Merrick Herald 07-09-2026

John Miro is memorialized

Family members, county officials and community members gathered for the unveiling of a memorial sign honoring longtime Merrick crossing guard John Miro. Story, Page 5.

Rhoads hosts charity volleyball event, benefitting local community cupboard

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Volleyball and community service once again went hand in hand as State Sen. Steve Rhoads hosted his second annual 4-on-4 Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Jones Beach volleyball courts on June 28, bringing together dozens of players to support the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard.

The tournament featured 16 teams, each sporting matching uniforms, for an evening of friendly competition, while collecting nonperishable food donations to help support local families experiencing food insecurity.

According to Rhoads’ office, players and spectators donated two full boxes of food, help-

ing to replenish the Community Cupboard’s shelves during the summer months, when donations typically decline. Lenox Hill provided snacks and water for participants and spectators throughout the event.

“It was incredible to see our community come together for a great evening of volleyball while making a real difference for our neighbors in need,” Rhoads said in a news release.

“This tournament is about more than competition — it’s about giving back and supporting families right here in our community. I want to thank everyone who participated, donated, volunteered, and helped make this year’s event such a tremendous success.”

The Community Cupboard, which celebrated

GUS LAFKAS

Derek Yormack is a Gatorade player of the year

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

John F. Kennedy High School rising senior Derek Yormack added another milestone to a historic baseball season by being named the 2025-26 Gatorade New York Baseball Player of the Year, an honor recognizing excellence in athletics, academics and community involvement.

The award capped a standout spring in which Yormack helped lead the Cougars to a 19-4 record, the program’s first Nassau County Class AA baseball championship and a Long Island title, establishing Kennedy as one of the state’s premier programs.

Tclassroom. “My whole class was kind of reacting to it,” he said. “Everyone was going nuts.”

While the award highlights his accomplishments on the field, Yormack said he appreciates that it also recognizes who he is away from baseball. “To me, I just feel like it means a lot more than baseball,” he said. “It means they see me as not just an overall good player, but an overall good person.”

o me, I just feel like it means a lot more than baseball.

DEREk

yoRMAck Rising senior, John F. Kennedy High School

Yormack learned of the honor in an unexpected place.

“I was in science class at the time,” he recounted. “I didn’t even know about it. Ryan, my brother, was scrolling through Instagram, and he saw the post, so he was freaking out before I was. That was a cool moment.”

The excitement quickly spread throughout Yormack’s

Kenndy High varsity baseball Coach Mike Gattus said the recognition is well deserved for a player whose work ethic has fueled the team’s success. “I was just pure excitement and pure joy,” Gattus said. “So happy for Derek, because he worked so hard. He deserves all the accolades and earns all the accolades that he gets.”

Gattus added that the award puts Yormack among some of the nation’s most accomplished high school athletes. “They’re talking about so many professional athletes and big-time

Continued on page 18

Julia Cuttone/Herald

Cougar Crier named a top high school newspaper

The Cougar Crier, the student newspaper of John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, has been named the Best High School Newspaper on Long Island by the Press Club of Long Island.

The honor was announced at the organization’s annual Media Awards ceremony, which recognizes excellence in journalism, storytelling and community service across Nassau and Suffolk counties. The award was based on the publication’s work during the 2025 calendar year.

School officials credited the newspaper’s success to its student leadership and staff, including former editor-in-chief Jack Levitt, a member of the Class of 2025, and current editor-in-chief Madeline Hyman, a member of the Class of 2026.

The Press Club of Long Island evaluates student publications based on several criteria, including writing quality, page design, photography, editorial initiative and coverage of school-related issues.

The Cougar Crier is produced entirely by students and features coverage of news, sports, opinion, features and entertainment. The publication operates under the guidance of faculty advisers Brad Seidman and Dr. Dennis Urban.

The award highlights the newspaper’s commitment to student journalism and its role in informing the John F. Kennedy High School community.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Photos courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

The Cougar Crier was named the Best High School Newspaper on Long Island by the Press Club of Long Island.

Mepham student wrestler goes for gold

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Bellmore’s youngest prodigy wrestler, Taylor Brock, 15, is a student at Mepham High School.

For the past few years, Taylor has come out on top of the county championships, places highly on state levels, and qualified for nationals. Following another season of victory, she is looking forward to continuing her progress in wrestling throughout the next school year.

It takes a lot, and she gets it done

“I hit my 30 wins up at the state tournament this year,” she said. “I’ve been wrestling for about like three and a half years… the first year, eighth grade, I became a county champ, and I qualified for the state tournament. Then the next year I went ninth grade, I became a twotime county champ, where I also again qualified for the state tournament.”

Experienced in both wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu, Taylor’s athletic career began half her lifetime ago, where she was one of the top practitioners in the nation in 2024 and 2025.

“I’ve been doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since I was like around like seven years old, so I feel like had that mat experience with wrestling too,” she said. “Then I really started getting into the wrestling, and when I went into middle school, I was like, I know a little bit about wrestling and I want to like increase my knowledge in this area. I started practicing it more and more, and I grew to like the sport a lot.”

For young people, athletic programs

offer an important outlet to meet new peers and develop their character in new ways.

“It allowed me to meet a bunch of new people all across the island, upstate, different states, compete with other schools, become friends with other people, good competition,” she said. “I like to know that I’m getting better each day and growing in my strength and my technique as a person, and just see how high I can go with my limits.”

With the support of her parents, Glen

and Rose, Taylor actively volunteers for Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores events, including street fairs, parades and various other programs.

Of her athletic career, Glen remembered the early days of her growth.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “I love to watch her compete. It’s amazing, it’s exciting…

“She does her own training with her coaches, (but) I trained her when she was young.”

Rose has supported Taylor’s goals on

and off the mat, always eager to see what happens at the next match.

“No matter how many of them we watch, it’s always like the first time,” she said. “I’m recording, my hands are always shaking, it’s very exciting to watch, especially because you know she puts a lot of work into it.

“We’re very proud of her,” she continued. “It takes a lot, and she gets it done. She’s got a lot of time ahead of her to continue, and she’s just getting better and better.”

Courtesy Rose Brock photos

Taylor Brock competing in the ninth grade county finals

Taylor Brock stands atop the podium at the ninth grate county championship

Last year, Taylor Brock also took the eigth grade county championship.

ROSE BROck Wrestler, student at Mepham High School

Moving up, moving on elevate the Conversation

While swept up with the Knicks Championship win and FIFA fever, for the most part I have been (as the sports analogy goes) sitting on the sidelines.

Although I haven’t been a rabid Knicks fan fifty years in the making, I did remain glued to my television watching the playoffs and championship. I may not understand all the ESPN commentator analysis, but all it took was a few games to recognize players and their strengths and weaknesses.

For FIFA World Cup 2026 it is a lesser connection, not familiar enough with the rules of the sport and its star players but keeping my eye on the marketing, logistics and overall sense of unity that fans have displayed, no matter their nationality or culture. These are once in a lifetime moments for so many.

So when the summer of 2026 is done for me, there will be two key memories built from grass roots fandom in the most surprising place.

While getting care in a Long Island orthopedic office, I strike up a conversation with an X-ray technician wearing a Knicks lanyard. This takes place twice –first May 2025 when the hope is somewhat alive, and then again in May 2026 when the hope is more universal. In the

later encounter he comments that our conversation (even I) might be the lucky charm. I’m honored but not yet convinced. After the Knicks clinch, I see him again and he gives me an unexpected hug, so pleased with how New York has come together with a win we all needed.

In contrast, I work with a physician assistant in that office who tells me he played years of soccer locally with men who played on national teams. It is now these men’s children who are competing in the World Cup. His story brings me two (or three) degrees of separation from these athletes, and I appreciate the few minutes we spend discussing legacy, opportunity and the realities of injury and a future after soccer.

This is turning out to be a summer of taking it all in stride when it comes to New York and sports. Ten-block security radiuses around Madison Square Garden. Access to round-trip NJ Transit travel at costs that are as punishing as ticket prices. And the Mets. Enough said.

A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/ advertising executive who teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.

NeWs brief Free summer concert series starts this month

The North Bellmore Public Library will kick off its annual Outdoor Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 9, on the back lawn of Saw Mill Elementary School, 2801 Saw Mill Road.

The free concerts begin at 7 p.m., and no registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

The lineup includes Foreign Journey, a Foreigner and Journey tribute band, on July 9; Simply Stapleton, a Chris Sta-

pleton tribute band, on July 23; and Half Step, a Grateful Dead tribute band, on Aug. 6.

Concertgoers are also encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations, which will be collected for the American Legion.

All performances are weather permitting. Updates and cancellation notices will be posted on the library’s website and social media pages.

Nassau County dedicates corner to the late John Miro

By JULIA CUTTONE Correspondent

A crowd gathered on June 28 at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue to honor crossing guard John Miro, the longtime Merrick resident who died March 6, eight days after he was struck by an impaired driver while on duty.

County officials, police leaders, family members and residents attended the ceremony, where a memorial sign was unveiled at the intersection where Miro served.

Sgt. Bertrand of the Nassau County Police Department Ceremonial Unit opened the ceremony by reflecting on Miro’s lifelong ties to the community.

Miro grew up in Merrick, graduated from Sanford H. Calhoun High School in 1973 and spent 50 years working for Buchanan Marine, rising from deckhand to tugboat captain before retiring in 2023.

After retirement, he chose to continue serving his hometown by becoming a Nassau County crossing guard. On Feb. 26, Miro arrived at his post carrying a shovel to clear snow from the walkway for students when he was struck by an impaired driver. He was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where he died March 6.

“I remember getting the call that there had been an accident at this intersection involving a crossing guard,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “When Com-

missioner Ryder told me John was being transported to NUMC, I went over and met Nancy and the family.”

Blakeman said Miro’s dedication reflected the often-overlooked work of crossing guards.

“John went out there each and every day and made sure our kids got to and from school safely,” he said. “He was a kind person with a good heart. We can’t bring John back, but what we can do is honor his memory forever here on this corner.”

Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder announced that Miro will become the first civilian in the 101-year history of the Nassau County Police Department to be

added to the department’s memorial wall.

“That recognition has always been for sworn members, not civilians,” Ryder said. “The decision was clear.”

Miro will be honored during the department’s annual memorial ceremony in May.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray said Miro’s death highlighted the risks crossing guards face every day.

“Perhaps we take for granted the services provided by crossing guards like John,” Murray said. “We never imagined a tragedy like this could happen. His passing reminds us that his job is a dangerous one, and it underscores just how responsible, attentive and caring he was.”

Miro’s stepdaughter, Elaine DeBono, thanked those who supported the family following the crash.

“The people and organizations represented here today helped us carry through unimaginable grief,” she said. “We accept this honor on my dad’s behalf with immense appreciation, and at the same time, we would give it back to have one more day with him.”

She said she could imagine her father reacting to the memorial.

“I can picture my dad looking down on us today with the biggest smile on his face, proudly saying, ‘Look at this, I have a street named after me,’” she said. “That thought brings us comfort.”

Giavonna DeBono, Miro’s granddaughter, remembered his commitment to the children he helped cross the street each day.

“Holidays, rain, snow — Grandpa never took a day off,” she said. “He remembered everyone’s names and bought candy for the kids on Halloween. That is who my grandpa was — selfless and kind to everyone he encountered.”

Following the unveiling, the crowd observed a moment of silence as family members, neighbors, police officers and elected officials reflected on Miro’s life and service. The memorial sign now stands at the corner where he worked, honoring a man remembered for his dedication to protecting the community’s children.

Julia Cuttone/Herald

Family members and county officials honored John Miro with a memorial sign.

HERALD SPORTS

Racing fans say final goodbye to Aqueduct

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

There were plenty of cheers along with some tears in South Ozone Park June 28 as 6,866 horse racing fans bid farewell to Aqueduct Racetrack.

The crowd at ‘The Big A’ roared one last time as Assume Nothing, with jockey Jaime Rodriguez aboard, went wireto-wire to capture the final race of the track’s storied 132-year history.

“This is where my career started in 2010 and it feels amazing to win the last race on the last day,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve ridden the horse a few times and knew if he got a clean break, he’d have a great chance to win.”

