The Merrick Fire Department honored about students from Chatterton, Birch and Lakeside schools on Sunday for participating in the community’s Hydrant Heroes initiative — a program that encouraged children to clear snow from fire hydrants near their homes.
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
After a winter marked by heavy snowstorms and a rise in house fires across the South Shore, dozens of Merrick elementary school students were recognized for stepping up in a way that made a real difference for first responders.
The Merrick Fire Department honored about 40 students from Chatterton, Birch and Lakeside schools on Sunday for participating in the community’s Hydrant Heroes initiative — a program that encouraged children to clear snow from fire hydrants near their homes to ensure firefighters quick access during emergencies.
Fire officials said the snow-shoveling
effort came at a critical time, because buried hydrants can significantly delay firefighting operations.
“When there’s an emergency, it really comes down to seconds,” Ronald Luparello, a longtime member of Empire Hose Company 3 and the department’s spokesman, said. “We need that hydrant in operation as fast as possible, because that’s our continuous flow of water. If we run out of tank water and don’t have that hydrant ready, you’re putting firefighters in serious jeopardy.”
Luparello, who has been with the department since 1989 and previously served as chief, said the impact of the students’ efforts was noticeable almost immediately.
“You could drive down the blocks after a ConTinueD on page 12
There’s a lot to love about Merrick — and the people who call it home know that sense of community runs deep.
Whether it’s a walk or bike ride along the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve, a day at Merrick Road Park, or time spent enjoying the South Shore’s nearby waterfront, Merrick offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Throughout the year, the community comes together for neighborhood traditions, school events, seasonal celebrations and local gatherings that make this a special place to live.
Merrick is also known for its strong schools and engaged families. From the Merrick and North Merrick school districts to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, residents take pride in student achievement across academics, athletics and the arts.
volunteers, businesses and neighbors making a difference every day.
This week’s Merrick Herald is being delivered to homes throughout the area and includes our annual community guide — a helpful resource featuring local businesses, organizations, schools and events that help shape life in Merrick. If you’re not yet a subscriber, we hope this issue gives you a sense of what local journalism brings to a community. Each week, in print and online, we deliver original reporting you won’t find anywhere else — coverage rooted right here in Merrick. To support local reporting in Merrick, subscribe today at LIHerald.com/ subscribe or call (516) 569-4000, ext. 7. You can also make a onetime or recurring contribution at LIHerald.com/donate.
The Merrick Herald is your hometown newspaper. We cover the stories that matter because we’re part of this community too — from major developments and local government to the students,
If you’re already a subscriber, thank you for supporting local journalism. And if you’re reading us for the first time — welcome. We’re glad you’re here.
Hernesto Galdamez, Editor
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Ten years after a heart transplant saved his life, longtime Long Island educator Ken Abbott completed a seven-week cross-country bicycle ride to honor organ donors and raise awareness about the lifesaving power of donation.
Abbott, 61, a retired science teacher and former wrestling coach in the Bellmore-Merrick school district, finished the journey April 18 in St. Augustine, Florida, after departing San Diego on March 4 and riding through eight states.
The ride, titled Pedaling for Life: One Heart’s Journey Across America, took Abbott through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, averaging roughly 75 miles a day.
“This whole journey was to honor my donor and all donors,” Abbott said. “My mind always goes to thinking my donor is with me, and he’s taken this journey alongside me, because I wouldn’t be here without his generosity.”
Abbott, who lives in Centerport and still works as a home teacher for the district, said the ride marked the 10-year anniversary of the heart transplant he received in December 2016 after being given a five percent chance of survival due to sarcoidosis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacked his heart.
He was teaching second period at Grand Avenue Middle School when he received the call that a donor heart was available.
“I was given a five percent chance to survive,” Abbott said. “I came back and finished my teaching career, and 10 years later I’m biking across the country.”
Abbott undertook the ride in support of the LiveOnNY Foundation, which supports donor families, trans-
Courtesy LiveOnNY Foundation
Abbott completed a symbolic coast-to-coast cycling tradition by dipping his front wheel into the Atlantic Ocean after dipping his rear wheel into the Pacific at the start.
plant recipients and public education around organ donation.
LiveOnNY, the federally designated organ procurement organization serving the New York metropolitan area, coordinates organ recovery and placement and works with donor families, transplant recipients and hospitals.
“Ken’s 3,000-mile journey across the country as a transplant recipient is a powerful testament to the lifesaving impact of organ donation,” Leonard Achan, president and CEO of LiveOnNY wrote in a statement. “Because of one generous organ donor, Ken was given a second chance at life. He has used that gift in an extraordinary way, honoring his own donor and the countless
donor heroes and their families across the nation, while also giving hope to those who remain on the transplant waitlist.”
Achan said Abbott’s ride serves as a reminder that one donor can save multiple lives and demonstrates “the profound difference that saying ‘yes’ to donation can make.”
More than 100,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for an organ transplant, according to national data Abbott cited, and he said increasing awareness remains central to his advocacy.
“I hope people understand how incredible organ donation can be,” Abbott said.
Abbott said the ride was also made possible by his wife, Eleanor, who drove the couple’s RV and managed logistics throughout the journey, and friend Pete Trankina, who rode alongside him for the entire trip.
“I’m indebted to both of those individuals,” Abbott said. “It would be really challenging to do this solo.”
At the finish, Abbott completed a symbolic coast-tocoast cycling tradition by dipping his front wheel into the Atlantic Ocean after dipping his rear wheel into the Pacific at the start.
Along the route, Abbott said he met transplant recipients, donor families and others whose lives have been touched by organ donation.
He also reflected often on the donor whose heart made the journey possible.
“I’ve been given this gift,” Abbott said. “I have a responsibility to do something with it.”
Though the ride has ended, Abbott said he plans to continue speaking in schools and advocating for organ donation.
“If you set a goal and you’re willing to work to achieve it,” he said, “you can accomplish a lot more than you think you can.”
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
The Kiwanis Club of Merrick has teamed up with Long Island environmental group Save the Great South Bay to tackle one of the region’s most pervasive problems: water pollution.
Many of Long Island’s waterways flow south into the Great South Bay, a massive aquatic ecosystem bordering most of Long Island’s south shore. The bay was once a driver for the local fishing industry, but decades of garbage and chemical contamination took from its vitality. Restoration groups like Save the Great South Bay work to undo the damage.
STGSB is working with the Kiwanis Club of Merrick to clean East Meadow Creek of all litter, debris and invasive species possible on April 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. in celebration of Earth Day.
“As we go back year after year, some places have less garbage, some place have more garbage,” said Robyn Silvestri, the executive director of STGSB.
“It’s one thing to clean up legacy garbage. It’s another thing for the garbage to keep coming back… whatever gets washed up off the streets goes into the storm drains and eventually makes its way into the bay.”
Kim Scharoff is the secretary of the Merrick Kiwanis Club.
“Anybody can come and join us that day,” she said. “The more people that we have, the more cleanup we
can do.”
The group has taken on the role of Creek Defender in partnership with STGSB.
“The Kiwanis Club of Merrick has become the Creek Defender for the Merrick area,” Scharoff said. “It includes a couple of locations that we can pick from to do community cleanups. We’re going to do them at least twice a year.”
The site can be accessed off the side of Meadowbrook Parkway exit M7E, just south of Babylon Turnpike. Volunteers will meet across the street from 2075 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick, NY 11566. Parking on the street is suggested.
“The Creek Defender program is save the Great South Bay’s flagship program,” Silvestri explained. “In each of the 16 towns across the South Shore, we have what’s appointed, what’s called a Creek Defender.”
Creek Defenders are responsible for facilitating community engagement, helping town residents take action and protect their local ecosystems. In total, the program has led to 87,500 pounds of trash being removed from local waterways since 2017, according to Silvestri.
“Our slogan is start where you stand,” she said. “Start in your own backyard. Start in your own neighborhood… you’re much more likely to have an impact in your local neighborhood than you are on a global issue. We really hope to empower people to feel like they can make a difference.”
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Many of Long Island’s best jazz musicians came to Bellmore for a good cause: funding programs that feed the hungry.
Congregation Beth Ohr is held a charity jazz concert at the CBO Annex at 2655 Clubhouse Road in Merrick on April 19. At $10 per ticket, the proceeds from ticket sales are going towards funding the Congregation Beth Ohr’s Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry’s operations.
Steve Tepper is an officer of Congregation Beth El and the organizer for this fundraiser. He is also a skilled musician with 50 years of experience, playing the drums from Bellmore to Broadway. With his skills and musical companions, Tepper planned to help his neighbors get food to the table while sharing his love for jazz music.
“There’s no real good jazz on Long Island except for restaurants,” he said. “The venue is part of Congregation Beth El, it’s our annex, and we have a piano and a stage, and it’s perfect for what I wanted to do… I wanted to I made it a charity because we have a community food pantry, and unfortunately, there’s a great need for the food pantry right now.”
The concert featured performances from volunteer local bands Phantom Galaxy, McKenna Fenimore and All Star Band Jam. Going forward, jazz nights may become a regular fixture of the congregation’s calendar.
“It’s a wonderful idea… we need the funds because we have a lot of people coming in that depend upon us,” said Iris Astrof, the director of the CBO food pantry. “I’m thrilled that we’re doing this.”
The pantry attracts those with a gener-
Singer McKenna Fenimore, bassist Shawn Berman, drummer Joe Malore and pianist
Slansky joined with multiple other local artists to raise funds for the Congregation Beth Ohr Jazz Concert.
ous streak to their character. Hector Brizuela works with CBO as an employee, going above and beyond to volunteer with the pantry for 14 years.
“I come in from nothing, and I know the feeling, (to not) have any money in your pocket, food to eat that day, and things like that,” he said. “That is why I like to do that.
“I see very the people that like to help, very generous people,” he continued. “That is my inspiration.”
Brizuela encouraged community mem-
bers who could not attend the event to help whenever and however they can.
A person in need can come to the pantry every other Thursday and receive one or two large bags of high-quality food. To make this possible, the pantry accepts financial and physical donations yearround. Funds go towards the purchase of grocery store gift cards that can be used to buy perishable goods such as fresh vegetables.
For more information, visit cbohr.org/ event/jazz-concert-fundraiser.html.
Galaxy.
Steve Tepper both planned and performed at the event. Proceeds from the Congregation Beth Ohr’s Jazz Concert’s ticket sales will go towards funding the Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry’s donations to community members in need.
Each one of us experience countless injustices in the course of everyday living. Like other experiences, it is not the experience itself so much that counts, but how you process it. The Mayo Clinic addresses the health benefits of “forgiveness” which they define as “an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger”. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can lead to:
Nicole Hollings, represented by attorney Robert Schalk, has appeared in her ongoing DWI case.
Recall: Recall the hurt. Look at the incident in an objective way and don’t try to push aside your feelings.
Empathize: Empathize with the offender without excusing the action or invalidating your own feelings. Maybe the person was having a bad day or was raised in dire circumstances.
forgiveness. Think about a time when you were rude or harsh, and recognize that everyone has shortcomings.
Commit: Make a decision to forgive. You can write a letter that you don’t send to help yourself make the commitment.
Hold:
Everett Worthington, Profession Emeritus of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, provides a free workbook at for whom forgiveness may be difficult (most of
how you react to those feelings will.
