our community with journalism rooted in truth and integrity.

That mission defines Herald Community Media, publisher of 27 community weekly newspapers serving Nassau and Suffolk counties and a touch of New York City. It is the foundation of everything we do — every story we report, every question we ask and every issue we print.

The Herald’s purpose has never been clearer or more vital, especially now, during election season. Across the nation, trust in media has declined as misinformation spreads faster than facts and as social media platforms blur the line between opinion and truth. Yet despite this turbulence, the need for reliable local journalism has never been greater. We know you depend on us not only to tell you what’s happening, but also to help you understand why it matters — to your neighborhood, your family and your future.

This summer, the Pew Research Center published “How Americans View Journalists in the Digital Age,” an indepth look at how the public perceives our profession. Pew surveyed nearly 9,400 U.S. adults and convened a number of focus groups, and found both optimism and concern. Most Americans still believe journalists are vital to our soci-

letters

There’s often been bias in journalism

To the Editor:

Re Nick Buglione’s column in the Oct. 2-8 issue, “I was proud to be a reporter — but things have changed”: I, too, would like to put to rest the argument that Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok and other social media have any role in serious journalism. It’s indeed unfortunate that so many people rely on these geysers of rumor, gossip, misinformation and lies for their news.

But the journalism profession has never been as idealistic and innocent as Mr. Buglione seems to suggest it once was. In fact, long before social media invaded our world, the press’s coverage of important events was at times nakedly partisan, ignorant and dishonest.

In the 19th century, for example, some newspapers accepted hefty sums of money from politicians for favorable coverage of their campaigns. At least one paper from that era, William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal, ran sensationalized stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba, which, many believe, helped drum up support for American involvement in the Span-

ety’s well-being — but many also express frustration, feeling that the media’s credibility and influence have declined amid political division and technological upheaval.

Yet within those findings lies a message of hope and direction. Americans say what they value most in their news providers is honesty, intelligence and authenticity — qualities that have guided the Herald’s reporting since its founding in 1964. Our journalists live by those values every day. We verify information carefully, we listen with compassion and we report with clarity and context. We are not distant observers; we are your neighbors, your fellow community members and your partners in truth.

At a time when the term “media” often evokes distrust, the Herald reaffirms its promise: to deliver accurate, objective and trustworthy local journalism. That means being transparent about how we report, being accountable when we err, and being authentic in how we connect with you.

Authenticity, as editors across the country have noted, may be the most powerful defense against today’s flood of misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content. Real, local journalism can’t be practiced from behind a desk or from a distant city. It requires trained professionals who show up in the community, ask hard questions and share the stories of other real-life

people.

Every week, Herald journalists attend school board meetings, interview local business owners, chronicle civic debates, and celebrate the achievements of neighbors doing extraordinary things. We are not reporting on the community from afar — we are reporting within it, with care, empathy and purpose.

Readers deserve to know how stories come together — how sources are verified, why certain facts are included and how conclusions are drawn. We are committed to correcting mistakes quickly and publicly, because credibility is not earned by claiming perfection but by demonstrating honesty.

As Pew’s research highlights, Americans long for media that is clear, fair and accountable. The Herald’s commitment to those ideals has not wavered for more than six decades, and it will not waver now. Our mission — to inform, empower and connect our community with journalism rooted in truth and integrity — is our responsibility, our calling and our promise. As a locally owned family business, our commitment is to our communities, not to Wall Street.

In a world increasingly driven by algorithms and artificial noise, the Herald’s voice remains steady: local reporting by real journalists, telling real stories that matter. That is how we serve. That is how we strengthen our community. And that is how we continue.

We will remain the leader of the free world

American foreign policy is at a watershed moment, comparable to the critical years after World War II, when the United States and our allies were forced to accept that the euphoria of victory over Nazi Germany and imperial Japan had been supplanted by the reality of the Iron Curtain and the threat of Soviet expansion. The Cold War had begun.

The NATO alliance was formed to prevent Joseph Stalin from emulating Adolf Hitler’s march through Europe after the Munich Conference capitulation in 1938, which had given Hitler virtually free rein to invade and seize Czechoslovakia. A decadeslong struggle would continue through various iterations and crises until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 — a struggle that today’s isolationists would have labeled an “endless war.” Fortunately, neither American political party elected isolationists during those defining 45 years. Pre-World War II isolationism had long since been consigned to the ash heap of history.