After the finale, Rodriguez and the rest of the jockey colony celebrated with fans along the rail, giving out high fives and fist bumps. One fan hoisted a cardboard sign that read: “One more day! Give me a chance to win it back.”

Several thousand fans arrived two hours before the nine-race card began at 1:10 p.m. The first 1,000 through the doors received a small mason jar containing dirt from the main track.

One of the highlights on Aqueduct’s final day came not on the dirt but the turf in the penultimate race when Highway Harmony set a new track record at the 6-furlong distance, taking the last stakes race at the track in 1:06.44 under jockey Edgard Zayas.

Ron Berkowitz, a Merrick resident who grew up in Lynbrook, had the closing date circled on his calendar once it

was announced by the New York Racing Association.

“It’s a bittersweet day,” Berkowitz said. “I’ve been coming here since the late 1970s and really fell in love with the track and the sport. I haven’t been here in a couple of years, but there was no way I was missing today.”

Franklin Square residents Anthony and Sally Turco echoed Berkowitz’s sentiments. “Today brings back a lot of

The mural outside Aqueduct depicts Secretariat, who made his career debut there in

at Aqueduct, “Goretty” came in 2008. “So many memories,” he added. “I won’t miss the Belt Parkway, but I’ll definitely miss the Big A.”

great memories of coming to the Big A with family,” Anthony said. “Lots of nostalgia. It was awesome.”

The Turcos were in the paddock prior to the fifth race with friend Bruce Brown, a longtime trainer on the NYRA circuit and Floral Park resident. Brown saddled the winner, Boston’s Phinest.

“This is where it all started for me in New York when I came over from New Jersey,” said Brown, whose first winner

The closure of Aqueduct coincides with a rebuilt Belmont Park, set to open Sept. 18.

“I can see the new Belmont grandstand from my house,” said Brown, who expects to have between 15 and 20 horses in his barn once racing shifts back downstate from Saratoga. “I’ve watched the construction from the beginning to what’s almost the end and it’s going to be incredible when it opens,” he added.

Assume Nothing and jockey Jaime Rodriguez won the Aqueduct finale.

Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos

Nearly 7,000 fans packed Aqueduct Racetrack June 28 for its final day of racing after 132 years.

1972.

hen Donna Schaeffer, nee Hardgrove, signed a lease for a small storefront on Merrick Avenue in 1977, she could not have imagined that nearly five decades later, thousands of dancers would pass through its doors and generations of families would call it a second home.

Today, Donna Carbone’s Dance Arts stands as one of Merrick’s longest-running arts institutions, preparing to celebrate its 50th season next year, while remaining in the very same location where it began.

“Dance Arts opened in September of ’77; our first recital was on June 16, 1978,” Donna said. “All these years, same location.”

The studio’s roots stretch back even further, to Donna’s own childhood love of dance.

“I used to watch Fred Astaire on TV as a five-year-old,” she recalled. “I’d say, ‘Mommy, I want to dance, I want to dance.’ She sent me for dance lessons when I was in first grade.”

Dance quickly became more than a hobby. After her parents divorced, Donna’s family could no longer afford lessons. Her talent and determination, however, kept her involved. At 14 she became a teacher in the studio where she trained, and she spent years helping build its program. After 25 years, she decided it was time to create something of her own.

“I had been teaching most of the school,” Donna said. “I knew it was time to break out and do it on my own.”

With the help of one student’s parent, who became her initial business partner, Donna opened Dance Arts in Merrick, transforming what had once been a clothing store into a dance studio.

From the beginning, she envisioned a different kind of dance school.

One of her strongest memories from her own dance training was an impression that recitals felt more like an obligation for families to attend rather than entertainment. She remembered fathers attending reluctantly and instructors directing children from the front of the stage during performances.

“The show should be all about the kids,” Donna said, recalling how much her father disliked having to sit through her own recitals as a child. That philosophy shaped every recital she would later produce.

Rather than presenting one dance after another, Donna built elaborate themed productions complete with stories, acting segments and seamless transitions.

“I never wanted people staring at an empty stage,” she said. “If somebody has three minutes to change costumes, I’m going to entertain you for those three minutes.”

Her formula resonated with families. During the studio’s peak years, Dance Arts became a community fixture. Long before online registration, parents lined up outside the building to secure spots for their children.

“The line would go from my front door around the corner and up Oakwood Avenue,” she said. “People would camp out. I’d drive up and there were people with beach chairs and radios and coffee.”

At times, enrollment exceeded 700 students in a single year, all operating out of one small studio room before later expansions created a larger studio space.

“There were far fewer dance schools around at that time,” Carbone said. “My classes closed at 22 or 24 students, and I would still have waiting lists.”

As the studio grew, so did its influence.

Numerous students pursued professional careers after training at Dance Arts. Among the most notable is dancer and choreographer Jodi Melnick, who went on to perform with acclaimed artists including Mikhail Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp.

Other alumni have appeared on Broadway, performed at Disney, danced aboard cruise ships and opened studios of their own.

Yet ‘Miss Donna,’ as she is affectionately known, measures success differently.

“My goal 1,000 percent was to be a good, educational school,” she said. “I want my teachers to teach proper technique, which results in better dancers.”

That educational focus also led her away from the competitive dance circuit, which grew increasingly popular in later decades.

“Education is paramount for me,” Donna said. “It also has to be fun because not everybody that walks through your doors aspires to become a professional dancer.”

As dance trends evolved from traditional tap, ballet and jazz to hip-hop and contemporary styles, Donna remained committed to staying current. She studied extensively in New York City under renowned instructors and continually brought new techniques back to Long Island.

“What makes my business successful is my access to what’s current and what’s happening in the dance world,” she said. “Because I’m so close to the city, I bring it back to my kids.”

The dance world may have changed dramatically since the 1970s, but the studio continues to thrive through a culture of loyalty and family connection.

Today, second- and thirdgeneration dancers fill classes. Some students now perform in advanced kickline groups once occupied by their mothers.

“There are kids on senior kickline now whose moms were on senior kickline,” she said.

Looking back on nearly half a century, Donna remains grateful for a career built around her passion and gift.

“I am so lucky that I get to go to work at the studio,” she said.

“Every time I go there, it’s my happy place.”

As Dance Arts approaches its milestone 50th season, the studio’s history is measured not only in recitals and trophies, but in generations of dancers whose lives were shaped by a woman who simply wanted to create a dance school her own way.

- Christy Hinko

DONNA CARBONE

Donna Carbone’s Dance Arts

The staff at Donna Carbone’s Dance Arts continue to uphold Donna’s standards and traditions.

Maxine (“Micki”) Stolow Olshan

March 7, 1939 - June 27, 2026

Maxine (“Micki”) Stolow Olshan died peacefully in her home in Fishers, IN on June 27, 2026 surrounded by family. Her husband of nearly 62 years, Lee Olshan, died three days earlier and they are now joined together again. Micki was born on March 7, 1939 to Vera Schwartz Stolow and Alexander Stolow in Brooklyn, NY. Micki leaves behind her son, Adam (Jennifer Mole) Olshan and daughter Elizabeth Olshan (Jason) Jenkins; five grandchildren: Nathaniel, Zoe, Rebecca, Hope, Maggie and her nephew, Jason Stolow and niece, Kristy Amiruddin.

Micki and Lee moved from Brooklyn, NY to Merrick, NY in 1967 and they lived there for 53 years until moving to Fishers, IN in 2020.

Micki’s childhood in Brooklyn was filled with her passion for the 50’s bands and she and friends enjoyed The Platters, Chubby Checker and so many others while she also loved to root for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Micki worked hard to be skipped twice at school and she attended Brooklyn College at the age of 16. She loved children and taught kindergarten locally after completing her education.

She met the love of her life, Lee, on a blind date and after he drove to Nantucket, MA to surprise her by “popping the question”, they were married on August 19, 1964.

After the Dodgers left Brooklyn, Micki and Lee together adopted the newly formed 1962 NY Mets and they both loved to attend games and root for their team while celebrating world championships in 1969 and 1986! They most enjoyed attending games with their children and grandchildren where we would all “root for the home team” together for decades.

Micki was the homemaker while her kids were young and she wore many hats to best ensure Adam and Liz were happy - from scout mom to attending countless field trips to opening the house for endless group projects - for her kids and their friends. She always made our home the “second home” for her children’s best friends in every possible way.  Micki and Lee also deeply enjoyed running a tremendously successful art supply business for 20+ years at the Roosevelt & Aqueduct flea markets. Micki spent long hours packaging product with Nanni and together with Lee they would help thousands of customers over the years.

Micki and Lee found what became a “home away from home” in Aruba in 2003. They went on multiple annual vacations to their “happy place” either just the two of them or with their kids and grandchildren. They loved the lazy river, Madame Jeanette’s and playing with their grandchildren at the pool. Micki (“Bubbie”) and Lee (“Gramps/Grandpa”) adored their grandchildren and always showered them with much love. Whether it was taking them into Manhattan to see Broadway plays for nineteen consecutive Decembers, bringing them to museums, magic shows, candy/toy stores, the movies, going to the beach, or simply sitting around playing cards they always had unlimited time - and energy - for their grandchildren.

Together, Micki and Lee formed a truly larger than life duo who touched just about everyone with whom they interacted - wait staff, customers, store clerks, hair dressers, doctors, nurses, hotel staff etc.  They will forever be remembered as being exceptionally loving and kind…and happy to always be together. Micki was an incredibly loving wife, mother and bubbie and she will be deeply missed by her family.

Lee Edward Olshan

July 10, 1938 - June 24, 2026

Lee Edward Olshan died peacefully in his home in Fishers, IN on June 24, 2026 surrounded by family. His wife of nearly 62 years, Maxine (“Micki”) Stolow Olshan, died three days after Lee and they are now joined together again. Lee was born on July 10, 1938 to Marion Sussman Olshan and Milton Olshan in Brooklyn, NY. Lee leaves behind his son, Adam (Jennifer Mole) Olshan and daughter Elizabeth Olshan (Jason) Jenkins; five grandchildren: Nathaniel, Zoe, Rebecca, Hope, Maggie and his brother, Samuel (Lois) Olshan and their sons Jeremy, Brett, and Jason.

Lee and Micki moved from Brooklyn, NY to Merrick, NY in 1967 and they lived there for 53 years until moving to Fishers, IN in 2020.

Lee’s childhood in Brooklyn was filled with stickball games on Avenue N, catching Brooklyn Dodgers games, reveling in the beatnik culture, waitering in both the Catskills and many Brooklyn restaurants and driving his convertible MG Midget car all over the east coast on road trips.

He met the love of his life, Micki, on a blind date and after driving to Nantucket, MA to surprise her and “pop the question”, they were married on August 19, 1964.

After the Dodgers left Brooklyn, Lee and Micki together adopted the newly formed 1962 NY Mets and they both loved to attend games and root for their team while celebrating world championships in 1969 and 1986! They most enjoyed attending games with their children and grandchildren where we would all “root for the home team” together for decades.

Lee retired from the New York City Public Schools’ Van Wyck Junior High School PS 217 after 40 years of service as an Art teacher and later as an Assistant Principal. Lee and Micki also ran a tremendously successful art supply business at the Roosevelt & Aqueduct flea markets for several decades. His enduring passion was to work hard to support his family.

Lee and Micki found what became a “home away from home” in Aruba in 2003. They went on multiple annual vacations to their “happy place” either just the two of them or with their kids and grandchildren. They loved the lazy river, Madame Jeanette’s and playing with their grandchildren at the pool.

Lee (“Gramps/Grandpa”) and Micki (“Bubbie”) adored their grandchildren and always showered them with much love. Whether it was taking them into Manhattan to see Broadway plays for nineteen consecutive Decembers, bringing them to museums, magic shows, candy/toy stores, the movies, going to the beach or simply sitting around playing cards they always had unlimited time - and energy - for their grandchildren. Together, Lee and Micki formed a truly larger than life duo who touched just about everyone with whom they interacted - wait staff, customers, store clerks, hair dressers, doctors, nurses, hotel staff etc. They will forever be remembered as being exceptionally loving and kind…and happy to always be together. Lee was an incredibly loving husband, father and grandfather and he will be deeply missed by his family.