“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned”
Sanford H. Calhoun High School Principal Nicole Hollings returned to Nassau County First District Court on March 11 for a continuation of her driving while intoxicated case.
The proceeding mirrored her Nov. 12 appearance, where Judge David Wright issued an order of protection without objection from Hollings’ attorney, Robert Schalk, the brief session yielding no new developments.
Hollings was arrested after a motor vehicle accident in Rockville Centre in the early morning hours of July 2 last year. She was arraigned on July 25 and pleaded not guilty to charges of driving while intoxicated.
According to NYCourts.gov, the purpose of an order of protection in a DWI case “is to maintain peace and provide protection until all the facts have been gathered and the case is heard in court. When the court is convinced that someone has committed an offense or endangered the person protected by the order,
a final order is issued.”
At her second appearance on Aug. 7, prosecutors said Hollings’ blood alcohol content was 0.25, more than three times the legal limit in New York. Her driver’s license was suspended, and she faces up to three years’ probation and a maximum of 32 days in jail if convicted. Two days before that hearing, Hollings announced she would take a leave of absence from her position as principal. In an email to families, she said the decision was necessary to address “personal issues” and emphasized the need for the role to remain free of distractions.
Michael Hughes is serving as interim principal for the 2025–26 school year, and Nicholas Grande has been named interim assistant principal for sophomores and seniors, according to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District website.
Following the March 11 appearance, the next court date is July 9.
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
What began as an independent film shot in homes, businesses and neighborhoods across Long Island has reached a global streaming audience.
Wait List: A Love-ish Story, a feature film led by Merrick filmmaker Debra Markowitz and produced through Intention Films and Media with business partner John Marean, debuted on Prime Video on April 2, marking a major milestone for a production rooted almost entirely in local talent.
The romantic comedy, distributed by IndieRights, is expected to roll out next to YouTube, Google Play, Tubi and additional streaming platforms as part of a broader distribution campaign.
For Markowitz, the streaming release is significant not only because of the audience Prime Video offers, but because independent films often rely on word-of-mouth and grassroots support to gain traction.
“Especially when you do an indie film, you don’t have the studio budget for the marketing,” Markowitz said. “You depend on the local press and people liking it and passing it on to other people so people hear about the film.”
Markowitz, a former Nassau County film commissioner who served from 1988 to 2020 and has long championed regional filmmaking, said bringing a Long Islandmade film to a global platform carries special meaning.
“Not everything has to be made in New York City or California,” she said. “You can do it all here in the hometown. We do have our talent base. We love where we live.”
Shot entirely on Long Island over several months, the production used locations including private homes in Merrick, Wantagh and Lloyd Harbor, as well as Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown, an apartment in Long
Beach and Soul Brew in Bellmore.
“There’s just a taste of Long Island throughout it,” Markowitz said. “Somebody watching the film may say, ‘Wait a minute, I know this,’ or, ‘That looks like home.’”
The film follows a young man pursuing a longtime crush on his childhood friend’s mother after learning she is divorced, setting off a mix of romance, comedy and complications.
Its cast includes newcomers Travis Grant of Merrick, Bec Fordyce, E.J. Acosta of Central Islip, Julia Winer of Mineola, Ryan DeNicola of Massapequa, Noelle Yatauro of Glen Cove, Loring Murtha of the Bronx and Kate Brady, originally from Manhasset, alongside veteran actors Robert Clohessy, Abigail Hawk, Lukas Hassel, Tara Westwood and Kim Director.
For Grant, seeing the film reach Prime Video has been a career milestone.
“It’s literally a dream come true,” Grant said. “I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer from day one.”
Grant said the release has brought attention from viewers well beyond Long Island, including messages from fans overseas.
“It’s surreal,” he said. “People are reaching out from the UK, from Italy. To have people from all over the world seeing the work — it means so much.”
Markowitz credited Grant, who entered filmmaking through the project after initially connecting with her to learn about the industry, as a key part of the film’s success.
“He was just a joy,” she said. “He was so committed to it, and the camera loves him without question.”
Grant, who is expected to film his first comedy special in Lindenhurst in November, said working with Markowitz and Marean helped shape his first major film experience.
“It’s such a collaborative effort,” Grant said. “We always find this pace, this gear, that we all lock into and work.”
Grant’s improvisational skill and chemistry with costar Bec Fordyce helped inspire Markowitz to expand the project from a short film into a feature. By the end of the first week of filming the short, she said, she had written the screenplay for the feature-length version.
Behind the scenes, the film also drew heavily from Long Island talent. Crew members included electric and sound professionals Dom Broccolo and Zach Walker of Hicksville, Mike Tuminello of Massapequa, Acosta, John “Jack” Kelly, originally from Center Moriches, and Josh and Rob Graydon of West Hempstead. Production design was led by Kory Diskin of Roslyn Heights, while much of the soundtrack features music by Rorie Kelly of Sound Beach.
For Markowitz, whose career has included more than 50 independent films, the project also serves as proof that high-quality filmmaking can happen close to home.
“You can do it here,” she said. “If you have the right people, you can make some incredible stuff for a fraction of what Hollywood charges.”
Friday, April 24: Rides 6 PM - 10 PM Saturday, April 25: Rides 11 AM - 9 PM Sunday, April 26: Rides 11 AM - 7 PM
Vendors Sat. & Sun. 10 AM - 6 PM
ALREADY A TWO-TIME All-Conference selection, Webster appears well on her way to at least a third if not an All-County season. Heading into this week’s action, the Rocks’ fourth-year starting shortstop leads Nassau County in home runs with 6 and RBIs with 28 while batting .700 through nine games. Webster blasted a pair of homers against Baldwin on March 21 and repeated the accomplishment April 11 versus Freeport.
Thursday, April 23
Flag Football: Oceanside at East Rockaway 5 p.m.
Flag Football: Bell-Merrick at Massapequa 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 24
Softball: Clarke at Farmingdale 5 p.m.
Softball: Malverne at Uniondale 5 p.m.
Softball: North Shore at South Side 5 p.m.
Baseball:Calhoun at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Baseball: Elmont at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Boys Tennis: South Side at Hewlett 5 p.m.
Flag Football: East Meadow at Freeport 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Carey at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Clarke 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 25
Softball: Wantagh at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Softball: Hicksville at Long Beach 10 a.m.
Softball: West Hempstead at Lawrence 10 a.m.
Softball: Lynbrook at Freeport 10 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Herricks at Baldwin 11 a.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Roslyn at Long Beach 1 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: East Meadow at Oceanside 1 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at V.S. District 1 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Seaford 3 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Lynbrook vs Hewlett 6:30 p.m.
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By PETER SCHWARTZ sports@liherald.com
In 2024 and 2025, the Kennedy baseball team won back-to-back conference championships, but their seasons ended with losses to Garden City and Division in the Nassau Class AA finals.
With another strong team this spring, the Cougars are hoping this is the year they can capture a county title.
But first, they have some work to do.
“My expectations for the season are really just more focused on the day-today stuff,” said coach Mike Gattus, who guided the Cougars to a 22-6 record last season. “This team has had a lot of success with the two conference championships and two county finals appearances, things that have never happened before in our baseball program’s history. They’re still hungry for more,” he added.
The Cougars are off to a 6-2 start, 4-2 in what appears on paper to be the county’s most-talented conference — AA-1.
This year’s squad includes three players who are committed to Division 1 colleges.
Juniors Derek Yormack and Ryan Yormack, both pitchers and key position players, are headed to Vanderbilt while junior Dylan Babek is going to Stony Brook. Derek tossed a five-inning complete game with 9 strikeouts while also hitting a three-run homer in an 11-1 win over South Side last Friday.
“All three of them have contributed tremendous numbers throughout the course of their careers and they’re off to a great start this year,” said Gattus. “They’re our 1-2-3 hitters at the top of our lineup.”
Other key players include two-time All-Conference senior pitcher Zach Adelstein, returning All-Conference two-year starting senior catcher Derek Fong, All-League junior second baseman Frankie Stella and junior shortstop Matt Tolipano.
Adelstein picked up the win April 14 striking out six over 4.2 innings as Bellmore JFK defeated South Side 13-3. Tolipano and Stella each drove in a pair of
runs.
“We really have so many good players,” Gattus said. “We’re in a great place.”
And the program became even better this year with the addition of Steve Costello to the coaching staff. The longtime MacArthur coach is reunited with Gattus, who he coached at MacArthur.
“He’s always been an incredible resource for me,” said Gattus. “As a player, he gave me the blueprint of what it’s like to run a big-time program. Our guys have really gravitated towards him. He was there for every off-season workout and puts in an incredible amount of time so to have his championship experience is really invaluable.”
It’s been an impressive run over the last five years for the Cougars.
They’ve improved on their win total every year since 2021, reached the postseason every year, and the team has earned 37 individual post-season honors including four All-Long Island selections and nine All-County players.
And it appears as if there’s more of that on the horizon.
“For as successful and as competitive as we’ve been, we’re still on the younger side,” said Gattus. “We’ll have many returning players next year.”
But for this year, the goal is to capture that elusive county championship. Kennedy concludes a three-game set with Elmont at home this Friday at 5 p.m.
By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
House Democrats secured enough bipartisan support last week to pass legislation to extend temporary protected status for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the United States. Since Rep. Laura Gillen assumed office last year, she has backed a bill that would allow Haitian TPS holders legal status for three more years.
During a roundtable discussion in Elmont just days before the pivotal vote on April 16, Gillen acknowledged the limitations of temporary measures and pointed to broader legislative efforts, including bipartisan immigration proposals aimed at creating pathways to legal status.
The latest legislation would mark a transformational moment for TPS holders seeking clarity about their future. Haiti was first designated for TPS following a devastating 2010 earthquake, and ongoing instability has kept the designation in place.
Last week’s House effort, led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and backed by Gillen and original co-sponsor Rep. Mike Lawler, secured the required 218 signatures earlier this month, triggering the House vote, in which it passed, 224-204.
“Our immigration system has been
broken for a long time,” Gillen said.
Mimi Pierre-Johnson, a community leader and activist in Elmont — home to one of Long Island’s largest Haitian populations — emphasized the importance of bipartisan support.
“This should be something that galvanized folks to understand it doesn’t matter about the people who’s trying to divide you, it’s what’s important to you, right?” Pierre-Johnson said. “So if your
neighbors that are going to work, paying taxes, you know, building a family, building a life, and the only thing stopping them from doing all of that is a piece of legislation.”
In January, Gillen signed a bipartisan letter urging the Trump administration to extend TPS for Haitian nationals ahead of the Feb. 3 expiration. She also met with White House officials to advocate for continued protections, efforts
that coincided with a federal court ruling issued one day before the deadline that preserved TPS.
Gillen reiterated the need for broader reform, noting the limits of temporary protections. She is also among the Democratic co-sponsors of the bipartisan Dignity Act, which aims to create a pathway to legal status for long-term U.S. residents.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, whose 22nd District encompasses Elmont, became the first person of Haitian descent elected to the New York State Legislature in 2012. Solages wrote in a statement that although the House vote should be applauded, progress “isn’t anywhere near the finish line” — referencing to the bill’s possible fate in the Senate and the likelihood of a presidential veto if it passes there.
“We may take this moment to rejoice at the progress made, but we cannot lose focus,” Solages said.
For advocates of the House bill, the push for TPS protections is about more than passing legislation; it reflects the realities of immigrant communities and the uncertainties they face.
The bill is now expected to move to the Senate for consideration, though a date for a vote has not yet been scheduled. Its aim is to protect Haitians who hold TPS through April 20, 2029.
As Long Island’s energy system modernizes, battery storage is becoming a central piece of how electricity is generated, delivered and managed.
At its core, battery energy storage systems (BESS) capture electricity from the power grid — including solar and wind — when demand and prices are low and store it for later use. When demand increases, instead of turning to costly and dirty peaker plants, batteries can discharge, selling their power at a lower price. The result is a more flexible system that can better match supply with demand, saving ratepayers money.
For a region like Long Island, where aging infrastructure and high energy use have long posed challenges, that flexibility is increasingly important. Storage supports the expansion of clean energy while reducing reliance on older, fossil fuel-based generation the region has depended on for years.
“One very, very critical element into the clean energy transition is energy storage,” said Melissa Parrot, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island.
Paul Rogers, a retired FDNY lieutenant now with the Energy Safety Response Group, said today’s systems are guided by rigorous standards, extensive training and coordination with local fire departments. Updated fire safety codes adopted in 2025 are the most stringent in the country, reinforced by a highly trained local workforce.
This is not theoretical. According to the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), more than 7,400 BESS facilities are already operating across New York State, supporting grid reliability with minimal safety issues reported.
Beyond safety, battery energy storage is helping stabilize Long Island’s aging grid. By storing energy when supply is abundant and releasing it during peak demand, these systems reduce
strain on infrastructure, limit outages and decrease reliance on costly peaker plants.
“Battery energy storage helps stabilize the grid and keep pricing down,” said Carrie Meek Gallagher, CEO of the Long Island Power Authority.
For residents and businesses, affordability remains a key benefit. By reducing price spikes and improving system efficiency, storage creates more predictable energy costs.
“Battery energy storage, in my opinion, is the silver bullet for us over the next decade,” said Billy Haugland II of the Haugland Group.
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Danielle Arcuri spent her 20s watching “The Sopranos,” the same way many fans did when the hit show first aired — gathering with friends, following each episode as they unfolded week by week from January 1999 to June 2007.
“Me and my friends used to hang out and get together and watch it,” Arcuri, of Bellmore, said last week. “When I heard about this, I knew I had to come. It’s right here.”
The habit turned into something longer-lasting. Now in her 40s, Arcuri said she still returns to the show — and was already thinking about starting another rewatch when she saw that cast members would be appearing locally.
Arcuri joined a packed crowd at Bellmore Movies & The Showplace on April 18 for “A Night with the Cast of The Sopranos,” a live event featuring actors Robert Funaro,(Eugene) Jason Cerbone (Jackie Aprile Jr.) and Dan Grimaldi, (Patsy Parisi and his twin brother, (Philly), along with host Matt Servitto (Agent Dwight Harris) and special guest John Fiore (Gigi Cestone). The evening offered a mix of humor, reflection and behind-the-scenes insight into one of television’s most influential series.
Though closely associated with New Jersey, The Sopranos maintained ties to Long Island. While primarily filmed in New Jersey and at Silvercup Studios, in Long Island City, select scenes were shot in places like Long Beach, Atlantic Beach and Glen Head. Those connections resonate locally, particularly since 26 percent of Long Island residents identify as Italian-American.
For Anne Stampfel, co-owner of the theater, events like this reflect both that cultural connection and a broader shift in how the venue operates.
“This is the second time we’ve had a ‘Sopranos’ cast,” Stampfel said, noting that the lineup changes with each appearance.
The theater’s programming has expanded in recent years, especially after the pandemic disrupted traditional moviegoing. Stampfel said the business has had to evolve to remain viable.
“Covid changed everything,” she said. “The movie business as a whole took a real hit. It’s still recovering.”
Long before Bellmore Movies was solely a movie theater, the venue regularly hosted live performances alongside films. “When you booked a movie, you also booked an act,” Stampfel said.
The “Sopranos” panel was one of several such bookings brought in through a collaboration between JD Sarantakos, founder of JD’s Productions. and the Andrew Frank Group, which manages cast members and organizes touring events.
“It’s a unique, special event that nobody’s going to forget — it’s that type of show,” Sarantakos previously told the Herald. “We’re doing it on Long Island because I grew up on Long Island, Andrew grew up on Long Island, and it’s just a great venue: the oldest
Cast members from “The Sopranos” appeared onstage in an event at Bellmore Movies & The Showplace on April 18. From left were Robert Funaro (Eugene), Jason Cerbone (Jackie Aprile Jr.), Dan Grimaldi (Patsy Parisi and his twin brother, (Philly), Matt Servitto (Agent Dwight Harris) and special guest John Fiore (Gigi Cestone).
movie theater on Long Island. To bring it there, to have the show rebound and to do it again is an honor.”
On stage, the conversation touched on experiences of working on the series, with actors reflecting how little they often knew about their characters’ futures.
Fiore described coming to the show with minimal context.
“Suddenly I’m in the back room with the guys — I didn’t even know where my character was going,” he said.
Grimaldi said that simply landing a role on the show was significant at the time.
“To play Philly was a dream,” he said. “Every actor in America wanted to be on ‘The Sopranos.’”
Funaro focused on the environment behind the scenes, pointing to the tone set by the series’ star, James Gandolfini. “It was like a family, and we all ate together,” Funaro recalled.
That sense of closeness made some of the show’s more abrupt plot turns even more difficult for actors, particularly when they learned a character was being written out.
Servitto recalled the atmosphere during table reads when those moments were revealed. “There were practically audible gasps,” he said.
Cerbone said he found out about the fate of his character, Jackie Aprile Jr. while in the middle of filming other scenes for the show. “I had to then go shoot after I just heard that I was going to be killed,” Cerbone recounted.
The discussion also revisited one of the show’s most talked-about storylines — Adriana La Cerva’s death — which Servitto said was handled differently in early drafts of the script.
For Arcuri, the realism of the show still stands out to her, particularly in the
way it reflected everyday interactions she had seen growing up around New York and Long Island.
“It reminds me of where my parents
grew up,” she said, reflecting on Italian family values and remembering the restaurants her family often visited. “You still see people like that.”
The Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers would like to honor and celebrate the following students for their outstanding contribution to our school community:
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Community members across the 5th State Senate District have an opportunity to give back by donating yarn and handmade blankets in a drive to support children undergoing chemotherapy.
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, whose district includes Bellmore, Merrick, East Meadow, Seaford, Wantagh and Levittown, is spearheading the worthy campaign in partnership with the nonprofit We Care Blankets.
The nonprofit organization was founded on Long Island in 1999, when a small group of volunteers recognized a common but often overlooked side effect of cancer treatment in children: persistent chills. Initially funded by a physician, the organization set out to provide something simple but meaningful — handmade, colorful blankets that could offer warmth and reassurance during a difficult time.
Over the years, the effort has grown into a community-driven network of volunteers who knit, crochet and donate blankets that are distributed to hospitals serving pediatric cancer patients. Each blanket is designed not only to keep children warm, but to provide a sense of care and connection, organizers said.
The monthlong yarn and blanket drive, which will run through May, builds on a previous effort that collected more than 400,000 yards of yarn and over 200 handmade blankets. Donations of acrylic yarn allow volunteers to continue crafting blankets, while completed blankets can be given directly to the organization for distribution.
“It is a heartbreaking reality that far too many children battle cancer at such a young age,” Rhoads said in a release shared ahead of this year’s drive. “While medical care is essential in their fight, it is equally important that they are surrounded by comfort, compassion, and a sense of warmth during such a difficult and painful time.”
Community members can support the initiative in two ways: by donating yarn at the designated collection sites or by creating blankets themselves. All materials must be acrylic, washable and hospital-safe to ensure they can be easily cleaned and safely used in medical settings. Organizers also encourage bright colors and patterns, which can help bring a sense of joy to children during treatment.
Blankets must meet a minimum size requirement — generally around 32 to 36 inches square — so they can fully wrap a child. Donated yarn is used by volunteers to continue producing blankets throughout the year, helping the organization maintain a steady supply for hospitals.
While the effort is sustained yearround, community participation remains essential. Local libraries across the district are serving as drop-off locations, making it easier for residents to contribute materials or finished blankets.
■ Bellmore Memorial Library, 2288 Bedford Ave.
■ Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave.
■ Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave.
■ Seaford Public Library, 2234 Jackson Ave.
■ East Meadow Public Library, 1886 Front St.
■ Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane
■ North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road
■ North Bellmore Public Library, 1551 Newbridge Road
“We Care Blankets is more than just a local charity, it is a community of compassionate individuals who believe deeply in the power of small acts of kindness to uplift others,” Rhoads said. “This initiative goes beyond providing blankets — it offers a tangible reminder to these children that they are not alone in their fight against cancer.”
We Care Blankets relies on volunteers to help prepare donations for delivery, ensuring that each blanket reaches a child in need. Though organizing efforts often bring people together at community spaces, Massapequa resident Tammy Baker, one of the nonprofit’s co-founders, emphasized that the heart of the initiative lies in the ongoing commitment of volunteers who give their time and skills.
“Without caring volunteers, benefactors and talented crafters, we couldn’t fulfill this mission,” Baker said. “At We Care Blankets, our first love is children.”
Residents have an opportunity to donate yarn and
Blankets, coordinated by the office of State
Donations can be dropped off at several locations across the district, including the Bellmore Memorial Library, 2288 Bedford Ave.; Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave.; Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave.; Seaford Public Library, 2234 Jackson Ave.; East Meadow Public Library, 1886 Front St.; Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane; North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road; and North Bellmore Public Library, 1551 Newbridge Road. For more information, including a full list of donation sites or how to contribute, visit NYSenate.gov or contact Rhoads’ district office at (516) 882-0630
Care
snowstorm and visibly see hydrants that were dug out with two to three feet cleared around them,” he said. “It definitely made a difference.”
Leaders of the Merrick PTA launched the initiative following a series of winter storms and reports of multiple house fires in the area. Jackie Caccioppoli, president of the Chatterton PTA, said the idea was sparked by a desire to both help the community and get students engaged.
“It was the longest winter ever, and we wanted to get the kids off the (computer) screens and doing something meaningful,” she said. “We tried to make them feel like they were helping — like little superheroes out there.”
Students were encouraged to take photos of themselves clearing hydrants, with small incentives such as gift cards offered as part of the program. But organizers said the biggest reward was the sense of responsibility it instilled in them.
“It gave them a real feeling that they were doing something important,” Caccioppoli said. “Everyone needs to learn their part, and this was a way for them to give back.”
The effort also addressed a broader challenge facing fire departments across New York: a decline in volunteerism. Merrick officials said community support — including simple acts like keeping hydrants clear — plays a vital role in emergency response.
“We depend on the community,” Luparello said. “It’s not a law to clear a hydrant, but your family or your neighbor’s family could depend on it.”
Fire officials and PTA leaders alike expressed hope that the program will have a lasting impact, particularly in inspiring younger generations to get involved.
“It’s about planting that seed,” Caccioppoli said. “If
Leaders of the merrick pta launched the initiative following a series of winter storms and reports of multiple house fires in the area.
they learn now that they can make a difference, maybe they’ll continue to give back in the future.”
During the recognition event, students were honored by name and presented with certificates, with local officials also on hand to acknowledge their efforts.
Luparello said the department hopes some of those students may one day join its junior firefighter pro-
gram — and eventually the ranks of the volunteer fire service.
“There’s nothing better than volunteering for your community and helping others,” he said.
With the success of this winter’s effort, organizers said the Hydrant Heroes initiative could return in the future — continuing to build a culture of service, one student at a time.
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Berta Weinstein is an icon in Merrick.
For almost 20 years, she has been an active community leader working closely with her neighbors and local government to help the south shore way of life stay at its highest quality. For her decades of outstanding community service, the Town of Hempstead honored Weinstein with the Pathfinder Award.
Weinstein has been a member of the South Merrick Civic Association for about 20 years, holding positions on the board including secretary, treasurer and vice president. She became the president of the organization in 2023.
“(This is) basically what we do, in a nutshell: we try to keep our community safe, we keep it clean, we want to beautify it so that people come to our community,” she said.
Weinstein’s involvement in the civic association began when she approached the group as a concerned resident regarding the development of cell phone towers in close proximity to her home. From there, the rest was history; she became increasingly involved in local groups and events.
Weinstein has shaped many new programs in Merrick, from including young people’s voices at civic association meetings to passing along the concerns of local residents to the town. An important program to Weinstein was the inclusion of People Oriented Policing officers at meetings, helping connect local law enforcement with people in the neighborhood.
“I enjoy meeting people in the community,
and I continue to do the work to make the community better,” she said. “That’s a big deal for me.”
The award recognizes women whose work leaves a lasting impression on their communities during Women’s History Month every year.
“Berta Weinstein represents the very best of what community leadership looks like,” said Councilman Chris Schneider in a statement provided to the Herald. “For more than four decades, Berta has been a constant presence in Merrick, strengthening neighborhoods and bringing people together. We recently honored to her as a 2026 Town of Hempstead Pathfinder Award recipient, and I am thrilled to see her receive even more well-deserved accolades. Her dedication to our home continues to inspire and uplift our entire community.”
Former Civic Association President Joe Baker worked with Weinstein for over a decade and continues to stay in touch. The two shared a philosophy regarding community service in Merrick.
“My feeling has always been, look good, feel good,” Baker said. “If the community looks good, people going to feel good about the community, and they’re going to, and it’s going to hopefully get more people to join in.
“When you volunteer for the community, it’s, it’s nice to be recognized,” he continued. “And this way people appreciate what you do, what you accomplish… She most deservedly got the award.”
“Anything that I’ve done, I’ve not done alone,” Weinstein said. “I’ve done this with many people’s help.”
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
As part of a statewide effort to address declining volunteer firefighter enrollment, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York launched its 17th annual RecruitNY campaign with a news conference and a live firefighting demonstration at the Melville Fire Department April 15.
The initiative comes as the number of volunteer firefighters across the state has dropped by roughly 33 percent over the past two decades, from about 120,000 in the early 2000s to 80,000 today — even as emergency calls continue to rise. Recent data compiled by FASNY shows a 16 percent increase in house fires and a 37 percent jump in overall fire calls over that time, putting added strain on departments.
“It is very important for all of our communities to understand that fire and rescue service is staffed by volunteers who are will-
ing to go out 24/7 and respond to medical and fire emergencies as needed,” the association’s president, Gene Perry, said. “While some departments are doing very well, others face challenges and are trying to get more people and younger people involved.”
Nearly 90 percent of fire departments statewide — including about 70 in Nassau and 100 in Suffolk — rely on volunteers, making recruitment a growing public safety concern.
As part of RecruitNY, departments across Long Island opened their doors for demonstrations and outreach events aimed at attracting new members. Officials said the effort is critical to maintaining staffing levels and emergency response capabilities.
At the Long Island kickoff, FASNY representatives joined local officials and firefighters to highlight recruitment efforts and encourage residents to consider volunteering. They also conducted a demonstration on how firefighters extinguish
dangerous car fires.
In a survey conducted by the association two years ago, 49 percent of New York residents expressed an interest in becoming volunteer firefighters. As well, 66 percent of respondents said they would visit their local fire station to learn more, and 55 percent reported that they would begin with an online search for information.
“What we need are more incentives to encourage people to volunteer, like tax
breaks on homes and priority for affordable housing for volunteers,” Assemblyman Steve Stern said. “These are critically important, but we need to go much further, and I want you to know that we see it and we hear it, because not having enough volunteers is a direct hit on us all — our families and our communities — and it puts our safety at risk.”
For more information on volunteering, contact your local volunteer fire department or visit fasny.com.
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Scott Jennings was appointed president and chief operating officer of PSEG Long Island in January, overseeing electric service for about 1.2 million customers. He joined PSEG in 1998 after starting at Deloitte, and held leadership roles in finance and energy investments. He helped develop PSEG’s Long Island agreement, leading to its 2014 launch, and most recently served as senior vice president of finance, planning and strategy. He earned a degree in business administration and an MBA in accounting from Pace University.
Q: From a business degree in accounting, how did you get into the power industry?
A: I started with Deloitte, and PSEG was one of my clients. The engagement showed me how critical the energy industry is to the overall economy and every family. At PSEG I’ve been able to see every part of the business as I moved into several different roles in finance supporting the overall company, and directly managed a number of our business areas.
Q: Having been involved in creating PSEG Long Island’s operating structure in 2014, how does that influence your current priorities?
A: Yes, it was a great experience to lead our pitch to LIPA to serve as the operator more than a decade ago, and I’m really happy to move out here and join and lead the PSEG Long Island team. I think this publicprivate partnership brings great value to the customers of Long Island. With the utility system owned by LIPA, they have access to FEMA funding to recover the costs of storms and support grants for investments, they don’t pay federal or state taxes, and they have access to low-cost debt financing. That’s real value. And then engaging a private company, like PSEG, brings the expertise to operate the utility efficiently and effectively. So my first priorities are aligned with that: leading the utility to bring value to our customers by providing strong reliability and customer service at an affordable price.
Q: Being responsible for PSEG-New Jersey’s high standard in the industry, how do you lift PSEG Long Island to that level?
A: Over our first 12 years on Long Island, we’ve made great strides — this is a very, very different electric system and process compared to the past. Reliability has greatly
improved — PSEG Long Island is now in the top 10 percent of the country for reliability, just behind our sister in New Jersey. We see this in fewer sustained outages, fewer momentary outages, and lesser impacts and quicker responses during recent storms.
Similar on the customer satisfaction front. When we took over in 2014, the Long Island utility had the lowest customer satisfaction in the industry. Since then, PSEG Long Island has been recognized as having the most improvement in the entire country, and was even ranked No. 1 in the 2025 J.D. Power Business Customer Satisfaction Study among large utilities in the East.
And finally I’d point to affordability. When we took over, Long Island electric rates were about the highest in the country. Since then, through good cost control, New York state actions on property taxes and LIPA refinancing its debt, our rates are now lower than our neighboring utilities in NYC and Connecticut.
So we’ve made great progress, and my focus will be to continue to improve our service while managing costs.
Q: From your 30 years of experience, what lessons are
most relevant as you take on this position?
A: It’s about putting the right people in the right positions and keeping focus on what is most important for customers: reliability, service and cost.
Q: Under your leadership, what does success look like, and how can PSEG Long Island help strengthen the L.I. region?
A: I look for success in two timeframes. First is the nearterm of maintaining continued strong reliability and customer service while managing costs effectively. The second is positioning the Long Island electric utility for long-term success. We’re making additional system reliability investments so the strong reliability performance we’ve recently delivered can be maintained. Similarly, we’ll be assessing our longterm energy needs and the generation supply needed to meet them reliably and affordably, while also balancing environmental considerations. These actions and more will position Long Island for reliable and affordable service for years to come, which will help support the region’s continued economic development and great communities for our families.
Come learn about local disability rights pioneer Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. and explore over 125 artifacts highlighting the fight for equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The museum provides an inclusive, fully accessible experience for all visitors and is the perfect place to spend a fun and educational day with your family. School field trips and group tours welcome.
By Abbey Salvemini
As spring moves forward towards its peak, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay bursts into a vivid celebration of color, nature and community. This weekend, April 25–26, the inaugural Branches in Bloom Festival invites visitors to stroll beneath sweeping canopies of magnolias, cherry blossoms and other flowering trees.
Blending longstanding tradition with new experiences, the festival refreshes the site’s beloved Arbor Day celebration of years past. Guests can explore the historic estate in colorful bloom while enjoying guided tours, live entertainment and familyfriendly activities, making it an easy spring highlight for visitors of all ages.
The new festival is both a tribute and a transformation.
“Branches in Bloom is a reimagination of a 40-year-old tradition here at Planting Fields,” Communications and Marketing Manager Kayla Cheshire says. “It’s still in honor of Arbor Day, but now we’re really able to focus on our spring flowering collection, something thousands of visitors come to see each year.”
That shift is most visible in the festival’s new setting. Instead of hosting activities away from the colorful trees, organizers moved the entire event to the West Lawn, placing everyone directly among the site’s most stunning seasonal displays. That change will have an immediate impact, according to Stewardship Director Lilly McGurk.
“The focus on the spring blooms is really going to knock everybody’s socks off,” she says with enthusiasm.
The refreshed format also reflects a broader push to make the festival more engaging and accessible to all audiences. While hands-on tree education and environmental programming remain at its core, the expanded offerings are designed to be inviting for families, younger visitors and those discovering the grounds for the first time.
“We wanted to create something that feels contemporary and welcoming to all,” McGurk explains. “People are looking to get outside, enjoy nature and spend time together. This brings in that wellness aspect while still celebrating the environment.”
Over the course of the weekend, the festival
blends learning with leisure, offering something for both the curious and the casual visitor. Guided tours led by expert horticulturalists, including Arboretum Director Vincent Simeone, provide behind-the-scenes insight into the site’s celebrated collections, while interactive demonstrations and displays offer practical inspiration for gardeners at every level.
Music, magic shows, jugglers and roaming performers keep the grounds buzzing with energy throughout the day. Anchoring the schedule are performances by Strummin’ and Drummin’ (spanning late morning into the afternoon), complemented by face painting, caricatures and a lineup of food trucks offering plenty of casual bites and treats.
For families, interactive experiences are a major draw. The Kids Tree Climb run by longtime sponsor Wonderland Tree Care + Landscapes returns as a centerpiece activity, giving children the chance to safely scale trees under professional supervision. Due to high demand, last entry is at 2:30 p.m. to ensure all finish by the 4 p.m. close.
• Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission is $30 per car, or if taking the LIRR to Oyster Bay, $5 per person (kids under 3 free); learn at plantingfields.org
• 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
Craft stations include simple coloring and imaginative projects like wearable “bee crowns,” designed to spark creativity and connect visitors to nature.
“We design activities with everyone in mind,” McGurk says. “There are things for kids, adults and families to enjoy together.”
The festival also underscores the broader mission of the Planting Fields Foundation, which works in partnership with New York State Parks, to preserve and maintain stewardship of the site. Beyond its celebrated horticulture, the organization continues to highlight the estate’s layered history, art and culture — threads that run throughout the programming and shape the visitor experience.
“There’s so much more here than just the plants,” Cheshire adds. “There’s history, there’s art, there’s culture. Events like this allow us to showcase all of that while making the site accessible to people of all ages and abilities.”
Accessibility remains a priority. This year, organizers pilot a shuttle from the Oyster Bay LIRR station making it easier for visitors from throughout the region to attend without a car. Supported by a state tourism grant through I Love New York, this expands the festival’s reach.
“We want everyone to feel welcome here,” Cheshire says. “This is about creating access not just to the festival, but to green space and nature in general.”
Even with its expanded offerings, Branches in Bloom remains firmly rooted in its Arbor Day heritage. Tree giveaways, educational exhibits, a plant sale, and environmental partnerships continue to anchor the festival, preserving its mission-driven focus while allowing it to evolve and resonate with a new generation.
With blooms in full display, immersive activities and a renewed focus on community connection, organizers aim for the festival to take root as a lasting seasonal celebration.
“It’s a new take on a tradition that means a lot to us. At the end of the day, it’s about bringing people together, celebrating the season and sharing this incredible place with as many people as possible,” Cheshire says.
In the long tradition of American roots music family groups, the Chapin family holds a distinctive place. Tom Chapin, Steve Chapin, Jen Chapin, and The Chapin Sisters (Abigail and Lily Chapin) are all accomplished artists with a shared commitment to family and music that connects deeply with audiences. Their performances together bring that spirit into focus in a powerful and personal way at this special concert honoring Harry Chapin’s legacy. Two generations of his family come together to perform his songs, joined by The Harry Chapin Band, featuring Big John Wallace and Howard Fields.His iiconic works are performed lwith the energy and intimacy they were written with in mind. In keeping with Harry’s lifelong commitment to fighting hunger, everyone is encouraged to bring nonperishable items, to be donated to a local food bank.
Friday, April 24, 8 p.m. $91, $71, $51. JLandmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Chazz Palminteri returns with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on his bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nineyears-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that forever shaped his world-view. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro—and later a hit Broadway musical.
Sunday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. The Paramount. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Noon-1 p.m., also April 24, April 26-27 and April 29-30
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Hofstra Spring Dance Concert
Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance welcomes all to Spring 2026 Dance Concert. The performance features includes pieces by Hofstra faculty choreographers and guest artists. $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and Hofstra alumni.
• Where: Toni and Martin Sosnoff Theater, John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus, Hempstead
• Time: 8 p.m., also April 24-April 25
• Contact: hofstra. universitytickets.com
Scott Litroff Jazz Trio
Join Dr. Scott Litroff, internationallyrenowned saxophonist and Adelphi University Senior Adjunct Faculty, as he performs a vibrant and lively concert on the Adelphi University stage. He plays contemporary/smooth jazz, fusion, funk, pop, and original works alongside some of the finest musicians in the jazz and pop scene today. Drawing upon his multiple influences from jazz, pop, and the classical arts, Scott is known for his impressive lyricism, improvisational prowess, and high virtuosity. It is sure to be a captivating evening as Scott and his band move and groove as they interpret the works of Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Kenny G, and others.
• Where: Adelphi University
• Where: Hofstra’s Helene Fortunoff Theater, Monroe Lecture Center, South Campus, Hempstead
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: hofstra. universitytickets.com or call the Hofstra Box Office at (516) 463-6644
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Gardening Workshop
Join Bellmore Memorial Library’s Reference Librarian Christopher Bisonette for a presentation on how to grow strawberries and blueberries.
• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave.
• Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of 53 years of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roofraising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before. The band has lways delivered on their promises. In 1976, they debuted as the most explosive indie breakthrough act of the decade. Throughout the ‘80s/’90s MTV era, Thorogood was the epitome of snakeskin and shades guitar-slinger cool. And with chart-topping hits like ‘One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer’, ‘Move It On Over’, ‘Who Do You Love?’, ‘I Drink Alone’, ‘Get A Haircut’ and the ultimate badass anthem ‘Bad To The Bone’, the band soon became undeniable cornerstones of classic Rock. Meanwhile, their album catalog continues to dominate streaming charts worldwide.
Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000
Friday Night Car Show
Drop by to check out hundreds of antique and custom cars, every Friday, through Oct. 30.
• Where: Bellmore LIRR parking lot on Broadway between Bellmore and Bedford avenues.
• Time: 5-10 p.m.
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Paul Joseph Jazz Duo
Enjoy an afternoon of jazz with the Paul Joseph Duo at Merrick Library.
• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave.
• Time: 2-3 p.m.
• Contact: merricklibrary.org
Enjoy a spring afternoon with wine and spirit tastings, pastries and pizza hosted by Sip & Say Craft Wine & Spirits.
• Where: 2067 Merrick Road
• Time: 3-7 p.m.
• Contact: sipsay.com
The Lovin’ Spoonful Fondly known as “America’s answer to the Beatles,” the band brings their chart-topping folk-rock hits to the Madison Theatre. Formed in New York’s Greenwich Village, The Lovin’ Spoonful, made up of original band members John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler, and Zal Yanovsky, exploded onto the charts sending their first seven singles soaring onto Billboard’s Top-10 virtually overnight. Their first single, “Do You Believe in Magic,” flew to the top of the charts, followed by an unprecedented string of hits. Today, The Lovin’ Spoonful tours with founding member Steve Boone, along with Jeff Alan Ross (Badfinger, Peter Asher), Bill Cinque (Neil Diamond), longtime drummer Mike Arturi, and Rob Bonfiglio (The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson Band, Wilson Phillips).
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
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Superhero Story and Craft
Families with children ages 2-5 are welcome to celebrate National Superhero Day at Merrick Library. Enjoy fun stories and a creative
craft; design your very own cape to show off the superpowers you’d love to have. Registration required.
• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave.
• Time: 10:30 a.m.-11:15 p.m.
• Contact: merricklibrary.org
Pokémon Club
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Tweens/teens in grades 5-12 can join in the club at Bellmore Public Library. Meet up with other trainers while playing Pokémon at the library. Bring your cards to trade or play. Space is limited and registration required.
• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave.
• Time: 7-8 p.m.
• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org
All are welcome to the ensemble’s performance. The ensembles perform original student arrangements and traditional jazz repertoire. Program features the premiere of a new work by Rebecca Feynberg written for the Hofstra New Music Ensemble and student compositions by Luis Romero, Owen Andruchow and others.
Get ready for a weekend of running, celebrations and more as the Jovia Financial Credit Union Long Island Marathon returns to Eisenhower Park through May 3.
• Where: Eisenhower Park , East Meadow
• When: Races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various times
• Contact: RunLongIlsnadMarathon.com
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 Isabel Sanchez Vergara’s “Little People Big Dreams.” 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
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.
Compiled By Herald Staff
Charlotte Jacobs Massapequa
Park
I like to do doodles and to color with my mom and my sister. Sometimes my sister gets markers on my pictures, but that’s okay.
Mackenzie Alessandro
Glen Cove, age 11
I like to go to Claymation and paint.
Tim Baker/Herald
Charlie McDonald
Rockville Centre, age 8
I like to go to the library and play on my iPad and look for books.
Tim Baker/Herald
Aviana Mannino Lynbrook, age 12
Calling my friends and playing Roblox and watching Hannah Montana.
Tim Baker/Herald
Alonnah Joggy East Meadow I love being in my room listening to the rain while playing music and falling asleep. Abbey Salvemini/Herald
LEGAL NOTICE ELECTION AND REGISTRATION OF VOTERS, MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public budget hearing of the Merrick Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the Lakeside Elementary School, Merrick, New York on May 5, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the expenditure of funds for the 2026-2027 school year and the budgeting thereof and for such other business as is authorized by the Education Law of the State of New York.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a public budget hearing of the Merrick Library will be held at the Merrick Library, Merrick, New York on April 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussion of the expenditure of funds for the 20262027 fiscal year and the budgeting thereof and for such other business as is authorized by the Education Law of the State of New York.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures of said school district and library for the 20262027 school year (school budget and library budget) will be held at the annual meeting of said school district on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, New York. Voting shall take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Voting machines will be used for voting at said annual election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that an election to fill two (2) vacancies, each for a term of three (3) years for the office of member of the Board of Education and two (2) vacancies for a term of five (5) years for the office of trustee of the Library Board will be held at the Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, New York, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The polls for voting at said election will be open from 7:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a proposition will appear on the ballot to read substantially as follows: Shall the Board be authorized to expend $2,200,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund established on May 21, 2019 for the purpose of performing the following projects: (1) Roof replacement at the Birch and Lakeside Elementary Schools and (2) boiler replacement at Birch Elementary School, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2026-2027 for school purposes and library purposes may be obtained by any resident of the district during the fourteen (14) days preceding the vote, except Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, at the schools of the district from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, Pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Laws of 2008, Section 495 was added to the Real Property Tax Law and requires the School District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation. The report will list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and will show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll, the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) or other payments for municipal services, and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. This exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on the website maintained by the District.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that petitions nominating
candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education must be filed with the Clerk of the District between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., and no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 20, 2026. Such nominating petition must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the district for election to the Board of Education. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to office.
Personal registration is a prerequisite for voting at all elections in this school district, and no person will be entitled to vote at such election whose name does not appear upon the register prepared for such election; except that any person, a resident of the district, who is permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections to vote at elections other than a school district election and whose registration is current, shall also be qualified to vote at this election without further registration.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the District Clerk will be in the District Office in said district on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the purpose of preparing the register of the school district for such election; at such time and place, any person will 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 the Board of Registration to be entitled to vote at the meeting or election for which such register is to be prepared. Qualified individuals may also register between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on days when school is in session at the schools of the district, except that no registration shall take place less than five (5) days preceding the election, this year May 14, 2026.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, New York, between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. to prepare the Register of the School District to be used for meetings or elections held subsequent to the annual School District election and budget vote, at which time any person may be entitled
to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which said Register is so prepared.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the register thus prepared will be filed in the office of the Superintendent of Schools and that such register will be open for inspection to any qualified voter of the district at the office of the Superintendent of Schools and the District Clerk in the Katherine E. Reif Administration Center between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. during each of the five (5) days prior to the day set for the election, except Sundays, and on the Saturday prior to the election by appointment only.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots may be applied for at the Office of the District Clerk. An application for an absentee or early mail ballot must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the date of the election.
An application for an absentee or early mail ballot must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely application for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address designated on the application by no later than six (6) days before the election. No absentee and early mail voter ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received at the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date of the election. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots have been issued will be available in the Office of the District Clerk on each of the five days prior to the election except Sunday.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that 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 application forms must be received in the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications must be received in the Office of the District Clerk by mail or in person by also no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is returned by mail or in person and (1) received in the Office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by 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 election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated be not later than the day before the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that at the election of the Merrick Union Free School District, qualified voters of the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District shall vote for the following purposes:
a) To vote upon the annual school budget for the 20262027 school year, and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the district for the foregoing purposes.
b) To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.
DATED: March 2026
Merrick, NY
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
MERRICK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAMELA AMON, DISTRICT CLERK 159367
LEGAL NOTICE ELECCIÓN Y REGISTRO DE VOTANTES, DISTRITO ESCOLAR MERRICK UNION FREE Y BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE MERRICK
PUEBLO DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK
POR EL PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto del Distrito Escolar Merrick Union Free, pueblo de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en Lakeside Elementary School, Merrick, Nueva York el 5 de mayo de 2026 a las 7:15 p. m. para analizar el gasto de los fondos para el año escolar 2026-2027, su correspondiente presupuesto y otros asuntos según la autorización de la Ley de Educación del estado de Nueva York. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto de la biblioteca de Merrick en la biblioteca de Merrick, Merrick, Nueva York el 28 de abril de 2026 a las 7:00 p. m. para analizar el gasto de los fondos para el año fiscal 2026-2027, su correspondiente presupuesto y otros asuntos según la autorización de la Ley de Educación del estado de Nueva York.
TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, durante la reunión anual de dicho distrito escolar, que se celebrará el martes 19 de mayo de 2026 en Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, Nueva York, también se votará la asignación de los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos estimados del distrito escolar y la biblioteca (el presupuesto escolar y para la biblioteca) para el año escolar 2026-2027. La votación se realizará entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m. Se usarán máquinas de votación en dicha elección anual.
TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que se celebrará una elección para cubrir dos (2) vacantes con un mandato de tres (3) años para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación y dos (2) vacantes con un mandato de cinco (5) años para la oficina del fideicomisario de la Junta de la Biblioteca en Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, Nueva
York el martes 19 de mayo de 2026. Las urnas para dicha elección estarán abiertas desde las 7:00 a. m. hasta las 9:00 p. m.
TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, en la boleta electoral, aparecerá una propuesta que indicará esencialmente lo siguiente: Se autorizará a la Junta a gastar $2,200,000 del fondo de reserva de capitales establecido el 21 de mayo de 2019 con el propósito de realizar los
siguientes proyectos: (1) reemplazo del tejado de Birch Elementary School y Lakeside Elementary School;
y (2) reemplazo de la caldera de Birch Elementary School; todo lo anterior incluirá toda
la mano de obra, los materiales, los equipos, los aparatos y los gastos imprevistos relacionados con dichas actualizaciones.
TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que cualquier residente del distrito podrá obtener una copia de la declaración del monto de dinero que será requerido para el año escolar 2026-2027, a los fines de invertirlos en la escuela y la biblioteca, durante los catorce (14) días previos a la votación, excepto los sábados, domingos o feriados, en las escuelas del distrito, entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m.
TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con el Capítulo 258 de las Leyes de 2008, se agregó la Sección 495 a la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles y requiere que el distrito escolar adjunte a su presupuesto sugerido un informe de exenciones. Este informe de exenciones mostrará qué parte del valor total estimado de la lista de tasación final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario queda libre de impuestos. En el informe se mencionará cada tipo de exención, otorgadas por la autoridad legal, y se mostrará el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención, expresado en un monto en dólares del valor estimado o como porcentaje del total del valor estimado en la lista, el valor acumulativo que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de
cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de impuestos (PILOT) u otros pagos para servicios municipales, y el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones otorgadas. Este informe de exenciones se publicará en cualquier tablero de anuncios que el distrito designe para avisos públicos y en el sitio web del distrito.
TAMBIÉN
SE NOTIFICA que las peticiones para nominar a candidatos para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación deberán presentarse ante la secretaria del distrito entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. y antes de las 5:00 p. m. del lunes 20 de abril de 2026. Dicha petición debe estar firmada por al menos veinticinco (25) [PA1.1][NB2.1]votantes del distrito calificados para elección para la Junta de Educación. Los candidatos que reciban la mayor cantidad de votos serán electos para el cargo. El registro personal es un requisito previo para votar en todas las elecciones de este distrito escolar y nadie podrá votar en esta elección si su nombre no aparece en el registro preparado para dicha elección; a excepción de cualquier persona residente del distrito que esté registrada de manera permanente en la Junta de Elecciones del condado de Nassau para votar en otras elecciones que no sean del distrito escolar y cuyo registro esté vigente, quien también podrá votar en esta elección sin registro adicional.
TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la secretaria del distrito estará en la oficina del distrito el martes 5 de mayo de 2026, entre las 12:00 p. m. y las 4:00 p. m., con el propósito de preparar un registro de este distrito escolar para dicha elección, momento y lugar en los que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en el registro, siempre y cuando se sepa o se demuestre, para satisfacción de la Junta de Registros, que dicha persona tiene derecho a votar en la reunión o en la elección para la cual se prepara dicho registro. Las personas calificadas también podrán registrarse los días en que la escuela esté en sesión entre las 9:30 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. en las escuelas del distrito, pero no se harán registros con menos de cinco (5)
días de anticipación a la elección; este año el límite es el 14 de mayo de 2026.
TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que la Junta de Registros se reunirá el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m. en Norman J. Levy-Lakeside School, Merrick, Nueva York, para preparar el registro del distrito escolar que se usará en las reuniones o elecciones subsecuentes a la votación del presupuesto y elección anual del distrito escolar, en cuyo horario cualquier persona tendrá derecho a inscribirse en el registro, siempre que en tal reunión de la Junta de Registros se sepa o se demuestre, a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registros, que esa persona tiene derecho, entonces o en lo sucesivo, a votar en la reunión o en la elección escolar para la cual se prepara el registro.
ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que el registro preparado se presentará en la oficina del superintendente de escuelas y estará disponible para que cualquier votante calificado del distrito pueda inspeccionarlo en la oficina del superintendente de escuelas y de la secretaria del distrito en Katherine E. Reif Administration Center cada uno de los cinco (5) días previos al día establecido para la elección, de 9:30 a. m. a 3:30 p. m., excepto los domingos, y el sábado anterior a las elecciones únicamente con cita previa.
TAMBIÉN
SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de boletas electorales por ausencia y boletas electorales anticipadas por correo pueden realizarse en la oficina de la secretaria del distrito. La secretaria del distrito deberá recibir las solicitudes de voto por ausencia y anticipado por correo no antes de los treinta (30) días previos a la fecha de la elección. La secretaria del distrito debe recibir las solicitudes de voto por ausencia y anticipado por correo por lo menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe enviarse al votante por correo, o hasta el día antes de la elección si la boleta electoral debe entregarse al votante o a la persona designada por este en persona. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para enviar por correo una boleta
electoral por ausencia y anticipada por correo, la secretaria del distrito enviará por correo dicha boleta electoral a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la elección. Las boletas electorales por ausencia y anticipadas por correo no se escrutarán, a menos que se hayan recibido en la oficina de la secretaria del distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección. Habrá una lista de todas las personas para las que se emitieron boletas electorales por ausencia y anticipadas por correo disponible en la oficina de la secretaria del distrito durante los cinco días previos al día de la elección, excepto los domingos.
TAMBIÉN
SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que no estén registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del distrito escolar podrán enviar una solicitud de boleta electoral militar. Estos votantes pueden indicar su preferencia de recibir una inscripción de votante militar, una solicitud de boleta electoral militar o una boleta electoral militar por correo postal, fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de inscripción, solicitud de boleta electoral o boleta electoral. Los formularios de solicitud de registro para votantes militares se deben recibir en la oficina de la secretaria del distrito antes de las 5:00 p. m. del 23 de abril de 2026. Las solicitudes de boleta electoral militar deben recibirse en la oficina de la secretaria del distrito por correo o en persona también a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 23 de abril de 2026. Las boletas electorales militares no se escrutarán, a menos que se envíen por correo o se presenten en persona y (1) la oficina de la secretaria del distrito las reciba antes del cierre de las urnas el día de la elección y tengan una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o un endoso fechado de recepción por parte de otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, o bien (2) la oficina de la secretaria del distrito las reciba antes de las 5:00 p. m. del día de
la elección, y estén firmadas y fechadas por el votante militar y un testigo de ello, con una fecha asociada que no sea posterior al día previo a la elección. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que, durante la elección del Distrito Escolar Merrick Union Free, los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Escuelas Secundarias BellmoreMerrick votarán con los siguientes fines:
a) Votar sobre el presupuesto escolar anual para el año escolar 2026-2027 y autorizar la imposición de un impuesto sobre la propiedad sujeta a tributación del distrito para los propósitos anteriores.
b) Votar sobre cualquier otra propuesta que se pueda presentar oportunamente en la reunión.
FECHA: marzo de 2026 Merrick, NY
POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR MERRICK UNION FREE PAMELA AMON, SECRETARIA DEL DISTRITO 159369
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND TRUSTEE ELECTION OF THE NORTH MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters will be held by the Board of Trustees of the North Merrick Public Library (the “Library”), Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York on, April 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, for the purpose of discussing expenditures contained in the Library’s proposed budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that said Budget Vote and Election of the qualified voters of the North Merrick Public School District, County of Nassau, State of New York, qualified to vote at School Meetings in said District will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., to vote by voting machine
upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the Library for the fiscal year 2026-27 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. Any other questions or propositions as to matters or expenditures or authority to levy taxes that may be presented for a vote under the Education Law.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at said Vote and Election to be conducted on April 29, 2026, one (1) member is to be elected to the Board of Trustees as follows:
1. To elect one (1) member of the Library Board of Trustees for a full term of five (5) years commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2031. The incumbent is William Pezzulo whose term expires on June 30, 2026.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Library Board of Trustees shall be filed with the Clerk of the North Merrick School District (the “District”), Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY, not later than March 30, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A separate petition, duly signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the district, as in accordance with law, and stating the residence of each signer, shall be required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Petitions for school board members shall describe the specific vacancy on the Board of Education for which the candidate is nominated; said description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at the meeting whose name does not appear on the register of the School District prepared thereof.
Qualified voters may register any school day with the District Clerk, Joanne Long, at the Administration Building at 1057 Merrick
Avenue in Merrick between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.. In person registration must be done in the office of the Clerk of the District not later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026. Any qualified voter of the Library who is doubt as to whether she/he is registered to vote at the April 29, 2026 Budget Vote and Election, should contact the Clerk of the District via email at jlong@nmerrick.org. The Board of Registration will meet during the election held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in the Library for the purpose of preparing a register for meetings and elections held subsequent to such budget vote or Election.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of such budget or statement may be accessed on the Library’s website or obtained by any resident of the District upon request between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. beginning April 14, 2026, except Sunday or holidays, at the Library Director’s office, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York and the Principal’s office in each of the following school buildings beginning April 1, 2026 during school hours: Camp Avenue School Harold D. Fayette School Old Mill School These documents will also be available on the following website: https://www.nmerrickli brary.org/ AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that absentee ballots and early mail ballots will be available for the Vote and Election. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots may be received by the District Clerk no earlier than the 30th day before the election for which it is sought. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots are available in the Office of the District Clerk, which is located at Harold D. Fayette School, 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY. To have an absentee ballot or early mail ballot mailed to your home, an applicable completed and signed application must be in the District Clerk’s Office no later
than 4:00 p.m. on April 28, 2026. Application for an absentee ballot or an early mail ballot may be made in person between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m on any school day and up until 5:00 p.m. on April 28, 2026. Absentee ballots must be received by the Clerk of the District not later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a list of persons to whom absentee ballots and early mail ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District commencing with the issuance of such ballots, as well as the list of registered voters, in the office of the Clerk of the District on each of the five days prior to the election, excluding Sunday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and on April 25, 2026 by appointment, and at the polling place on the day set for the election. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN that Military Voters who are not currently registered to vote may apply to register as a qualified voter of the District by contacting the District Clerk at 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566 or by email jlong@nmerrick.org or fax sent to (516) 282-1822, to receive an application to register as a qualified voter of the District for said Vote and Election on April 29, 2026. The Military Voter may indicate their preference for receiving the registration application by mail, by facsimile or e-mail. The application to register must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M. on the twentysixth day before the vote which is April 3, 2026. The register of voters prepared and filed in the District Clerk’s office shall include the names of all military voters who submit a valid military voter registration. A military voter means a qualified voter of New York State who is in actual military service and will, therefore, be absent from the District in which he or she is qualified to vote on the day of registration or election or is discharged from military service within 30 days of an election,
or a spouse, parent, child or dependent of the military voter, accompanying or being with such voter, if a qualified voter of New York State and a resident of the same school district as the military voter, or military personnel residing on a military base within a school district in New York State for a period of 30 days immediately preceding said Vote and Election. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Military Voters who are qualified voters of the District may obtain an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk at 1057 Merrick Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566 or by email jlong@nmerrick.org or fax sent to (516)282-1822. A military ballot application must be returned in person or by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, no later than 5:00 P.M. on the twenty-sixth day before the vote which is April 3, 2026. The Military Voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application for a military ballot by mail, by facsimile or email. Military ballots will be mailed or otherwise distributed no later than 25 days before said Vote and Election which is April 4, 2026. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of the polls on April 29, 2026 and show a cancellation mark of the U.S postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the U.S. government or (2) by 5:00 P.M. on the date set for the Vote and Election and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereof, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before said Vote and Election. Irrespective of the preferred mode of transmission, the military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person. A list of all persons to whom military ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the said Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
(Prevailing Time), until the day of said Vote and Election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any propositions or questions to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District and filed in the office of the District Clerk on or before March 30, 2026, except for petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the vote and election. Petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the vote and election must be submitted sixty (60) days in advance of the vote and election. Any proposition may be rejected by the Trustees if the purpose of the proposition is not within the power of the voters, or if the proposition fails to include the necessary specific appropriation, where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING:
1.A person shall be a citizen of the United States.
2.Eighteen or more years of age.
3.A resident of the District for a period of thirty days or more next preceding the election at which he or she offers to vote.
4.Must be registered to vote.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the vote on all propositions and the election of candidates on the Vote and Election held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, will be conducted by voting machine. All references to the timing, location, and manner of hearings, registration, and voting in the budget vote and election are subject to modification based on applicable legislation or direction by an entity with jurisdiction over the Library.
Dated: North Merrick, New York February 2, 2026 By Order of the BOARD OF TRUSTEES NORTH MERRICK PUBLIC LIBRARY North Merrick, New York
Jacqueline Perez, Director 158874
April 23, 2026 —
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION of Speciale Law PLLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/09/2026 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 1817 Gardenia Ave, Merrick, NY 11566. Purpose: legal services 159033
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CIT, -againstJOSEPH SCHNAIER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on July 12, 2024, wherein US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CIT is the Plaintiff and JOSEPH SCHNAIER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 6, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1808 ECHO LANE, MERRICK, NY 11566; and the following tax map identification: 62-24-15. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 615396/2018. Peter Kramer, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines
including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159287
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, -againstJESSICA BRISTOLL, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 15, 2026, wherein FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and JESSICA BRISTOLL, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on 05/12/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2810 HEWLETT AVENUE, MERRICK, New York 11566; and the following tax map identification, 63-150-40.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 618175/2024. Kenneth Lawrence Gartner, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159527
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE ASSET BACKED SECURITIES CORPORATION HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES NC 2005-HE8, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES NC 2005-HE8, Plaintiff AGAINST CHRISTOPHER BEDER, ELKE BEDER, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 4, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 1046 North Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50 Block 597 and Lot 38. Approximate amount of judgment $504,544.88 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fil ed Judgment Index #600944/2024. Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001806 89222 159502
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank National Trust Association, as Trustee for Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust 2004-4, Adjustable Rate Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-4, Plaintiff AGAINST Sharon Longo; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 2, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 21, 2026, at 2:00PM, premises known as 1654 James
Street, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Merrick, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55 Block 31 Lots 550, 573, 574 & 575.
Approximate amount of judgment $788,693.50 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 604316/2024. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Francesco P. Tini, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: March 31, 2026
For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2831 159636
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR CLAIMS AUDITOR SERVICES FOR 2026-2027
SCHOOL YEAR
Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District 1260 Meadowbrook Road North Merrick, New York 11566
The Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District hereby invites sealed proposals for providing claims auditor services for the 2026-2027 school year.
Proposers may request copies of the Specifications by emailing a request to Melisa Stiles at mstiles@bellmoremerrick.k12.ny.us.
In all cases, it must be understood that the conditions set forth in the request for proposals issued by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District shall apply. Sealed proposals shall be sent to the School District’s District Office at 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York 11566 and shall be clearly marked “RFP-Claims Auditor Services - Do Not Open Until May 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.” Such proposals will be received until May 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in
the District Office at which time and place all proposals will be acknowledged. Proposals cannot be dropped off directly by proposers nor accepted by District personnel. Proposers are strongly advised to ship proposal responses via US Mail, Fed-Ex, UPS and/or any authorized carrier that is able to officially track proposer’s response. It is further advised that arrangements be made for proposals to be delivered prior to the opening date to avoid any issues with delivery delays on the date of opening.
In no event shall the School District consider any proposal that is mailed but not actually received by the School District’s District Office at or before 11:00 a.m. on May 15, 2026. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject all proposals, waive any informalities or technicalities in proposals where the best interests of the respective school district may be served. Questions regarding this Request for Bids will be accepted by the School Business Administrator/Purchasi ng Agent until May 13, 2026 at 1:00p.m. and answers to all questions will be distributed in the form of an addendum to all potential Proposers by email. Please submit your questions in writing via email to mstiles@bellmoremerrick.k12.ny.us..
The Board of Education reserves the right to consider experience, service and reputation in the field, as well as the financial responsibility and specific qualifications set out herein of the prospective bidder, in considering proposals and awarding the contracts. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all proposals in whole or in part, when in its sole discretion it deems that it will serve the best interests of the School District to waive technical defects, irregularities and omissions; and to select in its sole
discretion which of two or more identical bidders shall be awarded the contract.
Date: April 23, 2026
Board of Education Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District 1260 Meadowbrook Road North Merrick, New York 11566
Melisa Stiles, School Business Administrator/ Purchasing Agent 159797
LEGAL NOTICE
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE
U.F.S.D.
NORTH MERRICK
U.F.S.D.
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU NOTICE TO BIDDERS: In accordance with provision of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Transportation Consortium hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for:
Bellmore-Merrick Cooperative Summer 2026 Bid Bellmore-Merrick Cooperative 2026-2027 School Year Bid Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Bellmore-Merrick
Central High School District Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 10:00 am. Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from the office of Tom Volpe, Director of Transportation, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject in whole or in part all bids or to accept any bid which in its judgment is in the best interest of the school district. By order: Board of Education
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE
U.F.S.D.
NORTH MERRICK
U.F.S.D. 159798
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 36-2026
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 14th day of April 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 36-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 36-2026, to amend Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations. Dated: April 14, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 159768
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 05/06/2026 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
244/26. MERRICKFreeport/Merrick Rotary Club, Amusement Rides
(Special Event) duration May 21, 2026 - May 25, 2026 with tents., N/W cor. Sunrise Hwy. & Merrick Ave., a/k/a Town of Hempstead Parking Lot M-5. 1179/26. MERRICKSouth Nassau Hellenic Community, Inc. d/b/a St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Amusement Rides (Special Event) duration May 14, 2026 - May 16, 2026 with tents., E/s Hewlett Ave., 130’ S/o Annette Ave., a/k/a Church Parking Lot. 239/26. MERRICKRichard & Linda Batyr, Mother/Daughter Res. (2nd Kitchen)., N/s Charles St., 94.67’ E/o Montauk Ave., a/k/a 21 Charles St. and/or 1871 Charles St. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Merrick within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
159778
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To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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I don’t have a permit yet, but I do have an impatient contractor
Q. I have been through a year of permits. My architect warned me it could take this long, but I didn’t believe them. My neighbor did the same addition and told me it would only take a few weeks for a permit, but then I learned they didn’t even get permits, and I’m really wondering if I should have done the same thing. I follow your column and can now attest to what you’ve been saying. We had to get a zoning variance, and it took many, many months certainly not a few weeks. Now we’re right at the end, and I’ve been assured by the building department that we’re “almost there.” Funny thing is, I still don’t have a permit, and my contractor is ready to move on to another project if we don’t start now. Should I just get started, to keep my contractor, knowing I’ll have the permit soon, or will there be problems if I do?
A. Getting started ahead of having a permit in hand is problematic. A licensed professional should never advise someone to deviate from an ordinance, law or building code. This issue ties directly into my last two columns about the New York state campaign to “Let Them Build.” Delays are costly. Between fuel increases and tariffs, every day makes a difference when it comes to the cost of construction.
Building authorities won’t directly tell you that you could start without your permit, even if the permit is almost there. They do, however, have a method referred to as a “maintain” permit, where they recognize work that was already done and review it with an increased fee, in most cases. By doing so, they’re accommodating people to start construction without permits, even if they wouldn’t say so. It’s understandable that you feel you’re doing everything right, and shouldn’t be penalized for having done so, and therefore want to just start, already.
When you look over at your neighbor’s home, you may be compelled to follow their example, but remember, they, or some owner of that property in the future, will still have to file with building plans, even after the fact. When that happens, the building codes may have changed, or things that they did may not be compliant and will need reconstructing. This isn’t always the case, but when a professional is called to figure out what someone constructed and then to draw plans, after the fact, they find things that don’t always work out smoothly. It isn’t uncommon, when plans haven’t been reviewed and permitted, to find structure undersized, room sizes and ceiling heights smaller than allowed, not enough windows or the wrong-sized windows to meet light, ventilation and fire escape requirements, and more.
You’re doing this project the right way, and even though nobody will tell you that you can just start, there seem to be ways to condone your doing so. Good luck!
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Three years ago this week, I had what I’ve called my “unexpected medical adventure.” As I described to readers then, it was a life-altering experience with a very good ending.
It all began innocuously enough, with a routine endoscopy for acid reflux in the summer of 2017 by my gastroenterologist, Dr. Michael Barth. As expected, the procedure turned up nothing, and Barth simply prescribed a medication, which I took regularly. Over the next few years, I had few symptoms, and put off my fiveyear follow-up endoscopy.
Finally, at Barth’s insistence, I scheduled another endoscopy in March 2023. I had no concern. Just closing the loop. Just another test guys my age go through. Imagine my surprise when I woke up from the procedure and Barth told me that he’d found a protrusion in my stomach wall. While he thought it was benign, he recommended that I see Dr. Arvino Trini-
dade, a specialist at Northwell, who scheduled a biopsy at Long Island Jewish hospital.
Melissa Zimmerman, a retired Nassau County Police Department detective who’d been on my security detail when I was in Congress, offered to drive me and Rosemary to the hospital. Before I was taken into the operating room, Trinidade told me he thought there was nothing there. But when I woke up, he told me there was a tumor, and it was probably malignant. Four days later, Barth and Trinidade called to confirm it. But they were confident of a good outcome, and told me the surgery would be done at LIJ by Dr. Matthew Weiss, a premier cancer surgeon.
iWABC-AM studios in Manhattan and attended a political dinner at King Umberto’s in Elmont. I told almost nobody about the upcoming surgery. With a day to go, I began a liquid diet, with Jell-O being the closest thing to solid food.
’ve become more aware of those who receive more severe diagnoses than mine.
That afternoon, Weiss called and told me I should be confident of complete success. He casually told me to “enjoy the weekend.” That evening, Rosemary and I had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan with Zimmerman and her husband, Lance.
The following week, I had appointments at Northwell, saw my cardiologist in Manhattan to get his sign-off on the operation, did several radio shows at the
Early Monday morning, Zimmerman again drove us to the hospital. By 6:30 I was ready for showtime. Lying on a gurney with an intravenous tube in my arm, I was wheeled into the operating room, a science fiction-style enclosure crowded with doctors, nurses, bright lights and a table filled with knives and scissors. An epidural was painlessly inserted in my spine, and an anesthesia mask placed over my face.
The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room, and Rosemary was telling me that Weiss said that all had gone well. I had no significant pain — unless I moved or reached for something. Each day the pain receded, and I was able to walk a little more. When I was discharged the following Saturday, I walked from the hospital to the car.
At home I was able to eat regularly, felt nothing more than soreness at the
incision site and, after a week or so, was outside, walking a few more blocks each day. As the doctors had predicted, all follow-up tests showed complete success. I recounted much of this to readers at the time. Now, having had three years to reflect and put it all in perspective, I appreciate more than ever how fortunate I’ve been: Barth urging me to get the “routine” endoscopy; Trindade and Weiss being ultimate professionals; and having strong family support from Rosemary; my son, Sean; my daughter, Erin; and my sister, Barbara, who’s a nurse. There were also the friends who took the time to visit me in the hospital or call to wish me luck.
I’ve also become increasingly aware of the many people who receive much more severe diagnoses than I had, which do not end well. I was also fortunate to have access to outstanding medical care at a first-rate hospital. (To the naysayers and critics, I didn’t have any congressional or federal health insurance.) I’m also grateful that I broke loose from the traditional Irish suspicion and distrust of doctors and hospitals.
Yes, I’m a lucky guy!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
These nearly two months of war in Iran have me, and countless others, more on edge than we have ever been. The idea that a conflict in the Middle East could become World War III is very unsettling. When a war is that far away and the parties themselves have a long history of bickering, our lives become unsettled, and we need diversions.
To blot out the talking heads on Fox, MS Now and CNN, I found myself looking for other distractions beyond my work as a government-affairs specialist. I watched some sports events, tuning to NCAA baskeball’s Final Four, hoping to relax. To my surprise, those games could ruin your sleep if you watched every upset. I was rooting for St. John’s, and when the junior point guard Dylan Darling sank a driving, buzzer-beating layup to beat Kansas and send the Red Storm to their first Sweet 16 in 27 years,
I almost fell off my chair.
A lot of the other games had surprise endings, and when the final ended with a Michigan victory, I realized that watching the tournament wasn’t the best way to avoid nail-biting. So I turned to other sports, and anything that would distract me from all the news about the Israelis killing Iranian leaders one by one. I got some initial relief watching a women’s pro hockey game between New York Sirens and the Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden. It was nice to watch a no-nonsense game that attracted a record crowd of 18,000 .
pages unnerved me, when he lavished praise on the recently ousted attorney general, Pam Bondi.
s t. John’s basketball. Women’s hockey. Testing Negative for Stupid — and more.
I also watched the women’s basketball national championship. There were quite a few nervous moments until the final game, when UCLA won its first national title.
Then I decided to do some casual reading, and started with Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy’s new book, titled “How to Test Negative for Stupid, And Why Washington Never Will.” Most of its 224 pages are a lot of fun, thanks to Kennedy’s folksy humor, but the last 30
Rather than move on to a new book, I turned my attention to my streaming television services, Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, in the hope of finding some feelgood movies. When I opened them up, they offered me such calming films as “Supernatural,” “Scream,” “Send Help,” “Sinners” and “The Substance.” I know there are other offerings, but most of the feel-good movies are old and I’ve already seen them. All my life, I’ve loved good comedy. I cherish the great old names like Jackie Mason, Henny Youngman, Buddy Hackett, Jerry Lewis, Jackie Gleason, George Carlin, Don Rickles and Lenny Bruce. Occasionally I stumble on one of these legends on Facebook, and try to share their comedy with people around me. Regrettably, there are no comedians these days that give me the same belly laughs that I got from those giants. My grandson in Los Angeles heads up a unit of Netflix that promotes a number of comedians, but I haven’t adapted to their new style.
So where do I go for some badly needed diversion? I’m a devout Knicks and Yankees fan, but there’s no way I can get a Knicks playoff ticket without paying big dollars. I love going to Yankees games, too, but their tickets are getting pricier, so I limit my purchases to no more than three games. I enjoy watching major golf tournaments, but sometimes you feel as if the announcers will put you to sleep with their commentary. I am looking forward to the U.S. Open in June, though.
Some of us are lucky to have hobbies that help us escape the pressures of today’s headlines. I love writing and making speeches, but neither lulls you into a peaceful state of mind. Short of moving to Antarctica, where I imagine you can avoid the daily news horrors, I’ll keep trying to find some other relaxing activity. I still watch TV for the weather reports, but goodbye to the other channels.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
as spring returns and families stream back to neighborhood parks, playgrounds quickly reclaim their place as a focus of community life. They are where children test their limits, build confidence and simply enjoy being kids.
But beneath that joy lies a sobering reality: More than 200,000 children, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, are injured on playgrounds each year in the United States — many in ways that are preventable.
That’s why National Playground Safety Week, April 20-24, should be treated as more than a symbolic observance. It is a necessary prompt for parents, caregivers, schools and local officials to refocus on safety as playground use surges.
Playgrounds were never meant to be spaces for careless behavior. In fact, they were created with safety and development in mind. In the 19th century, educators such as Friedrich Fröbel promoted the idea of structured play as essential to childhood growth, helping to instill cooperation, coordination and social skills.
As cities grew more crowded and streets more dangerous with the rise of motor vehicles, playgrounds became protected environments where children could play away from traffic and other hazards. Early efforts by civic groups and park advocates helped establish designated play areas as a public safety measure — a mission that still resonates today.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.
We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
In the U.S., the Outdoor Recreation League funded the building of playgrounds on parkland after newspapers reported on the high number of children run down by cars in New York. One of the first recreational areas in America was built in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 1887.
Yet even within these safer spaces, risks remain — especially after months of winter wear and limited use. Equipment may have loosened, surfaces can degrade, and aging structures may no longer meet modern safety standards. The playgrounds’ young users, meanwhile, return with pent-up energy, eager to climb higher and move faster than conditions safely allow. Caregivers often distracted by cell phones only add to the challenge.
Preventing injuries doesn’t require diminishing the joy of play, but does require managing the environment around it. The National Program for Play Area Safety is a nonprofit organization that emphasizes practical, researchbased strategies that communities can adopt. Chief among them is active, attentive supervision. Its “ABC” model — Anticipating hazards, Behaving in ways that guide safe play and Considering the unique needs of each playground — makes clear that safety is not passive. It is intentional.
The program builds on a 30-year initiative started at the University of Northern Iowa to help communities and organizations ensure safe, high-quality
playgrounds. It promotes best practices grounded in research, guidelines and standards while collaborating with agencies at the local, state, national and international levels.
Equally important is age-appropriate design. When younger children use equipment meant for older users, the risk of falls and misuse increases. Clear guidance and thoughtful layout can help families make safer choices without limiting exploration.
Communities must also prioritize proper surfacing and regular inspections, particularly in early spring. What lies beneath a child’s feet can determine whether a fall results in a minor scrape or a serious injury.
Safety extends further still. Accessibility ensures that all children can benefit from outdoor play, while attention to thermal comfort — such as shaded areas and heat-safe materials — helps protect children from high temperatures.
National Playground Safety Week offers a timely reminder, but it should also serve as a starting point. The original purpose of playgrounds — to give children a safe place to grow, learn and play — demands ongoing attention.
A quick inspection, a watchful eye and a renewed awareness can go a long way. With thoughtful action at the start of the season, communities can ensure that playgrounds remain what they were always meant to be: spaces of safe discovery, not preventable harm.
We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Long Island’s “hidden workforce” of family caregivers faces very visible challenges. The term is frequently used to describe family caregivers who, while not employed by our health care system, play a critical role in it. They don’t wear uniforms or ID badges, but this massive workforce of more than 329,000 Long Islanders provides over 307 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $5.7 billion, per year, according to AARP New York data released in February.
Nationally, nearly one in four American adults provided ongoing care to an adult or child with a complex medical condition or disability in the past year, a 2025 report, by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, found. Almost 25 percent of those people reported giving more than 40 hours of care per week, the equivalent of a full-time job, for free. Taking on the unpaid labor of love of caring for a family member can be both extremely rewarding and enormously straining. Emotionally, caregivers may struggle with stress, anxiety, guilt and social isolation. Physically, they may
increase their own health risks with the stress and exhaustion of helping loved ones with daily activities they can no longer manage alone.
Financially, that can cause hardships such as reduced work hours, loss of employment or new debt to cover care-related expenses, especially for middleaged people balancing their caregiving responsibilities with the demands of jobs and raising children.
Like all workers, family caregivers need breaks, but they frequently forgo their own needs to prioritize someone else’s. Repeatedly making this sacrifice, while well-intended, is ultimately detrimental for both them and their loved ones. Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.
w
hen it comes to caregiving, Rosalynn Carter couldn’t have said it better.
The workload is even greater for the 60,000-plus Long Island families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related illness. Roughly 80 percent of people living with dementia receive care at home, primarily from unpaid family members. Along with assisting with medication management, bathing, dressing, transportation, meal preparation and financial oversight, dementia family caregivers also face unique challenges caused by the disease’s impact on a person’s memory, behavior and independence. Sufferers may forget who their loved ones are, manifest personality changes like agitation, aggression and hallucinations, and wander from safety. Their caregivers face higher risks of anxiety, depression, burnout and declining quality of life.
Framework by Tim Baker
One of the most important things caregivers can do is take advantage of support resources. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free caregiver support groups at its AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Amityville, where people caring for loved ones with dementia can connect and share with others who are going through similar experiences. Caregivers can learn more and register by calling the Center at (631) 223-4000. AFA also has a free Helpline — (866) 232-8484 — that provides caregiver support seven days a week.
Nassau and Suffolk counties’ Offices for the Aging are available to provide support and guidance to family caregivers about local, state and federal assistance programs. Local nonprofit organizations, libraries and religious institutions often have caregiver services available, which can include support groups, educational and training pro-
grams or financial assistance.
Finally, don’t be afraid, reluctant or embarrassed to ask for, or accept, help. Seeking help is a sign of neither weakness nor failure; it is an essential step toward sustaining the ability to care for a loved one. Other relatives or friends are often eager to help but don’t know exactly how; embrace these offers and explain specific things that would be helpful, such as spending time with the person so you can run errands, assisting with meals or providing transportation. Offering options allows the volunteer to decide what they are comfortable doing, while ensuring that it’s something that will be helpful.
If you know someone who’s a family caregiver, check in on them periodically and offer your help. Seemingly little things can make an enormous difference.
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, a lifelong caregiver advocate, once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Her words reinforce the crucial need to support and prioritize Long Island’s “hidden workforce” that all of us will either be part of or depend on one day.
Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. is president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and a Merrick resident.
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
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Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
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