The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 created a sense of euphoria similar to

Ithat of 1945 and ’46. Eastern Europe was liberated from the yoke of Soviet communist rule, and the Soviet republics declared their independence from Moscow. One of them was Ukraine, which, tragically, had been brutalized for centuries by Russia.

TUkraine was also left with thousands of Soviet nuclear weapons. In 1994, in keeping with the spirit of the Soviet demise, Ukraine gave up those weapons in return for guarantees of security from the United States, Britain and Russia, in what was known as the Budapest Agreement. All indicators seemed to foresee a reformed Russia, and no aggression of the type that drew the U.S. into the two world wars of the 20th century.

rump’s turnabout with Zelensky and Putin sends a clear message to China.

There would be fits and starts with Russia during the later Bush years, including an incursion into Georgia, and then a promise by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2009 that the Obama administration would “reset” the relationship with Russia. That reset never worked, and Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. There was no Russian aggression during the first Trump administration, but then, in February 2022, Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine — the first invasion of a sovereign European nation since the end of World War II.

defeating Russian aggression, having supplied more funding to Ukraine than the U.S. Unfortunately, President Trump has shown reluctance to stand with Ukraine, ascribing equal blame for the war to Zelensky — even berating him in the White House, telling him he had no cards to play.

I accompanied President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to Moscow in September 1998 for meetings with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and other Russian officials to strengthen economic and cultural ties between our two nations. The dialogue between the leaders was extremely positive. Then, after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the newly elected Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was among the first foreign leaders to pledge President George W. Bush his full support.

Ukraine, under its newly elected reform president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was expected to succumb in days or weeks. President Joseph Biden even offered to have American jets provide Zelensky safe passage out of Ukraine. But with the U.S. and NATO countries supplying weapons and logistical support, Zelensky and Ukraine have fought Russia to a stalemate for over three and a half years — longer than America’s war against Nazi Germany.

Russia has suffered more than a million casualties, and has had to resort to using North Korean troops. Its economy is in shambles. NATO has admitted two previously neutral nations, Sweden and Finland, and remains committed to

Staying sane in the age of

’m tired. In fact, I’m exhausted. I’m overwhelmed. It’s not from going to the gym. It’s not from being glued to my TV, watching my favorite baseball team trying to survive the playoffs.

It’s the torrent of information that has been drowning me 24 hours a day, with no promise of abating. Is there any hope that the flood will end and that I’ll have a respite from information overload? Is there any hope that the barrage will shut down over the weekend, when we try to pay less attention to our laptops and cellphones? Or are we doomed to being perpetually overwhelmed by the greatest avalanche of facts, figures, news, emails, text messages and robocalls since the dawn of the high-tech era?

There is no one culprit that we can identify whose elimination would give us a reprieve from the onslaught. One of the biggest offenders of them all is,

Aof course, the White House, which engages in a strategy known as Flood the Zone. Every day, it releases so many “hot” news items that it would take you or me two or three days just to get through them. In addition to the media flood, President Trump holds freewheeling news conferences that can last well over an hour. Generally, those events generate other news stories on top of the daily pressroom output.

Then there’s the smartphone app challenge. I checked my phone and found that I am attached to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X and have subscriptions to the Daily News, the New York Post, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Newsday, Newsday TV, the Huffington Post, Apple News, The Hill, CNN, The Weather Channel and some others that I’ve forgotten. I know that over the course of the day, I tap into every one of those outlets for some type of information.

Trump met with Putin in Alaska, and implored him to meet with Zelensky to reach a compromise. Putin implied that he would, but reneged. Realizing he was being played, Trump denounced Putin in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last month, and just hours later, met one on one with Zelensky. Then, going full circle, Trump released a statement hailing Zelensky’s leadership, saying that Ukraine was in a position to “fight and win,” and pledging to continue to supply weapons to NATO for Ukraine’s use against Russia.

Trump’s turnabout will prevent a catastrophic replay of Munich and halt Putin’s attempt to rebuild the Russian empire. This defeat of Russian aggression in Europe will simultaneously send a clear message to China not to move against Taiwan or other Pacific nations such as the Philippines and Japan. The United States will remain the leader of the free world.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

information overload

imagine waiting at a bus stop for six hours. It’s a long time.

ll ‘breaking’ news all the time — and for goodness’ sake, don’t forget podcasts.

Beyond all these challenges is the introduction of artificial intelligence into our lives. No matter how hard you try, there’s no way to escape the onslaught of articles, studies, memos and office talk about AI. Just a few years ago, if someone had uttered the words artificial intelligence, they would have been largely ignored. These days, those words hover over us like a threatening storm cloud, with most of us having no idea whether it will help or harm us.

program. How many times in a halfhour can there be so much “breaking” news? And the repetition of the same stories can be head-splitting.

Last, but by far not least, is the introduction into our space of the podcast. Today, almost every media, political, religious, sports or entertainment personality has a podcast of some kind. They have rotating guests, and offer a mountain of opinions on the subjects of the moment. Many of them are interesting and informative, but how many hours in a day do we have to partake in this newest information vehicle?

Once a week, I get a text telling me that, on average, I’m on my phone for a minimum of six hours a week. That doesn’t sound like a lot of hours, but

Once upon a time, watching television was a respite from the pressures of the day. Today, watching TV can leave you dazed and confused by hour after hour of commercials for countless drugs, all of which, apparently, will save humanity. On top of the drug tsunami, there are countless other ads that dominate the time you would like to just sit back and watch your favorite show, uninterrupted.

To add to the desperation for some chill time, there’s today’s typical news

So that is my ongoing nightmare. It is mine, but it’s the nightmare that we all face. We’re just human beings; we’re not robots. At least for now, they can’t implant a chip in our brain to help us fend off the cascade of facts, figures, opinions, ideas, theories and concepts that flood our every waking hour. So we’ll have to find new ways to help ourselves live a normal life, and still be adequately informed people.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

mountsinai.org/southnassau

Massapequa Herald 10_15_2025

HERALD MAssApequA

MPK Village Fall Fest and Street Fair draws hundreds for fun

MPK Village Fall Fest and Street Fair draws hundreds for fun

Woman recovering after being bitten by rabid raccoon

—VICTIM OF RABID RACCOON BITE

Plainedge voters say yes to new library construction

Bond for $16.9M rebuild wins 2-to-1 margin after earlier defeat

Scooter rider seriously injured

Police: two charged in elder scam

CRIME WATCH

Drug Take-Back Event

games to watch

HERALD SPORTS

Plainedge rises amid new challenge

Phillips has led county’s drive into digital era

COUNTY COMPTROLLER

Wink: Comptroller must be ‘fiscal watchdog’

Nassau Police meet residents for Coffee With a Cop Day

HERALD NEIGHBORS

NOT Ms. Rachel to bring songs, stories and smiles to Adventureland Massapequa mom Gabrielle Freeman brings

hit kids’ show to life with Long Island twist

Mega job fair set to connect Massapequa residents

with employers

Town collecting DVDs for Troops and Children’s hospitals

O’Connell seeks to build on 20-year record

COUNTY CLERK

Clerk must be more accessible,Williams says

HONORING

SPONSORED CONTENT

Ear Works Audiology:

Patient-Centered Hearing Care

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Forum to focus on empowering women in fight against Alzheimer’s

Massapequa Historical Society Music Bingo

STEPPING OUT

THE SEA IS CALLING

Children’s Museum’s ‘Saltwater Stories’ is rooted in local maritime traditions

Anthony Rodia

Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

Ghostly Gala

OCT 25

Little Feat

Spooky Book Nook

Farmingdale Library

OCT

23

OCT

25

Dog Days Weekend

OCT

25

Haunted Halloween

JOANNE ANDERSON Pets, Pets, Pets...

PETS FOR ADOPTION

HERALD

CONTEST RULES:

HELPFUL HINTS

Public Notices

TOBAY and Farmindgale Men’s Club Peanut Butter Collection drive

Stunning Euro Chic Home

TWhy can’t the architect and the contractor be friends?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Miscellaneous

Painting

Plumbing

Power Washing

Services

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

AUTOMOBILE

A clearer view: understanding and treating cataracts

LeTTers

Koslow’s a better choice than Blakeman

HERALD

iHerald editorial

Real journalists, reporting real stories

letters

We will remain the leader of the free world

Staying sane in the age of