Mepham’s Johnny Macko honored by Sen. Steve Rhoads

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Two-time New York state swimming champion Johnny Macko has been recognized by Steve Rhoads for his accomplishments in the classroom and the pool following a historic junior season.

Rhoads recently honored the Wellington C. Mepham High School rising senior, describing him as a scholarathlete whose dedication, discipline and relentless work ethic have set him apart.

“Johnny’s dedication, discipline, and relentless work ethic have led to remarkable success, yet he continues to carry himself with humility and grace,” Rhoads said. “Congratulations on these extraordinary accomplishments. You have made your family, your school, and the entire Senate District 5 community incredibly proud. Wishing you continued success in and out of the pool.”

Johnny’s mother, Jaimie Macko, said the recognition was another memorable moment in what has already been an unforgettable year for her family.

“I was very proud,” she said. “I’m very proud of all of his accomplishments. This has been a huge year for him, and we couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Macko earned statewide recognition in March after capturing New York state titles in both the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle at the NYSPHSAA Boys Varsity Swimming and Diving Championships at Ithaca College.

Swimming for the Bellmore-Merrick Sharks, Macko posted personal-best times of 1:39.47 in the 200 freestyle and 4:28.31 in the 500 freestyle. Both performances met the national standard for All-American consideration, recognizing many of the nation’s top high school swimmers.

Macko, a Bellmore native, previously told the Herald

that he began swimming at about 8 years old after his mother encouraged him to try the sport.

“I’ve lived in Bellmore pretty much my whole life,” Macko said. “My mom pushed me to try it, and I started

The Scourge of Ageism

swimming with my cousin and made some friends. I’ve just been swimming ever since.”

Although he played basketball, baseball, soccer and hockey growing up, swimming became the sport that stuck.

His state championship performance exceeded even his own expectations.

“It was surreal,” Macko previously told the Herald. “I wasn’t seeded that high, and I never really thought I was going to win. When I touched the wall and saw that I won, it was amazing, because I didn’t even know I could do that.”

After winning the 200 freestyle, Macko returned later in the meet to compete in the 500 freestyle, his preferred distance event.

“There was definitely a lot of pressure,” he previously told the Herald. “But all the Section VIII coaches were there cheering me on, and my team was supporting me. I just tried to have fun with it, and it worked out.”

Jaimie Macko said her son showed promise from an early age, but it wasn’t until he reached high school that the family realized just how much potential he had in the sport.

“We saw it early on,” she said. “He started at 8, and I would say when he reached high school, we really saw that, ‘Wow, he does have potential.’ This last year as a junior was an unbelievable year for him, at club and at varsity school.”

Now entering his senior year at Mepham, Macko has committed to swim at Brown University. While she is excited to watch him compete at the collegiate level, Jaimie Macko said her greatest hope is simply to see him continue enjoying the sport and striving to improve.

“My goal for him is to continue watching him do what he loves and succeed and improve,” she said. “That’s my goal for him.”

The Office of Senator Steve Rhoads Johnny Macko won two state swimming titles in March.

9,

Nassau celebrates America’s 250th with fireworks

Thousands of residents gathered at Eisenhower Park on July 2 for Nassau County’s annual Celebrate America Fireworks & Drone Show, kicking off Independence Day festivities and commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Families and friends filled Parking Field No. 6 with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening of patriotic entertainment, including live performances by Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock. The free celebration concluded with a fireworks and drone show that lit up the night sky in honor of the nation’s semiquincentennial. The event was presented by Nassau County and TD Bank and drew crowds from across Long Island for an evening of music, community and patriotic pride.

—Jordan Vallone

Tim Baker/Herald Photos Families packed into Eisenhower Park to honor America’s semiquincentennial during Nassau County’s annual Celebrate America Fireworks & Drone Show.

Debra Toscano, of East Meadow, performed

‘The Star Spangled Banner.’

Riley Tran, 7, Melorin Gelaskani, 7, Mia Keating, 7, and Penlope Pipitone, 7, friends from Levittown, enjoyed the festivities.

Patriotic colors were on display around the Harry Chapin Lakeside Threate. Lisa Marie, of Staten Island, with Walter Canteel, of Floral Park.

Following a variety of musical performances, fireworks illuminated the park.

JULY 9, 2026

Cover Story

Summer in motion

Longer days, warm temperatures and abundant sunshine make summer an ideal season to take your fitness routine outdoors. Whether it’s a morning run or walk along the boardwalk, a bike ride, a game of tennis or pickleball, yoga on the beach, or even a family hike, exercising outside o ers both physical and mental health benefits.

An outdoor workout does more than change your scenery. Exercising outdoors has been linked to improved mood, lowered stress, better cardiovascular health, and more motivation to move consistently. Even walking outside can be an excellent workout, especially when you do it regularly. Fresh air and a change of scenery can make workouts feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable part of your day.

Of course, summer’s relaxed pace — complete with vacations, barbecues, beach days and social gatherings — can sometimes derail even the best fitness intentions. The key is finding ways to incorporate activity into seasonal routines while taking precautions against heat and sun exposure.

Beat the heat

Summer temperatures can quickly turn a workout into a health risk. Exercising during the hottest parts of the day can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

Whenever possible, schedule outdoor activities during the cooler morning or evening hours, typically before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Check the heat index before heading outside, and if temperatures or humidity levels are extreme, consider moving your workout indoors to an air-conditioned gym, recreation center or your own home.

Watch for warning signs of heatrelated illness, including dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive fatigue, muscle cramps or confusion. If symptoms occur, stop exercising immediately, move to a cool location and rehydrate.

Protect your skin

While we all love being outside, the sun doesn’t love us. Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Health experts recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating heavily.

Additional protection includes wearing lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Light-colored fabrics help reflect heat and keep the

body cooler during outdoor activities.

Hydration matters

Proper hydration is essential yearround, but it becomes especially important during the summer months.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends drinking approximately three to eight ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise, depending on intensity and environmental conditions. For prolonged or high-intensity workouts lasting more than an hour, sports drinks may help replace electrolytes lost through sweat.

Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Thirst is often a sign that dehydration has already begun. Carry a reusable water bottle and drink fluids before, during and after physical activity.

After exercise, experts recommend consuming 20 to 24 ounces of water or a sports beverage for every pound of body weight lost during exercise.

Don’t skip the warm-up

Warm weather doesn’t eliminate the need to prepare your body for exercise. A proper warm-up gradually increases heart rate, loosens muscles and improves flexibility, helping reduce the risk of strains and injuries.

Spend five to 10 minutes performing light aerobic activity such as brisk walking, followed by dynamic stretches that target the muscles you’ll be using during your workout. Cooling down afterward is equally important and can help prevent sti ness and aid recovery.

Try something new

Summer o ers endless opportunities to shake up your exercise routine. Trying new activities can prevent boredom and challenge di erent muscle groups.

Consider adding activities such as:

• Walking or jogging on local trails

• Swimming or water aerobics

• Outdoor yoga classes

• Kayaking or paddleboarding

• Hiking

• Recreational sports leagues

Our parks, beaches and community organizations also o er free or low-cost fitness classes throughout the summer. Rev up the heart and cardiovascular system with sports you can play in the great outdoors. Eschew indoor racquetball for a game on an outdoor court. Try pickleball instead.

It’s easy to break a sweat and enjoy a good workout when a game of hoops is taken outdoors. Head out to your nearby park and check out the action on the basketball courts. Pickup football or baseball is another way to enjoy physical activity outdoors, especially for those who may not be gym hounds. Both sports provide a cardiovascular workout while building muscle. When you’re

engrossed in the game, you’re having fun and getting fit at the same time.

Even consider using items in your favored park to tailor a complete workout. Park benches can serve as a workout bench where athletes can do push-ups, triceps dips and step-up exercises. Stretch on a jungle gym or use monkey bars to fit in some pull-ups.

You’ll find that some parks even have their own fitness zones with exercise equipment built into the design.

Hike on! A nearby park or preserve that features walking trails is a good place to begin an outdoor workout. Some parks build exercise stations into their hiking paths, enabling visitors to vary their workouts along the way. Signs may also point out particular exercises that can be done during the hike, such as lunges or squats.

Hiking is a good cardiovascular workout that is particularly beneficial when done on varied terrain. Mixing uphill and downhill portions of the trail with level ones will work the various muscles in the legs and also provide greater resistance to get the heart pumping.

Take advantage of the beach

We’re surrounded by beaches, so make the most of our environment! After all, that’s one of the best features about living on Long Island. The beach provides much more than a place to relax. It can also serve as a natural fitness center.

Swimming in the ocean provides a full-body workout, as the resistance created by waves and currents challenges muscles while the water’s buoyancy reduces stress on joints. Water workouts are especially beneficial for older adults and those with arthritis or mobility concerns.

Walking or running on sand requires more effort than exercising on pavement because the unstable surface engages additional muscles in the legs,

core and hips.

As a result, beach workouts can improve strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness.

Even active beach outings that involve carrying chairs, coolers, umbrellas and beach gear can contribute to daily physical activity goals.

Keep moving all summer long

Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with musclestrengthening activities on two or more days, according to federal health guidelines.

Summer is the perfect season

to reconnect with the outdoors and discover enjoyable ways to stay active. By taking sensible precautions, staying hydrated and making movement part of everyday life, you can enjoy all the benefits of the season while supporting your long-term health and wellness.

The Best Outdoor Workouts to Try

1. Trail Running

What it works: Lower body, core, and cardiovascular system

Benefits: Trail running demands balance, coordination, and strength. Unlike conditions on a flat road or treadmill, trail running requires more physical effort,

Cedrina Calder, M.D., a boardcertified preventive medicine physician and fitness professional says.

“The balance and stability required on the trail engages and strengthens your core muscles. It also requires greater use of your lower limb muscles, including the glutes, quads, and calves.”

Trail running can also support mental health and often feels more engaging than repeating laps on a track.

“It requires 100-percent mental focus — or you subject yourself to a tumble,” says fitness expert Tina Vindum, M.S., C.P.T.

A 2020 study published in BMC Public Health found that people who completed at least 6.5 miles of trail running reported higher wellness and health scores. Additional research suggests that spending 90 minutes moving in nature can help reduce depressive rumination.

Beginner tips: Start with wellmarked trails and shorter distances, focusing on time on feet rather than pace. Keep your eyes a few feet ahead, shorten your stride, and use walking breaks on steep hills to manage intensity and protect your knees.

2. Surfing

What it works: Upper body, core, anaerobic conditioning, and balance Benefits: Surfing blends aerobic paddling with short bursts of anaerobic effort that feel similar to a HIIT routine.

“It’s a great anaerobic exercise that will help strengthen the trapezius, abdominals, and obliques, as well as the lats, triceps, biceps, and deltoids,”

Jimmy Minardi, C.P.T., founder of Minardi Training, says.

Water-based workouts can offer a powerful reset and stress relief in ways a gym can’t match. “I can tell you one thing after being a devout surfer for [many] years, the tranquil and buoyant qualities of being in the water lift your spirits up,” Minardi said.

Beginner tips: Work with a certified instructor and start on smaller waves. Always check tides, weather, and surf conditions and wear appropriate safety

gear, such as a leash and personal flotation device.

3. Hiking

What it works: Cardiovascular system, lower body, and aerobic endurance Benefits: Hiking intensity is highly customizable, making it an accessible outdoor workout.

“Hiking can be a great cardio workout as long as it’s intense enough to significantly raise your heart rate and respiratory rate,” Calder says.

Elevation gain, speed, and pack weight all influence intensity, allowing you to progressively increase the challenge as your fitness improves. Beyond fitness, hiking encourages mindfulness and sensory awareness in a natural environment. Spending time on the trail can also help reduce stress, support mental health, and improve sleep.

Beginner tips: Choose shorter trails with minimal elevation gain and use hiking poles if knee comfort is a concern. Wear supportive footwear, carry water, and plan your route so you finish before dark and avoid extreme heat.

Photo by Marcel Straub Summer is an ideal time to trade the treadmill for trails, parks, beaches and other outside paces. Outdoor fitness routines can help turn exercise into an enjoyable part of everyday life

health

at Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Wellness Center

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Wellness Center, 106 Boardwalk in Long Beach, is open all summer to help you enjoy the season safely. Stop in for no-cost health screenings. (See a full list of hours and screenings below.)

To make safety a priority, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s experts have compiled these important summer safety tips:

1. Tick Bites, Bee Stings and Insect Bites: One of the best ways to avoid ticks, mosquitoes, bees, and other insects is to apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, skin-friendly picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus onto clothing and exposed parts of your body. Other steps include: Wear light, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes/sneakers when hiking or gardening to reduce exposed skin areas.

2. Sunburn: When the skin — the body’s largest organ — soaks up the sun, it helps produce vitamin D, which is vital to maintaining a healthy calcium balance, immunity, blood pressure, and insulin secretion. When skin is repeatedly exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, the risk can far outweigh the reward.

The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends you:

• Minimize sun exposure between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against both harmful UVA and UVB rays to every part of your body exposed to the sun

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days

• Wear clothing that covers the body and shades the face

• Schedule an annual skin cancer screening

3. Water and Pool Safety: Whether spending time in the pool, at the beach, or on a boat:

• Never leave a child unsupervised near or around any water source

• Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets during boating and fishing activities

• Keep a safe distance from boat propellers

• Learn CPR, especially if you and your family participate in water activities

Orthopedic Injuries: More than half of all sports and recreation-related injuries are preventable, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To reduce your risk of injury:

• Warm up first: perform gentle stretches before playing, practicing, or training

• Diversify training by alternating exercises like walking, jogging, biking, or weightlifting

• If you feel pain, soreness, or tightness, stop! Early

intervention is key to avoiding further injury

4. Dehydration: Symptoms of dehydration may include some or all of the following: lethargy, dizziness, deep or rapid breathing, muscle cramps, dry mouth and nose, and a drop in blood pressure. Prevent dehydration by drinking six to eight cups of water per day; avoid consumption of tea, coffee, soda, or alcohol on hot days or during recreational activities; and take a break from the sun and heat in a cool, shaded area

5. Picnic Food Preparation and Storage: Food that is not prepared and stored properly is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. For a safe picnic:

• Wrap uncooked chicken and meats in separate tightly sealed bags or containers and place them at the bottom of the cooler

• Store foods with mayonnaise in the cooler and be sure to serve them on platters that are chilled by ice-filled salad bowls

• Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot

• Freeze foods that are prepared more than one day in advance of the picnic

• Discard all leftovers

The Community Wellness Center, a service of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Department of Community Education, is offering daily health education and screening events throughout the summer and early fall. This includes:

Monday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — EKG screenings for student athletes, ages 13-25 (registration is required)

9 a.m.-2 p.m.— Narcan and Stop the Bleed training*

Tuesday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Diabetes, prostatespecific antigen (PSA), cholesterol blood tests

10 a.m.-12 p.m. — CPR/Basic Life Support certification (registration is required)

Wednesday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Blood pressure loaner program*

Noon-3 p.m. — Lung health*

Thursday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. —.Diabetes, PSA, cholesterol blood tests

1-3 p.m. — Diabetes risk assessment screenings*

Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — How to take your blood pressure at home*

9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Healthy eating and teddy bear clinic for kids*

= 30- to 60-minute sessions provided within the timeframe

The Center also offers free blood pressure, colorectal, memory, body mass index, diabetes risk, and stroke risk screenings Monday-Friday, 9 am-2 pm. The Center does not provide medical care. For more information, call the Department of Community Education at (516) 377-5333 or follow us on Facebook.

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education team is hosting daily health education and screening events throughout the summer at the CommunityWellness Center located at 106 Boardwalk on the Long Beach Boardwalk

Join Us at the Mount Sinai South Nassau Community Wellness Center for Daily Health Screenings and Community Education Events

106 East Boardwalk, Long Beach

(Between Long Beach Blvd. & Riverside Blvd. Enter via ramp at boardwalk level )

June 1- September 4, 2026

EKG Screenings for Students Ages 13-25 (pre-registration required) | 9 am - 2 pm

Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training* | 9 am - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

CPR/BLS Certification (pre-registration required) | 10 am - 12 pm

Blood Test (Diabetes, PSA, Cholesterol) | Call 516-377-5333 to schedule

Blood Pressure Cuff Loaner Program* | 9 am - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

Diabetes Risk Assessment Screenings* | 12 pm - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

Blood Test (Diabetes, PSA, Cholesterol) | Call 516-377-5333 to schedule

How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home* | 9 am - 2 pm

Healthy Eating & Teddy Bear Clinic for Kids* | 9 am - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

We also offer FREE Health Screenings (Monday - Friday, 9 am - 2 pm) including:

• Blood Pressure

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Colorectal Screening

• Diabetes Risk Assessment

• Memory Screening

• Stroke Risk Assessment

We are also offering COVID-19, Shingles, and Pneumonia Vaccines. For more information about the program, please call 516-377-5333

Programs subject to change. Please refer to our Facebook page @MountSinaiSouthNassau for weekly schedule.

This is not a patient care facility. In case of emergency, please call 911.

9,

Be sun smart

Take precautions so that the sun is friend not foe

For many people, summer means long days spent outdoors relaxing at the beach, boating on the water, tending the garden, enjoying backyard barbecues or simply lounging by the pool. While sunshine can lift our spirits and encourage us to be active, too much exposure to the sun can have serious consequences for our health.

A moderate amount of sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is important for bone health and immune function. But excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage the skin and eyes, increase the risk of heat-related illness and significantly raise the likelihood of developing skin cancer.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting millions of Americans each year.

Fortunately, many cases are preventable with proper sun protection. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the golf course, a summer concert or simply spending time in your backyard, taking a few simple precautions can help you enjoy the season safely.

Have your fun but proceed with caution

Many folks take sunburn lightly, viewing it as an inevitable part of summer. But sunburn is much more than a temporary inconvenience.

Sunburn is actually a radiation burn caused by overexposure to UV rays. Depending on its severity, a sunburn can range from mild redness and tenderness to painful blistering and swelling. Severe sunburn may even require medical attention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that sunburn remains common among both adults and children. Yet every sunburn causes damage to skin cells.

Much of that damage cannot be seen immediately. Ultraviolet radiation penetrates the skin and can alter the DNA inside skin cells. Over time, this cumulative damage contributes to premature aging, wrinkles, age spots, loss of skin elasticity and an increased risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Because UV damage accumulates over a lifetime, practicing sun safety is important at every age.

Avoid the burn

Sunburn is one of the most preventable summertime health risks. It’s also important to remember that UV exposure occurs year-round not just on hot, sunny days. Up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate clouds,

As

and reflective surfaces such as water, sand, concrete and snow can intensify exposure.

We all know by now that artificial UV sources, including tanning beds and sun lamps, are also dangerous. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and dermatologists strongly discourage indoor tanning because it significantly increases skin cancer risk.

Seek shade

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit prolonged outdoor activity during these peak hours.

If you are outside, take frequent breaks in the shade beneath a tree, umbrella, canopy or other shelter. Planning outdoor exercise, yard work or recreational activities during the early morning or evening hours can also help reduce UV exposure and lower the risk of heat-related illness.

Cover up

Clothing provides one of the simplest and most effective forms of sun protection.

Choose lightweight, loose-fitting garments that cover as much skin as possible, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants when practical. Densely woven, tightly constructed fabrics generally offer better protection than loosely woven materials.

Many outdoor clothing manufacturers now offer apparel with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF, rating. UPF indicates how effectively fabric blocks UV radiation.

Clothing with a UPF rating of 30 to 50 or higher provides excellent protection. Darker colors and brighter fabrics typically absorb more UV rays than pale colors, while tightly woven materials outperform sheer or loosely

woven fabrics.

Complete your sun-protective wardrobe with a wide-brimmed hat that shades the face, ears and neck.

Wear sunscreen — and reapply it

Sunscreen is an essential part of any sun safety strategy, but it should not be your only line of defense.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Broad-spectrum products protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature aging and skin cancer. Both types of UV radiation can damage skin cells and increase cancer risk.

Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Most adults need approximately one ounce about enough to fill a shot glass to adequately cover the body.

Don’t overlook commonly missed areas, including:

• Ears

• Back of the neck

• Scalp or part line

• Tops of the feet

• Hands

• Lips

• Around the eyes

Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often after swimming, sweating or towel-drying.

Forget the ‘base tan’

Many people believe that obtaining a “base tan” before summer will protect against future sunburn. Experts say this is a myth.

A tan is actually a sign that the skin has already been damaged by UV radiation. When exposed to sunlight, the skin produces additional melanin pigment in an attempt to shield itself from further injury.

There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Any tanning or burning represents skin damage that can accumulate over time and increase skin cancer risk.

The safest way to achieve a sunkissed appearance is to use sunless self-tanning products rather than UV exposure.

Protect your eyes

The sun can damage the eyes as well as the skin.

Long-term exposure to UV radiation has been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration and certain cancers of the eyelid and eye.

Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays whenever you are outdoors. Wraparound styles offer additional protection by limiting UV rays that enter from the sides.

Children require extra precautions

Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to sun damage because their skin is thinner and more sensitive.

Babies younger than six months should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Use shade, protective clothing and hats to shield infants from UV exposure.

For older infants and children, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, dress them in protective clothing and encourage regular hydration during outdoor play.

Teaching children healthy sun habits early can help reduce their lifetime risk of skin cancer.

Know when to seek medical care

Most sunburns can be treated at home with cool compresses, moisturizers, hydration and overthe-counter pain relievers. However, seek medical attention if sunburn is accompanied by:

• Extensive blistering

• Fever or chills

• Severe pain

• Confusion or dizziness

• Signs of dehydration

• Nausea or vomiting

Summer is meant to be enjoyed. By seeking shade, covering up, wearing sunscreen and practicing smart sun habits, you can safely soak up the season while protecting your health for years to come

great as the sun feels, it poses serious threats to your health and appearance. Have your time in the sun while sparing your skin from damage and overall harm to your body.

Yormack looking ahead to senior year

high school athletes and college players that have won this award,” Gattus said. “It’s basically saying he’s the best baseball player in the state of New York. For him to win this is very special.”

Yormack was dominant in the field as well as at the plate. At the time of his selection, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and first baseman had a 6-0 record and a 0.42 earned run average, and had struck out 65 batters in 33 2/3 innings while allowing just 14 hits and six walks. At the plate, he was batting .439, with eight home runs, 24 RBIs and a .955 slugging percentage.

His defining performance came May 31, when he threw a complete game with 14 strikeouts to defeat Garden City and secure Kennedy’s first Nassau County championship.

Despite the eye-popping statistics, Yormack said he wasn’t focused on the strikeout total. “I didn’t even remember how many strikeouts I had at the time,” he said. “I just remember from the fourth inning on, my adrenaline just started to kick in.”

Gattus said that Yormack’s impact extends beyond his statistics.

“He really leads by example,” his coach said. “He sets the tone for our team, and he competes, wants the ball, does it on both sides of the plate. He

really kind of increases the level of play for all of our players, and I think that’s what any great leader does.”

Yormack’s rise has been years in the making. He joined the varsity squad as an eighth-grader, Gattus recalled, and immediately earned the respect of older teammates before growing into one of the program’s leaders.

Gattus also believes the Gatorade award sends a message to aspiring players that they can reach the highest levels without leaving their hometown program. “It elevates the trajectory of our program,” he said. “It says you can go to Kennedy High School and be part of the Kennedy baseball program, and earn the most prestigious award in New York state for baseball.”

A 2025 Class AA First Team AllState selection, Yormack also maintains a weighted A average, and has verbally committed to play at Vanderbilt University beginning in 2027.

Although his junior season ended with championships and statewide recognition, Yormack has already shifted his focus to next spring.

“I would just like to improve my velo and sharpen my off-speed pitches,” he said. “We just got to have the gas pedal on from September on, train hard, and with the talent at Kennedy, it shouldn’t be hard to defend what we’ve done so far.”

Jeff Wilson/Herald

Derek Yormack was named the 2025-26 Gatorade New York Baseball Player of the Year.

JU JULY 16 M M-122:30PM 6 • 10 10AM-12

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

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.

AGENDA:

Register for this FREE event:

Inspirational drawings from our youngest readers

Ashly R. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School

Keilani C. 5th G California Ave. School

Rubi 4th G California Ave. School

Jayden C. 2nd G California Ave. School

Anabelle D. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School

Karol M. 4th G California Ave. School

Mila O. 4th G California Ave. School

Janelle H. 3rd G California Ave. School

Samantha P. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School

Mia H. 6th G West Babylon Junior High School

Mia A. 6th G West Babylon Junior High School

Jocelyn C. 5th G California Ave. School

AMERICA

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

Between 1860 and 1942, agriculture remained a defining part of life on Long Island across Nassau and Suffolk counties. During the same period, transportation improvements and expanding connections to New York City began shaping economic changes that would influence Long Island’s future development.

According to the Long Island Farm Bureau, agriculture has been an important industry on Long Island since the earliest periods of Native American cultivation and European settlement.

Before European settlement, the 60,000-acre Hempstead Plains in Nassau — the largest natural prairie east of the Mississippi River — served Indigenous peoples as a vital landscape for hunting, gathering and managing natural resources. English colonists later used the expansive grasslands to graze livestock, establishing agriculture as one of the area’s earliest industries.

The organization reports that fertile soils, access to fresh water, and proximity to major markets helped make Long Island one of New York State’s most significant agricultural regions. The Farm Bureau notes that farmers produced a wide range of crops and agricultural products, including vegetables, potatoes, fruits, poultry, livestock and shellfish.

Historical records published by the Town of Brookhaven show that early residents were primarily engaged in farming, fishing and whaling. The town’s historical records further indicate that additional industries developed during the nineteenth century, but agriculture remained an important part of the local economy.

Transportation became an increasingly important factor in the region’s development. According to the Town of Brookhaven’s historical overview, the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road during the mid-19th century made travel and the movement of goods faster and easier. Historical records of Long Island transportation show that rail service reached the eastern end of

Farming fueled Long Island before suburbia

Angelina

Zingariello/Herald

While the landscape and industries of Long Island have changed over the years, the East End holds onto its farming roots. Every spring, the Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden in Manorville plants over a million tulips for the annual Tulip Festival.

the island in 1844, creating stronger links between rural communities and larger markets.

By the late 19th century, however, parts of Nassau County’s rural landscape were undergoing dramatic change as wealthy industrialists purchased North Shore farmland to build lavish country estates, creating the famed Gold Coast.

Even as the North Shore evolved, farming remained a dominant force across central Long Island. Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potato-producing regions.

Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potatoproducing regions.

Farming remained a dominant force across central Long Island. Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th centu-

ry, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potato-producing regions. Thousands of acres were planted with potatoes, supporting a thriving agricultural economy and supplying markets throughout the Northeast.

While much of eastern Suffolk County remained rural during this period, signs of long-term change were emerging. Historical information published by the Town of Brookhaven states that the 20th century witnessed the town’s expansion from an agrarian community into a more diversified economy.

The transition had not yet fully occurred between 1860 and 1942, but the transportation networks and market connections established during those years

helped shape the conditions under which later development would occur.

Manorville itself retained strong agricultural roots. Historical accounts of the hamlet describe it as a farming community for many years, reflecting the broader agricultural character that defined much of central and eastern Suffolk County during the late 19th and early 20 centuries.

That era began to fade after World War II. As returning veterans fueled an unprecedented demand for housing, farmland rapidly disappeared beneath subdivisions, highways and commercial development. The transformation was perhaps most evident in Levittown, where beginning in 1947 more than 4,000 acres of former potato fields were converted into what became the nation’s most iconic suburban development, symbolizing the shift from an agricultural landscape to the suburban Long Island recognized today.

AMERICA

ABy BRIAN KACHARABA, ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & LAYLA EASON

of the Herald

cross Long Island, history is not just preserved — it is built into the landmarks that still stand in its villages, harbors, downtowns, and shorelines, where centuries of American life are reflected in manor houses, churches, libraries, museums, crossroads, and memorials.

Together, these sites form a living timeline of the nation’s past, showing how Long Island evolved alongside the United States over more than 300 years.

One of the earliest stories begins in Bay Shore at Sagtikos Manor, one of Suffolk County’s oldest surviving structures. Built around 1697 by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, New York City’s first native-born mayor, the manor grew from a colonial estate into one of the region’s most enduring landmarks.

During the American Revolution, British forces occupied the property, placing it directly within the war’s contested landscape. In the early years of the republic, the manor is also associated with President George Washington, who stayed there for one night during his 1790 tour of Long Island, further linking the site to the nation’s founding era and its first presidential administration.

In Massapequa, Old Grace Church, established in 1844 on land donated by General Thomas Floyd-Jones, preserves nearly two centuries of community life and remains a lasting symbol of the area’s early settlement era. Nearby, the Elbert Floyd-Jones Servants Cottage,

1 2 3

Landmarks define Long Island’s history

built around 1870, survives as one of the few remnants of Massapequa’s grand estate period, offering a rare glimpse into daily life on Long Island’s 19th-century South Shore estates.

The Phillips House Museum in Rockville Centre, built in 1882 and once home to village founder James Phillips, reflects the community’s late-19th-century growth driven by commerce and transportation. Saved from demolition in the 1970s and restored during the Bicentennial era, it now stands as one of New York’s premier small historic museums.

Long Island’s rise to national prominence is reflected at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, built between 1884 and 1885 for Theodore Roosevelt. The Queen Annestyle home served as both his family residence and Summer White House, where policy and diplomacy shaped the Progressive Era. Today, it remains a National Historic Site and one of the country’s most significant presidential homes.

The growth of suburban Long Island is traced to Pearsall’s Corners, later Lynbrook, where a 19th-century crossroads centered on the Pearsall family store evolved into a stagecoach and railroad hub. With the arrival of the South Side Railroad, the community expanded rapidly and adopted the name Lynbrook in 1894, marking its transformation from rural hamlet to suburban village.

In Massapequa, the Delancey FloydJones Free Library, built in 1896, became the community’s first public library and remained its only one for more than 50 years. Now preserved within the Massapequa Historical Society Historic Complex, it reflects the rise

of civic institutions across Long Island.

On the South Shore, Long Beach reflects early 20th-century coastal planning. The home at 226 W. Penn Street, built in 1909 as part of William H. Reynolds’ resort vision, is one of the city’s earliest surviving structures. Now the Long Beach Historical Museum, it preserves the story of a barrier island community that grew from seasonal destination to year-round city.

The North Shore Historical Museum in Glen Cove occupies the former 1907 Justices Court Building, a State and National Register landmark that preserves the legacy of the Gold Coast era. In nearby Sea Cliff, the Village Museum—founded in 1979 and housed in a former Methodist church—continues that preservation effort through extensive archives of photographs, artifacts, and village records.

In Freeport, history spans multiple eras. A historic marker at Babylon Turnpike and Lakeview Avenue commemorates Washington’s passage through Long Island during his 1790 tour, linking the village to the nation’s earliest years. Nearby, the World War II memorial honors local service members who fought in the nation’s defining 20thcentury conflict, while the Vietnam War memorial stone at the Freeport Memorial Library stands as a tribute to those who gave their lives in service.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, these landmarks underscore a simple truth: history is not confined to textbooks. It continues to live in the buildings, streets, and communities that shaped Long Island — and helped

shape the nation itself.

Photo 1 - Sagtikos Manor in Bay Shore, built around 1697, stands as one of Suffolk County’s oldest surviving homes and a rare link to Long Island’s colonial, Revolutionary War, and early presidential history.

Brian Kacharaba/Herald

Photo 2 - The World War II memorial plaque in Freeport honors residents who served and sacrificed during the conflict.

Layla Eason/Herald

Photo 3 - Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, the longtime home of President Theodore Roosevelt, reflects Long Island’s role in American leadership history and served as his residence and “Summer White House” during his presidency.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Photo 4 - A historic marker at Babylon Turnpike and Lakeview Avenue in Freeport commemorates President George Washington’s passage through the area during his 1790 tour of Long Island.

Layla Eason/Herald

Photo 5 - The Old Grace Church in Massapequa traces its roots to 1844, where community members gathered to establish an Episcopal church closer to home rather than traveling to Hempstead for worship.

Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald

Photo 6 - Built in 1882, the Victorian home now housing the Phillips House Museum was once owned by sea captain and village founder James Phillips, whose family played a key role in the early development of Rockville Centre as a growing center of commerce and banking.

Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald

By Leah Ramai (Hunter) Sewanhaka High School freshman

AReader, three centuries is a long time.

ridiculous amount of possibilities could generally happen. Robots mating and artificial intelligence becoming the structure of everything.

America at 300. It’s long enough for your name to become dust. Long enough for every person you have ever loved to disappear. Long enough for your bedroom to become a room nobody remembers belonged to you. Long enough for the sound of your laughter to vanish from the earth entirely.

And perhaps, before you continue reading, I ask something of you. Look at your mother. Look at the shine in her eyes. The bliss, the warmth in her hugs. Look at your father. His tired eyes of making income and he doesn’t get a minute to himself. Not as parents. Not as permanent figures suspended safely in the background of your life. Look at them as people. As living things, imagine the lines of their faces softened by time until even memory struggles to hold them together. Imagine the sound of their voices becoming some-

AMERICA America at its 300th anniversary

thing distant. Imagine reaching for a memory and discovering it has begun to fade. That it simply doesn’t exist anymore. Where do these memories go? Certainly not in the future. Horrifying, isn’t it? Yet this is not fantasy. This is not horror fiction. This is reality moving exactly as it always has, because time does not wait for anyone whatsoever.

When people speak of America 300 years from now, they speak of progress. They speak of technology, discovery, innovation, and futures polished bright enough to distract themselves from the darkness beneath them. The good and positives. Yet I find myself haunted by something far quieter. Far more patient. The casualties time leaves behind.

How many voices will history never bother to remember? How many political figures will be jacks of spades in newspapers and magazines. How many poets will spend entire lifetimes filling notebooks only for their words to disappear without ceremony?

How many artists will devote themselves to beauty only for time to consume their work without even acknowledging it existed? Somewhere tonight, a child is creating something absolutely extraordinary. Somewhere, a story capable of changing a life is being written for the very first time. And somewhere else, another story dies before it is ever born. Reader that should terrify you. Not because it is unlikely. Because it is ordinary for dreams to never be pursued.

That is what makes humanity sacred. Not permanence. Not survival. Not the illusion that anything was

ever promised forever. If life stretched endlessly before us, love would become weightless. If grief did not exist, devotion would mean nothing. If death never arrived, neither would urgency, nor wonder, nor the desperate and beautiful need to create something before time steals the opportunity away.

It isn’t the fear of leaving, but leaving behind something utterly unfathomable, Humanity. Edgar Allan Poe understood this. Mary Shelley understood this. Beneath every graveyard, every ghost, every monster stitched together from pieces of the dead, there lingers the same unbearable realization. Existence is precious because it ends.

America, 300 years from now, will not be measured by what it builds. It will be measured by what it remembers. By whether someone still believes stories matter. By whether a child still stays awake long after midnight scribbling poems in a notebook because their heart feels too large for silence, deeply madly in love. Love, will you still feel the same flutter in your heart.

It’s chronically insane, isn’t it reader? To have to ask if a feeling would still sit in your anatomy because of how the world can change. By whether humanity still possesses the courage to create despite knowing everything eventually disappears. Knowing you have a purpose, but genuinely? It will end one day. Because the greatest horror has never been death. It has always been reaching the end of a life without leaving behind proof that you were here at all.

Look into the future

Photo: Credit: Courtesy Sewanhaka High School

LeaH Ramai (HunteR)

YBy JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

It is nearly impossible to discuss American literary history without mentioning Walt Whitman. Often called “America’s poet,” Whitman left a lasting mark as a writer, journalist and teacher, with a legacy deeply woven into both the nation’s history and Long Island’s own.

