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Composting connections in N. Merrick community-run initiative that would give residents an active role in reducing waste and a Every Saturday morning at sense of ownership over the the Nor th Mer rick Public project. “You wouldn’t have this withLibrary, residents gather with buckets of food scraps, ready to out the community, and the comturn their kitchen waste into munity already feels ownership of the library,” she something useful. But between chopsaid. “I think that ping vegetable peelextends the feeling ings and mixing to the compost compost, they’re site.” cultivating someKrueger’s interthing else — comest in composting munity connecbegan near the end tions. of the pandemic, Neighbors who when she started might not otherwise researching recymeet spend these cling in the Town of mornings under a Hempstead and tree, sharing stories where Long Island’s as they work, Lauwaste ends up. ren Krue ger, co“From there, I founder of Commu- lAUREN KRUEGER kind of decided nity Composting Co-founder, Community that food waste, Counts, said. since it makes up Composting Counts T he org anizaabout a third of tion, in partnership solid waste overall, with the library, inaugurated the was a really important way to composting site with a Pumpkin attack all the stuff that we’re Smash in October 2025 before incinerating and landfilling,” launching weekly operations in she said. April. Since then, the program After visiting composting has collected more than 1,000 sites across Long Island, pounds of food scraps and drawn Krueger approached the library 23 participating families. in 2024 with a proposal to use its For Krueger, a Merrick resiContinued on page 15 dent, the goal was to create a
By AllYSoN FERRARI
aferrari@liherald.com
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Mepham honors its softball standouts Members of Wellington C. Mepham High School’s 2021 and 2022 softball teams were among those inducted into the school’s Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame during its Oct. 3 homecoming celebration. The ceremony recognized former athletes and coaches for their contributions to Mepham’s athletic legacy. The festivities also included the annual Pirate Fest, a homecoming football victory over Valley Stream Central and a homecoming dance. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Elisa’s serves up nearly 30 years of food, family and memories By JUlIA GIllEGo jgillego@liherald.com
For nearly 30 years, Elisa’s Restaurant, in North Bellmore, has served as more than a place to enjoy Italian food. For brothers Rocky and Paolo Telese, the family-owned restaurant has become a gathering place where longtime customers return year after year, families celebrate milestones and neighbors are welcomed like old friends. As the restaurant approaches its 30th anniversary later this month, Elisa’s is beginning a new chapter, with recent renovations to its entrance, dining area and bar, bringing a refreshed look to
a neighborhood fixture. But while the space has changed, the brothers said the qualities that have kept customers coming back remain the same: a welcoming atmosphere, personal service and a commitment to making every guest feel at home. “We’re all over the community,” Rocky Telese said. “We live here. We work here. It’s important to us that our local customers are treated like gold, because they’re also our neighbors.” The Teleses grew up working in the restaurant business alongside their parents, Antonio and Elisabetta, who immigrated from Italy. Antonio helped them open Elisa’s, on Jerusalem Continued on page 14
Y
ou wouldn’t have this without the community, and the community already feels ownership of the library.
To love or not to love? That is the question By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s On Tour Company will open its 2026-27 season with William Shakespeare’s comedy “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” directed by James Crichton, with performances beginning Oct. 16. The production puts a 1990s twist on Shakespeare’s classic, transporting the story to a prestigious boys’ boarding school in wester n Massachusetts. Inspired by films such as “Dead Poets Society” and “Clueless,” the adaptation reimagines the Kingdom of Navarre as Navarre Academy, with the female characters attending the nearby St. Genevieve’s Académie de France. The story follows Ferdinand, the King of Navarre, and his three companions, Berowne, Longaville and Dumaine, who pledge to avoid women for three years while dedicating themselves to studying and fasting. Their plans quickly unravel when the Princess of France arrives with her three ladies-in-waiting, Rosaline, Maria and Katherine. As the four young men fall in love, a series of comedic mishaps unfolds, including misplaced letters, disguises and mistaken identities. The play explores themes of love, desire, reputation and relationships between men and women. The updated production incorporates popular music and cultural references
Herald file
Calhoun High School’s On Tour Company will open its 2026-27 season with a 1990s-inspired adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” with performances scheduled for Oct. 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24. from the mid-1990s, with characters reimagined as students and staff members at the two schools. The cast features Dylan Glaser as Ferdinand, Gavin Zenie as Berowne, Brooke Thatcher as the Princess of France, Madison Petry as Rosaline, Jake Schwartz as Dumaine, Liam Nawrocki as Longaville, Carina Onesto as Katherine, Sulakhni
Brar as Maria, Jayden Reyes as Don Adriano de Armado, Harry Jerozal as Costard and Tess Curcio as Holofernes. An ensemble of returning and new On Tour Company members rounds out the cast. The production team includes Nick Giordano, technical director and set and lighting designer; Lydia Gladstone, costume designer; and Tony Melfa, sound
designer. Student production team members include assistant directors Madison Petry and Brooke Thatcher, stage managers Morgan Milovich and Elizabeth Ramos, and choreographers Adeline Chaffey and Laura Glazer. Founded in 1973 by James Drake and Dale Parkinson, the On Tour Company has been part of Calhoun’s theater program for more than 50 years. Previous instructors include Dianne Meistrell, John Fredrickson and Sal Salerno, who led the company for more than four decades. Crichton currently directs the program. The company’s 2026-27 season will also feature Kaufman and Hart’s “You Can’t Take It With You,” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” and Dramafest, an evening of student-written, directed and produced works. Performances of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” are scheduled for Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7 p.m., with an understudy performance Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. All shows will take place in the Sal Salerno Little Theater at Calhoun High School, 1786 State St., Merrick. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at (516) 9921377 or through ticket request links on the company’s Instagram account, @theontourcompany. For more information, visit www. chsontourco.org.
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MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026 Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
From left, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel Eric Gomez, Assistant Principal Theresa Dell’Olio, social studies teacher and kickline coach Kerry Dennis, Assistant Superintendent Mikaela Coni, social studies chairperson Robyn Einbinder, Athletic Director William Murphy and Assistant Principal Rick Aceste joined the homecoming celebration.
Pirates bring the spirit to Mepham homecoming Wellington C. Mepham High School celebrated its annual homecoming Oct. 3, bringing students, alumni and community members together for a day of school spirit, athletic achievements and Pirate traditions. The festivities kicked off with the school’s annual Pirate Fest, where students showcased Mepham’s clubs and organizations. Families, alumni and residents gathered on campus to learn about student activities and connect with the school community. The celebration continued on the football field, where the Mepham Pirates defeated Valley Stream Central High School, 50-15. Throughout the game, the Mepham band, led by Anthony Brandofino, entertained spectators with musical performances. The school’s kickline team, coached by Kerry Dennis, and cheerleading squads, led by Ashley Yunker, kept the crowd energized with halftime routines. Homecoming also included a celebration of Mepham’s athletic history with the induction of new members into the school’s Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame, organized by social studies teacher Stel Pefanis. This year’s honorees included runner Mark Belger, baseball player Robert Tritsch, coach Ken Hunte, basketball player Jennifer Geiger and members of the 2021 and 2022 softball teams. The festivities concluded with the homecoming dance, where Will Schaefer and Maddie Santos were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively. — Allyson Ferrari
Students highlighted Mepham High School’s clubs and organizations during Pirate Fest, giving families and community members an opportunity to explore student activities.
Will Schaefer and Maddie Santos were crowned homecoming king and queen during Mepham High School’s homecoming dance.
Mepham High School Principal Anthony DeMartinis joined the Pirate mascot for the school’s annual homecoming celebration Oct. 3.
The Mepham Pirates secured a 50-15 victory over Valley Stream Central High School during their Oct. 3 homecoming matchup.
October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
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How will architects use A.I.? Ask The Architect
Q. There’s been a lot of controversy about A.I. lately, and I’m wondering what it has done for architects. Do you see a threat to your job, or has it been helpful? Will it lower the cost of architects? What do you see in the immediate future?
A. As Yogi Berra once said, the future ain’t what it used to be. It’s
getting closer all the time. Artificial intelligence is a way to solve problems faster using computers. I wish it were so, that A.I. saved time and money, especially for planning, drawing and building. The process of developing a project — a renovation, addition or new building — has many stages. First there’s what’s referred to as “scope of work,” that is, putting together an outline of the needs to be fulfilled, the onte eeper study of limitations, such as laws (building and zoning codes) and physical restrictions (weather, water and other influences), the process of getting all the spaces to flow together and be sized well, the material selections, structural analysis, the creation of the pretty picture to make the project look good, then the process of documenting everything into a set of construction plans showing how all the thousands of parts go together. There will come a time when the assembly part of the process, on screen and paper, will be faster, because the computer processing is faster, but because each stage also includes human emotion, unwritten local rules and owner decisions, unless humans just step aside, the computer can’t read minds, at least not yet, and the process will still need human guidance for a long time to come. I’ve been able to develop artistic renderings of what a project will look like in an hour (with multiple voice command edits) instead of a day, but the computer will assemble parts in ways that may be physically impossible if not closely monitored, such as balconies protruding from buildings with no way to get out onto them, handrails running into windows, floors too thin to be structurally sound — blunders that a human can catch but A.I. hasn’t perfected, yet. Each part of the process has tasks that A.I. is helpful with, such as researching the most applicable section of a building code to determine if a selected window opening, set of stairs or fire safety equipment is correct. But A.I. can also select the wrong version of a law, one that’s outdated, and A.I. won’t know the difference. If a human doesn’t realize the error, problems move forward and can cause delays instead of saving time. Another problem is described as “garbage in, garbage out,” a phrase known in the computer industry since its beginnings. If the input isn’t clear and concise, the output is open to failure. Humans will need to sharpen their skills, too!
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© 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.
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Hochul declares disaster emergency over measles By JEFF BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state disaster emergency in response to a growing number of measles cases in rural areas of New York and neighboring states. The executive order is intended to allow the state to respond more quickly to the outbreak and expand access to measles vaccinations and testing. The order expands the pool of health care professionals who can administer measles, mumps and rubella vaccines to include paramedics, advanced emergency medical services providers, pharmacists and midwives. It also allows nurses, in addition to physicians, to order measles testing. “After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease,” Hochul said in a news release from Oct. 6. “No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.” Hochul also said she received her seasonal flu vaccine on Oct. 6 and urged New Yorkers to get their flu shots. She directed the state’s Department of Health to provide regular public notifications and resources throughout the flu season. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the department is working with local health departments and regional partners to track and contain measles cases. “The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is the best protection — protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses,” McDonald said in the release, which urged New Yorkers to check their vaccination status and health care providers to be prepared to identify and treat measles cases. As of Oct. 3, New York had recorded 108 confirmed measles cases this year, including seven in New York City and 101 elsewhere in the state. Since July 15, 92 cases have been reported among underimmunized, rural communities in 18 counties. Local health departments have administered more than 1,000 doses of the
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Courtesy office of Gov. Kathy Hochul
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency on Oct. 6 in response to a growing number of measles cases in rural areas of New York and nearby states. MMR vaccine in rural areas since then. The state’s response includes clinical education and guidance for health care providers, epidemiological support for case investigations and contact tracing, expedited laboratory testing, vaccine distribution and community outreach. The Department of Health also is providing data analysis and culturally appropriate immunization education to local health departments. New York launched a measles dashboard that allows residents and health care officials to track local health risks and monitor the spread of the disease. Health officials are continuing monitoring and investigation efforts, including contact tracing, to help prevent additional infections. Residents contacted by public health officials are encouraged to respond so officials can provide information and take steps to limit the spread of the disease. State officials urged New Yorkers to make sure they are up to date on their MMR vaccinations and to pay attention to health advisories, particularly when traveling with unvaccinated people, including young children. Infants between 6 and 11 months old can receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine before international travel or if they otherwise face an increased risk of exposure, according to health officials. The state’s dedicated measles website is Health.NY.gov/diseases/communicable/measles.
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Adelphi to host breast cancer survivorship event
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is encouraging women across New York to prioritize their health, seek information and connect with support services during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The program’s fall 2026 awareness campaign, “Take the First Step. You’re Not Alone,” encourages women to schedule mammograms, learn about available breast cancer resources and reach out for support. As part of the campaign, the program will host its annual Celebration of Survivorship on Oct. 22 at Adelphi University in Garden City. Breast cancer survivors Pam Shapiro, Donna T. Bacon and Jeannie Rettura will share their experiences with diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, as well as the support they received along the way. “For many women, the most difficult part is taking that first step and reaching out,” said Reyna Machado, executive director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program. “Once they do, there are people here who understand what they are experiencing. Our volunteers, most of whom are breast cancer survivors themselves, and our professional staff provide information, support and connections to local resources. We want women across New York to know that support is available throughout their breast cancer journey.” Since 1980, the Adelphi Breast Cancer
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Donna T. Bacon
Pam ShaPiro
Jeannie reTTura
Program, a project of the university’s School of Social Work, has provided information and emotional support to people affected by breast cancer. Its toll-free hotline operates 365 days a year, connecting callers with volunteers who are breast cancer survivors and understand many of the concerns surrounding a diagnosis firsthand. The program also offers professional counseling in English and Spanish, support groups, educational forums and events, community outreach, survivorship programming and referrals for free or low-cost mammograms. The three women speaking at this
year’s celebration have different experiences with breast cancer and have been involved with the program and supporting other women for decades. Shapiro, who received breast cancer diagnoses in 2000, 2010 and 2019, serves on the program’s advisory board. Bacon, who holds doctorates and is a licensed clinical social worker, is a breast cancer survivor and advocate who was diagnosed in 2006. Rettura, who was diagnosed in 1986, is a breast cancer survivor and longtime volunteer with the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. The Celebration of Survivorship will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Thomas
Dixon Lovely Ballroom at Adelphi University’s Ruth S. Harley University Center in Garden City. Doors will open at 4 p.m., and the program will begin at 4:30 p.m. A light supper will be served. The event is free. For more information or to register, visit adelphi.edu/ events/celebration-of-survivorship. For breast cancer information and support, call the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline at (800) 877-8077, text (516) 262-3263 or visit adelphi.edu/ breast-cancer.
— Allyson Ferrari
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Mepham’s winning and learning By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com
JACKSON LANGEVIN OCEANSIDE Senior SOCCER TO SAY LANGEVIN has been on a tear this season would be an understatement. One of only two Nassau County boys soccer players to have double-digits in goals (12) and assists (11) entering this week’s action, he’s as big a reason as any Oceanside is close to securing the top seed in the Class AAA playoffs. The Sailors were undefeated through 13 games. Langevin’s top performance came Sept. 30 when he scored a hat trick in a 4-3 win over Syosset.
games to watch Friday, Oct. 16 Boys Volleyball: Lawrence at Hewlett...............4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer: Division at East Meadow............4:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Clarke at Lawrence ......................5 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Plainedge at V.S. North ................5 p.m. Football: Lynbrook at ERock/WHemp ..................6 p.m. Football: Mepham at Long Beach ........................6 p.m. Football: Plainedge at South Side .......................6 p.m. Football: Syosset at Farmingdale ....................6:30 p.m. Football: Port Wash at Oceanside. ..................6:30 p.m. Football: New Hyde Park at MacArthur.................7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 Girls Soccer: Kellenberg at Oceanside ...............10 a.m. Girls Volleyball: Oceanside at Massapequa........10 a.m. Girls Volleyball: Lynbrook at V.S. South...............10 a.m. Girls Volleyball: Kennedy at Calhoun ..................10 a.m. Football: Bethpage at Wantagh.......................1:30 p.m. Football: Herricks at Uniondale ......................1:30 p.m. Football: Carey at Garden City ........................1:30 p.m. Football: Kennedy at Calhoun ........................1:30 p.m. Football: Roosevelt at Baldwin........................1:30 p.m. Football: Lawrence at North Shore..................1:30 p.m. Football: Massapequa at East Meadow ..........1:30 p.m. Football: Sewanhaka at Elmont ......................1:30 p.m. Football: Malverne at Seaford .............................2 p.m.
Give knee pain a red card.
I t ’ s n o t Te d L a s s o ’ s “Believe” sign, but there’s a similar inspirational message in the Mepham boys’ soccer locker room. “We win, or we learn.” Both have rung true for the Pirates, who lear ned their lessons from an emotional 3-2 defeat to rival MacArthur to go 2-1-1 in their next four matches to put themselves in contention for second place in Nassau AA-1. “It’s always about learning when the results don’t go our way,” Mepham coach Zach Gosse said. Ag ainst the Generals, Mepham (4-3-2) rallied from a two-goal deficit to equalize on second-half goals by Rhys Markwalter and Derek Arcos and had the momentum down the stretch. But Matt Kobrin scored the decisive penalty kick goal for MacArthur with 1:13 left in the match. “It definitely was a teachable moment for us because I don’t think we played very well. The few minutes where we seemed to turn it on and get ourselves back into the game is obviously a positive, but there were some critical errors there,” Gosse said. “When I talked to them after the game, I said I’m proud of you guys for finding a way to get yourselves back into the game.” The response came two days later when Mepham defeated Calhoun, 2-0, in another rivalry showdown. Isaac Contreras and Jeronimo Norena scored a goal in each half in the bounce-back win.
Sue Grieco/Herald
Isaac Contreras, right, scored for the Pirates when they defeated neighboring Calhoun, 2-0, Sept. 24. Frank Giovanniello only needed to make two saves to earn the shutout, with Chase LaBorne anchoring the backline in front of him. A 3-1 victory over East Meadow followed, with Kevin Gutierrez scoring a brace
and Contreras finding the back of the net again. “I don’t think we’ve put our heads down once this year,” Gosse said. “We seem to bounce back when things don’t go our way, which says a lot about the kids and espe-
cially the seniors; they’re resilient.” On a team that Gosse said has overachieved this season, Norena, the senior attacking midfielder, has led both on and off the field. “Jeronimo is always a good voice. He gives good c o n s t r u c t ive c r i t i c i s m , ” Gosse said. “On the field, he g e t s u s b a ck g o i n g . H e doesn’t give up.” After a 1-1 draw against Carey, Mepham played a solid opening half in a 3-0 loss to undefeated Garden City on Friday. “We played very organized for 39 minutes and 30 seconds, and they scored with 12 seconds left in the first half, which is such a killer, and that’s very similar to how it went the first time we played them, we conceded in the last three minutes of the first half,” Gosse said. “You can see how when we’re organized, and we communicate, and we’re all on the same page, we can be a tough team to break down, but it’s just little mistakes, errors that all lead to conceding goals.” Now the Pirates head into the stretch drive of the regular season tied with Carey for third place, one point behind second-place MacArthur. A must-win game at Jericho is followed by matches against Long Beach and Bethpage before a massive rematch against MacArthur to close out the regular season. “Our goal is to try to finish second, which would probably guarantee us a home playoff game, and that would be huge,” Gosse said. “That’s the goal, and it’s all within our control.”
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October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
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News brief
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
The Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers would like to honor and celebrate the following students for their outstanding contribution to our school community:
Four schools, four student voices on board Student representatives from the four high schools in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District represented their school communities at the Oct. 7 Board of Education meeting. During the meeting, the students shared updates from their respective schools, highlighted student accomplishments and activities, and offered personal insights into the experiences of their peers. Their reports gave board members and community members a firsthand look at the achievements and happenings across the district’s secondary schools. The student representatives will continue serving as liaisons to the Board of Education throughout the 2026-27 school year. They will attend monthly board
meetings and report from the dais, keeping the board and community informed about the accomplishments, activities and experiences of students across the district. The 2026-27 student representatives are Andrew Adams of Wellington C. Mepham High School, Leah Forie of Sanford H. Calhoun High School, Alexis Giordano of John F. Kennedy High School and Juliet Harvey of the Brookside Building/MAP. “The district looks forward to hearing from these student leaders throughout the school year as they share the voices, accomplishments and stories of their school communities,” Superintendent Michael Harrington said. — Julia Gillego
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH • 7:30 PM
MERRICK AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kayleigh Dublin Jacob Korman Madison LoRusso Gianna Vasquez Jocelyn Acevedo Annamaria Vourvahis Alexa Petry Aiden Benjamin Brayden Morelli
GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL Toni Bicocchi Marion DeJesus Arianna Lettieri Damian Wornian Ava Nalbone Ryan Kolman Natalie Watson Micah Millington Landon Komen Leia McQuillan SANFORD H. CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL Clover Wang Shaun Sullivan Brandon Charles Tessa Gerrard
JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL Abby Cohen Dylan Frank Ryan Wexler Sadie Laby WELLINGTON C. MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL Sierra Salzman Antonella Ercoli Matthew Smith Ethan Cintron
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Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Andrew Adams, Leah Forie, Alexis Giordano and Juliet Harvey were named student representatives and will report to the Bellmore-Merrick Board of Education throughout the 2026-27 school year.
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A novel connection brings author to Bellmore aferrari@liherald.com
What began as a friendship between two mothers whose children attended kindergarten together is now bringing a Long Island-inspired novel to the Bellmore-Merrick community, as author Jacqueline Friedland prepares to discuss her latest book, “Breathing Under Water,” at an event hosted by her longtime friend, Rabbi Sara Birnbaum. The book talk and signing, hosted by the Sisterhood and Rosh Chodesh Circle at Congregation Beth Ohr, will explore themes of motherhood, caregiving, ambition and unexpected connections. Organized by Birnbaum in partnership with Blue Door Books, an independent bookstore in Cedarhurst, the event will also include a wine and cheese reception for Sisterhood members at 6 p.m., ahead of the public discussion. Birnbaum, who became the synagogue’s rabbi in July, and Friedland have remained friends for about 15 years. Both also pursued new careers later in life — Friedland leaving law for writing and Birnbaum returning to school to become a rabbi — a shared experience that made the book particularly meaningful to Birnbaum. “I hope they’re inspired to follow their dreams,” Birnbaum said of what she hopes attendees will take away from the discussion. “There’s different avenues, and there’s so many possibilities out there.”
