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MPK Village hosts holiday open house Page 2 Vol.74 74 NO. No.5051 VOL.

Chamber honors local veterans

O’Bay holds annual toy drive Page 8

Page 3 DECEMBER DECEMBER17 17- -23, 23, 2025 2025

$1.00 $1.00

Massapequa Chamber hosts annual holiday event By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondent

Mike Polansky/Herald

Elected officials and Chamber Board members were out in force for the event

Hundreds of residents gathered in Klestinec Park in Massapequa on Saturday evening, Dec. 6, as the Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday season with its annual Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony. The festivities opened with lively performances by several local dance groups, including A Step Above Performing Arts, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Massapequa school board president joins lawsuit over free speech der students — particularly those concerning school athletics and access to facilities. Massapequa Board of EducaJoining Wachter in the lawtion President Kerry Wachter is suit are a school board member among four plaintiffs in a federal from upstate New York and two lawsuit challenging what they alparents with children in the lege is a violation of their constiRockville Centre School District. tutional rights by the New York They are being represented by State Commissioner of Educathe Southeastern Legal Foundation. tion, a Georgia-based conservaThe complaint, filed Dec. 9 in tive public interest law firm that U.S. District Court for the Northis fully funding the litigation. ern District of New York, accuses According to the foundation’s Attorney General Letitia James president, Kimberly S. Hermann, and Commissioner of Education the group has been “going to Betty A. Rosa of unconstitutioncourt for over 50 years when govally stifling public discussion of ernment violates American constate policies involving transgen2025-26 HIGH SCHOOL stitutional SPORT S P R Erights.” VIEW

By MIKE POLANSKY

Senior Correspondent

December 18, 2025

The lawsuit takes aim at a May 8 guidance letter issued by James and Rosa, which warned school boards that public discussion of transgender issues could violate the state’s Dignity for All Students Act and other laws. The complaint argues that the letter amounted to unconstitutional “viewpoint discrimination,” allowing only supportive comments of state transgender policies while prohibiting — and potentially penalizing — dissenting views. According to the filing, school board members could face removal from office not only for expressing views contrary to state policy,

but even for allowing others to do so at public meetings — including comments about biological sexbased pronouns, sports participation, or gender identity. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the May letter is unconstitutional and asks the court to block state officials from enforcing it. “The State is simply trying to shut down discussion,” Wachter said. “They want to say that this is the law, that’s how we interpret it, and that’s it. I think that prohibiting discussion like this is antithetical to our Constitutional rights that we enjoy as citizens of this country. In a free and demo-

cratic society, we should be able to have an exchange of ideas, but the Attorney General’s letter is stopping that debate. That’s what’s egregious and that’s why we had to file this lawsuit.” Wachter added that the letter has been widely interpreted as a warning to align with the state or risk losing a board seat. “Parents and board members should be free to raise concerns about locker room access, student safety and athletic competition without fear of retaliation,” she said. Hermann echoed those concerns. “This is one of the most egreCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

MPK Village continues festive tradition at annual open house By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Corresponden

Massapequa Park Village Hall was filled with music and holiday cheer on the afternoon of Dec. 7, as student musicians from the Massapequa School District performed during the village’s annual holiday open house. The event — a longtime village tradition — featured performances by the East Lake Elementary Bell Choir, the Berner Middle School Flute Choir, and the Berner Vocal Points singers. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus also made an appearance, adding to the festive atmosphere as parents, teachers and village leaders looked on. Mayor Daniel Pearl said the open house tradition has likely spanned more than 25 years. “It’s an opportunity for children to perform outside their schools and out into the community,” he said. Pearl was joined by Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino, Trustee Dana Durso and Village Clerk Linda Tuminello in welcoming the students and families. Amanda Collins directed the East Lake Bell Choir in place of Dr. Gina Aspetti, while Jessica Wyman led the Berner Flute Choir and Andrea Gropf conducted the Berner Vocal Points singers.

Mike Polansky/Herald Photos

Trustee Dana Durso, Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino and Mayor Pearl get the program started.

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December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Massapequa Chamber of Commerce honors three local veterans

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Corresponden

The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce honored three local veterans at its annual Veterans of the Year Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 20, during a luncheon at the Massapequa Elks Lodge. This year’s honorees were Machinist Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer Michael Hammond of American Legion Massapequa Post 1066; Marine Corps Cpl. Leonard Schneider of AMVETS Massapequa Post 88; and Army Maj. Gerald Thomas O’Buckley of Massapequa VFW Post 7277. Chamber President Robin Hepworth led the ceremony, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to recognizing those who served. “The Chamber feels deeply passionate about honoring the men and women who have served our country,” she said. Standing alongside her was Chamber Vice President Sal Polito, a Vietnam veteran who once again chaired the committee that planned the event. Polito led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Alden Brown of East Gate Church performed the national anthem, and the Amityville Pipers of American Legion Post 1066 provided musical entertainment. Hepworth praised the honorees for their continued service to fellow veterans and the community. “Their commitment, their patriotism and the example they set mean more than we can ever fully express,” she told the audience of more than 100. “To our honorees and every veteran here today, thank you for your service, your sacrifice and for your courage.” Several elected officials attended, including New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, Nassau County Legislators James Kennedy and Rose Walker, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, and Town of Oyster Bay Councilmen Tom Hall and Andrew Monteleone. Saladino thanked the veterans for safeguarding democratic institutions. “Those of us in elected office get a job to do because you veterans got your job done — to protect our democracy, to protect representative government, and to protect our freedoms,” he said. Durso echoed that sentiment. “We can never thank you enough,” he told the veterans. “Citations and luncheons will never add up to what we owe you, but as you can tell here in the Massapequas, we will never forget what you’ve done. God bless you and God bless America.” TLC Companions Home Care served as the event’s main sponsor. Owners Greg and Robin Massimi attended the luncheon. Food was donated by All American Burgers, Bacaro’s Italian Tavern, Crazy Bagels, Embassy Diner, Corner Galley, Dairy Queen, Sal’s Place, Mario’s Pizzeria of Massapequa, Mercato’s Kitchen & Cocktails, Patrizia’s of Massapequa, Smokin’ Al’s and Zona Italian Restaurant. The Chamber also thanked the Massapequa Elks Lodge for providing the space.

Mike Polansky/Herald

Honorees Michael Hammond, Leonard Schneider and Thomas O’Buckley, are joined by chamber members and public at event.

TLC owners Greg and Robin Massimi, sponsors of the event. Are shown with President Robin Hepworth and Vice President Sal Polito. : Veteran Leonard Schneider during a Salute to the flag.

NYS Assemblyman Michael Durso addresses the audience at the event.

Gerald Thoman O’Buckley with Sal Polito and Robin Hepworth.

CRIME WATCH The following incidents have been reported by the Nassau County Police Department and other local law enforcement and emergency service units:

LARCENY

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Update to rates of subscription plans: To continue providing you with high-quality hyperlocal news in the face of rising costs, as of December 1, 2025, the HERALD's subscription rates will be: annual subscription plan, paid by credit card - $1 per week (billed annually at $52.00); monthly subscription plan, paid by credit card - $2 per week (billed monthly at $8.67); one-year subscription, paid by check - $65 (check made out to "Richner Communications, Inc." and mailed to below address). Subscription plans paid by credit card renew at end of applicable term at then-current rates. Payment can be made online at liherald.com/subscribe, by calling (516) 569-4000 & press 7, or by mail to Herald Subscription Processing Center, 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530. (ERALDȩ#OMMUNITYȩ.EWSPAPERSȩISȩLOOKINGȩFOR

&2%%,!.#%ȩȩ0(/4/'2!0(%23

(!6%ȩ9/52ȩ7/2+ȩ05",)3(%$ȩ ).ȩ#/--5.)49ȩ.%730!0%23ȩ 2EQUIREMENTS

/WNȩPROFESSIONAL GRADEȩCAMERAȩ Must own a DSLR or Mirrorless camera &LEXIBILITYȩTOȩWORKȩEVENINGSȩANDȩWEEKENDS Flexibility to work days, evenings and weekends 2ELIABLEȩTRANSPORTATION Reliable Transportation 3TRONGȩWORKȩETHIC ȩPUNCTUALITY ȩANDȩTHEȩABILITYȩTOȩMEETȩDEADLINES Punctuality & ability to meet hard deadlines !BILITYȩTOȩINTERACTȩWITHȩSUBJECTSȩANDȩCOLLABORATEȩWITHȩOURȩEDITORIALȩTEAM Ability to communicate with sources and editorial team

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CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

South Farmingdale: An unknown subject damaged a Christmas tree with outdoor lights at 70 Crestwood Blvd., between midnight Nov. 27 and 7 a.m., Dec. 8.

MASSAPEQUA MAN CHARGED WITH DWI FOLLOWING ACCIDENT

Amityville: Amityville Police arrested and charged Michael Joseph Heckman, 28, of 149 N. Nassau Ave., Massapequa Dec. 9 following a motor vehicle accident in front of 128 Broadway, Amityville. Amityville police were called by Suffolk Fire Rescue to the scene of a single-car accident shortly after 7 p.m. The reporting officer spoke to Heckman who had been driving the vehicle. He told them he had been drinking prior to the accident. Following a failed field sobriety test, Heckman, was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, complaining of pain and injuries.

Self Help/Crisis Hotlines Residential Program: Beacon House

Short-term, long-term and transitional housing is provided throughout Long Island in 58 group homes, emergency shelters, and select single-family residences. Those eligible include homeless veterans, veterans with families, veterans and nonveterans with substance abuse and mental health issues, women in need of supportive housing, and those living with HIV/AIDS. Every veteran resident has access to intensive case management, transportation and daily living essentials. For assistance, call 631 665-1571.

OBITUARY

Lillian T. Michiloff Lillian T. Michiloff passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Nov. 16, 2025. Lillian was born in Brooklyn, on Sept. 24, 1929, to Mary Carrano and William Johnson. Raised in Queens, she attended St. Jean Baptiste High School and graduated in 1947. Lillian went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn in 1953. She then started her teaching career in Copiague School District where she met her fellow teacher, and the love of her life, George Michiloff. The two were married soon after in 1955 and moved to Massapequa, where they raised their two daughters. After a few years Lillian returned to teaching in Massapequa. She started at Carman Road School and then moved over to Unqua School where she taught 1st grade. Lillian retired in 1991 after 29 years of teaching. Upon doing so, she and George relocated to South Carolina. Throughout their retirement, they enjoyed traveling the world together, spending time with friends, and creating special memories with their grandchildren. In 2019, Lillian returned to Long Island and settled in Greenport, becoming a member of the Peconic Landing community. Her family, friends, teaching, traveling, the arts were all passions that made Lillian’s life so incredibly full. Known for her ability to effortlessly exude elegance and class, while remaining steadfast and selﬂess Lillian was an amazing woman who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Lillian is predeceased by her husband, George; and her brother, William. She is lovingly survived by her daughters Lisa (James) Donahue and Barbara Jean (Tom) Smith; and her sister Mary-Ellen (Jalyn) Johnson; her grandchildren Lauren, Thomas, Katelyn, Liam; and her great-grandchildren Asher, James, and August. Lillian was interred with a private service at Calverton National Cemetery on Nov. 21, 2025. Donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck is serving the family.

North Massapequa: Nassau Police reported that someone stole the front license plate from a vehicle that was parked in front of 29 North pine Street between Dec. 4 and 6. The report was filed 10 a.m., Dec. 6. •Someone removed a UPS package from a home at 257 N. Suffolk Avenue between 8 p.m., Dec. 9 and 8 a.m., Dec. 10. •A catalytic converter was taken from a vehicle that was parked on North Elm Street and North Park Avenue. The theft was reported Dec. 2 at 5:26 a.m. Massapequa: Nassau Police arrested a 19-year-old charging him with shoplifting at Dicks Sporting Goods at 1188 Sunrise Mall. That occurred Nov. 16 at 12:39 p.m. South Farmingdale. Someone removed several items from the Stop & Shop supermarket at 55 Motor Ave., Nov. 26. The theft was reported at 2:30 p.m. A store representative said the subject was a

female but police did not list the items taken, nor their value.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

•Maryhaven Center of Hope-New Hope 24hr. substance abuse crisis center: 516-5467070; maryhaven.chsli.org/new-hope •N.C. Drug & Alcohol Hotline: 516-227-8255 •LI Crisis Center: 516-679-1111 •24/7 Behavioral health helpline: 516-227-

8255, namiqn.org/crisis-info •AA Meetings Nassau County: For More Information on meetings and times call 866-504-6974 or go to findrecovery.com/aa_ meetings/ny/nassau-county/

Domestic Violence

N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence Crisis services for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault; group/individual counseling for adults and children; bilingual court advocacy; legal consultation and representation; safe emergency housing; elder abuse services; referrals and systems advocacy; community education. Eligibility criteria: Nassau County residents or non-residents seeking safe housing in Nassau. Will serve undocumented immigrants. Payments accepted free or on sliding scale. Address is 250 Fulton Avenue, Mezzanine West, Hempstead. Call 516-572-0700; 24-hour hotline is 516 542-0404.

HOW TO REACH US Our offices are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.massapequapost.com / www.liherald.com/Babylon ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: cjames@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 329 E-mail: cjames@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.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

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December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

A Step Above Performing Arts entertains the crowd.

Annual Tree and Menorah lighting, a popular tradition enjoyed by everyone CONTINUED FROM THE COVER

South Shore School of Dance, Studio D Dance Center, and the Lockhart Elementary School fourth-grade chorus. Chamber President Robin Hepworth welcomed the crowd and thanked the many volunteers, including the Chamber’s second vice president, Lucrezia Falacara, who chaired the event planning committee. Among those celebrating were Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Town Councilman Tom Hand, Massapequa Park Mayor Dan Pearl, Nassau County Legislator James Kennedy, and State Assemblyman Michael Durso. Santa Claus, played by Peter McNeil, also made a special appearance. Supervisor Saladino wished the crowd a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year. “May it be a joyous and safe New Year,” he said. “God bless you all in the greatest town in America.” Masone Masonry was the main sponsor of the event. The business donated the lights on the Christmas tree and provided a new cement base for the menorah. Owner Michael Masone welcomed the crowd, saying, “Team Masone appreciates everything that everybody does. Together we’re all a family, and let’s get this Tree lit!” Gold Star sponsors included J.P. Scar Inc., CMIT Solutions, Massapequa Imag-

Santa makes his appearance ing, Apple Bank and TLC Home Care. Broadway Gourmet donated the hot cocoa that helped guests warm up on the chilly night. Gary Slavin and Sal Polito were also sponsors.

MSD school board prez joins lawsuit gious violations of the First Amendment that I have seen in my entire career as a constitutional attorney,” she said. Wachter’s colleagues on the Massapequa board are backing her stance. Trustee Danielle Ocuto, who is up for re-election in May, said she is in “full support” of the lawsuit. “It’s no secret that many of us on the School Board, including myself, are tired of being pushed around by the State, and I’m proud of what Kerry is doing,” she said. Trustee Cher Lepre, also standing for reelection, voiced similar support. “Her decision to pursue this matter re-

flects her belief that public officials should be able to speak openly on issues affecting their communities,” Lepre said. “While the legal process will unfold independently, I respect her determination to stand up for principles that are fundamental to public service.” The Massapequa School District itself is not a party to the lawsuit, and none of the plaintiffs — including Wachter — are contributing financially to the litigation. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. The Attorney General’s office did not respond to several requests for comment.

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CONTINUED FROM THE COVER

BRINGING LOCAL SPORTS HOME EVERY WEEK

HERALD SPORTS Talented Hofstra eager to build momentum By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Hofstra’s women’s basketball team is looking to build off a 14-win season which marked the most victories for the program in nearly a decade. The Pride went 14-16 overall and 9-9 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) to finish eighth in the 14-team conference after being picked to place 12th. Hofstra returned eight players from the breakthrough season in which the Pride achieved their highest win total since going 25-9 in the 2015-2016 campaign and are looking to continue that winning mindset this winter. “Ging into this year we were really excited because we have a really talented bunch,” said sixth-year head coach Danielle Santos Atkinson. “The returners want more as they had a taste of it last year and ran out of gas down the stretch.” Senior guard Chloe Sterling, who missed the end of last season with a knee injury, gives the Pride an offensive boost this winter leading the team in scoring with 13 points per game prior to being sidelined in February. Sterling made her season debut on Dec. 6 with 11 points in a 67-46 home loss to Fordham. The Pride also brought back senior guard Emma Von Essen, a Rockville Centre native who averaged 10.9 points per game as a junior. The Long Island Lutheran product has proven to be a three-point threat throughout her Hofstra career and sank her 200th career shot from beyond the arc at the end of last season. “Her leadership has been great this year,” said Santos Atkinson of Von Essen. “She has led by example in things that we want to be able to do culturally and establishing our standards and expectations. Hofstra has gotten a boost with the addition of SMU transfer Sandra Magolico, who is averaging more than 10 points per game despite battling some injuries. The 6-1 forward from Spain recorded 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 73-66 win at Yale on Nov. 11.

Lay-up take you down? We’ve Got Specialists For That ®

Senior Alarice Gooden, left, is the Pride’s starting point guard. The Pride boast a number of offensive weapons as evident by an 80-44 win against Marywood on Dec. 10 where four players reached double figures led by sophomore guard Ema Karim, a Portugal native, who posted a career-high 15 points along with four assists. The Marywood blowout victory also featured 11 points apiece from Sterling and Von Essen. Senior point guard Alarice Goode, a Brampton, Ontario native, tallied 11 points while senior Deivejon Harris nearly cracked double digits with nine points. “We have the talent and it’s about us just being able to put it together,” Santos Atkinson said. “We’re still trying to figure out our identity because we haven’t had everyone out there together due to injuries.” Freshman forward Olivia VanPatten, who shined at St. George’s School in Rhode Island, has also shown offensive potential early in the season netting

Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications

Sandra Magolico, a transfer from SMU, had 25 points and 11 rebounds in Hofstra’s Nov. 11 win over Yale. eight points in a 95-38 loss to then seventh-ranked Maryland on Thanksgiving Day in Puerto Rico. Santos Atkinson organized a rigorous non-conference schedule that kicked off with a season-opening 83-48 loss at ACC foe Miami and saw the Pride take on Big Ten power and seventh-ranked Maryland. The Pride will close the non-league on Dec. 28 at Kentucky, who was ranked 15th in the nation in mid-December.

The home CAA schedule commences on Jan. 9 against Towson at 6 p.m. followed a week later when Hofstra hosts Long Island rival Stony Brook on Jan. 16 for another 6 p.m. tipoff. The Pride were picked to finish ninth in the 14-team conference in a preseason coaches poll. “I think the conference season is going to be as it is every year, anybody’s game for that championship, “ Santos Atkinson said. “It’s going to be a fight.”

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December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025 Carly Hariton/Herald

Gary Brown, at rear in Green Bay Packers sweatshirt, with Herald staff and the donated toys collected for the nonprofit Dream 68.

‘Pack’ing up toys for a good cause at the Herald Brown was a member of the 1996 Super Bowl-winning Packers team. Yes, Herald staffers saw his ring! He was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Knowing firsthand how much a single act of kindness can mean, Brown spoke candidly about how hard he worked to play professional football. His message was unmistakable: A community that invests in its children — consistently, intentionally and all year

long — creates pathways to hope that last a lifetime. Dream 68 has mentored and supported underprivileged children and their families for the past 10 years. The organization also supplies local homeless shelters serving more than 500 people on Thanksgiving. The toys are distributed to more than 350 children. –Jeffrey Bessen

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It’s not often that journalists become as giddy as schoolchildren, but when former NFL player Gary Brown visited the Herald on Dec. 9, the entire office rippled with excitement. Brown, who was born in Amityville and grew up in Brentwood, came to pick up two boxes of toys that Herald employees collected for Dream 68, the nonprofit organization he founded. The 68 is the number he wore playing for the Green Bay Packers, and

Christmas Worship Schedule 2025 Sunday, December 21st Fourth Sunday of Advent - 10 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program - 10 a.m. “Longest Night/Blue Christmas” Service - 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 24th Christmas Eve “Young Families” Service - 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 7:00 p.m. & 10 p.m. ** 7 p.m. service with ASL Interpretation & Choir

Participants of the Toy Drive — with the Grinch!

Carolyn James/Herald

Giving on the go: Oyster Bay drivethrough toy event brings holiday joy

Thursday, December 25th Christmas Day Worship - 10 a.m.

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

1 2

Sunday, December 28th “Festival of Christmas Carols” 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.

The cars didn’t stop, and neither did the kindness. For many children, the joy of unwrapping a gift this holiday season will come thanks to strangers they’ll never meet — neighbors who gave, one carload at a time. The Town of Oyster Bay once again partnered with the United States Marine Corps and Optimum for its annual Cruise Thru Toys for Tots Collection Drive, held on Saturday, Dec. 6, at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa. Several hundred residents pulled into the festively decorated collection area, where they were greeted by local volunteers, elected officials, cheerful Marines — and a few surprise guests, including Santa Claus and the Grinch. “It was just beautiful,” said Jeff Pravato, Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes who attended the event with Councilwoman Laura Maier. “We had families, individuals and local organizations bringing in toys including the local Corvette and Cadillac clubs. Families remained in their cars as they dropped off new, unwrapped toys,

contributing to a seasonal effort that supports children and families in need across the region. In one instance two trucks pulled up, filled with toys, helping the town reach its goal of collecting 50,000 toys. “The spirit of giving is alive and well in Oyster Bay,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, noting the generosity shown by residents each year during the holiday collection. Organizers emphasized the importance of programs like Toys for Tots, which help ensure that every child experiences the magic of the season — especially those whose families may be struggling. The event was part of a national campaign spearheaded by the Marine Corps Reserve, which has been collecting and distributing toys to underprivileged children since 1947. Hundreds of people showed up, both individual familes and local groups including the Corvette and Cadillac clubd. “Our gal was 50k toys, this year,” said Pravato. “We don’t have a final count but hoping it eclipses that number

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December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

County emphasizes Christmas tree safety

agriffin@liherald.com

Nassau County fire officials and the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center are reminding community members to prioritize fire safety during the holiday season. County firefighters demonstrated the dangers of an untreated Christmas tree during a live fire demonstration at the Nassau County Vocational Education and Extension Board Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage on Dec. 9. The demonstration made clear how quickly a home can go from festive to heavily damaged, with a Christmas tree fire completely consuming a room in just one minute. Paul Wilders, chief of the academy, spoke about the importance of fire safety — and for Wilders, these demonstrations hit close to home. In 2001 he lost his mother’s home, where he grew up, as the result of a Christmas tree fire caused by their cat. “After 49 years, my mother’s house burned to the ground,” he told the Herald. “If it can happen to me and happen to my family, it happens to anybody out there.” “We do our best to prepare first responders, but this demonstration is aimed at the public,” Wilders said. “As beautiful and festive as the holidays are, tragedies can happen if we’re not vigilant.” Joining Wilders at the event were Alana Petrocelli, the center’s executive director; John Rottkamp, executive director of Nassau County VEEB; Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro; and others. “We don’t want any accidents in our homes, especially as holiday decorations go up,” Petrocelli said. “It’s important to be mindful of the wires you’re using, avoid overloading electrical outlets, and make sure your tree and decorations don’t block exits.”

Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald

Paul Wilders welcomed those who watched the holiday tree burn at the Nassau County Vocational Education and Extension Board Fire Service Academy with John Rottkamp, far left, VEEB’s executive director; Alana Petrocelli, the center’s executive director; Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro; VEEB Director Ray Maguire; Nick Corrado, captain at the Nassau County fire marshal’s office; and Rob Leonard, of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York. The demonstration featured a live Christmas tree, presents and furniture set up in the academy’s burn building, which were set ablaze to show how quickly fire can spread. Firefighters Josiah Reed and Alex Thompson extinguished the flames. Fire officials emphasized the need for working smoke detectors and fire safety precautions not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. “If people take proper precautions and make sure they water their tree — if they want to use a synthetic tree, obviously that’s a better option, but smoke alarms are the main thing that we try to push,” Capt. Nick Corrado, of the fire marshal’s office, told the Herald.

Fire departments respond to hundreds of home fires caused by Christmas trees, and between 2016 and 2020, the U.S. recorded two civilian deaths, 11 civilian injuries and $12 million in property damages. “Most people don’t think about it every day, and that’s when accidents, unfortunately, do occur,” Petrocelli said. “But during the holiday season, we have lots of decorations up. We’re putting things in different places, we’re plugging things into different outlets that we maybe don’t use. So we need to be conscious of safety while we’re decorating as well.” For more information on the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center, visit NCFireMuseum.org.

from Nassau County Legislator James Kennedy and Family

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Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN

December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

WHAT’S UP NEXT DOOR AND AROUND THE CORNER

HERALD NEIGHBORS

Courtesy of Holden Leeds

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Town Councilman Tom Hand, Town Councilwoman Laura Maier, N.C. Leg. James Kennedy, Chamber members, and The Grinch stop for a photo as youngsters bring their Christmas to Santa Claus.

Massapequa Chamber kicks off holiday season with annual holiday fair By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday season with its 5th Annual Holiday Fair, drawing families and residents for a day of shopping, festivities and holiday cheer. It was held at Memorare caterers, Seaford. One of the highlights was a visit from Santa Claus, who greeted children and posed for photos while spreading Christmas spirit throughout the event. Visitors browsed holiday vendors, entered raffles, enjoyed a magic show and took in a surprise appearance by the Grinch. Free photos with Santa were also offered. Friends Kevin Francis of Massapequa and Gregory Nicholas of Massapequa Park said they enjoyed walking through the fair and sampling homemade cookies. “It’s really great,” Francis said. “It’s a nice way to spend a Sunday together with Gregory.” Alyssa and Nick Bowne attended with their children, Chloe, Riley and Kayla, and said the fair was a fun way to launch their holiday season. Chamber President Robin Hepworth said the fair drew a strong turnout and thanked event cochairs Randi Jankowski and Isabelle Rapacciuolo for organizing the day. “It was a great event and drew a tremendous crowd,” Hepworth said. The Chamber also recognized the event’s sponsor, Investment Insight Wealth Management, as well as Santa sponsor CMIT Solutions of South Nassau, Hot Cocoa sponsor TLC Companions Home Care, photos with Santa sponsor Robin Joy Photography/ Long Island Snapshotz and face-painting sponsor Legame Permanent Jewelry.

Fair co-sponsors Randi Jankowski and Isabelle Rapacciuolo are Carolyn James/Herald shown enjoying the event. Massapequa Chamber officers Keith Wilson and Sal Polito greet fairgoers with Pat Ferrari. Left: Kevin Francis and Gregory Nicholas, longtime friends enjoying the fair—and some chocolate chip cookies. Right: Alyssa and Nick Bowne with their children Chloe, Riley and Kayla.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

By Fr. Dale Van Wormer,

Rector. Saint Mary’s Church, Amityville We all know Christmas is a time of peace, joy, and hope. As familiar songs play on the radio, old classic movies appear on re-run, and our streets glow with lights, something within us is comforted. The cares and worries of life seem to be quieted by the anticipation of Christmas Day, when we will gather with our loved ones to celebrate with the exchange of gifts and with our favorite foods. We sip egg nog and hot spiced wine. We watch children open the presents they had been longing for, and their joy fills us with happiness, knowing that we could help make a dream come true. These are wonderful things, but they don’t endure. Soon the party ends, the guests leave, decorations come down, and the toys that caused such excitement are played with, broken, or forgotten. Life resumes as normal: we go back to work, back to real life, back to the problems and worries of life that never fully went away.

So where is the hope?

Christians make a bold claim that speaks directly to this question: on Christmas God became a human being. This is not just some strange miracle, but a deliberate, purposeful act of God to bring about an everlasting change to the world. Godbecoming-man can do for humanity what it can’t do for itself. Namely, give us a place in paradise. The opening chapters of Genesis tell us

that God once offered humanity what we have been chasing ever since: paradise on earth. But by giving in to the allure of Evil and allowing personal desire to trump God’s purpose for their lives, Adam and Eve effectively turned down God’s offer of paradise and were driven out of the Garden. We see the effects of “the Fall” all around us and even within us: broken relationships, cycles of violence, unfettered greed, the selfish demand for personal autonomy placed over and above the good of others. If human history has taught us anything, it is that paradise without God is impossible. Yet, though humanity abandoned God, He never abandoned humanity. Throughout the Old Testament, God made covenants, sent prophets, revealed His law, and raised up priests and kings, all to restore the broken bond. Like a parent praying for their wayward child to return home, God constantly called humankind back, offering mercy, refuge, and a new beginning. The offer was there but the condition of the human heart was not. The lie that deceived Adam and Eve, the promise of total selfdetermination, of becoming one’s own god, remained an effective distraction, keeping humanity away. But at Christmas, God did something no one could have anticipated. He became one of us. Why? To succeed where Adam and Eve failed (see 1 Corinthians 15:22). To be faithful when humanity could not. Now, from within humanity (not imposed upon it from above), God-in-the-flesh becomes

the personification of faithfulness, obedience, love, and fidelity. And God, in His divine providence, gives humanity a role to play in His plan of salvation. Before becoming the Emmanuel (“God-with-us”) God first found a new, humble, and lowly woman to stand where the first woman stood. While Eve selfishly grasped for what was not hers, Mary opened her hands and surrendered to God’s will. When the angel Gabriel announced God’s plan, she simply said, “Be it done unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Thus, in her obedience, Mary was found worthy to bear within her virgin womb the Christ-child and be the chosen vessel through whom He would take on our humanity. This is the joyful mystery of Christmas: born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh, whose name means “God Saves.” And He entered the world the same way we all do: as a helpless, vulnerable baby. Not as a powerful emperor or a fearsome general. Not as a brilliant philosopher or a politician who cannot keep his promises. Jesus entered the world as an innocent infant, into poverty and danger, and yet as a light shining in the darkness (John 1), poised to change the course of human history forever.

And this, finally, is where we find hope.

Christmas is not a temporary escape from life’s pressures; it is the true hope

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

Why did God become man?

Fr. Dale Van Wormer found in the light of Christ, first seen in Bethlehem, which has come into the world, never to be extinguished. In Christ Jesus, God has entered our condition, healed what we could not heal, restored what we had lost, and opened again the path to the paradise He always desired for us. That is the “reason for the season.” Merry Christmas!

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Clerk LaMarca urges residents to give blood on Dec. 23 Hicksville, NY – With hospitals facing a nationwide blood shortage, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca invites residents to attend a Blood Collection Drive on Tuesday, December 23rd from 1pm to 7pm at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville. Clerk LaMarca stated, “Blood supplies are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives. Please consider participating in this blood drive to help bolster our blood banks and ensure as many people as possible can be helped. Together, we can give the gift of life though a simple blood donation.” Appointments are preferred for the Town’s Blood Drive. To qualify as a donor, a person must be between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16 with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note), weigh at least 110 pounds

and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Anyone who received a tattoo within the past three months is ineligible to donate. It is recommended that donors eat well (low fat) and drink fluids in the days before the Blood Drive. Additionally, all donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino added, “It’s quick, easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood which can save up to three lives. Donating blood at the Hicksville Athletic Center, is an incredible way for all of us to pitch in and give back, to help ease the burden of our Healthcare Heroes as they continue to provide lifesaving efforts.” For additional information regarding the Town’s Blood Drive, contact (516) 624-6380. To make an appointment to donate at this Blood Drive, sign up today at www.oysterbaytown.com/blooddrive

Meet some local scholars.... The following students were recently recognized for academic achievements and graduation at their respective colleges: •Jessica Ozner of Massapequa Park, studying Biology at SUNY Oneonta, was recently recognized with a silver-level leadership milestone through the uni-

versity’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program. •Matthew Happ of Massapequa Park, member of the New York Army National Guard and assigned to the Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant 1st class.

Courtesy MTAC

The Red Ribbon Week display set up in Massapequa High School (Main Campus) by members of the Chief Challengers.

MTAC hosts prevention workshop for community Massapequa residents took part in substance misuse prevention activities this fall with the Massapequa Takes Action Coalition (MTAC) in recognition of Red Ribbon Week and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Drug Take Back Day. Red Ribbon Week, is a national prevention campaign that mobilizes communities to educate youth, promote healthy choices and support participation in substance misuse prevention. This year’s theme — “Life Is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free!” — guided activities throughout the district and community. Schools across Massapequa marked the week with a range of events. Elementary and middle school PTAs organized coloring projects and bulletin board displays featuring decorated puzzle pieces with drug-free messages. Elementary schools also held daily themed activities encouraging students to dress up. At the middle and high schools, SADD clubs led morning announcements to highlight the purpose of Red Ribbon Week. At Massapequa High School, the Chief Challengers club decorated MTAC-provided puzzle pieces with prompts such as “I stay drug-free

by…” and “I stay healthy by…,” which were displayed as a visual reminder of the community’s prevention efforts. Local businesses — including Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Bagel Cafe and Eatery, Memory Nail and Spa, Umberto’s, Leonardo’s Pizza and Restaurant, and The Coffee Grind — also participated by displaying red ribbons and drug take-back flyers. MTAC hosted a Drug Take Back event t the YES Community Counseling Center in Massapequa. The event, held in partnership with Legislator Kennedy, the ELKS and the Nassau County 7th Precinct ProblemOriented Policing Unit, drew more than 150 attendees. The national initiative provides a safe and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired medications and aims to prevent misuse, accidental ingestion, injury or overdose in the home. MTAC’s next Take Back event is scheduled for April 2026. Residents may also dispose of medications year-round at drop boxes in the lobbies of any Nassau County Police Department precinct or by locating secure collection sites through the DEA’s website.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.

•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.

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 openended 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 516-5694000.

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Free Training in Warehousing and Logistics Program Calendar: Winter 2026 starts January 12, 2026 GET FORKLIFT CERTIFIED

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•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 22

•Massapequa Fire District Regular Monthly Meeting: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

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

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Today How to introduce a new cat without causing household chaos Today When introduced properly in a home, two cats can become the best of friends. Sometimes, the cats just tolerate each other, and peace is maintained. is through its stomach just like a man’s. Once they seem comfortable, introduce visual “meet-and-greets” behind a baby gate or by cracking the door. Another option is placing the newcomer in a carrier and letting the others sniff through the bars. Repeat these steps for several days if needed. Foster caregivers sometimes use a multi-level cat condo cage for the new arrival in the main living area; resident cats used to frequent visitors may adjust more easily. If you use this setup, cover the condo with a sheet when the newcomer needs a break. Boxes with exit holes also provide safe retreats once all cats are loose together. If aggression flares, separate them and restart the process more slowly. Play can help build bonds. Wand toys allow the new cat to participate from a

safe distance. Some owners also try adding a few drops of Bach Flower Remedies to water bowls or feeding the cats at opposite ends of a room, moving the bowls gradually closer. Treats can coax them to remain calm near each other. Introductions can take days, weeks or even months depending on personalities. Expect some hissing and spitting. If a major scuffle breaks out, distract them, then praise the calm that follows. Don’t rush. If a cat bolts to hide, let it. Even once things seem to be going well, supervise minglings for several weeks. When no one is home, keep the new cat in his safe room. In time, patience usually pays off. Some pairs become inseparable, while others never grow beyond polite distance. And that’s fine. As with humans, peaceful coexistence is still a success.

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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

Pets, Pets, Pets...

Cats are a lot like potato or two. That buffer gives chips — it’s hard to stop at just each cat time to adjust to the one. But there’s a right way other’s scent, sounds and and a wrong way to introduce occasional glimpses before a new feline to the resident any face-to-face meeting. crew. Tossing them together Because resident cats with a breezy, “Fluffy, meet already have established your new brother, Felix, who territories, the newcomer’s will now share your food temporary space can be bowl, litter box and my lap,” a bedroom or bathroom is a recipe for chaos. equipped with a litter box, Experts say cat-to-cat dishes, toys, a scratching introductions should be post and a bed. Include a JOANNE gradual and planned, giving large carrier or crate so Felix ANDERSON each animal a chance to has a safe hiding spot while associate the other’s presence adjusting. After closing the with treats, attention and door, visit your resident play. First impressions matter when it cats. They’ll smell him on your clothes and comes to household harmony. sense him through the door, so offer treats Sometimes, of course, a cat finds you. to help them associate eau d’felix with A stray shows up at the door, determined something positive. Then spend similar to join the family. But when you’re quality time with Felix. choosing an adult cat from a shelter, it Cats produce pheromones from glands helps to pick one that has lived with other in their cheeks, spreading them when they cats or is known to get along with them. rub against people or furniture. These Many shelters use communal cages or chemical messages promote comfort free-roaming spaces, allowing staff to — a glandular pen pal system. You can recommend compatible personalities. A encourage scent-swapping by brushing high-energy youngster needs an equally each cat with the same brush, trading lively companion, while a senior is better blankets or towels, or using synthetic matched with a mellow peer. If you’re set pheromone products such as Feliway, on a kitten but your existing cat is elderly available as sprays or plug-ins. or grumpy, adopt two so the kittens can Next, rotate the cats between rooms for occupy each other. several days. This lets each investigate No single introduction method is gospel, the other’s territory while leaving behind but most behaviorists recommend treating familiar facial markings. Keep feeding the new cat as a “mystery guest,” housed them separately, offering high-value wet in a separate, comfortable room for a week food in each space. The way to a cat’s heart

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STEPPING OUT

Get ready for more car-smashing, ramp-jumping, wheel-revving action with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live By Abbey Salvemini

ot Wheels fans, buckle up — it’s about to get loud and crazy at Nassau Coliseum shortly. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is back with its wild glowing spectacle, Jan. 17-18, introducing spectators to its newest vehicle: Rhinomite. Following the tour’s success this year, the production is set to debut the rhino-themed truck as part of an expanded slate of stunts and performances for the 2026 season. Audiences can expect new, high-intensity action from the Hot Wheels lineup, including the first no-handed front flip by the FMX riders, when the tour makes • Jan. 17-18, times vary its final appearance in • Tickets start at $48.80, $30.05 Uniondale. children (also me +3 ticket Witness the raw offer $39.45); available at ticketmaster.com and power of these epic hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com machines when the • Nassau Coliseum, Hempstead iconic Hot Wheels toy Tpke., Uniondale vehicles transform into unstoppable monster trucks for this “Glow-N-Fire” competition. As the arena darkens for the glow-in-the-dark effect, each truck revs up with its unique LED lights. Pyrotechnic effects light up the arena, adding even more intensity to the stunts. The action unfolds through four signature competitions: the wheelie challenge, the donut, the long jump and the freestyle finale. Together, the components determine the ultimate holder of the Champions Cup. This format allows fans to follow the action closely and see how each truck performs across a variety of challenges, adding a competitive edge to the entertaining experience. At the center of the excitement is Rhinomite, a truck designed to charge “horn-first” into the lineup with its dynamic, high-impact personality. Along with its striking appearance, Rhinomite will showcase a set of stunts tailored specifically for its debut.

According to its driver Kellen Williams, Rhinomite offers something entirely new to the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks universe. “The tool that I have against everybody else is I have a real mighty front horn that I’m going to use to bash the competition,” he says. Besides Rhinomite, fans can expect several new technical elements in this edition of the show, including that groundbreaking no-handed flip. Returning FMX rider Koltin Polinsky is excited to debut this trick for Long Island audiences. “Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is all about pushing the limits, and this stop is going to be one of our wildest yet,” he declares. Thoroughly enjoyed by dedicated fans and newcomers alike, the show blends competitive action with immersive visual elements that engage all ages. A major part of the appeal is Glow-N-Fire’s signature darkened arena setting, where glowing trucks, dramatic lighting and special effects give the show a special edge with electrifying visuals. Arena lights are dimmed at the start, allowing the trucks to glow. After intermission, the show shifts into its fiery segment, highlighting the “fire” element that gives Glow-N-Fire its name. The production’s popularity has grown in part because of its consistent engagement with fans, particularly younger audiences experiencing monster trucks for the first time. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live continues to distinguish itself from other monster truck shows on the circuit with its unique characteristics, such as appearing in smaller venues. “We are very fan-oriented and bring them into the show,” Williams says. “The fans announce the scores a lot of times and we also do toy giveaways. Our shows are mainly geared towards smaller children. However, everybody enjoys it. Children especially love watching the trucks crush cars and the dinosaur-themed elements.” Opportunities to go behind the action add to the spectacle. At the Pre-Show Party, held twoand-a-half hours prior to every performance, get up close and see the outrageous designs and epic size of the Hot Wheels behemoths on the arena floor. Meet favorite drivers and performers. With the mix of innovative stunts, high-energy performances and interactive fan experiences, this promises to be more than just a show — it’s an immersive event. The debut of Rhinomite adds an extra layer of excitement, while thrilling car-crushing trucks, dinosaurs and jaw-dropping FMX stunts keep the audience fully involved from start to finish. Fans can expect an unforgettable, actionpacked experience that celebrates the Hot Wheels legacy and leaves everyone with lasting memories of speed, power and fun. Courtesy Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

FMX rider Koltin Polinsky is sure to thril fans with his no-handed front flip. He’s joined by many Hot Wheels favorites in a display of exciting car-crunching feats as they fly more than 35 feet in the air. Plus, the fiery Skelesaurus roars into the arena ready to “chomp,” as everyone awaits the debut of Rhinomite.

Beloved holiday tunes are combined with a musical cabaret in a joyous over-the-top spectacle at the Madison Theatre. The cast of 41 performers enthusiastically share all the delights of the season in this remarkable show, created by Artistic Director Angelo Fraboni. The cast includes Molloy’s CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students, Broadway performers Kevin Bernard and Christina DeCicco, with local children. Their energy shines throughout the 90-minute show that tells of a young girl who has lost the Christmas spirit. Family and friends help reignite her love for the holidays.Timeless songs are brought to life in joyful arrangements, accompanied by a lively band..This captivating theatrical experience that brings the spirit of the season to life with energetic dancing and well known pop culture references.

Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18-19, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 21, 3 p.m. $40-$60. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444.

‘Rockin’ the Holidays’ with The Rascals If you’re humming holiday tunes and craving a little rock ‘n’ roll spirit, here’s your chance to celebrate in timeless style. Rockin’ the Holidays brings The Rascals back to the stage — joined by special guests John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band — for a concert packed with energy, nostalgia and chart-topping hits.Two of The Rascals’ founding members, Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish, reunite for this festive performance, fueled by a deep love for their fans and the enduring power of their music. With accolades that include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, The Rascals remain icons of American rock and the deﬁning sound of 1960s blue-eyed soul. Their legacy shines through 17 Top 20 hits, seven Top 10 singles and three No. 1 classics — among them “Groovin’,” “People Got to Be Free” and “Good Lovin’.” Expect all the favorites, plus holiday ﬂair and those warm, soulful harmonies.

Saturday, Dec 20, 8 p.m. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. Tickets available at livenation.com.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

Christmas Spectacular

December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD DEC

Wendy Klemperer: Wrought Taxonomies

Vanderbilt Museum welcomes everyone to enjoy the exhibition 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 encouraged 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

‘Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’

Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for its latest exhibit. It features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. The exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director and renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan) is a completely immersive experience. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets. The sets include the living room, the kitchen, and other areas of the house. Visitors will also be able to see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare out-takes and a range of videos related to the show, will play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater. • Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook • Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. • Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

‘Holiday Joy’ Christmas Celebration Beloved holiday tunes are combined with a musical cabaret in a vibrant, joyous over-the-top spectacle that is the Madison Theatre’s annual holiday celebration. The performers

CALENDAR DEC

Comic showcase

Gary Smith’s NY Entertainment Club presents another hilarious afternoon of comedy with an all-star lineup of comedians at Massapequa Public Library. • Where: 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park • Time: 2-4 p.m. • Contact: massapequalibrary.org or (516) 799-0770

Holiday at Westbury House

DEC

Get The Led Out

Get The Led Out rocks out with their tribute to what many consider rock ‘n roll’s greatest band, in “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” on the Paramount stage. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The six veteran musicians who make up the Philadelphia-based group delivers Led Zeppelin live with the all passion and fury these blues-soaked, groove-driven rock anthems deserve. Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-creates songs, in all their depth and glory, with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. When you hear three guitars on the album, GTLO delivers three guitarists on stage. No wigs or fake English accents, GTLO brings what the audience wants — a high energy Zeppelin concert with honest, heart-thumping intensity with a strong focus on Led Zeppelin’s pivotal early years. They touch on the deeper cuts that were seldom, if ever heard in concert. GTLO’s approach to performance of this • Where: The Paramount, 370 hallowed catalog is not unlike a classical performance. “Led Zeppelin are sort of the New York Ave., Huntington classical composers of the rock era,” says lead vocalist Paul Sinclair. “I believe 100 years • Time: 8 p.m.; also Dec. 27 from now they will be looked at as the Bach or Beethoven of our time. As cliche as it • Contact: ticketmaster.com sounds, their music is timeless.” $92, $49.25, $60.25. or paramountny.com enthusiastically share all the delights of the season in this remarkable show, now in its 12th year, created by Artistic Director Angelo Fraboni. The lively cast includes Molloy University’s pre-professional CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students and Broadway performers. Their enthusiasm and energy shine throughout the show, making it a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Timeless songs are brought to life in joyful arrangements, accompanied by a lively band that adds a festive musical backdrop to the spectacle. • Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 7 p.m.; also Dec. 19, 7 p.m.; Dec. 20, 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 3 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Zoning Board of Appeals meets

The Town of Oyster Bay holds their next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. All are welcome to attend. • Where: Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay • Time: 7 p.m. • Contact: (516) 624-6333

Friends Trivia Night

Do you love the iconic TV show Friends? Put your sitcom wisdom to the test for a fun night of trivia at Farmingdale Public Library. Registration is required. • Where: 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale • Time: 7-8 p.m. • Contact: farmingdalelibrary.org or (516) 249-9090

DEC

‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical’

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes back this delightful production, based on Mo Willems’ awardwinning “Pigeon” picture books. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party. It’s not easy being the Pigeon — you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, this show is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. • Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also Dec. 20, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2:15 p.m.; also Dec. 29-30 • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Thrift Shop

Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds. • Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville Roslyn Harbor • Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • Contact: (631) 789-2569

Celebrate the holiday season at Old Westbury Gardens during the final weekend of the timeless holiday tradition. Step inside Westbury House and experience the magic of Christmas past with rooms beautifully decorated in period style and filled with festive cheer. Stroll through the gardens, enjoy holiday treats like cookies and warm cider, and don’t miss a special visit from Santa himself. $18, $15 seniors (62+) and fulltime students, $8 children (ages 7–17), free 6 and under and members. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., also Dec. 21 • Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

DEC

In concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomes Frank Latore and the King Bees. The band delivers a high-energy style of blues rock original tunes that everyone enjoys. • Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook • Time: 3 p.m. • Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

Candlelight Evenings

Step back in time at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for some holiday fun. Experience a rare evening visit to the village in winter. Enjoy 19th-century musical entertainment, hot drinks, and festive activities as you stroll through a village ablaze with light, with candles glowing in the windows of homes and buildings. It will be an enchanting evening to live in your memory. $15, $12 seniors and children 5-12. • Where: 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage • Time: 5-9:30 p.m., also Dec. 20-23, Dec. 26-29 • Contact: oldbethpagevillagerestoration. org or call (516) 572-8409

Having an event? Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Be prepared before the next power outage.

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LMAS1

Notice of formation of Dayna's Island, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of St at e of Ne w Yor k ( S SN Y ) on 10/09/2025 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: Dayna's Island LLC, 937 N Central Ave. Massapequa, NY 11758 Purpose: any lawful act. 25-302. 11/12, 19, 26, 12/3, 10, 17 Notice of formation of Mason Rentals L L C A r t i c l e s of Organization filed with the SSNY on 10/11/2025. Office lo cation, Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a process t o 5 5 0 0 Su n r i s e Highway Unit 50 1055,Massapequa, NY,11758. Purpose: any lawful act. 25-301. 11/12, 19, 26, 12/3, 10, 17 Notice of formation of C-Note Group LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 8/13/2025 O f f i c e l o c at i o n , 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: The LLC, 4 B eechwood Pl, Massapequa Park, NY 11762 Purpose: Any operating business. 25-308. 11/26, 12/3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Public Notices Notice of formation o f R K M E B LLC. Ar t icles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 10/24/2025. Office located in NASSAU. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 75 Taft Ave Lynbrook Ny 11563. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 25-307. 11/26, 12/3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Notice of formation of DANIELS OLD BETHPAGE NY, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary o f St at e o f Ne w Yor k ( S SN Y ) on 10/06/2025 445 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, New York 11804, 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: Corporation Service Company, 80 State Street, Albany, NY 12207 Purpose: all lawful purposes 25-306. 11/26, 12/3, 10, 17, 24, 31 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Nassau, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association a s Tr u s t e e f o r S t r u c t u r e d Ass et Mor tgage Investments II In c . , S t r u c t u r e d Ass et Mor tgage Investments II Tr ust 2007-AR4, Mor tgage PassThrough Certificates Seriess 2007-AR4, Plaintiff, vs. Samuel C . C olu z z i A KA Samuel Coluzzi, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on

September 11, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 17E Gate Road a/k/a 17 Eastgate Road, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements t he re on e re c te d, situate, lying and being in Massapequa, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 48, Block 557 and Lot 13. Approximate amount of judgment is $637,234.03 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #004429/2015. Lawrence Weinreich, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-309. 12/3, 10, 17, 24 Legal Notce Please take notice Safeguard Self Stor age # 1 9 0 1 1 3 located at 6000 Sunrise Highway M a s s ap e q u a N Y 11758 intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the below listed Storage Spaces. The public sale shall occur as an online a u c t i o n w w w. storagetre asures. com on 12/29/2025 at 10:30AM. Unless listed below, the contents consist of household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Br i an Mu le unit

#2468; Helen Taylor unit #3347A. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. S e e manager for details 25-311. 12/10, 17 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-25-138176 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail i n a R e s t au r a nt under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 736 Fulton Ave, Hempstead, NY 11550, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at RGTT Hospitality Group LLC. \25-313. 12/17, 24, 31, 1/7, 14, 21 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-25138287 for liquor, b e e r, w i n e , a n d cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol L aw at 3116 Long Beach Road, Oceanside, NY 11572, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Elegant Restaurant & Bar Inc. 25-314. 12/17, 24

Read the legals and stay

informed

Courtesy Massapequa school district

East Lake students, PTA glow with pride The room was dark but the spirits were bright as students at East Lake Elementary School in the Massapequa School District celebrated a successful fundraiser during the annual Glow Party. The event was in partnership with the PTA. The gymnasium floor and walls were covered in glowing tape, and music blasted as each grade had their moment to party. This was third year of the Boosterthon fundraiser, which the PTA uses to support student experiences at the school like arts and character education assemblies, the annual Pick a Reading Partner program,

and Field Day food and T-shirts. Already, the PTA has raised about $26,000 this year as students get donations to run laps at the Glow Party. The event was organized by PTA copresidents Kate Mint and Katie Spennato along with Principal Thomas McKillip and Assistant Principal Mary Velte. A team of parent volunteers decorated the gym the night before with balloons, tape and streamers. Children were encouraged to wear bright colors as they walked, jogged, ran and did other fun movements like the bear crawl.

Read the Massapequa Herald Post, Call 516-569-4000 to subscribe.

Oyster Bay residents invited to get fit together in the New Year Residents looking to jump-start their New Year’s resolutions or stay in shape can sign up for the Town of Oyster Bay’s co-ed fitness classes. Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh announced that registration is opening for a variety of programs at the Hicksville Athletic Center, including ballroom dancing, Pilates, intermediate Pilates, Zumba, cardio kickboxing, yoga and gentle movement/meditation. The 10-week classes are open to all residents ages 18 and older and offer a fun way to stay active and meet new people. “These great fitness programs provide a fun way to stay active while increasing energy and making new friends,” Walsh said. “Whether you’re into high-energy workouts like cardio kickboxing or prefer something more relaxing like yoga, there’s a class for everyone to enjoy.” Sessions begin the first week of January 2026. The schedule is as follows: Ballroom Dancing • Saturdays, 7–8 p.m., starting Jan. 10 Cardio Kickboxing • Thursdays, 8–9 p.m., starting Jan. 8 Pilates

• Mondays, 8–9 p.m., starting Jan. 5 Yoga • Saturdays, 9–10 a.m., starting Jan. 10 • Sundays, 8:45–9:45 a.m., starting Jan. 4 • Tuesdays, 8–9 p.m., starting Jan. 6 • Thursdays, 7–8 a.m., starting Jan. 8 Zumba • Mondays, 6:45–7:45 p.m., starting Jan. 5 • Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m., starting Jan. 7 • Saturdays, 7:45–8:45 a.m., starting Jan. 10 Gentle Movement/Meditation • Tuesdays, 7–8 a.m., starting Jan. 6 • Saturdays, 8:15–9:15 p.m., starting Jan. 10 Registration for residents opens at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at oysterbaytown. com/sports. Residents must upload proof of residency, such as a tax or utility bill, along with valid identification. Nonresident registration begins Dec. 15. The fee is $75 for residents and $100 for nonresidents. Participants should bring their own mats for yoga, Pilates, cardio kickboxing and gentle movement/meditation. Schedules are subject to change, and make-up sessions will be offered if possible. For more information, call 516-797-7945 or email tobparks@ oysterbay-ny.gov.

S1 12/18

Employment

CLASSIFIED

To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

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Big Bus $31.68/hr.

Non-Benefit Rate

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

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Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

HVAC Service Technician/ Installer Full Time, Residential & Commercial. R.P. Services Inc.,Business 36 Years Plainview, NY. Call 516-576-7037

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

Why Not Print

Positions available in Nassau and Suffolk Counties Apply At: www.educationalbusjobs.com/ EOE

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250 PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

Non-Benefit Rate

for CDL driver bus and Sign On Bonus $5,000.00 van $500.00 for non CDL drivers.

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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

HERALD

December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Homes

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To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

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S2 12/18

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Lynbrook

Timeless Charmed Craftsman

Yes, A.I. will shape the future of building houses Q. Has A.I. affected construction? What do you see happening with A.I. in the building sector, and how does it change the cost of what we want to build? Are you seeing costs level out or drop? A. Lots of questions. Costs are not dropping. The future of construction will definitely be affected by the emergence of A.I., but, as usual, from the top down. The most sophisticated construction, large buildings and very high investments, started the trend. This is similar to what the space program did for technology. First were the onte eeper innovations in military development, followed by civilian aircraft and then automobiles, kitchen appliances and finally computerization on a large scale. The same is happening with artificial intelligence. For me, the first significant experience with AI was when a client, young enough to be my daughter, grabbed her cellphone, ran outside and took a picture of the front of her house. I had been drawing various styles of roofs, and she focused on one scheme that was very modern, with sleek lines, lots of verticalshaped structures intersected by horizontal overhangs and balcony rails, some glass and some solid. She took a picture of the house on her phone, a second one of the outside of the house and then, after speaking a command into her ChatGPT, waited a minute or so, and up came an image in 3-D — complete with palm trees and a red Ferrari — of the design I had developed in 2-D on my laptop screen. It was rough and a little out of scale, but close to what she was looking for. Then she got a little crazy and asked the program to use shades of pinks, grays and black trim for the handrails. Her husband objected, and said it should be all gray and white, and while they went back and forth, I was pondering what the architectural review board would do, how to structure the cantilever balconies and how much protest would come from the neighbors with their adjacent brick suburban colonials and split-level homes. Tall buildings are now designed with A.I., with great success, and intricate aligning of all the systems and construction utilizes robots that can hang off a building’s edges to install the fasteners, exterior panels and glass within tolerances normally seen under a microscope. Training has evolved to not only understanding the manual assembly of building components, but also the level of skill to guide robotics. New fields in technology are emerging, but with every change comes adjustment to the way we think about the tasks and how to solve them. Cars are now mobile computers, not just greasy machines. Construction is changing in the same ways. We’re going to need people to adjust to not going to college for degrees in medicine and law, but rather to master careers with great skill and knowledge, commanding robotics, knowing engineering, science, math and problem-solving in several fields. That’s the future.

Ask The Architect

tep into the timeless charm of this Craftsman-style home, beautifully blending classic character with everyday comfort. A welcoming living room with a stately fireplace sets the tone, offering the perfect backdrop for gatherings or quiet evenings in. The formal dining room provides an elegant space for hosting, while the large eat-in kitchen delights with abundant cabinetry, expansive counter space, and a cozy breakfast nook ideal for starting your day. With 4 well-appointed bedrooms, including an additional office/nursery that adapts to your lifestyle, this home offers exceptional flexibility. Classic architectural details—from rich woodwork to thoughtfully preserved finishes add warmth and personality throughout. Located in the heart of Lynbrook, this home pairs timeless style with convenience, creating a truly special place to call home. Asking $799,000.

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opINIoNS

he federal government’s push to expand offshore oil drilling is back. The waters off Long Island are not part of the plan, so far. The focus now is areas off California and Florida. With the plan’s recent announcement, Newsday ran a cartoon depicting President Trump declaring, in front of a line of offshore wind turbines: “Wind turbines ruin the view!” Then there was Trump in front of a bunch KARl of offshore oil gRoSSmAN drilling rigs, saying, “… but oil rigs are beautiful!” In 1970, doing investigative reporting at the daily Long Island Press, I broke the story of offshore oil drilling proposed off Long Island, which led to writing about the federal plans to drill up and down the Atlantic Coast. A fisherman out of Montauk told me about seeing a ship east of Long Island similar to those he’d seen searching for oil in the Gulf of Mexico when he was a

shrimper there. I telephoned oil company after oil company to inquire about this, and each firmly denied having any interest in looking for petroleum off Long Island. Then a PR man from Gulf called and said, yes, his company was looking for oil and gas off Long Island — and was involved in a consortium of 32 oil companies, including those that had earlier issued denials. In 1971 I got onto the first offshore oil-drilling rig set up in the Atlantic, across the border in Canadian waters. Shell Canada invited the Suffolk County Legislature for a visit. There was strong opposition to offshore oil drilling off Long Island, and the Legislature was a leader. It listed my name as part of the delegation. On the tarmac of the airport in Sydney, Nova Scotia, however, a Shell Canada executive came over to me and said: “You don’t think you’re going to get on this helicopter, Mr. Grossman.” The legislators intervened, with Legislator John Wehrenberg, of Holbrook, telling the Shell executive, “If Karl isn’t going, we’re not going.”

There was a standoff. The men from Shell Canada huddled — and I got on the chopper. The visit was instructive: It was clear on the rig, with its equipment in preparation for a blowout and an oil spill, that offshore drilling is a dicey proposition. There were spherical capsules to eject workers in the event of an accident. And a rescue boat went round and round, 24 hours a day. The man from Shell Canada told me, “We treat every foot of hole like a potential disaster.” He gestured to the Nova Scotia shore and said that peat moss was being stockpiled to try to absorb spilled oil. On Long Island, he said, “You’d use straw.” In covering the story, I attended many hearings, and traveled down the coast to the Florida Keys, their turquoise waters on the agenda for the drilling. Meanwhile, states, and Congress, took action to block oil drilling in the Atlantic. Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., of Sag Harbor, co-sponsor of a 1979 state bill, said, “Tourism is a major economic driver for Long Island. We also have a

reported on those risks after a fateful helicopter ride to a rig prepped for disaster.

very viable commercial and recreational and fishing industry. The proposal for offshore oil drilling threatens both our economy and our environment.” Oil spills, then and now, were and still are routine in offshore oil drilling. The largest spill ever was the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it released 3.19 million barrels of oil, impacting 43,300 square miles of ocean, an area roughly the size of Virginia. “Offshore Drilling 101,” a recent online report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, begins: “Offshore drilling is risky business. It can have devastating impacts on oceans and coastal communities. … Until we stop sacrificing public waters to fossil fuels, we’ll continue to see disastrous oil spills … and the acceleration of our climate crisis.” Will the Trump administration, with its call to “Drill, baby, drill,” include, once again, waters off Long Island and the Atlantic coast? Carl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at SUNY Old Westbury.

The sun rises and the sun sets; the rest is up for grabs

ear readers, I began this column, my last of 2025, thinking that despite the chaos in our lives, we can all agree on certain basic truths. And that’s as far as I got because, really, we can’t agree on anything. We’ve reached a point in our America where we can’t even agree on what we’re seeing or hearing with our own eyes and ears. Fakery, fraud and deceit, perpetuated by people inside and outside the country, from the RANDI influencers and KREISS conspiracists to our own political leaders, have torn down the normal guideposts that let us know that up is up, down is down, right is right and wrong is wrong. We are in the vortex of an acute national vertigo. Imagine climbing a mountain. Everything looks good in base camp, but then, after several hours, it seems someone has removed the signposts. Then there’s a signpost, but it has the wrong information. Then you dig into your supplies and find that your camp-

ing food is rancid. You can’t call for help because your phone has been hacked. Five hours out, your hiking shoe has unraveled and the tent you pitch is so poorly made that water seeps in. A storm is rolling in. We climb mountains every day, and we need to trust our leaders to keep our schools safe, to keep education excellent and available. We need to know that airplanes will stay in the air; that competent air traffic controllers are on the job. I want to know the water I drink isn’t poisoning me. Pick any aspect of Life in America 2025 and find the relentless erosion of faith in our institutions and our elected officials. If someone had told me that in December 2025 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, led by a discredited official with little medical background, would unravel our vaccine protocols and sow doubt among Americans about the efficacy of long-established standards and treatments, I wouldn’t have thought it possible. Yet here we are. If someone had told me that in December 2025 I would see my president order kill strikes on vessels off Venezuela, calling it a war against nar-

co-terrorists and not getting an OK from Congress, I wouldn’t believe it possible. If, during the last election, someone had identified the political players who now run the country — some inexperienced, some ill-informed and some drunk on power — we would have dismissed the idea as hysteria. Yet consider Kristi Noem, Pete Hegseth and Stephen Miller. And the man who breathed life into their political savagery: Donald Trump. Oh, and I forgot Elon Musk, the nation builder with the hatchet. Trump promised he would be aggressive on illegal immigration. No one supports illegal immigration; it isn’t sustainable. But did we expect to lose our national reputation and our humanity in the process? Did we expect to become a global outlier, threading immigration policy with malice and violence and overreach? In a short time, the new administration has sanctioned more drilling, building and digging in previously protected areas. There isn’t a discernible plan. Could it be creating havoc so no one notices who’s profiting from the relaxed regulations in everything from finance to the Alaskan wilderness?

f someone had told me where we’d be today, I wouldn’t have thought it possible.

Everything every one of us does, from buying groceries to traveling, getting an education, having babies, getting health insurance, buying a home, finding reliable news sources, serving in the military or getting married, has been altered by the policies of the Trump administration. And all the policy makers start slip-sliding away when citizens call for accountability. Who ordered the killing of the boat survivors off Venezuela? The president says he’ll release the videos. The president says he never said he’d release the videos. One general says the killing was a crime. Another says it was the right move. This isn’t the “fog of war”; this is the overwhelming fog of this administration, seeping into our homes. The Trump touch has affected every aspect of our lives. At the end of the day — and we’re not there yet — all the razzle-dazzle, all the kill strikes, ICE raids and military occupations of our cities and tariffs and taxing and sucking up to dictators around the world, may be a smoke screen for damning revelations in the Epstein affair. We can’t know. What we can know is, as the sun rises and sets, the world will turn, and better people may come forward to restore America to itself. Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

The push for risky offshore oil drilling continues

Herald editorial

Massapequa

HERALD December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

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The power of giving, in every season

s the holiday season reaches its peak, reminders of generosity surround us. Yet beneath the glow of holiday lights lies a reality we cannot overlook: The needs our neighbors face do not disappear when the calendar turns to January. Toy drives spill over with brightly decorated packages waiting to be delivered to children who might otherwise go without, and food donations are stacked high at local pantries, arriving just in time to help families struggling to put meals on the table. Across Long Island, community groups, places of worship and nonprofits mobilize volunteers and resources to make the season a bit warmer and brighter for those facing hardship. These efforts showcase the best of who we are. When people give — not because they must, but because they care — they reveal the true strength of community. But hunger doesn’t take a winter vacation. Unemployment, illness, unstable housing and financial strain don’t wait for the next holiday season to return. Families who rely on food pantries in December will still need support in the spring and throughout the

year. Young people seeking stability, guidance and opportunity can’t put their challenges on hold until the next wave of donated toys arrives. The organizations that step up so visibly during the holidays are working tirelessly well beyond them. A community that invests in its children — consistently, intentionally and all year long — creates pathways to hope that last a lifetime. Food banks, youth centers, shelters, churches and community organizations depend on steady support to continue their vital work. Together they form a safety net, but each strand of that net requires reinforcement. Donations of food, toys, clothing, money and time aren’t simply seasonal gestures. They are essential tools that allow these groups to respond quickly when new needs arise, or when crises strike without warning. Year-round giving strengthens that safety net. It ensures that food pantries have enough supplies in the slower months, when contributions often dwindle. It allows youth programs to sustain mentorship and recreation long after the holiday volunteers go home. It gives shelters the flexibility to support fami-

lies beyond the seasonal surge. As the holidays encourage us to reflect on gratitude, connection and generosity, this moment offers an opportunity to broaden our understanding of giving. Your contribution, whether it’s a toy, a can of soup, money or a few hours of volunteer work, can lift a family through a difficult week. It can motivate a teenager to stay focused on school. As you think about where and how to give during this festive season, consider extending that generosity into the months that follow. Support a food pantry in February. Volunteer at a youth center in April. Donate to a shelter in July. Share your ideas with community groups that need fresh perspectives and helping hands. Giving is powerful in every season, and your commitment can help build a foundation of hope, compassion and opportunity that lasts all year long. Community is not built in a single season. It is built day by day, through acts of kindness large and small. If you have a favorite charity, please give yearround. If you don’t, please find one. And with your continued generosity, that community can grow stronger than ever.

opinions

n Long Island and across our country, the rising cost of living is making it harder for people to get by. From some of the highest tax bills in the country to rising utility and health care bills, everything just costs too much these days. Making life more affordable for Nassau County’s young people, families and seniors is deeply personal to me. My grandfather immigrated to Long Island from LaUra a. Italy to give his family a better GiLLen life, and took a job as a sanitation worker in the Town of Hempstead to make ends meet. Two generations later, I’m raising my four children in Nassau County and fighting for a future they can afford. In serving this region, I consider it my utmost duty to give all Long Islanders the opportunity to prosper. Since taking office, I’ve been focused on common-sense solutions to make life more affordable. In Congress I’m fight-

ing to lower costs by extending tax credits that help families afford health care, eliminating the state and local tax deduction to give Long Islanders a much-needed tax cut, and preventing outrageous utility rate hikes that drain families’ wallets. When I speak with Long Islanders about what expenses are keeping them awake at night, health care costs are one of the main concerns I hear about. No one should have to choose between keeping food on the table and seeing a doctor. That’s why I’m pushing to extend tax credits that lower the cost of monthly insurance premiums. For some Nassau County residents, that could mean saving nearly $4,500 a year on their health care. A bipartisan majority of Americans agree that we should extend these common-sense tax credits that help millions of families afford health care. If Republicans refuse to negotiate a bipartisan solution, the credits will lapse and health care premiums will rise for everyone, even those with private insurance. I’ve also heard from countless Nassau

residents about the burdensome effect that high taxes have had on their bottom lines. For nearly a decade, countless hardworking families have had to pay tens of thousands of dollars more in taxes due to the unfair cap on the deduction for state and local taxes, instituted by the GOP in its 2017 tax bill. This double taxation is fundamentally unfair, and is making life more expensive for the middle class. Congress has the opportunity to correct that wrong and cut taxes for Long Islanders by eliminating the SALT cap, which is making it so hard for families and small businesses in my district to get by. That’s why I’m leading a bipartisan bill that would do so. I also testified before the House Rules Committee earlier this year about how restoring the full SALT deduction would mean lower tax bills and more affordable mortgages for homeowners in our region. Another worry for Long Island families is the dramatic and painful increase in their utility bills. No Nassau residents should have to pay 40 percent more per month just to have clean water

igh taxes continue to be a burden for too many Nassau County residents.

Letters Attorney General James is standing up for transgender students

Framework by Tim Baker

To the Editor: Re “Massapequa trustee and Rockville Centre school district parents sue over Attorney Letitia James’ guidance on transgender Policy” in last week’s Post: It is interesting that controversy over transgender lives is playing out in schools. The minimal health education curriculum requirements in New York state are, in part, why there’s such a lack of understanding about gender, sexuality and what it is to be transgender/non-binary. The result is fear, and sometimes worse: discrimination, scapegoating, harassment and bullying, like at some of the depressing Massapequa Board of Education meetings this fall, where adults in the audience harassed TGNB people and the BOE president engaged in bullying. For example, the president refused to use affirming pronouns when she addressed TGNB individuals. Not only is it basic human decency to use the name and pronouns someone asks you to use, but she should keep in mind that in a recent research brief by the Trevor Project, it was found that TGNB young people whose pronouns were respected had lower rates of past-year suicide attempts. In the Trevor Project’s 2024 Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, more than half (54 percent) of transgender and nonbinary students found their school to be genderaffirming, and those who did reported lower rates of attempting suicide. The behavior at these meetings on the part of audience members was bad enough, but when someone in school leadership engages, it is dangerous, and worthy of the attorney general’s urgent attention, and we applaud Letitia James’ warning. KARIN JOHNSON RVC Pride, Rockville Centre

At the Coral House’s Breakfast with Santa — Baldwin

in their homes. That’s why I’m demanding answers from utility companies about the rate hikes that are draining Long Islanders’ wallets. I’m also working to pass the Stop the Rate Hikes Act to help prevent price surges in the future. Long Islanders are counting on Congress to come together and address the affordability crisis. This shouldn’t be a partisan fight: Every member of Congress has a responsibility to lower costs and make life more affordable for the people we represent. I will work with anyone, from any party, who shares this goal of tackling the cost-of-living crisis and giving families more financial security. I will always put Long Island first, and will continue my work to make life more affordable in our region by taking on the rising cost of health care, cutting taxes and preventing utility rate hikes that are crushing families’ budgets. I know that many people are having a hard time these days, and there’s a lot more work to be done. Long Islanders can trust that I will continue my fight to lower your costs so we can move forward together. Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — December 17, 2025

I’m fighting to lower costs for Long Island families

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December 17, 2025 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST