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VOL.112 NO. 34

SEPTEMBER 30, 2026

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Family Fun Day event By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

Photo courtesy Massapequa school district

Massapequa High School Ames Campus security guard Steve Miller, a 9/11 first responder, spoke to several ninth-grade social studies classes to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

Students learn about 9/11 Massapequa students who were not yet born on Sept. 11, 2001, learned about the terrorist attacks through firsthand stories, videos, articles, projects and classroom discussions as the district marked the 25th anniversary. At Massapequa’s elementary schools, lessons focused on resilience, teamwork and unity, with discussions about helping others and acts of heroism. At Berner Middle School and Massapequa High School’s main and Ames campuses, students explored the attacks in greater depth, examining the events of the day, their causes and their aftermath. Many teachers also shared personal stories about where they were and what they were doing when they learned about the attacks. Patti McMahon, a ninth grade social studies teacher, invited school security guard Steve Miller to speak to her classes. Miller, a retired 23-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, responded to the World Trade Center even though he was off duty that day and worked at the site for 44 days. Among the artifacts Miller showed students were a helmet, a 1970s Pepsi can be

found in one of the towers’ walls, the bandana he wore that day and a book featuring his picture. “It’s really important to humanize these stories as much as we can,” McMahon said. “It was the unthinkable.” Tara Camilleri continued a tradition of having her students participate in the Remember the Sky project, a tribute to the clear blue sky on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Her students went outside with their Chromebooks to photograph the sky, then returned to the classroom to create mock social-media posts. Paul Corr’s ninth-graders interviewed a family member about the events of Sept. 11, along with their own experiences and feelings. During class, they shared what they had learned. Teacher Kimberly Simpson-O’Brien emphasized the importance of passing history to the next generation. After showing her students a video of her 8-year-old son and his knowledge of Sept. 11, she had them create their own stories explaining the tragedy to someone else. At the high school, seniors in Daniel CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

More than $21,000 was raised to support families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Family Fun Day at the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Ami tyville. The Sept. 19 event drew hundreds of people from across the area, including Seaford father and son Vincent Sinisgalli and Vincent Sinisgalli Jr., as well as the Falco family of Levittown. New York Mets Hall of Famer Dwight Gooden and New York Jets Ring of Honor member Wayne Chrebet also attended the event, which celebrated the center’s first anniversary and Grandparent Appreciation Month. Gooden and Chrebet signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans. There were also featured free intergenerational activities, including creative arts, brain games, games for children, music, dancing, a scavenger hunt and face painting. Event goers could also receive free memory screenings. “Family Fun Day is all about bringing people

together,” said Charles Fuschillo, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “Welcoming hundreds of community residents to our center to have fun and spend time together was wonderful. “ He added that having Gooden and Chrebet attend and spend so much time interacting with visitors made the event even more impactful. “We hope everyone who attended was able to create some special new memories and learn more about the services the Center provides to the community,” he said. Sinisgalli of Seaford and his father, Vincent, said the event was a perfect opportunity to get out and meet Chrebet. As longtime Jets fans, the father and son had Chrebet sign their collectible mini helmets. “It’s a beautiful day to be out and we got to meet Wayne Chrebet,” said Vincent Jr., acknowledging that he and his father are longtime Jets fans. Andrew and Alana, the son and daughter of Anthony and Ava Falco of Levittown, enjoyed cupcakes and other snacks and treats at the event. “It’s a beautiful day to be CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

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

SATURDAY, OCT. 3 • Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce General Meeting: Noon, The Villager, 306 Main St., Farmingdale. To register, visit farmingdalenychamber.org/ events/details/october-general-meetingthe-villager-7101. For more information, call (516) 200-1228.

SUNDAY, OCT. 4 • Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.

MONDAY, OCT. 5 • Nassau County Legislature Committees Meeting: 1p.m., Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola. For more information, call (516) 571-6200. • Massapequa Fire District Monthly Work Session: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6

• Town of Oyster Bay Town Board Meeting: 10 a.m., Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. For more information, please call (516) 624-6380. • 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.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7

• Farmingdale School District Board of Education Meeting: 7 p.m., Howitt Middle School, 70 Van Cott Ave., Farmingdale. For more information, call (516) 434-5002. • Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential. The Herald will print public meetings and event notices for not-for-profit organizations at no charge and as space permits. To have an item considered for publication, email cbabirad@liherald. com. Please send items two weeks in advance.

Oyster Bay Town announces fall cleanup days in October Oyster Bay Town residents will have several opportunities this fall to dispose of hazardous and nonhazardous household materials through the Town’s S.T.O.P. and Homeowners Cleanup programs. Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand announced the programs’ final dropoff dates for the year at the Old Bethpage Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 101 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road, Old Bethpage. The S.T.O.P. program will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program accepts a variety of household hazardous materials, including automobile batteries and tires, gasoline, pesticides, oil-based and latex paint, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs, fire extinguishers, solvents, waste motor oil and antifreeze. Homeowners Cleanup Days will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents may dispose of nonhazardous items including air conditioners, electronic waste, campers, boats and boat trailers, large metal items, tires, yard waste and clean, broken concrete. Proof of ownership is required for boats and boat trailers, which must have oil, gas, other fluids and batteries removed.

Free paper shredding also will be available during both Homeowners Cleanup Days. Residents, but not businesses, may bring up to four bankers’ boxes of unwanted paper for secure shredding. “The fall season often brings with it the cleaning of our yards and winter preparation,” Hand said. “Residents can bring items such as used tires, fence posts, clean broken concrete or yard waste to our Homeowners Cleanup, as well as unwanted documents to be disposed in a safe and secure manner through our free shredding services.” Saladino urged residents to properly dispose of household hazardous materials to protect the environment. “Anything poured on the ground or put into cesspools, storm drains, or recharge systems can work its way down to the aquifer or our waterways,” he said. The programs are open to residents within the Town’s Solid Waste Disposal District, and proof of residency is required. For a complete list of accepted materials and additional information, visit tinyurl.com/2k5nafsk or call 516-677-5848.

Farmingdale school distrtict honors history on Patriots Day

By CAROLYN JAMES

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

cjames@liherald.com

Students throughout the Farmingdale school district marked Patriot Day with classroom lessons, performances and community events commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Elementary school students focused on kindness, unity and community helpers through art projects, while older students examined primary sources, archival photographs and news coverage to learn about the attacks and the nation’s response and rebuilding efforts. At Farmingdale High School, history teacher and alumnus Lt. Col. Richard Vargus spoke to social studies classes about the events of Sept. 11 and honored Farmingdale firefighters who died in the attacks. Vargus also spoke to students about service and duty, sharing his own commitment to serving others. “If you ask me, ‘Would you go back and go into harm’s way to save people, to do your job, and protect this country?’ — at 72 years old, I would salute the flag and say, ‘Yes, sir. Ready to go.’ And I’d go because that’s what I believe, and why I believe so much in this great country of ours and the freedoms that we all have,” he said. Student musicians from the Chamber Chorus and Wind Ensemble performed “God Bless America” during

Photos courtesy Farmingdale school district

Farmingdale school district students were all decked out to take part in Patriot Day ceremonies. the annual Farmingdale Remembers ceremony at the Farmingdale Public Library. High school students and staff also traveled to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on an educational trip sponsored by the Gary Sinise Foundation. Students heard firsthand accounts from military veterans and family members,

giving them a personal connection to the history they had studied in the classroom. Vargus encouraged students to recognize the responsibilities they will assume as they grow older. “The responsibility is going to fall on your shoulders. It’s going to be your world, and you’re going to have to be making decisions,” he said. “But that’s

Student musicians from the Chamber Chorus and Wind Ensemble performed at ceremonies on Patriot Day. the good thing about this high school, this sanctuary: You can always come home. People will always be here to help you and to guide you.” Through classroom instruction, community ceremonies and visits to national memorials, the district provided students with opportunities to learn about Sept. 11 while emphasizing service, unity and remembrance.

AFA awarded National Grid grant for sensory garden Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from National Grid to create a new sensory garden for Long Islanders living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. The sensory garden will be located at the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Center, 149 Schleigel Boulebard, Amityville. The sensory garden will be a place where Long Islanders living with dementia can stimulate all five senses, sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, in a peaceful, relaxing outdoor setting. Plants and materials in the garden are specifically chosen for their scent, texture, and color. Horticultural therapy can promote positive mood, provide cognitive and sensory stimulation, and strengthen motor skills. “AFA is very grateful to National Grid for its generous support of this new program to help Long Islanders living with dementia,” said AFA President & CEO Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. “Adding this important new resource to our center’s offerings will help further enhance services and support for Long Island families affected by dementia.” “National Grid is proud to support the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s new sensory garden, which will provide a welcoming and therapeutic space for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other demen-

Courtesy :Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

President & CEO Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (right) shows representatives from National Grid plans for the Sensory Garden that will be created through a grant National Grid awarded to AFA. They are joined by AFA staff members. tia-related illnesses,” said Lauren Perry, Public Affairs Manager for National Grid. “This project will create meaningful opportunities for sensory engagement, relaxation, and connection, while helping improve quality of life for those affected by dementia

and their families. We are honored to partner with AFA in bringing this valuable resource to the Long Island community.” Work on the garden is already underway, with an official ribbon cutting expected in the Spring.

For additional information about the programs and services offered at the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center, please call the Center at 631-223-4000 or visit afalongisland.org.

September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Amityville Historical Society hosting Antique Fair Oct. 3 The Amityville Historical Society will be holding their Antique Fair on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lauder Museum, 170 Broadway in Amityville. Vendors will be offering unique treasures from days long past. Come discover rare finds and forgotten gems

as a variety of sellers showcase their collections from times gone by. Step back in time with a curated array of antiques and curiosities from bygone eras. For more information, call (631) 5981486.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Long Island residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the final Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s event of 2026 at Belmont Lake State Park on Oct. 18 in North Babylon. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. “This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s. With new treatments and proven lifestyle habits that support brain health, there is real hope,” said Tinamarie Hardekopf, senior director of development for the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island chapter. “Together, we can build a brain-healthy future and help end this disease. We invite everyone to join us by forming a team to raise awareness and funds for families facing Alzheimer’s today.” On walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease. Jennifer Benjamin, North Babylon Walk to End Alzheimer’s Executive Event Co-Chair, walks for her grandmother who passed away from another type of dementia called Par-

kinson’s disease. “My grandmother’s journey stayed with me,” said Benjamin. “Today, after more than 20 years of working with older adults and their families, I understand even more deeply what families facing dementia experience—and why support, education, caregiving and research are so important.” More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, nearly 12 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. New York has the second-highest rate of Alzheimer’s of any state in the U.S. More than 426,000 New Yorkers are living with Alzheimer’s, including 61,800 residents on Long Island aged 65 and older. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises funds for research initiatives and for care and support programs for families impacted by this disease. To register and receive the latest updates on this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit act.alz.org/BelmontLake. Belmont Lake State Park is located at 625 Belmont Ave., North Babylon. For more information, call (631) 629-6950.

Amityville’s Haunted Harvest coming Saturday, Oct. 3 Amityville’s Haunted Harvest will return to the village Oct. 3, from 1 to 7 p.m., with free, family-friendly activities along Park Avenue and nearby streets. The event is sponsored by Amityville Apothecary in partnership with the Amityville Chamber of Commerce. The outdoor festival will feature more than 30 artisan food and craft vendors, along with food trucks and entertainment. Activities are expected to include pumpkin painting, face painting, carnival-style entertainment, an owl meet-and-greet, a live band and other family activities. The event was created by Dina

Rosenberg and Danielle Deacy, owners of Amityville Apothecary, and is in its fourth year. Haunted Harvest will take place on Park Avenue between Greene Avenue and Ireland Place, as well as on Greene Avenue and Ireland Place. Those streets will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event. Admission is free. A rain date is scheduled for Oct. 4, from 1 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Dina, Danielle or Vinny at (631) 464-4589. The event website is Amityville’s Haunted Harvest site.

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Nassau County Police Department’s 7th and 8th precincts. And other law enforcement and emergency service units:

PETIT LARCENY

South Farmingdale: Representatives for Walgreens pharmacy, 918. Main St., reported that a female removed

five cases of beer from the store on Sept. 18. Allergy medication was shoplifted Walgreens, 918 Main St., Sept. 22.

ARRESTS

Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired: Hunter Schmidlin, 25, of Mastic Beach.

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.

West Islip man indicted in fatal Robert Moses Causeway crash A West Islip man has been indicted on manslaughter and other charges in connection with a June crash on the Robert Moses Causeway that killed a Bay Shore man, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced. Stephen Aylward, 63, was indicted on charges including second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an incident without reporting resulting in death in connection with the death of Yusuf Gul, 27. According to the indictment, Aylward was driving a 2012 Jeep Liberty southbound on the Robert Moses Causeway near Sunrise Highway at about 1:30 p.m. on June 25 when he allegedly veered off the roadway and struck Gul, who was walking along the shoulder. Gul was later pronounced dead. Prosecutors allege that Aylward, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, continued driving to his West Islip home. He later returned to the crash scene before going home again, and called 911 at about 2:03 p.m., roughly 30 minutes after the collision. Aylward was arrested at his home and arraigned on the indictment Sept.

18 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas. In addition to the manslaughter and leaving-the-scene charges, Aylward faces two counts of driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, and failure to maintain a lane. Goglas ordered Aylward held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or a $2.5 million partially secured bond and suspended his driver’s license. He is due back in court Oct. 16. If convicted of the top charge, Aylward faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison. “Every driver has an absolute obligation to stop and to report their involvement in a crash,” Tierney said. “This defendant allegedly did neither, resulting in the tragic death of a young man.” The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Newcombe of the Vehicular Crime Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Investigator Marcus Rivera of the New York State Police. An indictment is an accusatory instrument and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Do dogs know the difference between our smiles and tears?

Pets, Pets, Pets...

But the canine brain wasn’t simply sorting the world into “good” and “bad.” A whole-brain analysis revealed distinct patterns of activity that allowed researchers to distinguish fear from anger and sadness. The finding provides the first evidence that dogs can differentiate among specific negative human facial expressions. Of course, that doesn’t mean dogs experience emotions exactly as humans do. And a photograph of a face tells only part of the story. In real life, dogs watch our body language, listen to changes in our voices and even gather information through our scent. “When we compare humans with primates, we are looking at abilities that may have come from a common ancestor,” Cuaya said. “With dogs, the story is different. They followed a hugely different evolutionary path, yet through domestication, they developed the social abilities needed to understand and cooperate with us.” The dogs in the study were pets from loving families. Free-ranging dogs, including those living on the street, navigate a very different social world and may process human cues differently. Researchers now plan to take a more dog-centered approach to understanding how dogs combine these brain signals to make sense of the humans

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

Scientists — and dog lovers — have Eight dogs were shown photographs long known that dogs are remarkably of strangers with either happy or neugood at interpreting our laughs, frowns tral expressions. The happy faces actiand tears. But the biology behind this vated the temporal cortex and caudate ability has remained largely unex- nucleus, regions of the brain associated with higher cognitive processing and plored. Now, researchers have taken a clos- reward. “The activity in the caudate nucleus er look at what happens inside a dog’s is particularly interesting,” said Laura brain when it looks at a human face. In a study published Aug. 7 in the Cuaya, also of the University of Vienna, who began the research journal iScience, researchin Mexico and later expanders scanned the brains of ed it through a collaboradogs as they viewed images tion at Eötvös Loránd Uniof people displaying differversity in Hungary. “It sugent facial expressions. The gests that happy human scans revealed that dogs faces may have emotional process smiles in a unique significance for dogs.” region of the brain and, for The researchers then the first time, provided eviwanted to know whether dence that dogs can distindogs responded differently guish among negative to other emotions. expressions, including Twelve dogs were shown anger, sadness and fear. images of people expressing “Humans are really good happiness, anger, fear and at picking up small details JOANNE sadness. Using machine on the face, and so are ANDERSON learning to analyze the dogs,” said first author Raúl brain activity, researchers Hernández-Pérez of the University of Vienna. “By studying their found that the dogs’ brains responded brains, we can understand what adap- differently to negative emotions than tations have developed to support their they did to happiness. The temporal remarkable social and emotional c o r t e x - c a u d a t e n u c l e u s n e t w o r k responded uniquely to happy faces, understanding of humans.” The researchers first focused on allowing researchers to distinguish the happiness, an expression earlier stud- brain’s response to smiles from its ies suggest may hold particular signifi- response to the three negative expressions. cance for dogs.

Courtesy Last Hope

Bailey, female Golden Retriever mix, with a lot of love to give is available for adoption at Last Hope in Wantagh. around them. Future studies will also compare how human and dog brains process the same emotional signals. For adoption at Last Hope Animal Rescue, 3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh, (631) 671-2588:

JULY 2026 — HERALD SENIOR HEALTH & BEYOND EXPO

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spotlight athlete

HERALD SPORTS

Mixed results for .500 Massapequa By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com

EVAN NELSON V.S. CENTRAL Senior FOOTBALL NELSON HAS KEYED the Eagles’ fast start to the season in Nassau Conference II. In the opener he led a dynamic ground attack with 143 yards on just 16 carries as Valley Stream Central cruised to a 30-6 victory over Baldwin Sept. 10. Nine days later, he broke out for 200 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns as the Eagles pulled off a 32-28 upset of New Hyde Park. Nelson sealed that W with a late fourth-and-1 conversion.

games to watch Thursday, Oct. 1 Boys Soccer: Clarke at V.S. South ........................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Seaford at Plainedge ......................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Hewlett at Malv-ERock ...................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Kellenberg at South Side ................5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2 Girls Soccer: Elmont at Sewanhaka ................4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer: North Shore at Plainedge................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Garden City at Mepham .................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: MacArthur at Calhoun ....................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Baldwin at Farmingdale ..................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Massapequa at Freeport ................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Oceanside at East Meadow ............5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Uniondale at V.S. Central ................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Seaford at Lynbrook ..................5:30 p.m. Football: Massapequa at Hempstead ..................6 p.m. Football: Carey at MacArthur ...............................6 p.m. Football: Lynbrook at Malverne............................7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3 Football: Plainedge at Clarke ...............................2 p.m. Football: Baldwin at Kennedy ..............................2 p.m. Football: Farmingdale at East Meadow ................3 p.m. Football: V.S. Central at Mepham........................3 p.m. Football: Glen Cove at Wantagh ...........................3 p.m.

Give knee pain a red card.

It has been a mixed bag of results in the first half of the regular season for the Massapequa girls’ soccer team. The Chiefs came flying out of the gate, scoring 12 goals combined in three straight victories. A six-match winless streak followed, with Massapequa scoring just one goal in the run of play in the last seven matches. So it’s a 3-3-3 overall record with 15 goals scored and 15 conceded heading into the second half of the regular season. But with a pair of 0-0 draws vs. Port Washington and Plainedge in their last four games, the Chiefs have shown improvement defensively of late. “We’ve come a long way in the last three weeks,” longtime coach Bruce Stegner said. “I think we’ve improved on the defensive side of the ball. Now we’ve got to try to learn how to convert opportunities in the of fensive third.” Conceding directly off of corner kicks, which happened three times in a 4-0 loss to South Side on September 22, has forced Stegner to switch from the zonal marking he’s utilized for the better part of the last two decades to manmarking the set pieces. Helping solidify the defensive side has been the return of senior defensive midfielder Julianna Domingo from injury. “She has a great work rate. She wins a lot of balls. She’s a good distributor of the ball, a good tackler, and wins some head balls,” Stegner said.

Derrick Dingle/Herald

Senior Olivia Morgan is a consistent attacking force for the Chiefs, who stand .500 entering the second half of the campaign. “She’s not scoring a lot of goals for us or anything like that, but she’s definitely doing a lot of dirty work.”

Junior Alexa Hilas is also working her way back from injury and will also help lock things down defensively.

She’ ll join senior Natalie Byrns, a two-year starter at center back, along with senior outside back Ava Primavera and junior Cassandra Van Schuyler. Freshman Haley D’Orio started the season platooning in goal with senior Molly Hof fman, but D’Orio has earned additional opportunities with her play. “She’s just got good technique, understands the game, good shot-stopper, can cover balls,” Stegner said. “She’s good with balls low, for sure. She understands the game and has good fundamentals, good technical ability.” Sophomore Shea Mangan and freshman Liliana Amato partner in the center of midfield. Senior Olivia Morgan is a versatile attacking cog, while senior Olivia LoGiudice has provided a spark off the bench with three goals and one assist. With Massapequa’s struggles offensively, which have included two missed penalty kicks, Stegner is looking for a spark from a converted defender in junior Lexi Daniels. Daniels, who has scored four goals this season, joins fellow junior Emma Ferguson up top in Stegner’s preferred 4-4-2 formation. “She’s been playing center back most of her life, but I’m trying to convert her,” Stegner said of Daniels. “ She’s still learning the position, but she can strike the ball with both feet, she is strong on the ball. She’s quick, she’s tenacious, so it’s just a matter of learning and also finishing in the six-yard box, that’s something that we need to get better at.”

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September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

OC2003_RM_Herald_Strip_10.25x2.5_Heart.indd 1

9/2/26 2:46 PM

Marking 25th anniversary with lessons on history and resilience Bachman’s Advanced Placement Government class examined the debate over health care funding for 9/11 first responders. After watching three videos, students worked in pairs to develop an argument in favor of the funding, using evidence. In Greg Kearney and Will Hahn’s 10th grade Global History class, students studied a map showing the locations of airplanes across the country hour by hour before and after the attacks. They also learned about Operation Yellow Ribbon in Gander, Newfoundland, where passengers stranded after trans-Atlantic flights were diverted following the attacks received support. Students explored Sept. 11 through the perspective of goodwill and humanity. United States History teacher Melissa Zuena showed her students the documentary “9/11, United We Stand: 25

Years Later,” while David Summers explored the causes of the attacks with his 11th graders, who studied the period from the 1993 World Trade Center bombing through Sept. 11. Jason Gelardi, curriculum associate for social studies, said he was proud of the teachers for the care and dedication they brought to their lessons. “While that work today surrounds a day of solemnity and remembrance, it is a testament to our teachers, some of whom have deeply personal connections to Sept. 11, that they are able to deliver this instruction with such passion, honesty and purpose,” Gelardi said. “Through their lessons and their willingness to share their own experiences, they are helping foster the next generation’s understanding of Sept. 11 and a deep appreciation for our first responders, for those we lost and for the extraordinary American spirit of unity, resilience and compassion that followed.” — Carolyn James

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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

S T A G E

SEP 10–OCT 25 U P

N E X T

NOV 12–DEC 27 Photos courtesy Massapequa school district

Seniors in Daniel Bachman’s Advanced Placement Government class at Massapequa High School worked together to write arguments in favor of healthcare funding for 9/11 first responders.

By William Goldman Based on the Novel by Stephen King

JAN 14–FEB 28 M

SEP 26–OCT 25 Ames teacher Kimberly Simpson-O’Brien worked with her students to have them write stories that they would tell someone younger to pass on the history of 9/11.

T H E A T E R

Frosty NOV 21–DEC 27

2 5 0 M A I N S T R E E T , N O R T H P O R T , N Y 11 7 6 8

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C H I L D R E N’S

September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Cerebral Palsy fundraiser Th e C e r e b r a l P a l s y o f N a s s a u Plainedge Auxiliary will be hosting a “Find the Song and Sing Along Luncheon” on Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Massapequa Elks Club. This is a fundraiser for those suffering from Cerebral Palsy to provide quality programs and services to help these individuals live more independently. The Massapequa Elks Club is located at 2162 Veterans Blvd., Massapequa.

On-site parking is available. The amount is $40 per person, payable to Plainedge Auxiliary of CP Nassau c/o Anita Hernandez, 30 Ohio Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758, which includes a catered lunch, dessert, soda, and water. Please call (516) 765-6579 or (516) 8848803 for more information.

Long Island Public Arts Festival set for Sunday, Oct. 4 The Long Island Public Arts Festival, LIPAF, has brought their large-scale outdoor art installation to Geiger Park in Deer Park. The exhibit will be on display until Oct. 4. Founded as a collaborative partnership between Colored Colors and the Babylon Citizen’s Council on the Arts, BACCA, with support from the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs, SCOCA, the festival transforms public parks into accessible open-air galleries. The festival will feature signature three-sided display structures known as “prisms,” showcasing larger than life canvas reproductions of original works created by contemporary artists from across

New York State. Marking LIPAF’s inaugural expansion into Deer Park, the exhibition at the newly refurbished Geiger Park highlights the intersection of public space, community education and local artistic expression. Featuring 21 selected regional artists, the display spans the park’s pathways, offering residents a vibrant cultural experience. Geiger Park is located at Brand Blvd. and Long Island Ave., Deer Park. Admission is free and open to the public daily during park hours. For more information, visit longislandpublicartsfest.com.

Massapequa Park Turkey Trot sponsorship opportunities The annual Massapequa Park Turkey Trot will be taking place on Nov. 21 at Brady Park in Massapequa Park and organizers are currently open to sponsorships. The Massapequa Park Turkey Trot benefits YES Community Counseling Center.

To learn more about the sponsorship opportunities, visit shorturl.at/btz1i. To register for the run, visit runsignup.com/Race/NY/MassapequaPark/ MassapequaParkTurkeyTrot. Brady Park is located at 1007 Lake Shore Drive, Massapequa Park.

Meet some of our local scholars The following students were recently recognized for academic achievements and graduation at their respective colleges: • The following students recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island: Reilly O’Donnell of Massapequa, Bachelor of Arts, Criminology and Criminal Justice; Paige Goodstein of Massapequa Park, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences; Nicole Shapiro of Farmingdale, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences; Luke Ciolino of Massapequa, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance; and Michaela Montalvo of Massapequa Park, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

• The following students recently enrolled at James Madison University: James Conway of Massapequa, planning to major in Exploratory and Aidan Sherwin of Massapequa, planning to major in Psychology, BS. • The following students recently enrolled in University at Buffalo Honors College for the 2026-27 academic year: Chloe Goldberg and Gianna Brinkmann of Massapequa. • Christopher Fitzpatrick of Massapequa recently graduated from Hartwick College with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice.

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OBITUARY

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

Sally Abbott Shiebler, a longtime Babylon resident whose life was defined by her love of family, her generosity toward others and her appreciation for the beauty around her, died July 3, 2026, after a brief hospitalization. She was 91. Born Oct. 5, 1934, in the Village of Babylon, Mrs. Shiebler was the daughter of Frederic and Joy Abbott. She grew up in a loving home with her sisters, June Weinschenk and Suzanne Howell. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters. Mrs. Shiebler was a proud Babylon High School graduate, where she was a cheerleader and played field hockey. She continued her education at Endicott College in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, studying merchandising and interior decorating. On June 15, 1957, she married Edward R. Shiebler Jr., the love of her life. The couple shared nearly 57 years together until his death in 2014. Edward, affectionately known as Ted, was a past commodore of the Babylon Yacht Club, and the couple were active members of the club. Together, they raised four children: Amy Shiebler David and her husband, Carl; Timothy Shiebler and his wife, Sheila; Jonathan Shie-

bler and his wife, Mrs. Shiebler Debra; and Christolater embraced a pher Shiebler. bicoastal life, travelMrs. Shiebler ing frequently to endured the devasCalifornia before tating loss of two of eventually moving her sons, Jonathan there permanently in 2011 and Timothy to be closer to her in 2021. Her love for children and grandthem never wavered, children. She and their memories became a member of remained an importhe San Clemente tant part of her life. Island Chapter of the Her family continDaughters of the ued to be her greatAmerican Revoluest source of joy. She tion alongside her is survived by her daughter, Amy, and daughter, Amy, and SALLY SHIEBLER granddaughter, son Christopher, and Sarah. She was pargrandchildren Bill ticularly proud to be Shiebler, Lauren part of three generations of the orgaShiebler, Sarah David and Andrew nization. David. Her grandson Scott Shiebler Her professional life reflected died in 2018. another of her defining qualities — a She also leaves behind TBear, her desire to help people. For three beloved Yorkshire terrier of 12 decades, she worked as a real estate years, who was a cherished companbroker and appraiser and earned the ion. Among Mrs. Shiebler’s happiest respect of those who knew her for memories were the years she spent her integrity and genuine commitat the family’s beach house on Cap- ment to helping people find homes. At home, she found simple pleatree Island. She loved the peace and beauty of coastal life and the time sures in her garden. She loved growspent there with family and friends. ing vegetables, particularly tomaShe was recently recognized as the toes and corn, and took pride in oldest member of the Babylon Yacht Club.

Safe boating courses scheduled 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Both sessions, including the exam, are required to successfully complete the course. The course is designed for adults and youths who have at least a seventh-grade reading level. e first class, with a minimum number of students required. For more information, email Educational Officer Michael Boland at bolandmichael123@gmail.com.

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America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay schedules October classes A two-day boating safety course will be offered at the West Islip Library in October for adults and youths seeking to meet New York state boating-certification requirements. America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay will hold the course on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to

For Information on advertising here, call Ellen Reynolds at 516-569-4000 Ext. 286

tending to the things she had planted. She also had a special place in her heart for the Niguel Botanical Preserve in Laguna Niguel, where she enjoyed watching butterflies and hummingbirds. Her family has asked that those wishing to honor her memory consider donations to the preserve’s butterfly garden. Mrs. Shiebler was a longtime member of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, where she was active for 20 years. Those who knew Mrs. Shiebler remember not only the places she loved and the things she accomplished, but the way she made people feel. Her warmth, generosity and infectious smile touched family members, friends and members of the communities she called home. She leaves behind a legacy rooted in love — for her husband and children, for her grandchildren, for the communities she belonged to and for the everyday moments she cherished. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year, when family members will gather to remember and celebrate the life of a woman who brought kindness, joy and love to so many.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

Sally Shiebler, real estate broker and appraiser, dies at 91

September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

NEIGHBORS IN THE NEWS

Tom Kelly puts Long Island in the spotlight BY CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com Massapequa comedian Tom Kelly has built a sizable social-media following by finding humor close to home, turning the quirks of Long Island life into material for viral reels. Kelly, who has worked as a warm-up comedian for “Good Morning America,” “The View,” “America’s Got Talent” and other television productions, also hosts “The Tom Kelly Show” podcast. The Herald spoke with Kelly about what inspires his recent Long Island-focused content, why it resonates with his online audience and how he uses his platform to go beyond laughs — highlighting people doing good in local communities and discussing serious issues closer to home, including bullying.

You have already had quite a notable career as a comedian, including opening for Taylor Swift. What made you decide to dive into Long Island-specific content?

I started doing Long Island content because I was here. I am a comedian who has worked for 20 years on television shows like “The View,” “Good Morning America,” “The $100,000 Pyramid,” “America’s Got Talent,” but people know me when I talk about All-American Hamburger, traffic on the Southern State and whether or not the service road is really better than the Long Island Expressway.

Tell us about the video that made you realize this content resonates with viewers.

What happened was, a clip of me drunk at 2 in the morning talking to my best friend about the five different Massapequa neighborhoods went viral and that’s when I said — well, maybe people want more stories that have to do with Long Island, and I think Long Island really is such a quirky space.

good-hearted person enough to tie everybody together — at least that’s what I try to do. I like to think of myself as Mister Rogers meets Larry David.

And how did you first get started in comedy?

I’ve worked in television my whole life. I used to work at Rosie O’Donnell’s old television show, and when that show ended, I couldn’t quite find any television work so I started doing stand-up because I felt if someone else is going to read the joke I wrote, I should have the courage to perform it myself. I was probably doing stand-up for three or four years. I then got a job consulting for morning radio shows around the country and I was literally doing a web television show about me quitting comedy to become a male mermaid in a mermaid show down in Florida and that’s when I got the call that Rosie O’Donnell had recommended me to be the new warm-up comedian at “The View.” The job was supposed to last two weeks and it lasted 12 years.

You mentioned that you believe Long Island has a story to be told that hasn’t been told without a veneer on it. With your comedy, you also address heavier subjects, including the recent bullying incidents in Massapequa. Please tell us why you decided to go beyond the laughs and address heavier issues as well.

I’m talking about it because I think Long Island is a region of angels with dirty faces. We do have flaws. The hard part of the suburbs is we don’t talk about our flaws and then the flaws get worse. You look at Long Island, especially Massapequa, we’re crazier and crazier when you look at the news and then we’ll be like — ‘oh, we got to fix that.’ I think humor can be used to talk about things you don’t want to talk about. When you make fun of a problem, within reason, it keeps it in a

What is it about Long Island that you believe makes such great material?

What I think is interesting is that Long Island covers a lot of territory but we do have a lot in common. I think we really are, as a group, New York City’s overshadowed middle stepsister, and we are beautiful on the inside. Long Island is Jane Brady (the middle daughter in the ABC sitcom T h e B r ady Bunch). Long Island is the uncelebrated middle child. I think we all have a certain grit in common. I think we have all been beaten up by New York in so many ways, but yet we love it so much that we stick around. I think my content resonates because part of loving Long Island means loving complaining about it and I think Long Island content resonates because we have a story that hasn’t quite been told without a veneer on it. I think there’s a story to be told, complaints to be made, and I think I’m a

Photo courtesy Justin Clyne

Comedian Tom Kelly, who shines a light on Long Island—with humor. positive way in the zeitgeist and you hope that people say — ‘we got to clean this up.’ Bullying in Massapequa is real. Massapequa is a place where I love Massapequa the most when we’re a tough town and we have a moment of being gentle together. After 9/11, we were the most beautiful place — people checked in on each other. After Officer Diller’s death, we pulled together, we checked in on each other, we were sad together and Massapequa is beautiful when tough alpha people kind of calm down and are human beings again. That’s why I think it’s important to talk about the bullying— even how we treat each other in traffic, and we call each other on it. I do think that in comedy, if you joke about something you don’t like enough, someone will eventually fix it. That’s why I’m doing this. It’s a television station in your pocket.

What has been a particularly meaningful reel that you produced as of late?

My favorite video over the last six months is my lowest rated where Debbie from Angels of Long Island — she is thrift store chic, she looks like your typical Long Island mom — she has a look, a character, and all she cares about is feeding the poor and hungry. That’s the video that should have not only gone viral but driven millions of dollars in donations to this place. It did OK.

It seems one of your key strengths is that you haven’t allowed your reels or podcast to be pigeonholed into one specific topic. What would you say is your main reason for doing your content in this way and staying flexible, even with the different routes your career has taken?

Photo courtesy Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly brings laughter Long Islanders can relate to.

At the end of the day, I’ve been around and I pay attention. The one thing you can learn from me, and it’s advice I give to my nieces and nephews, is when your career gets knocked down, if you can’t connect the dots, start making them.

Many artists, whether they are songwriters or authors, note that they have something available at all times to get their thoughts down, whether that be a notebook or a recorder. What is your process to make sure the ideas you receive on the spot are not forgotten?

A good comedian keeps a notebook next to them or the note app ready to go. I have some bad notes. You wake up the next morning and wonder what the thing you wrote down means. I find that whatever you do, you should journal in the morning and have a notebook for in the middle of the night because I think you can kind of put pieces together of your psyche or you at least get it out and give that thought meaning.

What else would you like readers and listeners to know about your comedy and why you continue to pursue this path?

I’m going local with my content because I enjoy feeling like I’m making a difference. I enjoy the little moments where I feel like I’m making a difference. I think at the end of the day, I’m at my best when I make something matter and I bring joy to people. I love untold stories. I like telling stories that haven’t been told. I also like being in the moment and being silly. In my videos, I have returned a set of keys in Syosset. I have returned a high school diploma to a girl from Syosset that I found on the street in New York City, and I just recently returned a cell phone with the help from people at Dirty Taco of Smithtown. I enjoy when it’s real and it’s in the moment, and maybe it’s moments you can’t quite replicate. To learn more about Tom Kelly, visit TomKellyShow.com and follow him on social media, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook at @TomKellyShow.

STEPPING OUT

Alexander Sovronsky

Bobby Conte

Miyuki Miyagi

From Long Island to Dickens:

‘Copperﬁeld!’

At home on the Off-Broadway stage

By Iris Wiener

hat does “home” mean? For Bobby Conte, Alexander Sovronsky, and Miyuki Miyagi, this question is close to their hearts. Each performer brings a unique connection with Long Island to “Copperfield!,” the new Off-Broadway musical now playing at The Duke on 42nd Street at New 42 Studios. Based on Charles Dickens’ coming-of-age classic, the show allows these performers to draw on their families, communities, and artistic experiences that helped shape their journeys to the stage. “Copperfield!” tells the story of a young man looking back on his life and trying to understand family, identity, perseverance, and where he belongs. Before Conte (Broadway’s “A Bronx Tale”), Sovronsky (Broadway’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”) and Miyagi (Off-Broadway’s “Beau the Musical”), found themselves bringing his story to life, their paths were touched by various lessons inspired by their local roots. Conte, who leads the musical as David Copperfield, sees the idea of home through the lens of the people who helped shape him. His grandparents live in Manhasset, and Long Island became an important part of his life, particularly after college, when he lived with them while auditioning and saving money for his first job. “They were the best roommates ever,” he says. His grandfather, who operated a pharmacy in Manhasset and New York City, was also a passionate supporter of the arts. His customers included Broadway performers like Ethel Merman due to his unique concoction of a remedy for sore throats. Conte considers his grandfather a lasting influence on his own decision to pursue acting. “He’s the forever inspiration of anything that I do,” he says. “Whatever life he’s built over 90plus years affords me the opportunity to take a risk and try to be an actor.” For Sovronsky and Miyagi, the Long Island connection began with music. Sovronsky grew up in Syosset, and began playing violin at the age of 3, studying Suzuki violin with the

Children’s Orchestra Society and in programs in Oyster Bay and Glen Cove. He later attended Syosset High School and became involved in theater, eventually finding a way to combine the two disciplines he had been told could not coexist professionally. “I didn’t want to choose,” he sayd. “People said you can’t do both, you have to choose. And I was like, ‘Watch me!’” Miyagi, who hails from Glen Cove and attended Portledge School in Locust Valley, also discovered her artistic identity early. She began playing violin at 3 (potentially crossing paths with future co-star Sovronsky with the Children’s Orchestra Society) and danced throughout her childhood. “I fell in love with theater in elementary school and thought, ‘Well, I’m going to be an actor,’” she says. “No one took me seriously, but I meant it very seriously.” Her parents’ Japanese restaurants —Asahi Tokyo in Glen Cove and later Maguro in Roslyn — provided another lesson in determination. Watching her parents navigate the demands and uncertainty of the restaurant business, she says, prepared her for the similarly unpredictable life of a theater performer. “They trained me to persevere,” Miyagi says. Those Long Island experiences have become an unexpected throughline in a production centered on finding one’s place in the world. But “Copperfield!” is also an unusually collaborative theatrical experience. The production uses an actor-musician approach in which the company members do far more than act. They sing, play instruments, portray multiple characters, and help create the sound and physical world of the story in full view of the audience. “It’s really rare that you get everyone touching instruments,” Sovronsky says. “That’s a really exciting, unifying element.” For Conte, the musicality of the company has been one of the most remarkable parts of the rehearsal process. He recalled watching performers switch instruments during a rehearsal and somehow make the arrangement sound even better. “I’m constantly surprised at the abilities of the people in the room,” he says. “You are watching the creative people create something before your eyes,” Conte says. That philosophy also informs the performers’ work with multiple characters. Sovronsky plays four different roles, using accents, vocal qualities, and physicality to distinguish them. Miyagi, a swing, covers multiple tracks, requiring her to move among characters with their own voices and physical identities. Musically, the production avoids the conventional amplified sound of many contemporary musicals. Instead, the acoustic score incorporates strings, winds, piano, and live Foley effects, creating a soundscape that complements the period setting. Sovronsky sees “Copperfield!” as ultimately a story about “finding your home and finding joy and the positivity in things.” Conte adds that the story’s themes serve as an important reminder: “When you’re dealt the cards you have, can you still find hope, purpose, and a reason to want to connect with other people?” As he puts it, the power of theater may ultimately lie in its ability to remind audiences that everyone is deserving of “grace and patience and forgiveness,” and that, even after a difficult journey, there is always the possibility of finding a way forward. The performers’ Long Island experiences are helping them tell a story about a young man doing exactly what they have done in their own ways: looking at where David Copperfield came from, discovering who he is, and finding the people and places that make him feel at home. “Charles Dickens’ Copperfield! The New Musical” runs through Dec. 6. Visit copperfieldthemusical.com to purchase tickets.

Queen-mania is coming back to Long Island. Almost Queen’s highvoltage tribute to one of rock’s most legendary bands is complete with soaring vocals, Brian May-style guitar riffs, four-part harmonies and the theatrical swagger that made Queen unforgettable. Fronted by Joseph Russo as the charismatic Freddie Mercury, with Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor, Almost Queen delivers a meticulously crafted recreation of the Queen experience. From the authentic costumes to faithful renditions of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “Somebody to Love,” every detail is designed to capture the grandeur, precision and sheer fun of a Queen concert. It’s a full-throttle trip into the world of Queen. Expect big vocals, bigger guitar and plenty of reasons to get out of your seat.

Saturday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

Curtain up on the Great White Way Broadway’s biggest hits take the spotlight at the Madison Theatre in “Give Our Regards to Broadway: A Salute to the 21st Century Musical.” The focus is on 2000s favorites, with showstoppers from “Wicked,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “In the Heights” and Disney classics. Add Broadway guest stars Nichelle Lewis and Harris Matthew “Molloy University’s talented CAP21 Musical Theatre students and the soaring South Shore Symphony, and the result is a production packed with big voices, memorable songs and Broadway ﬂair.

Sunday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. $45-$65. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444. Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

‘Havin’ a good time’…

September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Your Neighborhood OCT

‘Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’

• Time: By appointment • Contact: lics.org

OCT

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

OCT

Historical Society Twilight Tour

The Massapequa Historical Society welcomes all to a Twilight Tour of their historic complex. It iis led by one of their own historic spirits of Massapequa, who brings the stories of the past to life. Reservations are recommended and there is a suggested donation of $10. Space is limited. • Where: 4755 Merrick Road, Massapequa • Time: 4:45 p.m. • Contact: (516) 662-6615

Thrift Shop

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

OCT

Historical Society Book Talk

Join the Massapequa Historical Society at Old Grace Church for an afternoon of history and conversation as the group also celebrates DeLancey Floyd-Jones’ 200th birthday. Enjoy birthday cake and coffee and meet Author Paul Semendinger, Ed.D., author of “West Point at Gettysburg,” and learn about the efforts and impact of DeLancey Floyd-Jones during the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg. • Where: Old Grace Church, 4750

CALENDAR Oyster Bay Town Board meets

The Town of Oyster Bay holds their next meeting. All are welcome to attend. • Where: Town Board Hearing Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay • Time: 10 a.m. • Contact: (516) 624-6380

Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group

OCT

This group meets weekly, at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, in person with Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. All calls are confidential.

A blast from the ‘80s

Tease that hair, dig out the neon and get ready to party like it’s 1985. Jessie’s Girl is bringing its wildly entertaining “Back to the Eighties” concert experience back to the Paramount, with a high-energy blast of pop, rock and pure ‘80s nostalgia. The New York City-based band features top rock and pop musicians and four powerhouse vocalists who transform into the era’s biggest icons, complete with signature looks, choreography and plenty of attitude. Expect hits from the decade’s biggest stars, delivered with a full live band and the kind of over-the-top production that makes Jessie’s Girl a concert — and a party — rolled into one. Add audience participation, colorful costumes, props, bubbles and a • Where: The Paramount, 370 blizzard of confetti, and you’ve got an all-out throwback celebration that keeps the New York Ave., Huntington crowd singing, dancing and reaching for those neon leg warmers. Whether you lived • Time: 8 p.m. through the ‘80s or simply wish you had, Jessie’s Girl knows how to take you back. • Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com Merrick Road, Massapequa • Time: 2 p.m. • Contact: (516) 799-2023

Zeppelin Reimagined

Groove to the Zep sound with Zeppelin Reimagined. Not just another Led Zeppelin tribute band, the talented musicians merge the timeless power of classic rock with today’s cuttingedge technology With a dynamic stage presence, LED screens, and a visual spectacle that complements their sound, Zeppelin Reimagined offers a fresh take on the band’s iconic music. Their performances are a perfect blend of the old and the new, honoring the legendary hits while introducing unexpected twists and modern interpretations. Each show is a journey through Zeppelin’s catalog, reimagined with innovative arrangements, electrifying energy, and surprises that keep the audience riveted from start to finish. This is a reinvention, a celebration of Led Zeppelin’s legacy for die-hard fans, and a powerful introduction for a whole new generation. • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Church Attic Thrift Shop Stop by the First United Methodist

Church for their weekly thrift shop. • Where: First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville • Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. • Contact: (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail. com.

care of the museum’s “residents.” Meet some of our real-life animals up close. • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: 1:30-2 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of “Too Many Pumpkins” by Linda White. The new and improved stroll route starts out at the map stand. Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and hands-on craft for each child to take home. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

OCT

Amazing Animal Encounter

Join Long Island Children’s Museum’s animal educator in the Hive Studio in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the

OCT

Long Island Choral Society Auditions

The Long Island Choral Society seeks new members for its 98th season. The 2026-27 season opens with a unique opportunity to perform a somewhat pared down version of the beautiful and massive Berlioz Requiem, suitable for a smaller choir and orchestra. In December, the choir’s very popular annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, Part One plus Hallelujah Chorus, will be presented, followed by a third concert in the Spring, music TBA. Auditions are by appointment only. Those interested can schedule an audition via e-mail to audition. info@lics.org. If you love to sing, consider this opportunity to be part of the longest continuously performing musical group on Long Island! • Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City

• Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown • Time: 7:30 -9 p.m. • Contact: Steve at (631) 3320552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808

‘Days of Grace on LI’

Old Westbury Gardens hosts awardwinning editor and writer Clive Aslet and celebrated international photographer Dylan Thomas for an engaging conversation about the creative process behind their newest publication, “Old Westbury Gardens: Days of Grace on Long Island” (Triglyph Books, 2026). Their discussion explores the stories, research, and visual imagination that shaped this richly illustrated tribute to one of Long Island’s most beloved estates. The book brings the house and its history vividly to life through archival images and lush contemporary photography. It honors the legacy of the estate Jay Phipps built to woo his English love, Dita Grace. The evening begins with sparkling wine and light hors d’oeuvres, followed by the program discussion. Copies of the book available for purchase. $75 per person, $125 per couple. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 6-8:30 p.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

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.

Public Notices

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dance with New York State Education Law and District transportation policies, with the annual cost thereof to be included in the District's budget. Notice is hereby given that the aforesaid proposition may appear on the voting machines in abbreviated form due to space constraints; if so, the full text of the proposition will be posted at the voting site. A copy of the full text of the proposition is on file in the office of the Plainedge Union Free School District Clerk, located at 241 Wyngate Drive, in North Massapequa, New York, where the same is available for inspection by any interested person during regular business hours. Voting at said special district meeting will be by the use of voting machines. The sole p olling place where such special district meeting will be held is at the Plainedge High School ILC , 241 Wyngate Drive, in North Massapequa, New York. NOTICE OF REGISTRATION. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that, pursuant to Education Law §2007; N.Y. Gen’l Constr. Law § 20, personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at said meeting whose name does not appear on the register of said School District, or who does not register as hereinafter provided, except a person who is otherwise qualified to vote and is registered under the provisions of Article 5 of the Election Law. Voters registered for general elections under said

Article 5 are eligible to vote at the October 6, 2026, special district meeting without further registration. The Board of Registration shall prepare a register for said special district meeting, except that the register prepared at the last annual meeting or election shall be used as the basis therefor, and shall include all persons who shall have presented themselves personally for registration and shall also include all persons who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special district meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special district meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four calendar years prior to the preparation of said register. NOTICE OF REGISTRATION. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education law in the Office of the Plainedge School District Clerk, at 241 Wyngate Drive, in North Massapequa, New York, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, between the hours of 3:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M., Prevailing Time, to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid special district meeting at which time any person shall be entitled to have his or her name placed upon such register, provided that he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Regis-

tration, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said special district meeting to be held on October 6, 2026. The last day of registration before the special district meeting on October 6, 2026, will be Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Said register will be filed in the office of the Plainedge School District Clerk, located at 241 Wyngate Drive, North Massapequa, New York, in said School District and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter on each of the five days prior to the day set for the special district meeting, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:30 P. M . , P re v a i l i n g Time, except Saturday October 3, 2026 and Sunday, October 4, 2026 which days will be by appointment. The register will also be available for inspection on the date of the special district meeting at the polling place. EARLY MAIL BALLOTS AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that applications for early mail and a b s e nt e e b a l l ot s may be applied for at the Office of the Plainedge School District Clerk, 241 Wyngate Drive, in North Massapequa, New York. Such applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the special district meeting. Furthermore, such application must be received by said School District Clerk at least seven days prior to the special district meeting, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on the date prior

to the special district meeting, if the ballot is to be personally obtained by the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the special district meeting. Completed early mail ballots and absentee ballots must be received by said School District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M., Prevailing Time, on October 6, 2026, the date of the special district meeting. A list of all persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the School District Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the special district meeting, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M., Prevailing Time, except Saturday, October 3, 2026 and Sunday, O c tob er 4, 2026 which days will be by appointment, and such list shall also be posted at the voting place during the special district meeting, and any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making his challenge and the re as ons t herefor known to the Inspectors of Election before the close of the polls. MILITARY BALLOTS: Military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the School District. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district

may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the School District no later than 5:00 P.M. on September 10, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before close of the polls at the special district meeting and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign county’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt of another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 P.M. on the date of the special district meeting and signed and dated by the military voter and one w it ness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the special district meeting. Dated: North Massapequa, New York, August 12, 2026. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE PLAINEDGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NASSAU C O U N T Y, N E W YORK. By: /s/ Noreen A. Greene School District Clerk 26-156 8/19, 9.2/ 16. 30

AV I S O D E R E UNIÓN ESPECIAL DEL DISTRITO EN UN ÚNICO LUGAR DE VOTACIÓN, REGISTRO DE VOTANTES Y DISPONIBILIDAD DE PAPELETAS ANTICIPADAS POR CORREO Y POR CORREO Distrito Escolar Libre de Plainedge Union, condado de Nassau, Nueva York La Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre Plainedge, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, NOTIFICA que una reunión especial del distrito con los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre Plainedge, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, se celebrará en el Centro de Aprendizaje Innovador de Escuelas Secundarias de Plainedge (ILC), 241 Wyngate Drive en North Massapequa, Nueva York, para votantes cualificados de dicho distrito escolar, el 6 de octubre de 2026, a las 14:00 horas vigentes, y las urnas permanecerán abiertas entre las 14:00 y las 21:00 horas, hora prevaleciente, con el fin de votar sobre la siguiente propuesta: PROPUESTA DE TRANSPORTE PLAINEDGE DEBERÁ autorizarse la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Plainedge Union para proporcionar transporte de casa a escuela para estudiantes de 9º a 12º curso que residan entre siete décimas (0,7) millas y quince (15) millas del colegio al que asisten legalmente, en lugar del requisito actual de kilometraje de entre una milla y media (1,5) y quince (15) millas, con efecto a partir del 4 de enero de 2027, y dicho transporte se proporcionará conforme a la Ley Educativa del Estado de Nueva York y las

políticas de transporte del Distrito, incluyendo el coste anual en el presupuesto del Distrito. Se notifica que la propuesta mencionada puede aparecer en las máquinas de votación en forma abreviada debido a limitaciones de espacio; de ser así, el texto completo de la propuesta se publicará en el sitio de votación. Una copia del texto completo de la propuesta se conserva en la oficina del secretario del distrito escolar Plainedge Union Free, situada en el 241 de Wyngate Drive, en North Massapequa, Nueva York, donde está disponible para su inspección por cualquier persona interesada durante el horario laboral habitual. La votación en dicha reunión especial del distrito se realizará mediante el uso de máquinas de votación. El único lugar de votación donde se celebrará dicha reunión especial del distrito es en el ILC del instituto Plainedge High School, 241 Wyngate Drive, en North Massapequa, Nueva York. AVISO DE REGISTRO. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS QUE, CONFORME A Ley de Educación §2007; Ley de Constitución General de Nueva York § 20, es obligatorio el registro personal de los votantes, y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en dicha reunión cuyo nombre no aparezca en el registro de dicho distrito escolar, o que no se registre según lo establecido posteriormente, salvo una persona que esté cualificada para votar y esté registrada conforme a las disposiciones del Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Los votantes inscritos en las elecciones generales Continued on next page

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT M E E T I N G AT S I N G L E VO TING LOCATION, R E G I ST R AT ION OF VOTERS AND AVAILABILITY OF EARLY MAIL AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS Plainedge Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York The Board of Education of the Plainedge Union Free School D i s t r i c t , Na s s au County, New York HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that a special district meeting of the qualified voters of Plainedge Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the Plainedge High School Innovation L e ar ning C enter (ILC), 241 Wyngate Drive in North Massapequa, New York, for qualified voters of said School District, on October 6, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time and the polls will be kept open between the hours of 2:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M., Prevailing Time, for the purpose of voting upon the following proposition: PLAINEDGE T R A N S P O R TA TION PROPOSITION SHALL the Board of Education of the Plainedge Union Free School District be authorized to provide home-to-school transportation for students in grades 9 through 12 who reside between seven tenths (0.7) mile and fifteen (15) miles from the school they legally attend, in lieu of the current mileage requirement of between one and one half (1.5) mile and fifteen (15) miles, effective Januar y 4, 2027, with such transportation to be provided in accor-

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bajo dicho Artículo 5 pueden votar en la reunión especial del distrito del 6 de octubre de 2026 sin registro adicional. La Junta de Registro preparará un registro para dicha reunión especial de distrito, salvo que el registro preparado en la última reunión o elección anual se utilice como base para ello, e incluirá a todas las personas que se hayan presentado personalmente para el registro y también a todas las personas que hayan estado previamente registradas en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial de distrito y que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección anual o especial de distrito celebrada o realizada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro años naturales previos a la preparación de dicho registro. AVISO DE REGISTRO. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de registrar a todos los votantes cualificados del Distrito conforme a la §2014 de la ley de Educación en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar de Plainedge, en 241 Wyngate Drive, en North Massapequa, Nueva York, el miércoles 30 de septiembre de 2026, entre las 15:00 y las 19:00, hora vigente, para añadir cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilice en la reunión especial del distrito mencionada, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que sea conocida o demostrada a satisfacción por dicha Junta de Registro, para entonces o posteriormente tener derecho a

votar en dicha reunión especial del distrito que se celebrará el 6 de octubre de 2026. El último día de registro antes de la reunión especial del distrito el 6 de octubre de 2026 será el miércoles 30 de septiembre de 2026. Dicho registro se archivará en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar de Plainedge, situada en 241 Wyngate Drive, North Massapequa, Nueva York, en dicho distrito escolar, y estará abierto para inspección por cualquier votante cualificado en cada uno de los cinco días previos al día fijado para la reunión especial del distrito, entre las 9:00 y las 15:30, hora vigente, excepto el sábado 3 de octubre de 2026 y el domingo 4 de octubre de 2026, días que serán con cita previa. El registro también estará disponible para su inspección en la fecha de la reunión especial del distrito en el lugar de votación. PAPELETAS ANTICIPADAS POR CORREO Y PAPELETAS POR CORREO. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes para votos anticipados por correo y por correo pueden solicitarse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar de Plainedge, 241 Wyngate Drive, en North Massapequa, Nueva York. Estas solicitudes deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la reunión especial del distrito. Además, dicha solicitud debe ser recibida por dicho Secretario del Distrito Escolar al menos siete días antes de la reunión especial del distrito, si la papeleta debe enviarse al votante, o en la fecha anterior a la reunión especial del distrito, si la papeleta

Public Notices debe ser obtenida personalmente por el votante o su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para una papeleta por correo anticipado o por correo postal, el Secretario del Distrito enviará la papeleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la reunión especial del distrito. Las papeletas anticipadas y las papeletas por correo deberán ser recibidas por dicho Secretario del Distrito Escolar a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, el 6 de octubre de 2026, fecha de la reunión especial del distrito. Una lista de todas las personas a las que se hayan emitido boletas anticipadas por correo y por correo estará disponible en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en cada uno de los cinco días previos al día de la reunión especial del distrito, entre las 9:00 y las 15:30 horas, hora vigente, excepto el sábado 3 de octubre de 2026 y el domingo 4 de octubre de 2026, días que serán por cita previa, y dicha lista también se publicará en el lugar de votación durante la reunión especial del distrito, y cualquier votante cualificado podrá impugnar la aceptación de la papeleta de cualquier persona en dicha lista, haciendo saber su impugnación y sus motivos a los Inspectores de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. PAPELETAS MILITARES: Los votantes militares que no estén actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes cualificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del distrito escolar pueden presentar una solicitud para una papeleta militar. Los votantes milita-

res pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de papeleta militar o una papeleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicha inscripción, solicitud de papeleta o papeleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de papeleta militar deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito del Distrito Escolar a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 10 de septiembre de 2026. No se consultará ninguna papeleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas en la reunión especial del distrito y muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un condado extranjero, o que muestre un respaldo fechado de recepción de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas en la fecha de la reunión especial del distrito y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determine no más tarde que el día anterior a la reunión especial del distrito. Fechado: North Massapequa, Nueva York, 12 de agosto de 2026. POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE PLAINEDGE UNION, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK. Por: /s/ Noreen A. Greene, secretaria del distrito escolar 26-157. 8/19, 9/2, 16, 30

File No. 2025-3682/A S U R R O G AT E ’ S COURT, NASSAU COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF T H E STAT E O F NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: G r a s s i Ad v i s or y Group Office of the NYS Attorney General Jasper Surety, Attorney-In-Fact, Great Midwest Insurance Company and any and a l l unknown persons whose names or parts of whose names and whose place or places of residence are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, distributees, heirs-atlaw and next-of-kin of the said Katherine Grodecki, deceased, and if any of the said distributees named specifically or as a class be dead, their legal representatives, their husbands or wives, if any, distributees and successors in interest whose names and/or places of residence and post office addresses are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained. A petition having been duly filed by Nassau County Public Administrator, who is domiciled at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York 11501. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County, at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York, on October 21st, 2026, at 10:00 o’clock in the fore noon of that day, why the account of Nassau County Public Administrator, a summary

of which has been served herewith, as Administrator of the estate of Katherine Grodecki, should not be judicially settled. [X] Further relief sought (if any): 1. R e l e a s i n g a n d discharging the Petitioner from all liability, responsibility and accountability as to all matters set forth in the account of proceedings; 2. Allowing the commissions of the Petitioner in the amount of $4,534.32 pursuant to SCPA 2307(1) and the reasonable and necessary expenses of the office in the amount of $906.86 pursuant to SCPA 1207(4); 3. Fixing and determining the attorney’s fees and disbursements of Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O'Brien, LLC attorney for petitioner in the amount of $25,000.00 as and for legal fees and $2,975.81 as and for disbursements, for a total of $27,975.81, of which $475.81 has been paid and $27,500 is unpaid; 4. Fixing and determining the accounting fees of Grassi & Co, CPA’s, PC in the amount of $6,000.00 of w h i ch NON E has been paid and $6,000.00 is unpaid; 5. Directing each of you claiming to be a distributee of the Decedent to establish proof of your kinship and show cause why the balance of said funds should not be paid to said alleged distributees upon proof of kinship or deposited with the New York State Comptroller on account for the unknown next of kin of Katherine Grodecki, decedent, should said alleged distributees default herein or fail to establish proof

of kinship; 6. Releasing and discharging the surety; 7. Granting such other and further relief as to the Court is just and proper. Dated, Attested, and Sealed, HON. HON. DAVID P. SULLIVAN JUD GE OF THE S U R R O G AT E ’ S COURT August 27, 2026 Surrogate (Seal) s / D e b r a Ke l l e r Leimbach Chief Clerk Richard T. Kerins, Esq. Signature of Attorney Print Name of Attorney Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O'Brien, LLC (516) 538-1111 Firm Name Telephone 254 Nassau Boulevard South, Garden City S outh, New York 11530 rkerins@mmkolaw. com Address Email (optional) NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed that you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you, and you or your attorney may request a copy of the full account from the petitioner or petitioner’s attorney. Estate of Katherine Grodecki File No. 2025-3682/ A Accounting Citation New York Surrogate's Court Forms JA-6 (2/2006) -PAGE 1 of 2© 2026 Matthew Bender & Company, Inc., a member of LexisNexis. 26-170 9/9, 16, 23, 30

NOTICE OF FORMATION of Fran kie’s C of fe e Beans, LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on (07/30/26) Office location: Nassau C o u n t y. S S N Y designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to (211 Foster Av e n u e , Va l l e y Stream, NY 11580). Purpose: any lawful act. 26-161. 8/26, 9/2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Notice of formation of DGTL Bookkeeping LLC. Ar t icles of Organization filed with the Secretary of St ate of Ne w Yo r k S S N Y o n 09/04/2026. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 4940 Merrick Rd, #342, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 26-177 9/30, 10/7, 14, 21, 28, 11/4 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-26-127585 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 st au r ant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 111 Milbar Blvd, Farmingdale, NY 11735, County of Nassau, for on premises c ons u mpt i on at SDV IMPORT S, INC. 26-175 9/23, 30

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ceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across side/ front yard (Lagoon Boulevard) than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 59-1030 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated December 18, 1959, and Amended by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated March 7, 1991. SW/ cor. of Gloucester Rd. & Lagoon Blvd., a/k/a 2 Gloucester Road, Massapequa, NY ----------------------APPEAL NO. 26291 MASSAPEQUA BARBARA GIORDANO: Variance to construct second kitchen in a onefamily dwelling for use as a PARENT/ CHILD residence. N/s/o Pittsburgh Ave., 118.73 ft. W/o Franklin Ave., a/k/a 129 Pittsburgh Avenue, Massapequa, NY ----------------------APPEAL NO. 26292 MASSAPEQUA BARBARA GIORDANO: (A) Variance to construct front porch and second floor cantilevered addition having less average front yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to construct second floor cantilevered addition having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (C) Variance to construct front porch, second floor cantilevered addition, allow existing d e t a c h e d g ar a ge

and shed exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing detached garage and shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to allow existing detached garage exceeding maximum height than permitted by Ordinance. N/s/o Pittsburgh Ave., 118.73 ft. W/o Franklin Ave., a/k/a 129 Pittsburgh Avenue, Massapequa, NY ---------------------APPEAL NO. 26306 MASSAPEQUA VICTORIA & JOSEPH MANZELLA: (A) Variance to reconstruct a raised 47.2 ft. by 57 ft. two stor y one-family dwelling with two (2) rear decks, rear second story balcony and roofed over front porch having less side yard setback, aggregate side yards, exceeding maximum height, building coverage and gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (B) Variance to construct roofed over front porch having less average front yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance for the reduction of off-street parking spaces. Reduction of spaces to 1 when 2 parking spaces are required. W/s/o Leewater Ave., 200 ft. S/o S. Bay Dr., a/k/a 15 Leewater Avenue, Massapequa, NY --------------------Z O N I N G B OA R D OF APPEALS MEETING OF 10/08/26 ---------------------APPEAL NO. 26326 M A S S A P E Q UA -

CHRISTINA DEMARTINO: (A) Variance to install semi in-ground swimming pool and pool equipment having less side yard setback and rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to install semi in-ground swimming pool having less setback from fence than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to construct 7.5 ft. by 12 ft. shed having less side yard setback and rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 25-128 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated July 24, 2025. S/s/o Mass achu setts Ave., 340 ft. W/o Central Ave., a/k/a 96 Massachusetts Avenue, Massapequa, NY --------------------APPEAL NO. 26235 NORT H M AS S APEQUA C & F DEVELOPMENT CORP.: (A) Variance to allow existing 8.25 ft. by 10.1 ft. shed having less side yard setback, rear yard setback and exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing egress well having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 60-284 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated May 19, 1960. E/s/o N. Broadway, 60 ft. S/o N. Boston Ave., a/k/a 1084 N. Broadway, North Massapequa, NY ---------------------APPEAL NO. 26243 NORT H M AS S -

APEQUA GURJEET SINGH: (A) Variance to allow existing 18.4 ft. by 6.92 ft. deck and 8 ft. by 6.75 ft. deck having less side yard setback and aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing shed having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing 8 ft. by 6.75 ft. deck exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing driveway having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. E/s/o Garden Ave., 242.28 ft. S/o Poplar St., a/k/a 6 Garden Avenue, North Massapequa, NY --------------------SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 26-178 9/30

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-26-126453 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol L aw at 149 Nassau Blvd, West Hempstead, NY 11552, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Aussie Burger Inc. 26-174. 9/23, 30 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-26-126082 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell

liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 405 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY 11791, County of Nassau, for on pre m i s e s consumption at PRIME TIME BUTCHER, INC. 26-173. 9/23, 30 NOTICE OF F OR M AT ION of JDL PTA WORKS, PLLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on (08/11/26) Office lo c at ion: Nass au C o u n t y. S S N Y designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to (211 Foster Av e n u e , Va l l e y Stream, NY 11580). Purpose: any lawful act. 26-160. 8/26, 9/2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Notice Of Election – Massapequa Water District NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to the Town Law the following Resolution was duly adopted on September 23, 2026, by the Board of Water Commissioners of the Massapequa Water District. BE IT RESOLVED that pursu ant to A r t i cl e 13 Section 213 of the Town Law as amended, an election of the Massapequa Water District will be held within said District in the office of the Board of Water Commissioners of said District at 84 Grand Avenue, Massapequa, Long Island, New York, on Tuesday, December 8, 2026 between the hours of four (4:00) o’clock p.m. and nine (9:00) o’clock p.m. for the purpose of elect-

ing one Commissioner for a term of three (3) years beginning on January 1, 2027 and ending on December 31, 2029. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that every voter must be registered in the Town under permanent registration and registered from the address from which he/she wishes to vote in order to be entitled to vote for Improvement District Commissioner. Further, said voter shall have been a resident in the Water District for at least thirty (30) days next preceding the election and be a citizen of the United States, eighteen (18) years or over in age. Pursuant to the provisions and requirements of Subdivision 20 of Section 215 of Article 13 of the Town Law of the State of New York, as amended, candidates for the office of Water Commissioner shall file their names

and nominations in p etition form with the Secretary of the Board of Water Commissioners of the Massapequa Water District at its headquarters at 84 Grand Avenue, Massapequa, New York no later than the close of business at 4:30 p.m. on or before Friday, November 6, 2026 and that such nomination petitions must be subscribed by at least twenty-five (25) registered voters of the Massapequa Water District. By Order of the B o a r d o f Wa t e r Commissioners of t h e Ma s s ap e q u a Water District. Dated: Massapequa, New York September 23, 2026 Committed to deliver and preserve our water supply for the welfare, health and safety of the inhabitants of the Massapequa Water District. 26-179. 9/30

Legal notices are posted online and are available to the public at no cost. Go to massapequa post.com

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771-1592 TELEPHONE: (516) 624-6232 R I TA B Y R N E , Chair woman – LOIS SCHMIT T, Vice Chairwoman – KATHLEEN MULLIGAN REBECCA M. ALESIA –LISA CICCOLELLA – FLORESTANO GIRARDI – BRIAN GRIFFIN ******************** ***************** PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING B OA R D OF APPEALS Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 24612 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on OCTOBER 8, 2026, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals: BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS APPEAL NO. 26241 MASSAPEQUA MICHAEL ROSS: Variance to allow existing shed having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. W/s/o Bayview Ave., 120.41 ft. S/o Morton Ave., a/k/a 47 Bayview Avenue, Massapequa, NY ---------------------APPEAL NO. 26254 MASSAPEQUA CLORINDA PALYA: (A) Variance to construct rear deck ex-

Public Notices

Gooden, Chrebet join hundreds at fun day fundraiser

September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

out doing something nice like this with the family,” Ava said. The Amityville center provides programs and services for families affected by dementia. AFA’s event information said the center offers activities including art, music, dance, movement and brain games, as well as support groups for care-

givers and free memory screenings. The AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center is at 149 Schleigel Boulevard in Amityville. AFA says the center offers free dementia-friendly activities, caregiver support groups and memory screenings for the community. For more information, go to ALZfdn.org/afa-li-center or call

Alana and Andrew Falco enjoy a cupcake at Family Fund Day. They are the children of Anthony and Ava Falco of Levittown.

Carolyn James/Herald photos

Nia and Robert McDonald of Amityville attended Family Fund Day with their children Avery and Nylak. LMAS4

Public Notices

AVISO PÚBLICO A LOS VOTANTES REGISTRADOS Y A LOS RESIDENTES DE EL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE MASSAPEQUA SE DA AVISO QUE de conformidad con la Ley del Pueblo, la siguiente Resolución fue debidamente adoptada el 23 de septiembre de 2026 por la Junta de Comisionados del Agua del Distrito de Agua de Massapequa. SE RESUELVE que conforme con el Artículo 13, Sección 213 de la Ley del Pueblo enmendada, una elección del Distrito del Agua de Massapequa se llevará a cabo dentro de dicho Distrito en la Oficina de la Junta de Comisionados de

Agua de dicho Distrito en 84 Grand Avenue, Massapequa, Long Island, New York el Martes, 8 de Diciembre, 2026 entre las cuatro (4:00) en punto y las nueve (9:00) en punto p.m. con el propósito de elegir a Comisionado: por un período de tres (3) años a partir del 1 de enero de 2027 y dándose por terminado en el 31 de diciembre de 2029. S E R E S U E LV E ADEMÁS que cada votante debe estar registrado en la Ciudad bajo registro permanente y registrado desde la dirección desde la cual desea votar para tener derecho a votar por el Comisionado del Distrito de Mejoramiento. Además, dicho votante deberá

haber residido en el Distrito del Agua durante al menos treinta días después de la elección y ser ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, de dieciocho años o más. S E R E S U E LV E ADEMÁS que la Junta de Comisionados rescinde el uso de Boletas en Ausencia conforme con la Subdivisión 1 Sección 213-b del Artículo 13 de la Ley del Pueblo del Estado de Nueva York. D e c on for m i d a d con las disposiciones y requisitos de la Subdivisión 20 de la Sección 215 del Artículo 13 de la Ley del Pueblo del Estado de Nueva York, según enmendada, los candidatos para el cargo de Comisionados del Agua deberán presentar sus nombres

y nominaciones en forma de petición ante el Secretario de la Junta de Comisionados del Agua del Distrito de Agua de Massapequa en su sede en 84 Grand Avenue, Massapequa, Long Island, New York a mas tardar al cierre del negocio a las 4:30 p.m. en o antes del viernes 6 de noviembre del 2026 y que tales nominaciones deben ser suscritas por al menos veinticinco votantes registrados del Distrito de Agua de Massapequa. or Orden de la Junta de Comisionados del Agua del Distrito de Agua de Massapequa. Fecha: Massapequa, Nueva York 23 de septiembre de 2026 26-180 9/30

Vincent Sinisgalli, Jr., and Vincent Sinisgalli Sr., of Seaford, were all smiles as they posed for a photo with New York Jets Ring of Honor member Wayne Chrebet.

Landon Malakh, of Brooklyn, puts all his strength into hammering a great score at Family Fun Day.

Catherine Rosiello of Bluepoint, daughter of Jackie and Mike Rossiello, smiles as New York Mets Hall of Famer Dwight Gooden gives her an autograph.

Employment

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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.

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Help Wanted

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's Northand South Shores with hardhitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The N e w Yo r k Ti m e s , N e w s w e e k , 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 wellestablished 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

DRIVERS WANTED

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

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@ bellautoschool.com

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IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PARTTIME 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 from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + 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 re-quirements 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 $35,360 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 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

Eldercare Offered HOUSEKEEPING/ SENIOR CAREGIVER Available. Private/ Professional. CNA* HHA* CCA Certified. Experienced/ Excellent References. Emma 516-519-0456

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This is your town. This is your paper. Thank you for reading and supporting local journalism.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

HERALD

September 30, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Homes

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What’s with all the tall houses?

Q. A few homes in my neighborhood are much taller. What are the rules for how tall a house can be — like how many floors, and what’s legal? I mostly see only two stories, but the new ones are at least three stories. Is this a new thing that you can build taller? Was it just traditional to only build two stories until now? A. Recently, influences have changed the thinking on allowed height. Hurricane Sandy’s flooding caused New York to promote house-lifting in flood zones. Influence also came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which in essence is really a publicly funded insurance company, covering people in areas where regular home insurance onte eeper companies avoid the risk of insuring. The incentive to lift or build higher is to avoid huge flood insurance cost increases by building above flood levels, with the lowest level only allowed to be for a garage and storage, not living space. By making the first livable floor higher, above the flood level, insurance rates are kept lower. People have shown me that their rates went from $500 to $5,000 a year, increasing annually since Sandy in 2012. Some homes are much higher than codes and incentives intended due to misinterpretation of the reasons to build higher and misrepresentation in the review process. For example, a home’s first floor is no longer a first floor if it’s higher than 6 feet above the ground. Over 6 feet high, the floor level automatically becomes a second floor, meaning the next floor above is a third floor, which requires zoning board approval, interior sprinklers, escape terraces and wind strengthening. I’ve seen home plans misrepresented as being two stories by not correctly showing the floor level heights, or describing a second floor as a first floor and the next floor as a second floor (that’s really a third floor), and even where a fourth floor is shown as a mezzanine or roof-level balcony. There’s a small countryside town in Tuscany, in central Italy, called San Gimignano, that’s famous for its skyline of towers that people built on their homes in medieval times. As the story goes, one prominent homeowner built a tall tower to watch for potential attackers. His neighbor jealously built a tower a little higher, and, not to be outdone, several adjacent homeowners began building towers higher and higher than one another. History repeats itself. Thirty feet from the ground or center of the road is your maximum roof height. The safety code is intended to protect people from perishing in fires. The first code chapter addresses wind resistance, since the taller you build, the more turbulence from adjacent buildings and wind destruction, not just to your building, but to adjacent buildings. With the 75-mph winds we’ve had lately, wind, like flooding, is a real concern. Manhattan towers aren’t wood and nails for a reason. Decisions to build higher have to take community safety and appearance into account, and until recently, they did.

Ask The Architect

MarketPlace • •

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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

HERALD

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

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HERALD

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opinions

“W

e represent over 2,000 individuals from Nassau and Suffolk counties who have developed four types of cancer — liver, kidney, thyroid and testicular cancers — and also ulcerative colitis, in litigation involving PFAS,” said Jeffrey Guzman, a founding member of the Wall Street law firm Krentsel Guzman Herbert. Guzman knows the issues associated with PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals,” well. He has a home on Long Island where wells have been impacted by PFAS. Thousands of water suppliers across the United States, including the Suffolk County Water Authority, have filed lawsuits against companies involved with PFAS. Last year the 3M Company agreed to a settlement of $10.3 billion. SCWA expects to receive $170 million of that. It got an initial payment of $34 million last year. Smaller settlements were reached with other companies, including DuPont, which developed PFAS in 1938 and patented its creation as Teflon.

But Guzman noted that this was “remediation litigation seeking money for the cost of cleaning up the PFAS that are already in the water. It did not intend to compensate any individuals who suffered as a consequence of their exposure.” He added, “Those who have suffered health impacts from PFAS are entitled to compensation from these companies, which knew it was carcinogenic.” On the Krentsel Guzman Herbert website, kglawteam.com, there are a series of pages detailing the firm’s PFAS litigation seeking compensation for those victims. They’re titled “Long Island’s PFAS Water Crisis: Your Health’s on the Line.” Under “What Are Forever Chemicals, and Why Are They So Dangerous?” the explanation begins: “Forever Chemicals, or PFAS, are toxic chemicals tainting your tap … Long Island’s drinking water ranks among the most contaminated. A federal database shows 19 water suppliers detected PFAS. In 16 districts, levels exceeded 20 [parts per trillion], one hitting 146 ppt, over double the 70 ppt seen nationwide, per Citizens Campaign for the Environment” — the organization based in Farmingdale. “That’s your water,” the website goes

on to say. “You’ve been drinking it for years, cooking with it, and bathing in it. Each sip and shower adds toxins to your body.” Under “The Effects of PFAS on Your Body,” the details continue: “These manufactured chemicals don’t break down — not in the environment, not in your body. They build up in your bloodstream over time, and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) warns they’re linked to serious diseases. Long Island’s exposure is worse than most in the U.S.” Under “Am I Eligible for Compensation for PFASRelated Cancers,” there’s this: “Yes. If you’ve lived on Long Island for years, drinking, washing and bathing in tap water, that’s exposure. Studies show PFAS increase your risk of cancer.” In July, as I reported two weeks ago in “New York state takes on the ‘forever chemicals,’” state Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court, charging corporations involved with PFAS — including 3M and DuPont — with being in violation of many state laws. James cited corporate documents in which the companies acknowledge that they knew about PFAS’ threats to human health and the environment, but still pushed

ne busy lawyer has a home on L.I. where wells have been impacted by PFAS.

products made with the chemicals anyway. Meanwhile, despite action by the state and private litigation targeting PFAS, the Trump administration is moving in the opposite direction. The Environmental Protection Agency — headed by Long Island resident Lee Zeldin, of Shirley — is seeking “rollbacks on regulations,” according to a letter of complaint that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent to Zeldin last month. And the EPA just approved the licensing of “two new pesticides that contain PFAS,” Food & Water Action, a Washington, D.C-based organization, reports. It issued a statement saying, “PFAS don’t readily break down in our environment and are linked to serious health concerns like cancer. They don’t belong anywhere near our food.” FWA included a message that it encouraged people to sign and send to Zeldin, saying, “I demand that you rescind the approval of isocycloseram and cyclobutrifluram, deny future approvals of PFAS pesticides, and update the EPA’s definition of PFAS to fully reflect this dangerous class of chemicals.” Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.

The books that challenge us belong on shelves

n a world driven by the overconsumption of technology and social media, one thing I’ve always prided myself on is my love of books. I was raised to enjoy reading — scouring pages for enjoyment, an escape from reality or, perhaps most important, a new perspective on life. In 2025 I read 70 books, my highest total in recent years and an uptick from 55 in 2024. This year I set out to at least match that accomplishment, but for some reason I’ve found myself consistently dejected by many things I’ve tried to read. I’ve hit a “reading slump” in the past, but never one that’s lasted for what feels like months on end. And don’t get me wrong — there’ve been some gems this year — but mostly I’ve been particularly unmoved by the material I’ve chosen. A few weeks ago, I was compiling a weekly calendar for the East Meadow Herald and included a “Bestsellers Book Discussion” at the East Meadow library. The book of choice for September was

“James,” by Percival Everett, a historical novel that retells Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of one of that landmark book’s two main characters, the enslaved Black man named Jim. Several friends have read and enjoyed “James,” and rightfully so: It was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. I figured if anything were to yank me out of my rut, surely it could be a novel like “James.” I haven’t yet finished the book, but I can tell you that it’s exactly the kind of historical story that normally piques my curiosity. Thus far I’ve been captivated by the way Everett challenges the stereotypes historically used to portray enslaved people, depicts the relationship between a young white boy and a Black man, and explores what freedom truly means. In my early reading of “James,” a thought occurred to me: Could a book like this end up being banned? I turned to Google, where I was informed that no, it isn’t currently widely censored or flatout banned, although the novel possesses the qualities of books that have previ-

ously been challenged, including the use of rough language and a raw depiction of slavery. As it turns out, others — lots of readers — had wondered the same thing. Everett spoke with “CBS Sunday Morning” in 2024 about the possibility of “James” being censored, calling the banning of any book a “performative act by small and frightened people in an attempt to control a world that they can’t control.” Everett’s words were powerful. It’s troubling that we live in a world where an author must consider how censorship might affect the reception of his work. I share this with you because we’re approaching Banned Books Week, which will be observed Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” The annual event seeks to bring attention to the issue of censorship, uniting librarians, educators, authors and readers against organized attempts to restrict access to information. PEN America, a nonprofit that protects free expression, has tracked nearly 23,000 instances of books being banned

anned Books Week begins Sunday. I urge you to look up a list of them and read one.

in the U.S. since 2021. Florida, Texas and Tennessee lead the country, with the highest volume of restrictions and removals. The books that make those lists often feature LGTBQ themes, discussions of race and racism and big-picture American history, warts and all. Censorship, in any form, undermines everyone’s ability to think freely, explore challenging topics, and learn. As I’ve learned this year, not every book speaks to every reader. But everyone deserves the chance to decide that for themselves. I’m not writing this to tell you to read “James,” although it may just turn out to be the book that gets me out of my slump. I do, however, think it’s the type of book that people who are looking to expand their worldview and interact with diverse perspectives should read. Ahead of Banned Books Week, I urge you to look up a list of novels that have been challenged, removed or restricted. Choose one and read it. Even if it isn’t your next favorite, it might show you something you hadn’t thought to look for. And remember: A book doesn’t have to be comfortable for it to be worth reading. Jordan Vallone is the deputy managing editor of Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

Taking action against ‘forever chemical’ companies

Herald editorial

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Celebrating newspapers and local reporting

ational Newspaper Week, Oct. 4-10, is an opportunity to focus attention on something Long Islanders experience every day but can easily take for granted: journalists reporting on their own communities. Long Island is home to roughly 2.9 million people, divided among two counties and 285 distinct communities, which include two cities, 13 towns, 97 villages and 173 hamlets — with all those levels of government, school districts, libraries, fire departments and civic organizations. Reporting on all of them sounds like a job for Superman. In this case, however, the brigade of journalistic Lois Lanes and Clark Kents work not only for national and regional daily newspapers but also for Long Island’s community weeklies. For many of them, local coverage isn’t simply a description of the type of journalism they produce. It’s the reason they exist. A reporter covering a village board meeting might be the only journalist in the room while trustees debate a zoning change, a proposed development, a new law or a policy that could affect residents’ property taxes. A reporter covering a school district might spend hours parsing a proposed budget, asking questions about spending and other decisions that affect students and their families. The stories they write may never attract national attention, or go viral on social media. But for the people who live in

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neighbors. Pride Community stories. ConneCtion. Pride stories. ConneCtion. neighbors.

neighbors. This is your town. stories. stories. This is your paper. ConneCtion. ConneCtion. Thankis you for reading neighbors. This your town. Thissupporting is your town. and stories. This isyour your paper. This This is is your town. paper. local journalism. This is your paper. ConneCtion. Thank you for reading Thank you for reading

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local journalism. local journalism.

Thank you for reading and supporting local journalism.

those communities, those stories matter. The same is true of county government, town boards, planning and zoning boards, libraries, public works departments, parks and recreation departments and, of course, local elections. Community journalism shines a spotlight on decisions that can have a direct effect on where people live, work, send their children to school and spend their tax dollars. And that coverage creates accountability. Public officials know that their actions are being observed and reported. School administrators know that their budget decisions will be carefully examined. And community members know they have a place to turn when they want to understand what’s happening in their own backyard. That doesn’t mean local newspapers exist simply to scrutinize government. Some of the most important work community journalists do has little to do with politics or public policy. Local papers celebrate accomplishments that might otherwise go unnoticed. They introduce readers to neighbors who are making a difference. They chronicle local businesses, community organizations, libraries, charitable efforts and cultural events. They cover the full range of schools’ classroom and extracurricular activities, from championship teams and scholarship winners to service clubs and musicals. Those stories become part of a com-

munity’s history. Years from now, today’s newspaper stories can help future readers understand what their town, village or school district was like, who its leaders were, what issues mattered and how the community responded to challenges and celebrated successes. That role local journalists play is easy to take for granted when the newspaper arrives each week or a story appears online. But the cumulative record these professionals created is a crucially important contribution to the life of our communities. Supporting their work can be as simple as subscribing to a newspaper, visiting its website and sharing stories with friends and neighbors. Businesses and civic organizations can offer their support through advertising and partnerships with local publications. And readers can help reporters do their jobs by letting them know about potential stories that deserve attention. National Newspaper Week is a reminder that journalism doesn’t just happen in big-city newsrooms and on national television. It happens in village halls, school board rooms, town halls, courtrooms, athletic fields, community centers and Main Streets across Long Island — wherever people gather to make decisions, solve problems, honor their neighbors’ accomplishments and celebrate major dates on the calendar. It matters that journalists are there to report on all of it.

opinions

t’s time to turn the spotlight on our roadways toward the growing use of e-bikes and electric scooters. This has become one of the most frequent concerns I hear from residents lately. The increase in the numbers of these vehicles has made driving and walking through our community feel at times like navigating an obstacle course. Riders speed, weave through traffic, ignore stop signs and enter roadways without warning. This endangers everyone who may have only a split second to react. Although much of the concern focuses on young riders, this isn’t just a young-person issue. There are adults operating e-bikes and scooters carelessly, riding against traffic or on sidewalks, and ignoring traffic controls. Everyone operating one of these vehicles must follow the rules of the road and respect those around them. I’ve seen children who appear to be as young as 10 darting across streets with little awareness of other vehicles ot

pedestrians. Many aren’t wearing helmets, while others carry passengers on vehicles not designed for more than one person, increasing the possibility that a moment of carelessness will result in serious injury, or tragedy. The number of e-bikes in New York City increased from roughly 96,000 in 2020 to more than 272,000 in 2023. Some doctors are calling the use of e-bikes a public health crisis due to the surge in pediatric trauma cases. Stony Brook University Hospital reports an increase of as much as 900 percent in hospitalizations resulting from the use of “micro-mobility devices,” which in 2025 accounted for 30 percent of all pediatric trauma emergency cases. Although we don’t have specific data showing how many e-bikes and scooters are being operated locally, I believe most residents would agree that we’ve seen a major increase. They are now a regular presence throughout our neighborhoods. These aren’t simply toys. They are motorized vehicles capable of reaching speeds that can cause severe injuries. They must be operated with the same attention, caution and respect for traffic laws that we expect from everyone using our roads.

In Amityville, the e-bike speed limit is 20 mph, and it’s 15 mph for electric scooters. Scooter operators must also be at least 16 years old. State lawmakers are considering additional protections. Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Jeremy Zellner and Assemblyman William Conrad III would require every e-bike and scooter operator to wear an approved helmet. Safe operation is only one of the riders’ responsibilities. Lithium-ion batteries can create a serious fire hazard if damaged, modified or improperly charged. Owners should only purchase bikes, scooters and batteries tested and certified by an accredited laboratory, use the manufacturerapproved battery and charger, and never leave a battery charging unattended or overnight. Batteries should be taken out of service immediately if they overheat, swell, leak, emit an unusual odor or show signs of damage. There have been two incidents in which improperly disposed-of lithium-ion batteries have caught fire, creating a difficult situation for our Fire Department. Our Police Department shares these concerns. It is actively conducting public outreach and ramping up enforce-

t’s up to parents to know what their child is riding and where it can legally be used.

ment of the laws governing e-bikes and scooters, but enforcement can be challenging. These vehicles are highly mobile, violations may occur quickly, and officers generally must see the unsafe behavior or identify the rider. They can’t be on every street at every moment, which is why education, parental involvement and cooperation from residents remain essential. Officers can respond to complaints, speak with riders and contact the parents of younger riders. It is parents’ responsibility to know what type of vehicle their child is riding, whether they can legally operate it, how fast it can travel and where it may be used. And adult riders must understand that traffic laws apply to them, and that pedestrians have the right to feel safe. The rules should be clear: Wear a helmet that fits properly, obey stop signs and traffic signals, stay off sidewalks, don’t carry passengers, remain visible and never assume that a driver sees you. E-bikes and scooters can be useful and enjoyable forms of transportation. The goal is not to prevent their responsible use, but to ensure that they’re operated safely and respectfully. This is a community-wide responsibility, and every rider must do their part to prevent serious or life-changing accidents. Michael O’Neill is the mayor of Amityville.

Framework courtesy Teresa Eberhart

Talk about a destination wedding: Renato Gamboa, second from left, of Levittown, and Leanne Eberhart, of Freeport, with Eberhart’s parents, Darren and Teresa, in Machu Picchu, Peru.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — September 30, 2026

E-bikes and scooters: Safety is everyone’s responsibility

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