The novel follows McKenna, a Division I college swimmer falsely accused of wrongdoing, and Leo, a teenager with autism who believes he can clear her name. As their lives become intertwined, Leo’s mother, Berry, finds herself caught between them. A Syosset native, Friedland initially envisioned the story taking place at Stony Brook University before creating the fictional Meadowbrook University, drawing inspiration from by Huntington, Stony Brook and the surrounding communities. The idea for the book originated after Friedland heard a radio report about college students experiencing homelessness. As a mother of college-age children, she wondered how students could manage the demands of higher education without knowing where they would sleep. While researching swimming, she also learned about the heightened risk of drowning among children with autism. Having grown up around families with autistic children through her mother’s work, Friedland decided to incorporate a character with autism into the story. Although Leo was initially intended to play a smaller role, she said he ultimately became central to the plot. The title, Friedland explained, reflects a broader message of resilience and learning to navigate life’s challenges rather than avoiding them. She hopes readers recognize that difficult experiences can also provide opportunities for growth.
“It’s not the point to avoid hardship,” Friedland said. “The point is really to figure out ... how are we going to get through those moments, and how are we going to learn to cope and to grow and to come out of whatever we went into better than we started.” The event also offers an opportunity to share the synagogue’s enthusiasm for literature with the wider Bellmore-Merrick community. The Sisterhood hosts a monthly book club, and Birnbaum hopes to organize additional author discussions in the future. Birnbaum said opening the event to nonmembers is part of a broader effort to make the synagogue’s programming accessible to residents throughout the area, rather than focusing solely on attracting new members. Friedland, meanwhile, looks forward to meeting readers and hearing their perspectives. After spending much of her time writing alone, she welcomes the chance to answer questions about her stories and creative process. “I think the more books we can read as a society, the better off we all are,” Friedland said. “I believe that books teach kindness and empathy, and they expand our worlds.” The discussion and book signing will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Congregation Beth Ohr, 2550 South Centre Ave. in Bellmore. The event is open to the public. To register, visit cbohr.org.
Vanunu Will Bring a Get-It-Done Attitude to the Nassau Legislature Nassau County has become increasingly expensive, and our local government has not helped alleviate this financial burden. As a Merrick resident raising three children, I share the financial stress facing families: skyrocketing bills, massive taxes, and frustration with ineffective local government. This situation is unacceptable, and that is why I am running for the Nassau County Legislature. As an attorney and former prosecutor, I have the skills and drive to cut through the noise and deliver results. When elected, I will work to address each of these issues. Unfortunately, our Republican-run Nassau County Legislature consistently puts politics over people. They refused to pause a gas tax that would lower your costs at the pump solely because the bill was introduced by Democrats. They also refused to help the South Nassau Water Authority acquire Liberty Utilities, a move that would significantly lower your water bills. Meanwhile, they passed a bloated $5 billion budget containing wasteful costs and no-show paid appointments that waste your taxpayer dollars. This unproductive status quo cannot continue. During my first two-year term, I will focus on: • Lowering Water Bills: Pressure the South Nassau Water Authority to acquire Liberty Utilities so Merrick and Bellmore residents benefit from public water rates like neighboring communities.
• Cutting Government Waste: Comb through county expenses to ensure our tax dollars are spent on items that genuinely help our community, and stop no-show jobs and unnecessary outside vendor contracts.
• Keeping Neighborhoods Safe: Ensure the Nassau County Police Department has the resources it needs to solve precinct staffing shortages and stay ahead of crime trends.
• Accessible Advocacy: Serve as an active, responsive contact whenever you need help navigating local government.
Bettering our community requires leaders who put you first. I will do just that! Scan the QR code to learn more about my background and my platform. Please make your voice heard during Early Voting (October 24 – November 1) or on Election Day (November 3). Vote for Vanunu, and together we will move Merrick and Bellmore forward towards a more affordable and sustainable future. By: Michael Vanunu Democratic Candidate for Nassau County Legislature, District 12 Paid for by Vanunu for District 12
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
By ALLYSON FERRARI
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Courtesy Jacqueline Friedland
Jacqueline Friedland will discuss her latest novel, “Breathing Under Water,” released Aug. 4, during a book talk and signing at Congregation Beth Ohr in Bellmore on Oct. 15.
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Joshua Kugler takes the helm at Mount Sinai
October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com Dr. Joshua Kugler has spent nearly 25 years caring for patients at Mount Sinai South Nassau. Now, he is taking on a new role at the Oceanside hospital, as it enters what he describes as one of the most consequential periods in its history. Kugler, 57, was recently named interim president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, succeeding Dr. Adhi Sharma, who retired earlier this summer after leading the hospital since 2021. Kugler, a longtime emergency medicine physician and former chair of the hospital’s Emergency Department, said his focus will be on continuing the hospital’s expansion while preserving the community-oriented culture that has kept him there for decades. “I am focused on the expansion of advanced services for our patients on the South Shore of Nassau County while ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients and staff,” Kugler said. The hospital has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, including the opening of the Fennessy Family Emergency Department and a four-story Feil Family Pavilion for expanded critical care capacity. The campus is also in the midst of bringing new surgical capabilities to the South Shore. On Sept. 29, four of nine newly constructed operating rooms opened, including highly specialized rooms designed for cardiac and neurological procedures. “It gives you a lot of perspective,” Kugler said. “Everybody is part of a team.” The expansion is part of a roughly $500 million capital program that has included new parking lots for staff and patients, a new cafeteria, the new operating rooms, and the emergency room. “They’re beautiful critical care spaces, and that’s about touching people when they’re at their most vulnerable,” he said. “People are vulnerable, the families are vulnerable, and patients can be at great risk. Now, we have beautiful spaces for them.” For Kugler, the growth represents more than new buildings and equipment. It is part of a long-running effort to give South Shore residents access to increasingly advanced care closer to home. “I was never a big fan of transplanting people,” Kugler said, recalling his years in the emergency department. “It’s really humbling as an emergency room doctor to stabilize a patient in the emergency room, connect with the family, and then have to tell them, ‘I’m sorry, we can’t provide the level of care needed here.’” Kugler said the ability to provide more complex care locally can ease the burden on patients and their families, particularly when serious illness requires repeated hospital visits. His connection to the South Shore extends well beyond his role at the hospital, giving him a personal investment in the community he serves. Kugler was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island. Before becoming a physician, he worked as a lifeguard at Jones
Beach and Robert Moses and became an EMT, experiences that helped shape his desire to work in medicine. “Even during that time of my life, I really loved saving lives,” Kugler said. “I’ve always found myself moved by the ability to take care of others and giving myself to others.” He attended Duke University, where he earned a degree in zoology and physics, then subsequently served in the U.S. Navy. The Navy supported his medical education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1995 and continued his education at Harvard University, receiving a Master of Health Care Management. He later completed an emergency medicine residency at North Shore University Hospital, where he served as chief resident. Kugler joined Mount Sinai South Nassau in 2001 as an emergency medicine physician and became clinical chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine in 2004. He also served as chief medical officer from 2007 to 2009 before returning to lead the Emergency Department. He remained closely involved with the hospital through Superstorm Sandy, the aftermath and the closure of Long Beach Medical Center. After the storm devastated Long Beach, Kugler helped advocate for expanded emergency medical services on the barrier island. The effort eventually led to the development of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s emergency department in Long Beach, which he said was intended to ensure residents could receive care without having to cross the bridge to Oceanside. “They felt isolated by the superstorm.
People left, doctors left, offices closed. Urgent care was the most important thing,” Kugler explained. “They wanted to stay home, and they deserved to have the same access to care.” His involvement in Long Beach continued through his role as the city’s medical director. “I think the bottom line there is that you build trust with people,” Kugler said. “And in healthcare, now more than ever, we need to build trust.” That philosophy is also how he approaches his new position. “This hospital has always done amazing things for the community,” Kugler said. “But beyond that, we are part of that community.” As interim president, Kugler is particularly focused on the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff, as well as the challenges facing the healthcare workforce. He pointed to staffing pressures, an aging workforce and the increasing number of older patients requiring care as challenges facing hospitals nationwide. “Safety and wellbeing are my top priorities, but I worry about the burnout and the fact that society has so much pressure on it right now,” Kugler said. For Kugler, that growth and mission is closely tied to the hospital’s relationship with the larger Mount Sinai Health System. The combination of clinical care, research and medical education gives Mount Sinai South Nassau access to expertise and resources that can be brought to patients on Long Island. “The idea that ‘we find a way’ is really true here,” Kugler said. “We always find a way to take care of our patients and do it in a better, more meaningful, compassion-
Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau
Dr. Joshua Kugler has been named interim president of Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital.
ate way.” As he takes over the hospital, Kugler said he hopes to maintain that culture while building on the foundation established by Sharma. His next chapter, he said, will be defined by continued growth, but also by maintaining personal connection that he believes distinguishes the hospital. “As long as you treat everyone with respect, something I have learned, very early on in my career, is that everybody is important, and everybody has a superpower,” Kugler said. “My job is to help everyone be successful in their own ways. I am honored to lead our team during this critical time.”
Kugler is taking the lead for MSSN amid its expansion, which includes nine new operating rooms.
Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau
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MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
The Experts at U.S. News Agree: Mount Sinai South Nassau is High Performing
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mountsinai.org/southnassau
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October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
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HECTOR MELGAR, DPT Hector Melgar is a loving husband, proud father of three daughters, and passionate servant of God and his community. He was born in El Salvador, but lived in Brentwood 30 years. He is a doctor of Physical Therapy and a Board-certified specialist in clinical electrophysiologic testing. He graduated Cume Laude from Hunter College school of Physical Therapy, in the year 2000, and got his clinical
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Courtesy Town of Hempstead
Town celebrates Hispanic heritage, pride Honorees, participants and neighbors celebrated Hispanic heritage at the Town of Hempstead’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, hosted by its Department of Community Affairs on Sept. 25. Hispanic Americans make up nearly onequarter of the town’s population. Joining the celebration were Town Supervisor John Ferretti and Town Clerk Kate Murray.
Let us Know News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com
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A neighborhood favorite stands the test of time Continued from page 1
Ro a d , a f t e r t h e b r o t h e r s returned from college, building on their family’s experience in the restaurant industry. Paolo, 50, who studied at the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, New York, is the restaurant’s head chef. He developed his culinary skills through years of experience in the kitchen, including work and training in Switzerland, Rome and Paris. The brothers have been working together for most of their lives, but their different backgrounds have helped shape Elisa’s’ identity. Although it maintains a traditional Italian menu, the restaurant regularly features themed weeks and specialty events that reflect Paolo’s culinary interests. October brings Oktoberfest and exotic food offerings, while November showcases an avian-themed menu, with dishes featuring a variety of game birds. Other events throughout the year have included pasta week, with handmade pastas inspired by different regions of Italy, as well as Mardi Gras-influenced dishes and specialty food and wine pairings.
For Paolo, the freedom to experiment is part of what makes operating Elisa’s rewarding. He enjoys introducing customers to unfamiliar flavors while maintaining the approachable atmosphere of a neighborhood restaurant. That balance between creativity and comfort is also reflected in the restaurant’s recent renovations. The updated bar, entrance and dining area offer customers a setting in which to enjoy a meal or gather for a drink, while the restaurant continues to offer outdoor seating, which was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, along with space for private celebrations. Rocky, 57, said that the decision to renovate came after years of success in the same location. He felt it was time to give the space a new look, particularly with the addition of a new bar. For the brothers, however, the restaurant’s atmosphere extends beyond its appearance. Their presence there and the relationships they have developed with customers over the years remain central to its identity.
Julia Gillego/Herald
elisa’s restaurant, in north Bellmore, where brothers rocky and paolo telese are preparing to celebrate the family-owned restaurant’s nearly 30 years in the community. Some customers, Rocky said, have been regulars since the restaurant opened in October 1997. He has seen families return for celebrations across generations, from bridal and baby showers to christenings, communions and weddings. In some cases, families that celebrated milestones decades ago
now returns to mark a similar occasion for the next generation. “I have a lot of regulars that are more like family now,” Paolo said. That familiarity is part of what makes Elisa’s feel different from a restaurant where customers simply come and go.
Rob Kaufman, who has worked there for about 14 years and grew up in Merrick, said that sense of care is a defining part of the brothers’ approach to hospitality. Kaufman said he has seen the owners accommodate customers with specific dietary needs, and help people who might otherwise struggle to afford a meal. He described the restaurant as a place where guests are treated with equal respect, regardless of who they are. “You see the heart and the intention of doing right and fulfilling our little community around here,” he said. As Elisa’s approaches three decades in North Bellmore, the re n ovat i o n s re p re s e n t a n investment in the restaurant’s future without losing sight of the relationships that helped it grow. For the Telese brothers, the milestone is one worth celebrating, but the goal remains much the same as it was when they first opened their doors: serve good food, create a comfortable place for people to gather and keep welcoming members the community they call home.
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Turning waste into something wonderful outdoor space. “Sharing resources is what libraries do best, and environmental stewardship fits naturally with that mission,” Library Director Jacqueline Perez said. “A community composting site felt like an extension of what we already offer, and Lauren’s enthusiasm and clear plan made it an easy idea to get behind.” After the library’s board of trustees unanimously approved the proposal, Krueger enlisted Mason Tso, a Boy Scout from Troop 225 who raised money and built the site’s three-bin structure with his father as an Eagle Scout project. They completed it in August 2025. Around the same time, Krueger connected with Kimberly Wright at a climate-focused fellowship. The two now oversee the initiative through Community Composting Counts. Each Saturday, residents bring five-gallon buckets of fruit and vegetable scraps to the site, where volunteers weigh and record the waste before chopping it into smaller pieces and mixing it with dry materials, including leaves and sawdust. Once fully decomposed, the finished compost is made available for residents’ gardens. “This belongs to the community, and they should have it back,” Krueger said. Participants commit to one volunteer shift each month, helping maintain the bins and guiding others through the process. Lisa Luchsinger, a first-time composter, learned about the initiative during a library visit and decided to join. “Lauren and Kimberly had a table set up in the lobby and were sharing the information with patrons as they came in,” she said. “I thought it was a great initiative and wanted to be involved.” Since joining, Luchsinger has changed the way she deals with kitchen waste, setting aside compostable
Courtesy Lauren Krueger
Community Composting Counts Co-founder Kimberly Wright sifted decomposing organic material at the north merrick library’s composting site, where residents work together to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich compost. material rather than throwing it away. “Many food scraps are compostable,” she said. “Instead of tossing the scraps, I store it for the compost.” For fellow participant Erika Lichy, composting has become second nature, even while traveling. “As a matter of fact, I’m writing this from a vacation rental in Maine, and found myself looking for my composting bin while cooking,” Lichy wrote in an email to the Herald. The Saturday sessions have also become a social gathering for participants. “The process itself takes about 10
minutes, but everyone is very friendly and helps each other through the process, and we end up chatting and sharing stories,” Luchsinger said. “It’s a fun way to connect with the community.” Kelly Rechsteiner, the library’s community relations librarian, has noticed the camaraderie among participants of different ages and backgrounds. “I’ve been able to be a part of some really great conversations too,” she said. “Perhaps the compost bin is the new water cooler?” Rechsteiner initially worried about unpleasant odors and rodents, but said neither has been an issue. “I came to one of their Saturday meetups and they were chopping up watermelon rinds, and it just smelled like summer,” she said. The group now collect about 100 pounds of food scraps each week, but Krueger considers the changes in participants’ habits an even greater accomplishment. “The biggest thing right now is that none of these people were composting,” she said. “… For the most part, these are people who have never really interacted with their food scraps in any way other than throwing them out with the rest of the garbage.” Looking ahead, Krueger and Wright hope to establish similar sites at other Long Island libraries and explore partnerships with schools and community organizers to educate more residents about reducing food waste. In North Merrick, organizers are continuing their outreach efforts, with another Pumpkin Smash planned for November to introduce more residents to composting. Perez said she hopes the partnership will encourage other libraries to follow suit. “I hope this continues to be a small, steady way our community takes care of its environment together,” she said. “And perhaps our partnership can serve as a model so other libraries undertake composting initiatives as well.”
UBS ARENA | BELMONT PARK, NY
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
Continued from page 1
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Fredericks seeks a seat at the table in Albany By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Shannon Fredericks always felt destined to end up in politics. The 29-year-old from Seaford recalled sitting on her grandfather’s lap as a child, reading The New York Times, and learning to circle the important news of the edition. Now, years later, Fredericks is making her first run for public office, seeking the open seat for State Assembly District 14. “As someone who is very talkative, very much a people person, this is a good spot for me to be in,” Fredericks, a Republican, told Herald reporters at a roundtable interview. While it may be her first time running for office, Fredericks has spent years working in the political world. A graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in international relations, she spent some time fundraising for a think tank called the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. She went on to attend graduate school at St. John’s University, before landing a job with State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick’s office. Fredericks was later tapped for a larger role with the GOP conference as a Nassau County regional coordinator. All of her work thus far, Fredericks said, has prepared her to step into the role herself, should she win the election bid in November. “It’s definitely a benefit that I have spent some time working for the state legislature, even though I was based here,” she said. “I like to be involved, and I like to know what’s going on. I would try, at least once a month, to go up during session.” Affordability is a top concern she’s hearing from
14 th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
Jeff Bessen/Herald
Shannon Fredericks, the Republican candidate for the 14th Assembly District, discussed a range of issues during a roundtable interview with Herald reporters. voters, and with that, Fredericks feels she has a unique perspective. Having spent time in Albany, elected officials on both side of the aisle often talk about making New York “great” for their children and grandchildren, she said. “In a lot of cases, I’m the same age as that child or even grandchild,” she added. “Let my voice be at that table.” Referencing the state budget increases over the last few years, Fredericks said there needs to be a more sensible approach to spending.
“There are definitely ways that we can evaluate how we’re spending our money before we continue to increase taxes,” she explained. On public safety, Fredericks was critical of policies like cashless bail, adding that everyone wants “a safe community.” “I think having policies come out of Albany to allow that to continue is definitely a priority,” she said. Fredericks also believes she has a strong approach to working across the aisle. “Everything I do, I try to go with grace, be humble, be kind — because again, we’re all trying to make New York a better place,” she said. “I am the type of person, who, if I’m given a task, I’m going to complete that task. And if I have to work with people across the aisle… let’s get it done.” She wants voters to embrace the energy and enthusiasm she has while on the campaign trail. “I will represent all members of the 14th Assembly District,” she said. “I want to hear it all because I can only do my job to the best of my ability if I have that information. I want to be a member of the people and serve the people.” John Brooks, the Democratic candidate for the 14th Assembly District, did not respond to the Herald’s request for interview.
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October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
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STEPPING OUT
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Courtesy Mike Pollock Courtesy Schirmer Theatrical
There’s something strange in the neighborhood … “Ghostbusters returns to the big screen.”
Jack o’lanterns illuminate the season, hand carved to perfection.
The spirits are stirring Cue the season of spooks
By Karen Bloom
T
he nights are getting longer, the pumpkins are glowing and Halloween is officially in the air. It’s time to embrace the spooky season. Let’s get started! Follow the glow: The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin patches have their moment. But a pumpkin trail? Now that’s a Halloween tradition worth following. This fall, the wooded grounds of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights once again become a glowing autumn wonderland for The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns. The 4,200-foot loop winds through the property, surrounded by more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins and illuminated objects — 10,000 glowing elements in all — creating a dazzling nighttime spectacle that feels part art show, part Halloween celebration and part magical mystery tour. Now in its 13th season on Long Island, Rise has become a seasonal favorite for families, pumpkin enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a little October magic. Along the trail, pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and personalities light the way, joined by colorful inflatables and other illuminated creations. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s even a spot to stop and show off your dance moves, complete with disco lights and music. Because what Halloween adventure would be complete without a little dancing? Longtime fans may remember Rise from its first eight seasons at Old Westbury Gardens. Its current home at Usdan offers something new: a longer trail that allows visitors to wander deeper into the woods and enjoy a more immersive experience. “We found this trail to be perfect,” says Mike Pollock, executive producer of Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns. “The entire trail is wooded, which allows us to deliver the most gorgeous show we’ve ever done! The trail is longer than in the past so your experience will be longer! This is the spookiest walk on Long Island.” Spooky, yes. Frightening, no. There are no creatures lurking in the shadows, no actors
jumping out along the path and no surprise scares. As Pollock puts it simply: “No scares.” Instead, the magic comes from the pumpkins themselves. A team of 100 handpicked artists carves each one individually, giving the jack o’lanterns an impressive range of personalities and expressions — from eerie and sinister to goofy and downright adorable. Taken together, the thousands of glowing creations turn the trail into an enormous outdoor gallery of Halloween art. The spectacle certainly has a following. About 40,000 visitors make their way through the trail each year, taking in the glowing pumpkins, snapping photos and soaking up the sights, sounds and spirit of the season. Walk at your own pace — it takes anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour and 15 minutes — to enjoy it all. “The artistry of these pumpkins is spectacular and you will not see anywhere else,” Pollock adds. So grab a sweater, gather the family and follow the glow. The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is open weekends and select weeknights through Nov. 1. Tickets must be purchased online at jackolanterns. com; no tickets are available on site. The trail is located at 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights. Ready for some slime? Who ya gonna call? Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, of course. The LIU Post campus gets a serious dose of supernatural fun when Ghostbusters in Concert arrives Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m., bringing the beloved 1984 comedy classic to the big screen — with a live orchestra, plenty of ’80s nostalgia and a whole lot of Halloween spirit. The film screening may be the highlight, but Families are encouraged to arrive at 4:30 p.m. for Halloween-themed festivities in the Goldsmith Atrium. Expect ’80s hits performed live, a costume contest judged by the Tilles Cabaret Company — made up of LIU musical theater students — plus prizes, photo opportunities, snacks and plenty of chances to get into the spirit before the ghosts take over. And yes, there will be an Ectomobile. An on-site replica of the Ghostbusters’ iconic vehicle will be on display, courtesy of Roger Browner, vice president of Hicksville-based AutoMat Custom & Restoration. It’s the perfect backdrop for a family photo before heading into the main event. Adding another special touch, guests can meet the Long Island Ghostbusters, a cosplay charity group appearing on behalf of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Bellmore resident and Ghostbusters actor Joe Cirillo will also be on hand. Cirillo, who spent 20 years as an NYPD officer before launching a second career in film, was originally scouted by director Mike Nichols. That eventually led to his role as the Police Captain in the original “Ghostbusters” — his on-screen debut. He went on to portray numerous police officers and authority figures on screen, operate film security companies and publish his autobiography. Then it’s time to cue the proton packs. The classic “Ghostbusters” starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and the rest of the unforgettable crew, is presented on a large HD cinema screen, synchronized with a live performance of Academy Award-winning composer Elmer Bernstein’s score. The result promises to be a larger-than-life way to experience the comedy, ghosts and supernatural mayhem of the classic film. Costumes are not just welcome — they’re encouraged. Those hoping to compete in the costume contest should arrive and register by 5:30 p.m.; everyone else can simply come dressed for the occasion and enjoy the festivities. So grab your proton pack, perfect your best ’80s look and get ready for some supernatural fun. Visit tillescenter.org for tickets and more. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
Pianist Emanuel Ax joins the adventurous chamber orchestra for a spirited program of Mozart concertos and more, opening with the overture to Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges’s L’amant anonyme. From there, Ax takes center stage in Mozart’s Piano Concertos Nos. 17 and 25 — two contrasting works that showcase his melodic brilliance, expressive depth and wit. The Knights bring their signature sense of camaraderie and discovery to repertoire. Founded by violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen after late-night chambermusic sessions with friends, the ensemble has built a reputation for breaking down the barriers between performers and audiences.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m. Tickets available at tillescenter.org. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
Daughtry 20 Years Unplugged Experience Daughtry’s catalogue in a stripped-back acoustic setting, reframing the songs that have soundtracked arenas, rock radio milestones, and some of the most defining moments of the band’s career. Their lastest tour follows the release of “Shock To The System,” the complete edition of Daughtry’s two-part project via Big Machine Rock. For an artist whose songs have always lived at the intersection of power and vulnerability, 20 Years Unplugged sees Daughtry strip down some of their biggest and most meaningful tracks, distilling them to their purest form and bringing fans closer to the songs and unmistakable voice that carried the band through two decades of connection, evolution, and success.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
The Knights with Emanuel Ax
October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
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Your Neighborhood OCT
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An Evening with Jacqueline Friedland
CALENDAR OCT
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Congregation Beth Ohr’s Sisterhood and Rosh Chodesh Circle welcome bestselling author Jacqueline Friedland for a discussion of her novel, “Breathing Under Water.” With book signing. Sisterhood members are also invited to a wine and cheese reception with Friedland at 6 p.m.
Power Squadron offers a free New York Statecertified America’s Boating Course (ABC) at Wantagh Park. Open to boaters and anyone interested in learning more about safe and responsible boating. • Where: 1 King Road, Wantagh • Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m., also Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov.10 • Contact: P/C Ed Figueroa, AP-ACN, at (516) 816-4919 or capted36@gmail.com for registration and more
• Where: Congregation Beth Ohr, 2550 Centre Ave., Bellmore • Time: Wine and cheese reception, 6 p.m.; book talk and signing at 7 p.m. • Contact: (516) 781-3072
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Creative Writing: A Monthly Prose Workshop
North Bellmore Public Library hosts a monthly prose workshop led by Jennifer Marx, a writing professor at Hofstra and Adelphi. Writers of all levels can explore elements of fiction and memoir, respond to writing prompts and receive supportive feedback. Participants should bring their preferred writing materials. Registration is required. • Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore • Time: 10-11:30 a.m. • Contact: northbellmorelibrary. org or (516) 785-6260
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Anthony Rodia
Anthony Rodia is back with his “Insanely Funny” tour, an all-new stand-up showcase packed with sharp observations, spot-on impressions and plenty of larger-than-life characters. Building on the success of his previous outing last year, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet, on the Paramount stage for two performances. A first-generation Italian-American raised in Westchester, Rodia discovered his knack for comedy early on. After dabbling in open mics in his 20s, he took a detour into the automotive world as a finance manager at a luxury car dealership. Then, in 2019, he took the leap back to comedy, leaving his day job to pursue stand-up full time. Drawing on family life, Italian-American culture, parenting and the everyday absurdities of modern life, Rodia has a knack for turning the familiar into the hilarious. His observational humor, self-deprecating • Where: The Paramount, 370 wit and uncanny impressions have made him a rising star, while his viral social media New York Ave., Huntington videos — including his wildly popular Uncle Vinny character — have introduced his • Time: 7 p.m. comedy to millions of fans. The result is a style that feels less like a performance and more • Contact: ticketmaster.com like hanging out with your funniest friend. or paramountny.com
of service.
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Skating With Skeletons
Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to come Monster Mash their way across the museum’s synthetic, indoor ice rink with a crew of skeletons friends —no skates required! This playful reimagining of the family favorite sock skating exhibit enables everyone to slip into the seasonal spirit. Opening weekend adds even more seasonal fun with Skate, Rattle & Roll and Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch. • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: Ongoing, through Nov. 1 • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
The Great Give Back
Join North Bellmore Public Library for The Great Give Back, a community service initiative benefiting local nursing home residents. Patrons of all ages can stop by the library to assemble care kits containing comfort and personal items, along with homemade cards. Those seeking community service credit may participate anytime from 10 a.m. to noon and earn up to one hour
Boating certification course The Jones Beach
• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore • Time: 10 a.m.-noon • Contact: northbellmorelibrary. org
‘The Song of the Cello’
Visit Old Westbury Gardens for an evening of chamber music. Ensemble-in-residence Poetica Musica Quartet welcomes all to enjoy the rich, expressive tones of the cello. Renowned cellist Eugene Moye joins pianist Yasmin Alami for an evening of masterful performances featuring works by Brahms, Casals, Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, and others. The program includes Johannes Brahms’ Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38, Pablo Casals’ “The Song of the Birds,” Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise,” and additional selections celebrating the depth, warmth, and versatility of this beloved instrument. A pre-concert talk proceeds the concert at 7:30 p.m.; a Meet-the-Artists reception with light refreshments follows the concert in the West Porch. $30; $25 seniors and members. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 8-9:30 p.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
‘Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: The Vladuation’
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to share in the museum’s Halloween theatrical tradition. Uncle Vlad’s nephew Chad is getting ready to graduate from Boo-niversity, but needs to pass his final horror merit badge tests. Join Uncle Vlad, Gargamel the Rat, Great Aunt Margarine, Johnny Bones, and the whole spooky crew in a celebration of the pumpkin patch’s youngest bat. The Vlad team returns to the stage with another original production, now in its fifth year. Each year presents a different story with some familiar and some new kooky and creepy faces, making the shows a puppet-filled treat for anyone who likes some tricks! $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only. • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: 11 a. m. and 1 p.m., also Oct. 18, Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31 • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
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Sunday Concert North Merrick Public Library welcomes Journey tribute band Any Way You Want
It for a concert celebrating the library’s 60th birthday. The library will be collecting donations for Birthday Wishes, a charity supporting families experiencing homelessness. Attendees can donate new, unopened toys, party supplies or birthdaythemed wrapping paper. • Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick • Time: 2-3:30 p.m. • Contact: nmerricklibrary.org or (516) 378-7474
North Merrick Library Birthday Bash/Great Give Back
North Merrick Public Library celebrates 60 years of service with music, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting and more. The library is also collecting new children’s birthday wrapping paper and party supplies for Birthday Wishes of Long Island, which provides birthday boxes to children living in homeless shelters. No registration is required. • Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick • Time: 2-4 p.m. • Contact: nmerricklibrary.org or (516) 378-7474
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Step lively on the dance floor
Society Tempo welcomes all to an afternoon of dancing, ongoing every month. Participate in Big Band, classic ballroom, Latin and line dancing. Refreshments include bagels, pastries and beverages. Singles and couples welcome. Bring your friends or make new ones. $12 donation. Must reserve! Also celebrate the season with a Halloween Party on Oct. 28, 1:304:30 p.m. Includes costume contest and prizes (Costumes optional) • Where: Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick (9E off Meadowbrook Pkwy) • Time: 12:30-3:30 p.m. • Contact: (718) 332-7825 or email dancezee@aol.comto reserve
NOV The 27th Annual Long Island Jolson Festival
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Society President Jan Hernstat invites all to participate in the annual tribute to Al Jolson, rescheduled. With Ed Greenbaum’s unique outtakes from “The Jolson Story, Noah Diamond as Grouch Marx, comedian Jeff Greenberg, with Tony Babino’s “The Heart of Al Jolson, and more. Tickets are $54.95. • Where: Lambrou’s Catering Hall, 4073 Austin Blvd., Island Park • Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Contact: Jan Hernstat at (516) 678-3524
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.
HERALD
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liherald.com/legals 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 Pass-Through 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 November 18, 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 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Apex Dance Collective LLC filed with the SSNY on 4/13/2026. Office: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent for process and shall mail copy of process to Northwest Registered Agent LLC, 418 Broadway, Ste N, Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: any lawful 162153 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ANISSA METAYER, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and
to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 15, 2026 and a Short Form Order duly entered on April 1, 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 October 27, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 189 Evergreen Drive, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Westbury, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 10, Block 330 and Lot 9 together with an undivided 1.938609 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $688,288.53 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610442/2024. Cash will not be accepted. Howard E. Colton, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 162485 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR RAST SERIES 2002-A12, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2002-L UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 2002, Plaintiff, Against ELISA DUREN AS EXECUTRIX AND HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF JASON CAGEN AKA JERRY CAGEN, BARBARA CAGEN AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF JASON CAGEN AKA JERRY CAGEN, DAVID CAGEN AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF JASON CAGEN AKA JERRY CAGEN, HOWARD CAGEN AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF JASON CAGEN AKA JERRY CAGEN, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 05/06/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North
PUBLIC NOTICES will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 10/22/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 318 Frankel Boulevard, Merrick, New York 11566, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Merrick, in the Township of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 63 Block 126 Lot 43, 44, and 45. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $610,329.71 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 606849/2018 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 9/10/2026 File Number: 272-8714 CA 162489 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff - against BRUCE WEINSTEIN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 27, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 4th day of November, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the at Merrick, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 2089 2nd Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. (Section: 56,
Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. (Section: 56, Block: 50, Lots: 13, 14 and 15) Approximate amount of lien $453,792.93 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 003454/2014. David S. Zeidman, Esq., Referee. All checks must be made directly to David S. Zeidman, Esq, as Referee, no third parties checks and no cash will be accepted. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 Dated: September 7, 2026 During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 162540 LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an On-Premise Restaurant Liquor License, NYS Application ID: NA-0340-26-118598 has been applied for by Riko's Merrick LLC d/b/a Riko's Pizza to sell liquor, beer, wine and cider at retail in an on-premises restaurant establishment. For on premises consumption under the ABC Law at 68 Merrick Avenue Merrick NY 11566. LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 76-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 5th day of October 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 76-2026,
Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 76-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 76-2026, to amend Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal "REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS" to limit parking at various locations. Dated: October 5, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 77-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 5th day of October 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 77-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 77-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations. Dated: October 5, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 79-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 5th day
hearing was duly called and held on the 5th day of October 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 79-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 79-2026, to amend Section 197-15 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include "PROHIBITION OF LEFT TURNS" at various locations. Dated: October 5, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 80-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 5th day of October 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 80-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 80-2026, to amend Section 197-18 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include "RIGHT TURN ONLY" at various locations. Dated: October 5, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN R. FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE PROPOSED 2027 BUDGET OF THE NORTH MERRICK FIRE DISTRICT, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS' OF THE NORTH MERRICK FIRE DISTRICT FOR ITS CONSIDERATION.
For additional assistance call 516-569-4000 ext. 232 DEADLINE: Firday evening, 5:00pm Last minute notices: 9am on Monday morning
FIRE DISTRICT FOR ITS CONSIDERATION. A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 20TH, 2026 AT 7 PM. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE NORTH MERRICK FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING LOCATED AT 2095 CAMP AVENUE, NORTH MERRICK, NEW YORK 11566. PURSUANT TO TOWN LAW SECTION 181, THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MUST HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET, MAKE THE PROPOSED BUDGET AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT IN FAVOR OF, OR AGAINST, AS IT IS SUBMITTED, OR FOR OR AGAINST, ANY ITEM, OR ITEMS CONTAINED THEREIN. COPIES OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET, WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON(S) AT NO COST, AT THE FIRE DISTRICT OFFICE, 2095 CAMP AVENUE, NORTH MERRICK, NEW YORK 11566. OFFICE HOURS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8AM TO 4:30 PM. COPIES OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.NORTHMERRICKFD.ORG AND AT THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, ONE WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK 11550. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS KATIE O'LEARY DISTRICT SECRETARY DAVID WARD DISTRICT CLERK NORTH MERRICK FIRE DISTRICT SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT , IN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU , NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the North Bellmore Union Free School District, in the County of Nassau, New York (the "District"), has adopted a resolution on September 10, 2026, authorizing a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of said District to be held on: Thursday, December
District to be held on: Thursday, December 3, 2026 from 6 :00 o'clock A .M. to 9 :00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Time ) at : Newbridge Road School GYMNASIUM 1601 Newbridge Road, Bellmore, New York for the purpose of voting upon the following Proposition: PROPOSITION RESOLVED: (a)That the Board of Education of the North Bellmore Union Free School District, in the County of Nassau, New York (the "District"), is hereby authorized to construct alterations and improvements to all District buildings and sites (the "Project"), substantially as referred to and described in a plan prepared by John A. Grillo, Architect, P.C., Port Jefferson, New York (the "Plan"), on file and available for public inspection at the office of the District Clerk, said Project consisting of (as and where required): roof replacement and/or reconstruction; security enhancements, including District-wide replacement of door hardware and access control systems and the construction of new security vestibules; installation of new air ventilation units, including air conditioning in the gymnasiums and all necessary and related plumbing and electrical upgrades; construction of new elevators; exterior masonry and building envelope improvements; window replacements; oil tank remediation; and District-wide athletic and recreation upgrades, including construction of new playgrounds, installation of bleachers, replacement of player benches and backstops and other related improvements; and the foregoing to include the original equipment, machinery, apparatus and all necessary sitework, alterations and ancillary work required in connection therewith; and to expend therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and to the financing thereof, an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $26,500,000; provided that the costs of the components of the Project as set forth in detail in the Plan may be reallocated among the components of such
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
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HERALD
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October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
liherald.com/legals and use our convienient portal. reallocated among the components of such Project if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District; (b)that a tax is hereby voted in the amount of not to exceed $26,500,000 to finance such cost, such tax to be levied and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as shall be determined by said Board of Education; and (c)that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $26,500,000 and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable. Such Proposition shall appear on the ballots used for voting at said Special District Meeting in substantially the following abbreviated form: PROPOSITION YESNO RESOLVED: That the Board of Education of the North Bellmore Union Free School District, in the County of Nassau, New York (the "District"), is hereby authorized to construct alternations and improvements to all District buildings and sites, all in accordance with a plan prepared for the District by John A. Grillo Architect, P.C., Port Jefferson, New York, and to expend therefor not to exceed $26,500,000; (b) that a tax is hereby voted in the amount of not to exceed $26,500,000 to finance such cost, such tax to be levied and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as shall be determined by said Board of Education; and (c) that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $26,500,000 and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable. The voting will be conducted by ballot on voting machines or paper ballots as provided in the Education Law and the polls will remain open from 6 :00 o'clock A.M. to 9 :00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present
the voters then present to cast their ballots. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2014 personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at the Special District Meeting whose name does not appear on the register of the District. Voter registration for the District will be ongoing through and including Wednesday, November 25, 2026, from 9:00 o'clock A.M. until 3:00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Time), on all school days of the school year, at the office of the District Clerk, for the purpose of preparing a register of the qualified voters of the District for said Special District Meeting, at which time any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register, provided that he/she is known or proven to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said Special District Meeting for which such register is prepared. Immediately upon its completion, the register will be filed in the office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 9:00 o'clock A.M. and 3:00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on each of the five (5) days prior to the Special District Meeting for which it was prepared, except Sunday, and on Saturday, November 28, 2026, by advance appointment only. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2018-a and Education Law §2018-e applications for absentee and early mail ballots may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk. The District Clerk must receive applications for absentee and early mail ballots no earlier than thirty (30) days before the day of the Special District Meeting. Furthermore, the District Clerk must receive such application at least seven (7) days before the day of the Special District Meeting if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the Special District Meeting if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk
PUBLIC NOTICES ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application, by no later than six (6) days before the day of the Special District Meeting. No absentee or early mail voter's ballot will be canvassed unless it has been received in the office of the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time) on the day of the Special District Meeting. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk, 2616 Martin Avenue, North Bellmore, New York, commencing with the issuance of the first absentee or early mail ballot and during regular business hours on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the Special District Meeting between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. (Prevailing Time), except Sunday and on Saturday, November 28, 2026 by advance appointment only. Such list will also be available at the polling place on the date of the Special District Meeting. No absentee or early mail voter's ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the office of the District Clerk of the District not later than 5:00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on the day of the Special District Meeting. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a person shall be entitled to vote at the Special District Meeting who is a citizen of the United States, eighteen years of age, a resident of the District for a period of thirty days next preceding the Special District Meeting and registered to vote for the Special District Meeting. A person shall be registered to vote if he or she shall have permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections or with the Board of Registration of District. Only persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the District. Military voters who are qualified voters of the District may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot
military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the District no later than 5:00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on November 7, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on the day of the Special District Meeting and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country's postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later 5:00 o'clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on day of the Special District Meeting and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the Special District Meeting. BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Dated: September 10, 2026 Laurice Gunnels District Clerk AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL DEL DISTRITO DISTRITO ESCOLAR NORTH BELLMORE UNION FREE, EN EL CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK SE EMITE NOTIFICACIÓN de que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de North Bellmore Union, en el condado de Nassau, Nueva York (el "Distrito"), ha adoptado una resolución el 10 de septiembre de 2026, autorizando una reunión especial del distrito con los votantes cualificados de dicho distrito que se celebrará el: Jueves, 3 de diciembre de 2026 de 6:00 a 9:00 p.m. (hora vigente) a: Gimnasio de la Escuela Newbridge Road 1601 Newbridge Road, Bellmore, Nueva York para el propósito de votar sobre la siguiente Proposición:
Proposición: PROPOSICIÓN RESUELTO: (a)Que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre North Bellmore Union, en el condado de Nassau, Nueva York (el "Distrito"), está autorizada a construir modificaciones y mejoras en todos los edificios y sitios del Distrito (el "Proyecto"), sustancialmente como se refiere y describe en un plan preparado por John A. Grillo, arquitecto P.C., Port Jefferson, Nueva York (el "Plan"), archivado y disponible para inspección pública en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, dicho proyecto consiste en (cuando sea necesario): reemplazo y/o reconstrucción del tejado; mejoras de seguridad, incluyendo el reemplazo de herrajes de puertas y sistemas de control de acceso a nivel distrital y la construcción de nuevos vestíbulos de seguridad; instalación de nuevas unidades de ventilación, incluyendo aire acondicionado en los gimnasios y todas las mejoras necesarias y relacionadas en fontanería y electricidad; construcción de nuevos ascensores; mejoras en mampostería exterior y envolvente del edificio; reemplazo de ventanas; remediación de tanques de aceite; y mejoras deportivas y recreativas a nivel de Distrito, incluyendo la construcción de nuevos parques infantiles, instalación de gradas, reemplazo de bancos y protectores para jugadores y otras mejoras relacionadas; y lo anterior que incluya el equipo original, maquinaria, aparatos y todo el trabajo necesario en el lugar, modificaciones y trabajos auxiliares relacionados con ello; y para gastar para ello, incluyendo los costes preliminares y los costes relacionados con su financiación, una cantidad que no exceda el coste total estimado de 26.500.000 dólares; siempre que los costes de los componentes del Proyecto detallados en el Plan puedan reasignarse entre los componentes de dicho Proyecto si la Junta de Educación determina que dicha reasignación es en el mejor interés del Distrito; (b)que se vota un impuesto por la que no debe exceder los
debe exceder los 26.500.000 dólares para financiar dicho coste, dicho impuesto que se recaudará y recaudará en cuotas en los años y cantidades que determine dicha Junta de Educación; y (c)que en anticipación a dicho impuesto, se autorizan por la presente la emisión de bonos del Distrito por un importe principal total no superior a $26,500,000 y se vota un impuesto para pagar los intereses de dichos bonos a medida que estos serán vencidos y padedores. Dicha Proposición aparecerá en las papeletas utilizadas para votar en dicha Asamblea Especial del Distrito en la siguiente forma abreviada: PROPOSICIÓN SÍNO RESUELTO: Que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de la Unión de North Bellmore, en el condado de Nassau, Nueva York (el "Distrito"), está autorizada a construir alternancias y mejoras en todos los edificios y sitios del Distrito, todo ello de acuerdo con un plan preparado para el Distrito por John A. Grillo, arquitecto P.C., Port Jefferson, Nueva York, y para gastar en ello no excediendo los 26.500.000 dólares; (b) que se vota un impuesto por un importe no superior a 26.500.000 dólares para financiar dicho coste, dicho impuesto que se recaudará y recaudará en cuotas en los años y cantidades que determine dicha Junta de Educación; y (c) que, en anticipación a dicho impuesto, se autorizan la emisión de bonos del Distrito por un importe principal total no superior a $26,500,000 y se vota un impuesto para pagar los intereses sobre dichos bonos que se hagan vencidos y padedores. La votación se realizará mediante votación en máquinas o papeletas de papel, según lo previsto en la Ley de Educación, y las urnas permanecerán abiertas de 6:00 a 21:00 horas (hora vigente) y durante el tiempo necesario para que los votantes presentes puedan emitir su voto. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, conforme a la Ley de Educación §2014, se requiere el registro personal de votantes, y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en la Reunión Especial del
For additional assistance call 516-569-4000 ext. 232 DEADLINE: Firday evening, 5:00pm Last minute notices: 9am on Monday morning
Reunión Especial del Distrito cuyo nombre no figure en el registro del Distrito. El registro de votantes para el Distrito continuará hasta el miércoles 25 de noviembre de 2026, desde las 9:00 a.m. hasta las 3:00 p.m. (hora vigente), en todos los días escolares del curso escolar, en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, con el fin de preparar un registro de los votantes cualificados del Distrito para dicha Asamblea Especial del Distrito, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre se incluya en dicho registro, siempre que se sepa o se demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito para la que se prepare dicho registro. Inmediatamente después de su finalización, el registro se archivará en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, Bellmore, Nueva York, y estará abierto para la inspección de cualquier votante cualificado del Distrito entre las 9:00 y las 15:00 (hora vigente) en cada uno de los cinco (5) días previos a la reunión especial del distrito para la que se preparó, excepto el domingo, y el sábado 28 de noviembre de 2026, solo con cita previa. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, conforme a la Ley de Educación §2018-a y la Ley de Educación §2018-e, las solicitudes para papeletas por correo anticipado y por correo anticipado pueden solicitarse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito. El Secretario del Distrito debe recibir solicitudes para papeletas por correo anticipado y por correo anticipado no antes de treinta (30) días antes del día de la reunión especial del distrito. Además, el secretario del distrito debe recibir dicha solicitud al menos siete (7) días antes del día de la reunión especial del distrito si la papeleta debe enviarse al votante, o el día antes de la reunión especial del distrito si la papeleta debe ser entregada personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para una papeleta por correo por correo o por correo anticipado, el secretario del distrito enviará la papeleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud, a más tardar
solicitud, a más tardar seis (6) días antes del día de la reunión especial del distrito. No se solicitará el voto de votantes por correo anticipado o por correo anticipado a menos que se haya recibido en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas (hora vigente) del día de la reunión especial del distrito. Habrá una lista de todas las personas a quienes se hayan emitido papeletas por correo y por correo anticipado en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 2616 Martin Avenue, North Bellmore, Nueva York, a partir de la emisión de la primera papeleta por correo por correo anticipado y durante el horario laboral habitual en cada uno de los cinco (5) días previos al día de la reunión especial del distrito, entre las 9:00 y las 15:00 (hora vigente), excepto el domingo y el sábado 28 de noviembre de 2026, solo con cita previa. Dicha lista también estará disponible en el colegio electoral en la fecha de la reunión especial del distrito. No se podrá hacer campaña a la papeleta de votación por correo anticipado o por correo temprano a menos que haya sido recibida en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas (hora prevalente) del día de la reunión especial del distrito. TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que una persona tendrá derecho a votar en la Reunión Especial del Distrito que sea ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, tenga dieciocho años, resida en el Distrito por un periodo de treinta días antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito y esté registrada para votar en la Asamblea Especial del Distrito. Una persona estará registrada para votar si se ha registrado permanentemente en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau o en la Junta de Registro del Distrito. Solo las personas que vayan a estar registradas tendrán derecho a votar. SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que no estén actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes cualificados del Distrito. Los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del Distrito pueden presentar una
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pueden presentar una solicitud para una papeleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, solicitud de papeleta militar o papeleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicha inscripción, solicitud de papeleta o papeleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y los formularios de solicitud de papeleta militar deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas (hora vigente) del 7 de noviembre de 2026. No se consultará ninguna papeleta militar a menos que (1) se reciba en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el día de la reunión especial del distrito y muestre una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestre un endoso fechado de recepción por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) recibido por la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas (hora prevaleciente) del día de la reunión especial del distrito y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha asociada a no más tardar que el día anterior a la reunión especial del distrito. POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN Fecha: 10 de septiembre de 2026 Laurice Gunnels Secretario de distrito LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX #005242/2015 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated Nassau County. Premises: 1399 Fraser Avenue Merrick, NY 11566 Original filed with the Clerk on June 11, 2015 Mortgage Servicer: Onity Mortgage Corporation fka PHH Mortgage Corporation Mortgage Servicers Phone #866-799-7724 ONITY MORTGAGE CORPORATION FKA PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, -againstNASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR AS
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF EDITH ELLENBOGEN A/K/A EDITH L. ELLENBOGEN; RONALD ELLENBOGEN AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF EDITH ELLENBOGEN A/K/A EDITH L. ELLENBOGEN; EDITH ELLENBOGEN A/K/A EDITH L. ELLENBOGEN'S UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTERST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; Defendants. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff's Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); the United States of America may appear or answer within 60 day of service hereof; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Sarika Kapoor, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered
of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered Sept. 21, 2026 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Nassau County Clerk's Office. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the amount of $469,342.50 recorded in the office of the clerk of Nassau County on December 13, 2005 in Liber 29824 page 486 covering premises known as 1399 Fraser Ave, Merrick, NY 11566 a/k/a Section 55, Block 7, Lot 686. The relief sought in he within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Uniondale, New York June 4, 2026 Respectfully submitted, Pincus & Tarab, Attorneys at Law, PLLC By: /s/ Linda P. Manfredi, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza Uniondale, NY 11556 516-699-8902 #103235 LEGAL NOTICE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Statement of
POSTAL SERVICE Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation 1. Publication Title: MERRICK HERALD. 2. Publication No. 17651. 3. Filing Date: October 1, 2026. 4. Issue Frequency: Weekly. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually 52. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $52. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. 9 Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher: Richner Communications, Inc., Stuart Richner, 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530. Editor: JORDAN VALLONE 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. Managing Editor: JEFF BESSEN 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530. 10. Owner: Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Clifford Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Stuart Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12 Not applicable. 13. Publication Title: MERRICK HERALD. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 17, 2026. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total No. Copies: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1500. b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 15; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 12. (2) Mailed In-County Paid
News brief
CN Guidance introduces outreach program CN Guidance & Counseling Services has launched a community-based outreach program to reduce drug use, overdoses and related health risks among vulnerable teenagers and young adults across Long Island. The program, supported by a $700,000 grant from the New York State Department of Health, will provide outreach, engagement, treatment connections and overdose prevention services to young people ages 12 to 24 experiencing substance use challenges and other health risks. The initiative uses a mobile, fieldbased model to bring services directly into communities where young people are most at risk. Through peer support and community partnerships, staff will identify those in need and connect them with treatment, recovery and prevention services. Services will be delivered throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties using CN Guidance’s specially equipped outreach vehicles, including its mobile RV and service truck. The program includes support for young people who recently experienced an overdose, peer-based engagement, follow-up care after treatment, distribution of naloxone overdose reversal kits and connections to medical and behavioral services. “By meeting youth where they are and
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CN Guidance & Counseling Services has launched a community-based outreach program to reduce drug use, overdoses and related health risks among vulnerable teenagers and young adults. building trusted relationships in the community, we can connect them to lifesaving resources, reduce overdose risks and help them move toward healthier futures,” said Lindsay Ragona, program director at CN Guidance. CN Guidance has provided behavioral health services on Long Island for more than 50 years, operating over 60 programs with more than 400 staff members. The organization partners with health care providers, schools and government agencies to support individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. More information is available at cnguidance.org or (516) 822-6111. —Jordan Vallone
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PUBLIC NOTICES Filing Date, 12. (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 228; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 203. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 508; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 472. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. c. Total Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 751; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to
Published Nearest to Filing Date, 687. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (by Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (2) Free or Nominal In-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 238; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 250; Actual No. Copies
250; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 500. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 488; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 500. f. Total Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1239; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1187. g. Copies Not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 761; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 313. h. Total: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1500. i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Average No. Copies
Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 60.61%; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 57.88%. 16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October 15, 2026issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Stuart Richner, Owner; Date: October 1, 2026. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
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ANSWERS TO TODAY’S PUZZLE
25
opinions
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n idea floated by our Center for Cost Effective Government would provide incentives for homeowners and businesses on Long Island to switch to lawns that require less watering and less fertilizer. We Long Islanders love our lawns. A wellwatered and manicured layer of sod in front of a single-family home always looks great. For many, these lawns are emblematic of the American dream, a piece of post-war suburban heaven. But lawns can be resource-intensive. They require extensive maintenance, which can include huge use of water. With rising water bills on Long Island, any opportunity to save money would be welcome. Then there is the environmental impact of the massive quantities of fertilizer we use to support our charming green lawns. Traditionally, Long Island-
ers tend to use Kentucky bluegrass, which is kelly-green, flush and pleasant to the eye, but it also requires a great deal of watering and fertilizer. Tall fescue grass, on the other hand, requires about 33 percent less nitrogen fertilizer than Kentucky bluegrass — roughly 2 to 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually, compared with higherinput lawns. Tall fescue generally requires 1 to 1½ inches of water per week, about 25 percent less than Kentucky bluegrass. It handles heavy use and wear much better than fine fescues or Kentucky blue. It grows well in various soil types found across the region, and tolerates moderate shade. The Berkshire Botanical Garden notes that alternative seeds such as creeping red, hard fescue and chewing fescue can reduce fertilizer and water needs by half. While the Kentucky grass has roots of 4 to 8 inches, fescue roots go much deeper — up to 2 to 3 feet, to tap water in the ground.
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The North and South Rivers Watershed Association notes that watering a 1-acre lawn with just 1 inch of water consumes 26,000 gallons — more than it takes to fill a 16- by 32-foot swimming pool. So how do we change our culture on Long Island to begin a transition to more environmentally friendly grass seed? The answer is, the same way we promote change in other areas — by creating monetary incentives. The city of Redlands, Calif., does just that for more environmentally friendly lawns. Its Water Conservation turf rebate gives homeowners $1 per square foot of grass that is replaced with drought-tolerant or irrigationless landscaping, up to $1,000. The rebate comes back to them as a credit on their water bill. The program involves a preliminary inspection, and a post-replacement inspection confirms the work and releases the credit. Why not have a similar incentive put in place through the Suffolk Coun-
ow about rebates for trading grass for drought-tolerant or irrigationless landscaping?
ty Water Authority, or through the county’s sewer and cesspool program that was passed via a referendum in 2024? Communities that pool together and convert a certain percentage of their lawns to the new turf could become eligible for further credits, thereby spurring a we’re-all-in-it-together movement. And to start it all off, municipalities can serve as role models by taking the lead in transitioning to these more environmentally appropriate grasses. We realize this isn’t for everyone. Some people just love their Kentucky bluegrass. And that’s why it shouldn’t be a mandate. But incentives never hurt anyone. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is shortly going to hold hearings on ways to reduce fertilizers on Long Island. How about starting with this turf-friendly tax credit? Steve Levy is executive director of the Center for Cost Effective Government, a fiscally conservative think tank. He has served as Suffolk County executive, as an assemblyman and as host of the podcast “On the Right Side.”
We’re limiting legal refugees to white South Africans
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urrent federal policy limits legal refugee admissions essentially to white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners. Congressional candidates, including incumbents, on Long Island and beyond need to state whether they support this policy, which has existed without sufficient Congressional or public attention. The public has a right to know. On Jan. 20, 2025, the first day of his second term, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” It imposed a ban on a program that has for decades — with longstanding bipartisan support — provided a legal way for refugees fleeing persecution in other countries to be vetted and, if approved, resettled in this country. On Oct. 30, the administration announced an exception to the ban: It would limit the number of refugees admitted to the United States to 7,500 — a dramatic decline from the target of 125,000 in 2024 — and they would mostly be white South Africans. As the Associ-
ated Press reported at the time, the federal notice “made no mention of any other specific groups to be admitted besides the white South Africans, known also as Afrikaners.” Afrikaners, it should be noted, have a long history of supporting and implementing white supremacy. It was Afrikaners who led the South African government after World War II, when it created a formal system of racial apartheid. As NPR Illinois reports, “In 1948, the Afrikaner-led government began to implement apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation that benefited whites. Black people and other non-white South Africans were displaced and dispossessed. Apartheid ended in 1994 with the formation of a new, democratic government led by anti-apartheid activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela.” On May 26, the Trump administration announced that it would admit another 10,000 white South Africans as refugees, while essentially continuing to ban people from other countries. The State Department issued data on Aug. 5, revealing that the U.S. had accepted 10,258 refugees in the fiscal year, all but three of whom were South Africans.
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On Sept. 25, Trump issued a Presidential Determination limiting refugee admissions in the new fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, to an additional 17,500, primarily Afrikaners from South Africa. No other country was mentioned. Afrikaners aren’t simply among those being admitted. They are virtually the only people being admitted. That’s clearly a statement of principle rather than a reflection of the state of the world. The president is only required to inform Congress, so Congress may avoid taking a position, but clearly the president can make changes during the new fiscal year, as he did previously. At a minimum, Congress should state how this policy reflects American values, and if members support or oppose it. By his actions, Trump is using the legal refugee admissions policy primarily to bring to the U.S. members of the Afrikaner community, which implemented white supremacy through apartheid in South Africa. By his actions he is publicly affirming that system. It’s important to keep in mind that the U.S. had its own systems of apartheid against Blacks: slavery and then Jim-Crow segregation. The president’s
rump’s actions are a clear signal to white supremacists in the U.S.
actions are a clear signal to white supremacists in the U.S. that he wants to extend that legacy. After all, from Day One of the Trump administration, the combination of the president’s executive orders, related Congressional actions and sought-after Supreme Court decisions have removed Blacks from federal jobs without cause, and stripped them of civil rights that ensured their right to vote and their right not to be denied housing due to discrimination based on race and other protected attributes. This Afrikaner resettlement in the U.S. is a stunning act by the president. It deserves to be discussed and debated by those seeking to serve in Congress. Candidates for Congress on Long Island, including incumbents, need to make clear whether they support this federal policy. The federal refugee admissions program was created by an act of Congress, the Refugee Act of 1980. How can Congress not care about how the program is used? The question — Do you support the current federal policy on refugee admissions? — is one that requires a simple yes or no answer. Yet that answer will speak volumes about each candidate. Elaine Gross is founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, the regional civil rights organization based on Long Island.
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
Our lawns can be less dependent on water and fertilizer
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Herald editorial
Merrick
October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
HERALD and Merrick Herald News Established 1994
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Main Street can’t sit out the A.I. revolution
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ast month, 50 Long Island small businesses gathered at Stony Brook University to finish something few of their owners would have imagined a year ago: six months of training in artificial intelligence. The LIA-AI Growth Academy was free to participants. It was run by the Long Island Association’s foundation, funded by Google.org and taught by Stony Brook’s technology and A.I. experts, along with advisers from the Long Island Small Business Development Center. It was open only to companies with 20 or fewer employees, and graduates received a $5,000 grant to put A.I. to work in their businesses. Long Island’s municipalities, chambers of commerce and educational institutions must find ways to replicate this terrific program. The stakes are high, because A.I. is the first technology in a long time that can favor the little guy. For most of the last century, size was destiny. A big company could afford an IT department, inhouse lawyers, a finance team and analysts poring over its data, and the corner store could not. A.I. erases much of that advantage. A contractor can turn handwritten notes into clean estimates and keep three job sites on schedule. A hardware store can spot the items that are gathering dust and the ones that keep selling out. A two-lawyer firm can summarize a 200page lease before lunch. Corporations spent millions of dollars on tools that now cost a small business a modest
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letters Keep up the good work, Herald To the Editor: Re your editorial, “Celebrating newspapers and local reporting” (Oct. 1-7): Congratulations to the Herald on its excellent coverage of local news, and then some. I am a subscriber, a supporter and a believer in journalism — freedom of the press is essential, especially at this time in our country. With so much information and misinformation, I rely on the professionalism, honesty and thorough investigative reporting of newspapers across the country, and the Herald in particular. Thank you for covering Long Island and our neighborhoods. You keep us informed. May you and your journalists continue your important work. MARGUERITE WESTBROOk Lynbrook
monthly subscription. We know the objection, because we hear it from every owner we talk to: Who has the time? Small-business owners already work long weeks. They answer the phones, make payroll, chase invoices and sweep the floor. Adding “Learn A.I.” to that list sounds absurd. But few things a business owner can do will pay off more than a few hours spent learning these tools. The time invested comes back every week — in invoices sent faster, schedules built in minutes and paperwork that no longer eats the weekend. Owners don’t have to figure it out alone. The LIA should announce a second cohort, and we hope it’s much bigger. The Long Island SBDC at Stony Brook offers free one-on-one advising, and the state SBDC network now runs a dedicated A.I. program. In Nassau, Hofstra University’s Entrepreneurship Assistance Center has teamed up with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce on a series of practical A.I. workshops for local business owners, a model every chamber on Long Island should copy. Hofstra’s ideaHUb incubator also connects young companies with mentors and student interns. Farmingdale State College has launched a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence that blends business and computer science, and Long Island University is building its own A.I. offerings. Nassau and Suffolk community colleges and our public libraries offer affordable continuingeducation and tech classes. Business
owners should use them. A.I.’s promise doesn’t mean we should be naïve about its dangers. The same tools that help a bakery balance its books can write a convincing scam email or clone a child’s voice to con a grandparent. Bad actors are already using A.I. for fraud, impersonation and deepfakes. Any A.I. training should also teach owners how to protect themselves from these scams. The bigger problems are not for the deli owner to solve. That job belongs to Albany and Washington. Lawmakers need to set clear rules: real penalties for A.I.enabled fraud and impersonation, disclosure when content is A.I.-generated, transparency from the companies building these systems. A.I. will likely eliminate jobs — especially the entry-level clerical, customer-service and bookkeeping work that has started countless Long Island careers — so government budgets must account for retraining workers whose jobs change or disappear. Embracing the technology and demanding guardrails are not contradictory. They are two halves of the same responsible approach. A.I. is coming to Long Island’s economy whether Main Street is ready or not. The LIA, Hofstra and other local institutions have shown what readiness looks like. But they can’t train 100,000 Long Island small businesses on their own. That will take every town hall, chamber, library and college on the Island pulling in the same direction, and it needs to start now.
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opinions
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he Press Club of Long Island was among the press organizations that, along with newspapers and other media, voiced their opposition to the move by President Trump last month to ban journalists from three major media outlets from the White House. However, a U.S. District Court judge responding to a lawsuit brought by the three outlets — CNN, MS Now and Politico — issued a restraining order directing the White House to lift the prohibition. Judge Timothy Kelly, appointed by Trump in 2017, ruled that the media outlets had shown a “high likelihood of success” with their claim that their due-process rights had been violated. The PCLI issued a statement condemning Trump’s action, saying, “Press freedom is at the heart of our democracy and a constitutional right.” The statement continued: “The vital role of journalists cannot be overstated, Journalists inform the public and hold power to account. Restricting journalists from the White House undermines the pub-
lic’s right to factual and independent reporting and only serves to weaken the transparency upon which our democracy is dependent.” “We proudly stand with our fellow journalists and call for a reversal of this decision immediately,” the PCLI said. As the founding president of the press club in 1974, spurred in encouraging its formation by the jailing of a journalist for not divulging a confidential source, I am proud of its action. It is now one of the largest chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists, which describes itself as “the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism.” Trump said he was barring those media outlets’ access to the White House because, as he wrote on Truth Social, “Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America.” The Manhattan-based New York Press Club issued a statement saying, “Trump’s latest attack on the First Amendment in banning Politico, MS
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nd groups like the 52-year-old Press Club of Long Island know better.
LeTTers Town should come clean on tax increases To the Editor: When is the Town of Hempstead going to stop using deceptive accounting practices to hide the fact that it’s raising our taxes? By removing Sanitation Department budgets from the town’s main budget and creating separate special district budgets, the town can raise taxes through those districts while claiming that it isn’t raising town taxes. The money and the tax burden doesn’t disappear; it’s simply moved out of the main budget, to where taxpayers are less likely to see it. What’s to stop those sanitation districts from raising taxes after Election Day? Another deceptive practice the town has used for decades is burying revenue labeled “miscellaneous” in its General Fund, which has now accumulated $50.2 million. The town should disclose how much of that revenue comes from the utility bills of Liberty Water, PSEG and National Grid customers. Liberty is seeking a 37 percent rate increase next year, in part because of the everincreasing taxes it pays to the town and county — taxes ultimately paid by Liberty customers on utility property that
Now and CNN from covering the White House is yet another slap in the face to freedom of the press in the United States.” It went on: “All media outlets, the Congress, Republicans, Democrats and independents, and the public should come together to denounce this breach of American democracy. The president continues to diminish the people’s right to be informed about the news of the day from the White House and limits the public’s right to know by restricting access and admitting only those in agreement with him.” The Washington, D.C.based Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which describes itself as “the leading pro bono legal services organization for journalists and newsrooms in the U.S.,” filed a friend-of-thecourt brief accompanying the outlets’ lawsuit. Bruce D. Brown, its president, said, “Amid so many attacks from the Trump administration on journalists, this one has really struck a chord because the public can easily get its head around what has happened here. The president has kicked news organizations out of the White House because he does not like the news they report. That is a brazen violation of the First
should be tax-exempt. LI Clean Air Water & Soil has asked the town to put all tax revenue from Liberty Water into a separate fund to help finance the South Nassau Water Authority’s acquisition of the system. Had the Town done this decades ago, we could have had public water by now, like 95 percent of New Yorkers. Then there’s the sale of real property as a one-time gimmick to balance the budget, along with taking $30 million from reserves. Neither should be used to fund recurring expenses, practices that run contrary to sound government financial management. Joe Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for town supervisor, is right to shine a light on the town’s “miscellaneous” revenue. It may be time for State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to investigate the town’s finances and expose the deceptive practices being used to conceal tax increases. Perhaps Hempstead needs its own version of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority to bring transparency and accountability to its finances. CLAUDIA BORECKY Co-director, LI Clean Air Water & Soil Ltd. and president, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club Merrick
Amendment that the courts should quickly reverse in order to protect the public interest.” Status, an online media review, said the “press ban comes amid a broader pattern of threats and attempts by Trump to muzzle the media during his second term.” It declared, “Suffice to say, such behavior is far more aligned with authoritarian leaders than the person who is supposed to be the leader of the free world. Trump, however, does not seem to mind. Asked by reporters what message his ban sends to countries like China that are ‘repressive’ against journalists, Trump disturbingly responded: ‘I think we’re repressive also.’” The founders of the United States, the framers of the U.S. Constitution, created a system of checks and balances among the three branches of the federal government — the administrative, legislative and judicial branches — and a free press to serve as a watchdog of them all. Said Thomas Jefferson: “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” That system should be treasured and live on. 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.
FrAmework by Tim Baker
A ghoulish gathering on Chestnut Street – Oceanside
MERRICK HERALD — October 15, 2026
The president pretends there’s no freedom of the press
October 15, 2026 — MERRICK HERALD
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HELP US BRING ADVANCED CARDIAC SERVICES TO THE SOUTH SHORE, INCLUDING OPEN-HEART SURGERY
THE LANNIN EISENHOWER PARK | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026, 6:30 PM Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Spectacular Soirée!
Featuring a selection of fine wines and spirits, an extended cocktail hour (no formal sit-down dinner) with a wide array of hors d’oeuvres, premium seafood selections, prime cuts of beef, as well as an assortment of international dishes (and a Kosher food station). Entertainment will also include a live DJ, dancing, and a mentalist.
Masters of Ceremonies: News 12 personalities Erin Colton and Joe Arena
Book your reservation online at bringinghearthome.org, or call the Mount Sinai South Nassau Development Department at 516-377-5360.