Born in what is now Huntington Station in 1819, Whitman came from a family whose Long Island roots stretched back to the 17th century. Though the family moved to Brooklyn when he was young, the island remained part of his foundation. His formal schooling ended at 11, but his education continued in print shops, newsrooms and city streets, where he developed a lifelong appetite for language, politics and the lives of ordinary people.

ou cannot really understand America... without ‘Leaves of Grass.’

MARY BERENsON

Art historian

As a teenager and young adult, Whitman worked as a printer, teacher and journalist across Long Island and New York City. When he returned to Huntington, he founded The Long-Islander, a local newspaper that is still being published.

His formative years placed Whitman in close contact with people from every corner of American life: laborers, commuters, families, readers, voters and strangers passing through the world around him. That broad human canvas helped shape the ideals that came to define his poetry — a sweeping appreciation for everyday Americans.

Whitman carried those influences into “Leaves of Grass,” the collection he first published in 1855 and continued revising until his death in 1892. What began as a slim, unconventional volume grew into a sweeping body of work that challenged literary traditions and helped redefine what American poetry could sound like.

Much of Whitman’s work opens a window onto everyday American life, but “Song of Myself” may be his most expansive expression of that vision. In it, the speaker stretches beyond the individual, seeing himself reflected in all people and all things — a voice that is deeply personal and collective.

The poem stands apart for its bold embrace of the body, its deep connection to the natural world and its insistence on elevating the ordinary individual.

“Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,”

AMERICA Long Island’s own Walt Whitman helped give America its voice

Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Gottscho-Schleisner Collection [LC-USZC2-4855]

Walt Whitman, one of America’s most renowned poets, taught at a summer school in Woodbury in 1840. The school building, erected in 1807, was acquired by Alexander M. White around 1927, who moved it to his estate in Oyster Bay Cove. The desk from the schoolhouse once used by Whitman is now at his birthplace, a historic site, in Huntington Station.

Whitman writes — a line that captures the layered, generational nature of belonging. It suggests how roots are formed not only through family, but through the places people claim as home. For Whitman, one of those places was Long Island.

Today, the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association maintains the New York state historic site Whitman was born in. Open to the public for tours, the home provides Long Islanders with insight into his early childhood, which influenced his work. Tours run daily in the summertime, and between Wednesdays and Sundays after Labor Day.

On the grounds of his original home is also an Interpretive Center, which opened in 1997, further allowing the birthplace association to build a tourist destination and regional hub for arts and literature, that offers unique, interdisciplinary programs.

“You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without ‘Leaves of Grass’…” art historian Mary Berenson once wrote of the work, according to Whitman’s profile on Goodreads, a networking site for readers. “He has expressed that civilization, ‘up to date,’ as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him.”

News brief

NYIT offering new online degree program

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

As millions of Americans have earned some college credits but never completed a degree, the New York Institute of Technology is expanding its online undergraduate business programs to help adult learners finish their education.

The university’s School of Management now offers four fully online bachelor’s degree programs designed for students balancing work, family and other responsibilities while pursuing a degree.

The online offerings include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in business analytics, finance, management and marketing; a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting and Financial Fraud Investigation; a Bachelor of Science in Business Artificial Intelligence and Analytics; and a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Applied Artificial Intelligence.

According to the university, each program incorporates artificial intelligence into its curriculum while emphasizing practical business skills and emerging technologies. The programs were developed with input from industry leaders

to align with current workforce needs.

“These programs are ideal for a large segment of the population, including community college graduates looking to complete their bachelor’s degree, work ing professionals with some college credits, and also for career changers seeking to transition into business but hold degrees in other fields,” Jaishan kar Ganesh, dean of the School of Man agement, said in a statement. “The online programs help adult and other nontraditional students get ahead with out pausing their lives.”

The Business Administration pro gram provides a foundation in manage ment, marketing, finance and opera tions. The Forensic Accounting and Financial Fraud Investigation program prepares students for careers in audit ing, compliance and financial investiga tions. The Business Artificial Intelligence and Analytics program focuses on using AI and data analytics to solve business challenges, while the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Applied Artificial Intelligence program combines business fundamentals with AI and cloud technologies to prepare students to launch and grow new ventures.

Enrollment is open for students interested in beginning the programs this fall.

NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!

STEPPING OUT

Photos courtesy LICM

Young artists created colorful works during last summer’s ArtVentures. This year, the program is expanded into four categories and families can enjoy similar creative experiences.

Bright colors and creative techniques come together in the watercolor project, one of the hands-on activities Kids can experiment how colors react to elements, and other colors.

More than art

Cool off with an ‘Artventure’

By Stacy Driks

Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to put down the screens this summer, pick up a paintbrush and discover the many ways to create art.

With the launch of Summer ArtVentures [July 7], the museum expands its arts programming into a season-long celebration of imagination, hands-on learning and creative exploration four days a week.

Whether it’s experimenting with watercolor, building collages, sculpting with clay or creating artwork inspired by professionals, every visit offers something new.

The lineup grew from a pilot series the museum introduced last summer. After seeing children return week after week and hearing families ask for more opportunities to create, museum educators decided it was time to think bigger.

“We had such a positive reaction, people were asking if we could do them on other days and if we could offer more arts programming,” says Jeanmarie Walsh Mansfield, the museum’s director of visual arts and community initiatives. ”We found families kept coming back, and kids were building on what they learned from one week to the next.”

That enthusiasm inspired a full calendar of art experiences running throughout July and August, with activities designed to appeal to toddlers, schoolage children, teens and even adults.

Unlike traditional art classes, participants aren’t divided by age. Instead, everyone creates together in the same space, allowing each person to work at a level that’s comfortable while learning from one another.

“It’s sort of like an old-school classroom,” Mansfield says. “Kids of all ages learn with and from each other.”

Each Tuesday, the museum hosts Imagine That! Summer ArtVentures Workshops, where participants explore a different artistic medium or technique. One week may focus on collage, while another introduces mosaics, sculpture or animation. Before children begin creating, participants are introduced to artists whose work connects to that week’s project.

Some come from centuries ago, like Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, whose portraits famously transformed fruits, vegetables and other everyday objects into imaginative faces. Others are contemporary artists such as Octavio Ocampo, whose optical illusion paintings encourage viewers to look beyond first impressions.

Fireworks with the South Shore Symphony

“I want kids to learn that art can be much more than they think art is,” Mansfield says. “Art can be everywhere and made from anything. All you need is your creativity, your imagination and a willingness to experiment.”

Fridays offer Watercolor Wonder Pop-Ups, rotating through different galleries with new watercolor techniques and themes each week. One session explores the effects of salt on watercolor paint, while another teaches children how oil pastels and watercolor interact to create surprising results. Other activities draw inspiration from nature, encouraging families to experiment with flowers, color and texture.

What program is best for you?

• Tuesday: Imagine That ArtVentures workshops run from July 7 to Aug. 25, 1-3 p.m. Fee: $4 for children three and up.

• Friday: Watercolor Pop-Up run from July 10 to Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free with museum admission.

• Saturday: Amethyst Playground Pop-Up runs from July 11 to Aug. 1, noon-2 p.m. Free with museum admission.

• Monday: Squish Studio runs from July 27 to July 31, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Still craving more fireworks? Rockville Centre’s annual celebration is just the ticket! Head to Pette and Barasch Fields for a festive evening with the South Shore Symphony, capped off by a spectacular Grucci fireworks display. It’s a beloved summertime tradition that brings together everyone for a rousing spectacle. Music Director Adam Glaser passes the baton to conductor Eileen Murphy who leads the orchestra in a program of Broadway hits, movie themes, pop hits, and patriotic standards. Selections include American Salute by Morton Gould, Suite from Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, RimskyKorsakov’s Procession of Nobles, Sousa’s Washington Post March and John William’s Raiders March. The orchestra begins performing at 7:30 p.m., the fireworks begin at 9:15 and the orchestra continues after. Hosted by the Village of Rockville Centre and the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, this free event has been a favorite for more than 30 years. Admission is free and is open to everyone. Rain date is July 12.

Hope shows her art project inspired by Kelly Olshan’s “Amethyst Playground” exhibit.

On Saturdays, Amethyst Playground Pop-Up connects directly to the current Artists’ Corner exhibition by Kelly Olshan. Families transform leftover materials from the artist’s creative process into colorful magnets, demonstrating how everyday objects can become works of art.

For children who love getting their hands dirty, Squish Studio, running July 27 through 31, offers an entire week devoted to clay. Young artists can experiment with different tools, create personal sculptures and contribute to a collaborative creature that grows throughout the week.

Clay holds a special place for Mansfield.

“I’ve been wanting to do clay-based workshops for a long time,” she says. “Kids really respond to it. It’s intuitive, it’s hands-on, and it helps develop fine motor skills while encouraging creativity.”

But the aim is for visitors leave with more than artwork to hang on the refrigerator.

Creating art helps children build confidence, develop criticalthinking skills and become more comfortable taking creative risks, Mansfield explains. Working alongside others also teaches collaboration, communication and problem-solving.

“Art making reduces anxiety,” she says. “It can be meditative. We know screens can increase anxiety, but when children are creating with their hands, they’re engaged, they’re present and they’re learning.”

Perhaps most importantly, art teaches children that mistakes aren’t something to fear.

“You fail sometimes,” Mansfield says. “You make something and it doesn’t come out the way you wanted. That’s an important life skill — mistakes are learning opportunities and that you can pivot and try something different.”

And the experience sparks curiosity. Rather than providing step-by-step instructions with one “correct” outcome, educators encourage children to ask questions, explore materials and decide for themselves what they want to create.

“There’s no wrong way to make art,” Mansfield says. “I want kids to push their boundaries and realize they’re artists.”

And this is only the beginning.

Museum leadership plans to further expand programming beyond the summer, with additional workshops during school breaks and perhaps a future art festival that celebrates creativity throughout the museum.

Until then, paint, sculpt, squish and create all summer — one colorful adventure at a time. For schedules, admission and registration information, visit licm.org.

Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m. Pette and Barasch Fields, 244 S. Park Ave, Rockville Centre. For more information, visit.rvcny.us.

The Bronx Wanderers

What do you get when a father, his two sons, and two high school classmates come together to create a show? A wildly entertaining mix of hilarious personal stories, a powerhouse playlist spanning every genre and decade, and one unforgettable family’s journey through life and music. Meet The Bronx Wanderers — a high-energy musical experience that’s been bringing audiences to their feet for over 20 years. With a unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia, modern hits, and dynamic storytelling, this band has mastered the art of connecting with fans of all ages in one sweeping, musical tour de force. They’re still having the time of their lives — and by the end of the show, you will be too.

Sunday, July 12,7:30 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

jul

9

Summertime tunes

Experience the unforgettable arena rock sound of Foreigner and Journey with crowd-favorite hits, soaring vocals, and classic rock energy.

• Where: Back lawn of Saw Mill Elementary School, 2801 Saw Mill Road

• Time: 7 p.m.

‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to country-western. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.

• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Family theater

Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm... must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 15

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

Wild Child

• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore

• Time: 5-6 p.m., also through August.

• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org

Citizen Science: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to be a citizen scientist and study monarch butterflies in the museum’s Milkweed Garden. By measuring plants, rainfall, and monarch eggs you will be collecting real data that scientists can analyze! Your data will help them understand butterfly migration and will help conserve this species. Each Wednesday, take a walk through this garden and see how the plants grow as habitat for visiting monarchs! To join, meet at the front desk. For ages 4+.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 2-3 p.m.

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

Disco grooves

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with Disco Unlimited. When Sista Soul, Sparkle Sista, Joe Cool, Strat Cat Ricky Smooth and The MacDaddy, all hit the stage, you are instantly transported to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits, platform shoes and your very best dance moves. And dance you will – when you experience the magic created when the boogie begins.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

12

musical compositions. It’s not a performance. There aren’t any rehearsals. There’s no audience. We just sing for our own enjoyment. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the notes. The point is not perfection, it is to have fun. Bring your own musical score or borrow one. $10 donation.

• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: LICS.org

Lights, camera, Long Island!

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

This is not a typical tribute or pretend concert act. Wild Child relies on recapturing the original: sound, feel, mood, dynamics and delivery of the Doors music. In true Doors fashion there are no: wigs, props, costumes, or phony banter between songs. It’s about the music and its delivery. Wild Child lead singer Dave Brock’s Doors tribute debuted with a triple sellout at the Whisky a-Go-Go. Since the band debuted, the act has been touring and playing at sold out national act venues and festivals around the world. Wild Child became the mold that “tribute bands” aspired to become, as they flooded the market in the 1990s with good and bad impersonations of famous artists. In 2010 Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, invited Dave to tour with them as their vocalist on their concert engagements. This was perhaps the best compliment Dave has ever received from anyone for his work. Being selected by these two Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame musicians was a huge honor; the ultimate compliment of his talents and speaks volumes for his credibility as a Doors style frontman and vocalist. Fans and critics alike praise Wild Child performances as the closest thing to a real 1960s Doors concert and live Doors experience.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

jul

15

Nature Connects

jul

Live After Five Don’t miss out on Merrick’s Live After Five, back for another year. Merrick Community Civic Association hosts an evening dedicated to supporting local businesses. Participating restaurants and shops offer special promotions for the evening for all customers. Enjoy music at the Gazebo near the LIRR (weather permitting).

• Where: Along Merrick Avenue, from LIRR to Loines Ave, and into the Merrick Mall

• Time: Beginning at 5 p.m.

2026 Summer Sing

Calling all singers! From experienced choral veterans to shower singers with a taste for the classics, all are welcome at Long Island Choral Society’s sing-in happening. The repertoire includes Faure Requiem and assorted choral works to honor America. Summer Sing is an opportunity for people who love to sing, love choral music or both to get together with like-minded individuals and sing some great jul

The Long Island International Film Expo continues, bringing independent cinema from around the globe to local audiences. The diverse lineup includes documentaries, feature films, shorts, horror films, music videos and late-night screenings for mature audiences, along with workshops and more. Notable selections include “The Random Guest,” the final film featuring actor Peter Greene.

• Where: Bellmore Movies & Showplace, 222 Pettit Ave.,Bellmore

• Time: Varied, through July 16

• Contact: For a complete schedule and tickets, visit LIIFE2026.eventive.org

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Seasonal Sprouts offers is a LEGO-themed adventure for young explorers. Children (ages 4–10) embark on a guided outdoor tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. Everyone discovers the wonders of nature in a fun and hands-on way. After the tour, kids can unleash their creativity in a LEGO free-play area. $22 per adult, $20 ages 62+, $12 child. Registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 11 a.m.-noon and 2-3 p.m.

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

Youth filmmaking workshop

Kids ages 8-14 can join JFK High School senior Ben Stone for a free five-session filmmaking course at Bellmore Memorial Library. It covers storytelling, cinematography and editing.

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.

Community rallies to support local pantry

its 10th anniversary last year, operates through the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District and provides food twice each month to 30 to 45 local families. Although school is out for the summer, the pantry remains open with distribution days in July and August before returning to its regular sched -

ule in the fall.

“It’s amazing to have the community come out and support the pantry, especially at this time of year when donations are at our lowest and people’s needs are at their highest because the schools are closed,” Karin McMahon, co-founder of The Community Cupboard, said.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS, CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2007-OA9 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OA9, Plaintiff, vs. NORTH SHORE FINANCIAL I, INC., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 21, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 22, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 2595 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain

plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 63, Block 135 and Lot 868. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,227,457.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609406/2019. Cash will not be accepted.

Lisa B. Singer, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160768

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL

CAPITAL LOAN TRUST 2017-02, Plaintiff against 18 HELENE AVE LLC; EDDYLI ROSARIO, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 3, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 23, 2026 at 2:00PM. Premises known as 18 Helene Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. Sec 56 Block 448 Lot 3. 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. Approximate Amount

of Judgment is $1,433,972.34 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 610604/2020. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Joy Bunch, Esq., Referee File # 22-000061-01 160762

Heading into the summer, the pantry was stocked with fewer supplies than it had a year ago, making the tournament’s donations especially meaningful, McMahon said.

“It was a big help,” she said.

Eric Arlin, the school district’s executive director of alternative education, said the donations are arriving during one of the Community Cupboard’s most challenging seasons.

“This donation will help us through our slowest time during the year for donations, the summer,” Arlin said.

“Thank you to Senator Rhoads and his team for their generosity and support in keeping our cupboard shelves full.”

Rhoads also recognized his intern, Matthew Rowe, for organizing the tour-

nament and coordinating the community food drive.

Luke Peckham, Sebastian Ling, Anthony Posanti and Tommy Dillon captured this year’s volleyball tournament title.

McMahon said events like the volleyball tournament reflect the generosity of the Bellmore-Merrick community.

“If there’s a need, the Bellmore-Merrick community steps up and helps their people,” she said. “If we put something out there, they’ll help a good cause in general.”

Rhoads said he plans to continue the tradition by hosting a third annual charity beach volleyball tournament next year.

Participants compete during State Sen. Steve Rhoads’ second annual 4-on-4 Charity Beach Volleyball Tournament.

The Office of Senator Steve Rhoads

The event collected food donations for the Bellmore-merrick Community Cupboard.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour

Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

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

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

Eldercare

PRINTING

Contemporary Coastal Living

Cemetery Plots

Pinelawn Memorial Park

2 Cemetery Plots For Sale Plot M Grave 222 Range 26, Block 6, Section 40 $2,500.00 Each Total Real Value $8,000 615-444-3175 or 615-609-0332 Harrywatkins@yahoo.com

Stunning new construction. Experience modern luxury in this beautifully designed 5-bedroom, 5 1/2

What to do about cracking concrete

Q. We have large cracks in our concrete driveway and garage floor, and want to make sure they are repaired correctly, since they appear to be recently done, possibly within a year before we purchased the house. In particular, there is a nearly round hole that turned to gravel, kind of, and we want to know why it happened and avoid having it happen again. What can you tell us?

A. Concrete reacts to extreme weather changes. That is a given to designers of concrete structures, even though most people think concrete is the “immovable object.”

Nature moves mountains, so your driveway was no challenge for the forces of nature.

Extreme cold causes concrete to contract, push in on itself, while the heat has the effect of stretching this fairly rigid material to its limits. In the heat of summer, as you may have heard, the beautifully engineered Autobahn in Germany just buckled in various places. I’ve seen cars going nearly 200 miles per hour on that roadway, but with a buckled road, sections were shut down.

The key to any material selection is understanding its reaction to two major factors in nature, namely, water and movement. Throw in other factors, like chemical reaction and deterioration rates, and you realize that concrete is vulnerable. You have to work with its basic properties to have it adapt and cooperate with your intended use.

All that being said, the hole is basically like a zit, a buildup of pressure in a weaker place across the surface. Concrete develops strength as a chemical reaction to the specific combination of materials it is made from. With too much water in the mix, it will be weaker, especially in a particular spot. If it has no way to expand over a large area, as a thin sheet, only 4 to 6 inches thick over 10 to 20 feet, its strength is reduced because of a strengthto-distance ratio. So, to relieve the intensity of the expansion or contraction, separations, or “joints,” are made so the slabs can spread the forces of shrinking or expanding, a little.

Concrete is known to be very strong in compression, meaning you can press it together, to an extreme, before it crushes. On the other hand, it has very little ability to resist being stretched or pulled apart. To counteract the problem, steel, which is very elastic (stretchable) is spaced within formed concrete to increase the resistance to cracking apart. The combination of steel, in the right ratio and strength, and expansion joints, to let the concrete separate without unsightly cracks, makes the concrete more stable. Even just a depressed joint, not through and through, helps, by basically letting the concrete crack in a controlled way, where the crack runs in a straight depression instead of looking like a big rip.

I recommend having a professional make the repairs, with caution. You want an experienced company that works from a calculated solution, not just a quick fix. More next week. Good luck!

© 2026 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Stuff HERALD

BOAT OARS, ALUMINUM. 8.5' $50. Extra large and medium life vests $20 each. Text 516-647-1999.

SERVICES

Appliance Srvc./Repair

APPLIANCE DOCTOR FOR ALL YOUR APPLIANCE REPAIRS! Prompt, Reasonable, Reliable. All Repairs Guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Serving Community 45 Years. $10 OFF Repairs. Seniors $12 OFF. 516-764-7011

THE APPLIANCE KING: Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Microwaves, Stoves, Refrigerators. WE RULE REPAIR ! $10 Off Repair With Ad. Senior Discount. Lic/Ins #201025, Call 516.640.8593

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

Cleaning Services

WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC. Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC.

All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Handyman

PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICE

Tired of calling a contractor & they don't call back? I will call you back the same day!

917-822-0225 Ricky Specializing in carpentry, bathrooms, kitchens, sheetrock, flooring, electric, plumbing. Over 25 yrs exp.Lic/Ins H3805150000

Home

Improvement

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER?

STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-877-318-7982

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-877-271-0003

Home Improvement

DO YOU KNOW what's in your water?

Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728

PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move.

PREPARE FOR POWER outages with

Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496

SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Services

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-877-290-0023 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE

*TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Accounting & Tax

END YOUR TAX worries today. Let us make your tax problem our priority. Scared, stuck with high tax amounts? Our A+ tax professionals can help. Call for a FREE consultation. Call Priority Tax now 1877-663-7719

Health & Fitness

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-877-536-0251

ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-877-468-3979

Internet Services

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-877-461-0663

Legal Services

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-877-315-0990. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider.

Medical

AUDIEN HEARING. THE world's first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions. 45-day risk free trial. Free shipping. Lifetime support. More than 1.5 million happy customers. Call Audien 1-855-484-2093

Tutoring

TUTOR AVAILABLE: Build skills, confidence, and academic success! Certified K-12 ENL teacher offering personalized ENL or general tutoring for elementary students. Contact me: 516-404-6785 AUTOMOBILE

& MARINE

opinions

Our town is standing up for mothers, fathers and families

At a time when many Americans feel that common sense is increasingly under attack, the Town of Hempstead has taken a stand.

Last month the Town Board voted to approve my resolution to protect mothers and fathers, making our township the first municipality in New York state to formally preserve the terms “mother” and “father” throughout our municipal code, forms and official documents.

For many residents, this may seem like something that shouldn’t require government action. After all, mothers and fathers have been the foundation of families and communities since the beginning of our nation. Yet recent actions in Albany have made it clear that what once seemed self-evident can no longer be taken for granted.

Legislation recently passed by the State Legislature would replace longstanding family terminology in state law with terms such as “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent.” Many

parents across Long Island see something much larger at stake than mere terminology. They see an effort to remove language that has reflected the reality of family life for generations.

The language we use shapes how we understand our institutions, our traditions and our values. When government begins replacing universally understood terms like “mother” and “father” with bureaucratic alternatives, it sends a message that these roles are somehow outdated or unworthy of recognition. I reject that notion, and so does the Town Board.

Wnot deserve to be erased.

The Town of Hempstead has always been a place where families come first. Our residents choose to live here because of our neighborhoods, schools, parks, houses of worship and sense of community. These are the institutions that make suburban life possible and help families thrive.

e don’t want any part of terms like ‘gestating’ and ‘non-gestating parent.’

This resolution is not about excluding anyone. It is not about judging how people choose to live their lives. Rather, it is about affirming a simple truth that mothers and fathers play unique and indispensable roles in raising children and building strong families.

As a husband and father, I know firsthand the importance of family. I know what it means to hear children call out for their mom or dad. I know the sacrifices parents make every day to provide for their families, teach their children values and prepare the next generation for success. Those roles deserve respect, recognition and preservation. They do

That’s why our local government has consistently focused on policies that improve quality of life. We have worked to keep taxes affordable, strengthen public safety, invest in parks and infrastructure, and deliver essential services efficiently. But protecting our community also means defending the values that unite us. When Albany extremists advance policies that touch on fundamental aspects of family and community life, local governments have a responsibility to speak up on behalf of the people they represent.

Hempstead is America’s largest township. With that distinction comes a responsibility to lead. We cannot simply sit on the sidelines and hope someone else will defend the principles that matter to our residents.

Our resolution sends a clear message that the mothers and fathers of Hemp-

stead will not be ignored. It tells families that their local government hears their concerns and shares their belief that traditional parental roles remain worthy of recognition. And it demonstrates that local communities still have a voice, even when they disagree with the direction coming from Albany.

As we continue to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, we should reflect on the values that have sustained this country through its greatest challenges. Family is one of those values. Strong families create strong neighborhoods. Strong neighborhoods create strong communities. And strong communities create a strong nation. This simple principle is as true today as it was generations ago.

The town’s resolution to protect mothers and fathers is about preserving that foundation for future generations. It is about ensuring that common-sense language remains part of our public institutions. And it is about standing up for the families who make our township such a special place to live.

I’m proud that Hempstead has led the way. My hope is that other communities across New York will join us in affirming the importance of mothers, fathers and the families they help build. These are values worth defending.

John Ferretti is supervisor of the Town of Hempstead.

Biofuels can help decarbonize L.I.’s school bus fleet

As the deadline for school districts to begin purchasing zero-emission school buses loomed, state lawmakers rightfully hit the brakes by delaying the mandate for five years.

The reasons are as clear as they are daunting: the electric grid isn’t ready, charging infrastructure remains scarce compared with ambitious state targets, and the upfront cost of a single electric bus can be triple that of a traditional one.

For Long Island school districts already grappling with a high tax burden and unique costof-living challenges, this represents yet another significant financial strain that would fall squarely on local taxpayers.

State leaders should be lauded for recognizing these realities. But as officials continue to debate these and other changes to the state’s climate law, we can’t fall into an either-or trap, just as we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

New York already has a solution that has been in use for decades, and is easily deployed: renewable liquid fuels.

Transitioning the existing school bus fleets to renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent immediately. Unlike electric buses, which require specialized chargers and rely on our dangerously thin electric grid, renewable diesel works in the engines we already own. It requires no costly equipment overhauls, no new infrastructure, and performs reliably in cold New York winters.

Rfrom entering our air annually. Officials aim to complete the conversion of all city-owned vehicles this summer.

New York became the first state in the Northeast to offer the fuel to state agencies, authorities, schools, municipalities and nonprofits in 26 counties, including Nassau and Suffolk. Still, too few are availing themselves of this resource.

e newable diesel fuel works in the school bus engines we already own.

While the state waits years for the grid to catch up, municipal leaders are already proving that renewable liquid fuels — biodegradable fuel manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled restaurant grease — can deliver significantly carbon reduction today without breaking the bank.

New York City is leading the way, having transitioned its fleet of garbage trucks, emergency vehicles and other heavy-duty machines to renewable diesel in 2024, a move expected to prevent 162 million pounds of carbon dioxide

And while much of today’s conversation centers on delays in transportation electrification, concerns about the pace and practicality of electrification are also growing in the homes and buildings sectors, as well as budget-strapped public facilities — especially our schools.

Consider a high school in Brooklyn where administrators recently replaced traditional heating oil with the renewable fuel alternative, making it the first school in New York City to convert to a heating system running entirely on biofuels. This historic transition to cleaner renewable fuels proves that giving schools and other institutions the flexibility they need to adopt a range of clean-energy solutions — not just electrification — is how the

state can continue to make meaningful climate progress while keeping energy reliable and at a manageable price point.

This common-sense approach is what New Yorkers are demanding as they navigate a punishing economy. With affordability continuing to be top of mind and the state grid operator warning of a razor-thin reliability margin that leaves Long Island particularly vulnerable to blackouts, a pragmatic, costeffective approach to making environmental progress today is the smart approach for the region’s school districts and the taxpayers and families who support them.

The debate in Albany often presents a false choice between a costly mandate and a climate delay. But a true all-of-theabove approach to energy options being advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and some legislators can find an effective middle ground when the right tools are brought into the mix.

The grid will catch up eventually, but our environment and hardworking Long Islanders can’t afford to wait. It’s time to choose the solutions that work today.

Rocco J. Lacertosa is CEO of the Hauppauge-based New York State Energy Coalition.

Investing in libraries pays dividends all year

Summer has a way of reminding us about the simple pleasures in life. For many, that means relaxing on the beach with a good book, spending time with family or finding fun ways to stay cool during the hottest days of the year.

But while a great novel may be the perfect beach companion, the local public library offers so much more than books. It is one of the smartest and most valuable investments any community can make.

Libraries have evolved far beyond quiet reading rooms lined with shelves full of books. They are vibrant community centers that welcome residents of every age and every background. They’re places where curiosity is encouraged, lifelong learning is celebrated and neighbors come together at author readings, musical performances and movie screenings.

Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for libraries. Children who might otherwise lose valuable academic skills during the school break can take part in summer reading programs intended to keep their minds engaged while making learning fun.

Teens can explore new interests through workshops, volunteer opportunities and technology programs. Adults can attend lectures, careerdevelopment seminars, financial-literacy classes and cultural events. Seniors can take part in social gatherings, edu-

letterS

Scott’s column should be required college reading

To the Editor:

Re Robert A. Scott’s column, “What it means to be a college graduate,” in the June 24-30 issue: At a time when some are questioning the value of a college education, Dr. Scott offers a thoughtful perspective on this important issue. Drawing on his own experiences at Bucknell University as well as research that demonstrates the many positive outcomes of college, he makes a strong case for post-secondary education. At its best, Scott notes, college can not only improve students’ writing and speaking skills and boost graduates’ earning power, but also foster personal growth and enhance one’s outlook on the world. “College is, or should be,” he writes, “as much about character development and active citizenship as it is about preparation for careers and advancement in commerce.”

cational presentations and wellness activities that help combat isolation while strengthening community connections.

Libraries are free public spaces open to everyone. They provide safe, air-conditioned environments in which families can spend time together, students can study, remote workers can focus and anyone can simply enjoy a quiet place to read, learn or reflect.

These services don’t disappear when summer ends. Throughout the year, libraries host civic meetings, support groups, educational workshops, cultural performances, technology training, tax-preparation assistance, job search resources and countless other programs that strengthen the social fabric of our communities. They serve as gathering places where ideas are exchanged, friendships are formed and local organizations find a home.

Elected officials deserve recognition when they prioritize funding for public libraries. Public investments often bring to mind roads, bridges or major construction projects, and those investments certainly matter. But investments in libraries produce returns that cannot always be measured in dollars. Whether funding is for the renovation of a community room to expand programs and services or a much larger capital project that overhauls the entire building, libraries aim to improve educational outcomes, encour-

age civic engagement, reduce social isolation, create stronger, more connected communities, and make their facilities more welcoming, accessible and functional for everyone who walks through their doors.

These projects also reflect a broader truth: Investments in libraries are investments in people. Every renovated classroom, meeting space or children’s area creates opportunities for learning, connection and growth that extend well beyond the life of the construction project itself.

At a time when many people worry about loneliness, educational gaps and divisions in society, libraries quietly address each of those challenges every day. They remain one of the few places where everyone is welcome, regardless of age, income or background, and where the only requirement for entry is a willingness to learn.

As summer unfolds, residents should take full advantage of everything their local libraries have to offer. Borrow that next beach read. Sign a child up for a reading challenge. Attend a lecture, explore a new hobby, join a community group or simply spend an afternoon discovering something new.

Every library card opened, every book borrowed and every program attended is a reminder that one of the greatest investments we can make is in institutions that educate, inspire and bring us together.

The administration just won’t let up on deportation

There was an especially poignant happening on Long Island recently, amid the Trump administration’s campaign against immigrants, when honor student Sara Lopez Garcia returned — virtually — for graduation ceremonies at Suffolk County Community College and gave a video presentation.

A year earlier, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had raided Garcia’s home in Mastic and arrested her.

As Bart Jones reported in Newsday, Garcia, who had a 3.9 GPA, “told the crowd … that while she joined in celebrating their new degrees, including hers, the day was bittersweet, as she was forced to watch from 2,500 miles away in South America.”

“This day brings really difficult memories for me,” Garcia, dressed in graduation regalia, said from Colombia. Of her arrest, she added, “It was one of the moments of my life when I felt fear. I was so scared, and everything was uncertain. I didn’t know what would happen to me, to my family, to my future.”

LeTTers

She was sent to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana. She had been brought to the United States by her mother, who was also arrested, and has no criminal record.

Jones wrote that SCCC English Professor Cynthia Eaton had nominated Garcia to speak at graduation because “she was a model of determination in the face of adversity.” Said Eaton: “She is a good thinker. She’s a good learner. She’s a good person … Everybody on our campus knew Sara’s smile. They all loved Sara. She was like a magnet … upbeat, positive.”

followed by laws enacted by New York state that prohibit “local governments, state and local police, and state and local corrections” from entering into “agreements with the federal government that allow for state and local enforcement personnel and facilities to be used for civil immigration enforcement purposes” — and that also ban “state, local and federal officers from wearing face covering while interacting with the public.”

A former Border Patrol chief talks of deporting over 100 million people.

Jim Morgo, ex-chief deputy Suffolk County executive, a former vice chair of the college’s board of trustees and a teacher, said that Garcia “is the perfect example of everything that’s wrong with mass deportation. There’s no distinguishing the honor students from the rapist.”

On Long Island, as is the case in the rest of the nation, there’s opposition to President Trump’s deportation program. For months there have been protests. The Town of East Hampton and, before that, East Hampton Village passed laws blocking their participation with ICE.

The town and village actions were

Scott’s column should be required reading for every new college student, especially those entering with the misguided notion that college is little more than a quick ticket to a job. While finding a career that’s a good fit should certainly be part of everyone’s college years, students should also use this time to learn about themselves, to engage ideas, to come to grips with life’s complexities, and to develop a deeper understanding of the world that’s waiting for them after graduation.

Colleges themselves would also do well to pay attention to Scott’s advice. Too many schools present themselves as career factories, highlighting their programs’ “real world” skill development while paying only minimal attention to the transformative experiences that a college education can (and should) provide. Graduating thoughtful, knowledgeable and insightful human beings — people capable of seeing life’s big picture and acting on behalf of the greater good — should be a primary goal of higher education.

Given the cost of college, as well as our collective anxiety about the future of America’s workforce, I can understand many students’ wish to choose a major that will help them make their way. But preparing for a career needn’t preclude being open to activities and experiences, both in and out of the classroom, that will invite students to stretch intellectually, socially and emotionally. There are indeed many valuable lessons to be learned here; students should not miss out on them.

But Tom Homan, the exdirector of ICE who was given the title of “border czar” by Trump, has vowed that if New York passed “this ridiculous legislation,” ICE would “flood the zone. You’re going to see more ICE agents than you ever seen before.”

And in a party-line vote in the U.S. Senate, Republicans passed $70 billion in new funding for ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol, in addition to $150 billion the agencies received last year.

Meanwhile, Greg Bovino, the former Border Patrol chief who was removed in January after Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, has announced that he is running for president, and said, “My one and only priority is deporting the 106 million illegal

FrAmework by Tim

Baker

immigrants who are here.”

The website Mediaite commented that this is one-third of the nation’s population, and “the true number of illegal immigrants peaked at 14 million in 2023, according to Pew [Research Center].”

Back to earth and Long Island, the Bridgehampton Museum recently held an exhibition titled, “What We Carry: Memory & Migration.” “Rooted in themes central to the East End and beyond, What We Carry underscores how migration stories are embedded in local history while resonating on a global scale,” the museum wrote, and was co-curated by Jeremy Dennis, a Shinnecock Native American; Mark Wilson, who has roots in Australia; and Darius Yektai, who has an Iranian and Greek background.

The exhibition was scheduled to be followed by presentations by East Hampton attorney Lenny Ackerman, the author of “Leibisch’s Journey,” a book about his father’s escape from the horrors of the Russian Revolution through Europe to the U.S., and Tara Rider, a Stony Brook University professor of history, to speak about her book “Journey of Hope: The Irish in New York.”

Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.

The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels arrive at Republic Airport to prepare for their performances at Jones Beach — Farmingdale

MEREDITH VANDEGRIFT, MD, FACS Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Vandegrift Plastic Surgery KRISTIN THORNE Emmy-Award Winning Investigative Reporter

THERESA PORCARO Vice President, Growth & Marketing Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine