Nassau Herald 04-30-2026

HERALD Nassau

Courtesy Annie Petraro

Young scout plants seeds of growth in Woodmere

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

At age 13, Hewlett resident Joseph Petraro is already achieving what many Boy Scouts spend years working toward, completing the requirements for one of the highest honors in scouting with a deeply personal and community-driven Eagle Scout project.

A Lone Scout in Scouting America, Joseph began his journey as a 5-year-old Cub Scout before becoming a Boy Scout at age 10. What started as games quickly evolved into leadership and service.

“At first, it was just fun,” he said. “But as I got older, I realized it was a lot more

An era ends: Hewlett King Kullen to close on May 21

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

King Kullen in Hewlett will close its doors for good on May 21 after it was unable to negotiate a new lease, marking the end of a 45-year presence for shoppers in the community.

Located at 1765 Peninsula Blvd., the supermarket has long been a neighborhood staple, offering groceries, prepared foods and a familiar gathering place for generations of residents. Closing the store is expected to leave a noticeable gap for many who relied on its convenience and connection to the community.

In an April 20 statement, a company spokesperson said the decision was tied to lease challenges.

“The decision to close was made after lease options expired and we were unable to reach favorable lease renewal terms,” the statement read.

“King Kullen is honored to have served the Hewlett community for 45 years.”

Still, the impact on the community is expected to be significant. For many residents, the store’s central location made it a reliable and accessible option for everyday needs. Shoppers will now have to travel a bit farther, with the nearest King Kul-

len located in neighboring Valley Stream.

Dennis Gilroy, a Woodmere resident and longtime Hewlett Fire Department member, said he shops at the Peninsula Boulevard supermarket up to three times a week.

“It’s convenient and it’s a great grocery store,” Gilroy said. “I don’t know why they’re leaving. I’ve been shopping here since it was called the Big Apple.”

Gilroy commended the shop for its convenience and the courtesy he receives from its workers.

“When I heard they were closing, I couldn’t believe it,”

he said. “They have the best cold cutters, the know-how to cut the meat, and they know what they’re doing. Everybody here is family and my whole family has been here their whole lives.”

The nearest supermarket is Foodtown, at 1368 Peninsula Blvd. in the Peninsula Shopping Center in Hewlett.

“We have King Kullen and Foodtown. That’s all our choices,” Gilroy said. “I don’t go to Gourmet Glatt or Trader Joe’s.”

Beyond convenience, longtime shoppers said King Kullen’s closing represents the loss of a familiar neighborhood fixture. Over the years, it has been more than just a place to buy

Joseph Petraro, 13, sixth from left, completed his Eagle Scout project at the Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Woodmere, on April 22.

Designing a new logo for the future of Friends of the HWPL

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library unveiled a fresh new look on April 22, announcing the winner of its inaugural logo contest during the Hewlett-Woodmere public schools art show at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library.

Hewlett High School freshman Misty Lin was named the winner among seven student submissions, earning a $100 prize for her design, which will now serve as the official logo for the Friends organization.

“I like doing graphic design, so I designed one on Canva and used Kleki, an online drawing app,” Lin said. “I was very surprised, I didn’t think I would win. I’m excited to see it used for the library.”

Lin said she wants to be a graphic designer when she’s older and is looking forward to taking AP Art at the high school.

“I’m looking forward to taking the graphic design classes,” she said. “I’ve been doing art since I was little and would doodle around on paper.”

Other entries were submitted by David Brenner, Lea Rodriguez, Brooke Schecter, Tamar Bober-Tsastir, Sarina Vernow and Johanna Zack, whose designs were also displayed as part of the art show.

“The Friends of the Hewlett Woodmere Library thank all the participants who took their time and effort with their sub-

missions to our new logo contest,” said Mira Rosenfeld Sennett, co-president of Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. “We appreciate the interest each student applied to their original logo.”

The contest was launched in collaboration with the Hewlett-Woodmere School District as part of an effort to modernize the group’s visual identity. Organizers

said they were seeking a “fresh look” for use on stationery, email communications and printed materials.

“The new logo reflects a new chapter, a new director and fits together to support an auxiliary wing of the library,” Sennett said. “We are looking for what exactly Misty captured. We wanted to get away from the juvenile, children logo to more

community involvement.”

Leaders of the Friends group said the initiative reflects their mission to support educational and cultural programming for residents of all ages, while also engaging students in meaningful, creative opportunities.

“We’re here for supplying a pencil, a concert, a klezmer, a book review, a lecturer and of course whatever the library can do in Gold Hall,” she added. “We want to make it a very community and Five Towns oriented library. We support the library in any way we can.”

Andrew Fund, the district’s music and art director, helped promote the contest within the schools, encouraging students to submit original designs. Entries were displayed as part of the district-wide student art show, drawing families, neighbors and community members to the library for the announcement.

Lin’s art teacher Jennifer Csorba said she took the initiative to submit a logo design for the contest on her own accord.

“She’s going places,” Csorba said. “She has a lot of talent and we’re looking forward to seeing some great things throughout the rest of her high school career. She’s got a promising future.”

Lin’s winning design will be featured on the organization’s website and across future materials, marking a new chapter for the Friends as they continue their work supporting library programs and services.

Melissa Berman/Herald

Hewlett High School freshman Misty Lin, second from left, won the Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library logo contest. It was announced at the HewlettWoodmere public schools art show, on April 22.

Zero tax levy continues in Lawrence school district budget

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The Lawrence Union Free School District presented its proposed 2026–2027 school budget during a Board of Trustees meeting on April 20, outlining a plan that maintains academic programming while addressing rising operational costs.

The proposed budget totals $106.23 million, representing a 1.64 percent increase from the current year. Despite the increase, district officials announced that the tax levy will remain at zero percent for the 12th consecutive year, a point administrators highlighted as a continued effort to limit the financial burden on local taxpayers.

“We take all the factors we have into making the budget,” said Jeremy Feder, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and operations. “Everything and every detail go into consideration and we go from there. The budget is a living document, we have to adjust on the fly.”

District leaders said the spending plan prioritizes classroom instruction, student support services and extracurricular opportunities, while balancing fiscal responsibility. Rising costs, including transportation, staffing and contractual obligations, were cited as key factors in the budget increase.

The budget features: $300,00 in legal fees, $250,000 in insurance expenses, $300,000 in support staff, $300,000 in transportation and $150,000 in technology. Along with

Lawrence Union Free School District Board of Trustees presented the proposed 2026-2027 school budget at their meeting, on April

receiving $1.6 million in state aid.

The proposal includes funding for core academic programs, special education and mental health services, as well as technology upgrades and building maintenance. Officials also emphasized maintaining small class sizes and supporting faculty as central components of the plan.

“We’re always putting the budget together it’s a whole year to evaluate the

past budget, current budget, next year’s budget and going forward,” Feder said. “I look back three years and see the trend and before that it was Covid and the budget was skewed. Now it only goes back the three years to 2022.”

Athletics, arts and enrichment programs will also remain funded, with administrators noting their importance to a well-rounded student experience.

This also includes the FEMA project, which is designed to improve drainage, restore damages from Hurricane Sandy and prevent further damage and erosion. Completion for the project is aimed for February 2027 and will allow for the replacement and reopening of the high school turf, secure the grounds and surrounding area from flooding and repair heating and ventilation at the high school.

During the presentation, trustees reviewed projected state aid and overall financial conditions for the coming year. Residents will have the opportunity to review the proposal and ask questions ahead of the annual budget vote on May 19, when voter approval will determine its adoption.

“I am thankful to the board to have a great opportunity to have a beautiful budget with all positive things,” Feder added.

After the budget presentation, the board approved a bid to redo the soccer field at Lawrence Middle School for $300,000. This was not included in the 2025-2026 school budget.

“It’s going to completely redo the soccer field so our high school team should be able to start using it during the summer for practice,” said Heshy Blachorsky, Board of Trustees president. “This includes removing all the excess grass, repairing the sprinkler system and grading topsoil. Hopefully this will be able to get the soccer team off the ground and have a nice, brand new field to practice on.”

HAFTR students mark Yom HaZikaron with a ceremony

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Students at HAFTR Middle School gathered in Lawrence for a Yom HaZikaron commemoration ceremony on April 21, as classmates led prayers, testimonials and memorial readings honoring the country’s fallen.

Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, commemorates more than 25,000 Israeli soldiers killed in war, along with victims of terror attacks. Led by Einat Rabinovich, the school’s Hebrew department chair, students shared testimonials from grieving family members and recited prayers reflecting on those losses.

WMore than a dozen students helped lead the ceremony, including Alma Scharman and Lian Elgrissy, who both have family serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.

Scharman took on multiple roles during the program, including describing a brother who died before he was able to come home and reading a letter written by an army general to his brother after his death.

hile we set aside today for formal observance, we carry their memory, their service and their sacrifice with us every day.

The day began with a message from HAFTR principal Joshua Gold, who emphasized the duality of Jewish and Israeli history, contrasting the grief of Yom HaZikaron with the celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut — Israeli Independence Day — a day later. “It is a lot to experience this emotional trove of Jewish history in just 48 hours,” Gold said. “While we set aside today for formal observance, we carry their memory, their service and their sacrifice with us every day.”

JoSHuA GoLD principal, HAFTR middle school

Scharman said she values learning about Jewish history in class, saying it ensures the memories of those lost stay alive. “Every single person has the opportunity and responsibility to remember,” she said. “That’s the responsibility I carry.”

Her classmate, Lian Elgrissy, shared the history of Yom HaZikaron and recited a letter written by a mother mourning her dead son and describing life without him.

Elgrissy said participating was about passing on a message for both her family and the people no longer alive. She noted her second cousin, Kobi Zaharon, who died in a terrorist attack on Purim in Tel Aviv in 1996. Zaharon was 13.

“I learned that it’s very important to

respect everyone in our country because they didn’t just do it for themselves,” Elgrissy said. “They did it for all of us and to keep all of our families safe.”

In a later interview with the Herald, Rabinovich said she wanted students to understand the grief many Israeli families have endured because of war, while also recognizing the hope and resilience

that continues beyond that loss.

“I wanted them to understand what happened to these families and the soldiers,” Rabinovich said. “Because when our students go to Israel, I want them to know they are safe.”

The ceremony concluded with the lighting of a memorial candle and the singing of Adon Olam.

Melissa Berman/Herald

The

20.

Courtesy Avi Shaver

Lian Elgrissy, left, and Alma Scharman were two of over a dozen students leading classmates and faculty at HAFTR on April 21 for their Yom HaZikaron commemoration ceremony.

4

4

Chicken Breasts (4 oz.)

News brief

4 Boneless Pork Chops (6 oz.)

4 Kielbasa Sausages (3 oz.)

4 Individual Scalloped Potatoes (3.8 oz.)

4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.)

1 Omaha Steaks Seasoning (3 oz.)

8

Burgers (4 oz.)

Atlantic Beach passes 2026-27 budget

An Estate Plan is More Than it Appears

An estate plan consists of a set of documents for older adults most often consisting of a trust, power of attorney, health care proxy and other supporting documents providing certain legal, financial and health instructions. Most people, and even many attorneys, consider the tangible documents to be the plan, the exchange of which, for payment, constitutes the completion of the transaction.

In our view, it is the “relationship” between the client and the law firm, intangible though it may be, that is of greater value. Only the relationship can provide the benefits needed to fully effectuate the plan. First among the intangibles is the peace of mind which the client is seeking in creating an estate plan in the first place. This requires an inquiry into the capabilities and sensibilities of each family member. The substitute decision-making that will be entrusted to others demands nothing less. As to the passing of assets, we are as concerned with the emotional legacy, as with the financial legacy, the client will leave to those loved ones who survive them.

Secondly, for any estate plan to be effective,

care and attention not to mention experience, in funding the plan -- in other words getting the assets either into the trust or left to the trust as beneficiary -- are essential. The extraordinary level of care and knowledge needed to properly fund a trust is, in our experience, often found lacking. You cannot see it, but it is invaluable.

Third, of what benefit is a plan that is inorganic, in other words not subject to change. Some mechanism for the plan to be adjusted as changes in personal circumstances and in the law occur is essential. An estate plan must be designed with a review process so that it works when needed, often decades after it was first conceived.

As a relationship-based, rather than a transaction-based firm, Ettinger Law Firm has developed processes such as not charging for emails and phone calls and providing a free review every three years to provide the safety and security clients are looking for. Together with our proprietary publications and videos, and weekly client newsletter, these features allow our clients to live out the firm’s motto, “Protecting Your Future”.

The village of Atlantic Beach’s board of trustees voted unanimously to pass its 2026-27 budget last week, totaling $5.1 million in spending for next year — with one minor change.

Mayor Barry Frohlinger, who is also an accountant, said he and the other trustees had projected a higher tax levy resulting from a cash surplus.

“The amount of property taxes that we are going to collect from all the property owners is going to be a 2.9 percent average decrease this year compared to last year.” Frohlinger said, noting the exact amount will be based on the assessment from the county.

Under the now-approved spending plan, the property tax will account for roughly 85 percent of village revenue, down nearly 2 percent from the current fiscal year. The reduction, officials said at the budget hearing earlier this month, is part of their efforts to ease the burden on taxpayers while improving the village’s financial footing.

This includes securing revenue from commercial establishments and lowering legal costs through settlements on village related disputes prior to the current administration.

For transparency, the board of trustees published videos explaining the budget for Atlantic Beach resi -

dents. Susan Jaffe, who lives on Atlantic Boulevard, commended the board of trustees at the recent budget meeting.

“I just want to thank you and commend you for the effort that you’ve made to make a transparent understandable outline for all of us including the videos,” Jaffe said. “You really covered the full range, and nobody should have any questions”

Attendees at the meeting applauded the board members following Jaffe’s comments.

“I like this stuff so I had a lot of fun and I got people who are fun to work with,” Frohlinger said.

Elizabeth Woolfe, who lives on Coronado Street, said the process was smooth and transparent from the very beginning of budget season. Woolfe, who has experience working with budgets as a longtime nonprofit consultant, said the board did a great job balancing the proposed costs versus the actual cost, calling it fiscally responsible

“The videos were great,” she said. “It was a great idea to do the videos, especially for residents who want to know.”

— Aidan Warshavsky

Aidan Warshavsky/Herald

Atlantic Beach board of trustees voted to pass next year’s spending plan at the latest budget meeting on April 23.

NASSAU

Courtesy Polina Mendelovich

More than toys: a mission of kindness led by HHS teen

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Hewlett High School junior Layla Mikhaylov is turning compassion into action through her growing community initiative, the Golden Minds Project, a toy drive aimed at supporting children in shelters and foster programs — and now expanding its reach beyond the local community.

Running from Feb. 14 to April 19 through a combination of community donations, an online Amazon storefront and a GoFundMe campaign, Mikhaylov raised approximately $800, which she used to purchase additional toys, snacks and basic necessities. In total, her first fundraiser collected about 130 toys, all distributed directly to families at a shelter in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

“I’ve always been around kids, whether volunteering or working in daycares, and I realized not everyone has the same opportunities I had growing up,” Mikhaylov said. “When you actually see that, it makes you want to do something. I wanted to be hands-on and make people smile in person, not just send things off.”

Collection bins placed at a Brooklyn church and several daycare centers, along with social media outreach and an Amazon Wishlist, helped drive donations. At the event, families were invited to select toys themselves, an approach Mikhaylov said was intentional.

“I didn’t want it to feel like just receiving something,” she said. “I wanted the kids and families to feel involved, to choose what they liked. That makes it more special.”

Her mother, Polina Mendelovich, said the experience has been transformative.

“She really put her heart and soul into this,” Mendelovich said. “It gave her a lot of growth, a lot of responsibility, and opened her eyes to what life is like outside of our immediate community. Meeting these families face-to-face, especially those

who have gone through hardship or displacement, is something that stays with you.”

Mikhaylov said the project was inspired by years of volunteering, including time spent helping students in Spain learn English, as well as her desire to support children facing difficult circumstances.

“My heart aches when I think about kids who don’t have access to things as simple as toys or educational materials,” she said. “This is my way of helping, even in a small way.”

Looking ahead, Mikhaylov is working to expand the Golden Minds Project through a partnership with the Atongi Foundation, a nonprofit that supports communities both locally and internationally, including in Ghana. Through that collaboration, leftover toys and newly purchased hygiene products will be sent overseas to support children and families in need.

“We’re not just focusing on toys anymore,” she said. “We’re also collecting hygiene products and other essentials, because families need more than just toys. Partnering with the Atongi Foundation is helping us grow and reach people not just here, but around the world.”

Mikhaylov said she also plans to bring the initiative to additional shelters across New York, including an upcoming distribution in Jamaica, Queens.

For Mendelovich, watching her daughter take the lead has been both emotional and inspiring.

“She’s not just organizing something — she’s connecting with people,” she said. “She’s seeing the impact up close, and that’s something you can’t teach. It’s something you feel.”

For Mikhaylov, that connection is what matters most.

“Being behind the scenes and actually making it happen — that’s what means the most to me,” she said. “Just seeing the kids happy, even for a moment, makes everything worth it.”

Hewlett High School junior Layla Mikhaylov held a toy drive for underprivileged children and donated them to a shelter in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

DEVIN PACCIONE

WANTAGH Senior LACROSSE

A DYNAMIC THREE-SPORT athlete, Paccione last spring helped lead Wantagh to Nassau and Long Island Class C lacrosse championships and earned All-America honors. He followed that up this fall as a major contributor to the Warriors’ county football title. This spring, the University of Villanova bound attacker was leading Nassau County in points with 72 (26 goals and 46 assists) as of April 28. He has over 300 career points.

games to watch

Thursday, April 30

Baseball: Plainedge at Wantagh 4:30 p.m.

Baseball: Lynbrook at V.S. North 5 p.m.

Softball: East Meadow at Clarke 5

Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Freeport 5

Girls Lacrosse: Massapequa at South Side 5 p.m.

Flag Football: Freeport at Bell-Merrick 5 p.m.

Flag Football: East Meadow at V.S. District 5 p.m.

Flag Football: Long Beach at Glen Cove 5 p.m.

Flag Football: Bethpage at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Friday, May 1

Softball: East Rockaway at Freeport 4:15 p.m.

Softball: Syosset at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Softball: V.S. South at V.S. Central 5 p.m.

Softball: Kennedy at Seaford 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Carey at Mepham 5 p.m.

Baseball: Lawrence at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Baseball: South Side at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Baseball: Carey at MacArthur 5 p.m.

Softball: Oceanside at Massapequa 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 2

Softball: South Side at Floral Park 10 a.m.

Flag Football: East Rock. at West Hemp. 10 a.m.

Softball: Baldwin at Hewlett 2 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

HERALD SPORTS

Early wins signal Hewlett’s resurgence

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

The early returns for Hewlett baseball suggest a program on the rise, even if recent results served as a reminder of how much work still remains.

The Bulldogs opened the season with five straight wins and currently sit at 5-6 overall (2-46 Conference AA2), already one victory shy of their combined total from the previous four seasons. Their offensive surge has been just as striking, with 65 runs scored — four more than the program produced over the last two years combined.

“The seniors’ chemistry and how much they wanted to get better [and] how much they really care about the game and care about each other is a huge part,” coach Frank Viggiano said. “The 6 a.m. showing up at the high school and all of us hitting and throwing and pitching since September.”

Senior ace Marek Williams set the tone on Opening Day with a dominant five-inning, one-hit shutout, striking out 16 in an 11-0 win over Friends Academy. He carried that momentum into April 7 against Glen Cove, where he fanned 10 over five innings and went 4-for-4 at the plate, highlighted by a grand slam and a two-run single in an 11-1 victory.

“He’s a strikeout pitcher and he challenges batters,” Viggiano said. “He’s fun to watch. Our mindset is amazing when he’s on the mound and they’re full of confidence when he’s there.”

Junior first baseman David Miller has added punch to the lineup in his first varsity season. He drove in four runs on Opening Day and later blasted a three-run homer in the Glen Cove series, quickly establishing himself as a consistent power threat.

“He’s a [cleanup] hitter and every time he gets to the plate, he’s a threat to hit the ball over the fence,” Viggiano said. “He loves baseball. He’s been a great addition.”

Hewlett’s most memorable game came in the middle of that Glen Cove series, when the Bulldogs erupted for 10 first inning runs and held on for a wild

Kelly/Herald Marek Williams had 6 RBIs and

21-14 win on April 8.

“It was bad traffic and we had over an hour and 20-minute bus ride,” Viggiano recalled. “I was worried that they’re going to be stagnant and sleepy and we scored 10 runs right off the bus in the first inning. That was the story of the game.”

The pitching staff has also received key contributions from senior Lowen Zuckerman, who owns two wins. Junior reliever Josh Goldenberg has been a reliable late-game option with two saves, including a two-out, bases-loaded strikeout to seal a one-run victory over Baldwin on March 24, and tossing three

scoreless frames in an 8-5 win over Valley Stream South the following day.

Additional contributors have also come from center fielder Ari Rechtweg, catcher Max Fried, second baseman Ian Cruz, outfielder David Mezrahi, utility player Ben Samuelson and outfielder Maverick Hain.

Still, the Bulldogs enter the next stretch looking to regroup after four straight losses, including a three-game sweep by MacArthur in which they were outscored 23-1. Up next is a threegame series against Manhasset this week, followed by a three-game set versus Carey beginning May 5.

Bill

also 10 strikeouts on the mound April 7 as the Bulldogs beat Glen Cove, 11-1.

A 13-year-old scout shows he’s already a leader

than that. It’s about helping people and teaching others.”

For his Eagle Scout service project — which requires planning, leadership and community impact — Joseph created an intergenerational garden and gathering place at the Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Woodmere. The garden, which opened with a ceremony on April 22, features a Tree of Life bench, wheelchairaccessible raised garden beds and shaded seating areas designed to bring residents, families and visitors together.

“I wanted to create a space where people feel like they belong,” Joseph said. “Where conversations happen and people connect.”

His work was rooted in years of volunteerism for a nonprofit he created called the Joe’s Be Kind campaign, and “adopted” a grandmother in a nursing home at the Premier after losing his own grandmother. That early effort grew into a broader intergenerational initiative connecting children and seniors.

Joseph’s mother, Annie Petraro, said the project reflects who her son has always been. “He always wanted to help people who felt lonely,” she said. “This just grew from that.”

Annie said that her son has learned so much from the Woodmere center residents, and even though they’re from different generations, they are alike as well.

“I’m just so proud of everything he’s accomplished and how wonderful the ceremony was,” Annie said. “You can tell how much the residents and staff at the Premier love having him there.”

Joseph is also a den chief for Cub Scout Pack 106, in Valley Stream, mentoring younger scouts by teaching skills like first aid and leading activities, something he says he loves most about scouting. “I like helping the younger kids learn,” he said.

Michael Williams, a longtime scout leader and at the council commissioner of Scouting America’s Theodore Roosevelt Council, who has mentored Joseph throughout the project process, said that he stands out for both his maturity and his vision.

“Joe has been fantastic,” Williams said. “As a den chief, he doesn’t just show up — he creates programs, teaches younger scouts and really takes ownership. Sometimes what he plans is more elaborate than what adult leaders put together.”

Williams, who has worked in scouting for over two decades, said that Joseph’s leadership ability is evident, as is his character.

“He’s still a kid,” Williams said “He likes to run around and play sports, but he’s also someone who truly cares about people. What matters most to me is not just that he becomes an Eagle Scout, but that he continues to be someone who contributes to his community. And Joe is already doing that.”

Becoming an Eagle Scout requires

earning at least 21 merit badges, demonstrating leadership and completing the service project. Williams believes Joseph is well on his way. “He just turned 13, and I have no doubt he’ll get there,” he said. “It’s not even a question.”

Williams added that Joseph’s original concept for his project, a large-scale water-filtration and conservation system, was far more complex, but he ultimately scaled back to the garden project, which Williams said better reflected immediate community needs.

“What he created at the nursing home is a true community project,” Williams said. “It helps residents, families, visitors and everyone in the community. That’s what these projects are supposed to do.”

Joseph led a team of volunteers, coordinating donations, materials and labor, while emphasizing that leadership meant guiding others rather than doing everything himself. “That’s what an Eagle Scout project is,” he said. “It’s not about doing it alone. It’s about leading.”

With the project completed, Joseph plans to continue visiting the nursing home and maintaining the garden, ensuring that the space remains active and meaningful.

The Eagle Scout rank, which he hopes to earn by 14, represents more than an achievement to him: It reflects a commitment to service, leadership and building something that will endure. “This is something that will last,” he said. “Not just the space, but the connections that happen here.”

Courtesy Annie Petraro Joseph petraro watered the tree of Life he made as part of his eagle Scout project during his presentation.

Heralds capture 11 awards in N.Y. press contest

By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com

Herald Community Media received 11 awards at the New York Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest. The awards were presented at the organization’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs on April 23-24.

Creative Designer Jeffrey Negrin took first place for Best Special Section Cover, Division I, for the Herald’s basketball section. Karen Millindorf was the photographer.

“The layout is clean and bold,” the judges said. “Good use of the isolated subjects placed center frame and the text is well balanced. Overall solid.”

Negrin also placed second in the same category for a Rockville Centre cover. “The mostly monotone color scheme is well complimented to [the] line art doodle graphic,” the judges said. “The lightness of the graphic placed center frame is well balanced with the heaviness of the text at both the top and bottom of the layout.”

“It’s always an honor to be recognized by our peers,” Herald Community Media publisher Stuart Richner said. “We’re proud to continue telling the stories of our communities, and I congratulate our team on this well-deserved recognition. Ultimately, our greatest reward is delivering comprehensive local news to our readers each week.”

Vice President of Sales Rhonda Glickman, Special Sections Editor Karen Bloom and Negrin combined their talents and captured second place for Best Special Section in Advertising, Division I.

“An eye-catching and meaningful special section,” the judges said. “The editorial is local, informative and well writ-

ten. The ads complement the section and align with the section’s intent.”

Negrin and Advertising Director Ellen Reynolds partnered to grab second and third place in the Best Multi-Advertiser Pages.

“This piece does a nice job of capturing the spirit of this campaign and community,” the judges said of the secondplace submission, “combining the multiple advertisers into a harmonious layout. A subtle mix of patterns and color makes a strong impression. Well done.”

Of the third-place entry, the judges said, “A fun piece that visually captures the reader while being based on a strong concept that is a service to the community. The art and topography are appropriate for the theme and lend themselves to the overall mood of the piece. Nice job.”

“Good journalism doesn’t chase applause — it chases accountability,” COO Brad Harmon said. “That’s what makes me proud and reminds me why the work we do matters.”

On the editorial side, Copy Editor Jim Harmon and Production Designer Yolanda Rios received second-place recognition for editorial pages that appeared in all 24 weekly editions of the Heralds. “This was a close second,” the judges said. “The editorial writer is excellent.”

Staying on the editorial page, Managing Editor Jeffrey Bessen, Harmon and Zack Richner combined their efforts to take third place in Editorials, Division 1.

“Three editorials delve into some of the troubling dangers of our time — unaddressed impacts of long Covid; Meta abandoning moderators and the implications on civility and democracy; and the harshness of the housing crisis,” the judges said. “All are told with

perspective and expertise.”

Multiple sports stories that appeared in the Massapequa Herald Post were part of the package that took second place in Sports Coverage, Division 1.

“Greatly enjoyed the range of stories covered in this issue, from the longtime Hofstra soccer coach to the Ryder Cup volunteers,” the judges said. “Well written and attractive layout, easy to read.”

It takes a great team to bring back awards from NYPA — we have the best!” Glickman said. “From finance to sales to editorial, production, press, circulation etc. Together we win!”

For Online Breaking News, Will Sheeline, editor of the Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff/Glen Head Heralds, and past reporter Luke Feeney placed second for their story “Pirate Booty founder Robert Ehrlich addresses attempt to seize control of Village of Sea Cliff.”

The judges said: “The reporters not only identified Robert Erhlich first as the person behind the attempted power grab, but also landed the first on-therecord, exclusive interview with him and posted it online before state, national and international outlets followed. Excellent use of community trust and source relationships to turn a chaotic, somewhat bizarre local power struggle into a clear, timely story.”

Sports Editor Tony Bellissimo and Negrin earned third place for Special Sections/Niche Publications for the Herald’s lacrosse book.

“Very well organized, and comprehensive,” the judges said. “Visually appealing and something for everyone who likes Lacrosse.”

Sheeline also took third place in the Environment Story category for his “Keeping the ‘oyster’ in Oyster Bay” story.

The Herald’s Basketball section was a winner in the category Best Special Section Cover.

“I kept reminding myself that this is a reporter’s award and not an award for which environmental project was the coolest,” the judges said. “And this project was cool! I’ve decided not to hold it against the reporter, however, because the reporter has done an excellent job of making me feel invested in these people and this place and their oysters without getting mawkish or too purple in the prose.”

For the Better News Contest, 150 newspapers submitted 2,732 entries and competed in 67 categories, and a total of 389 awards were presented. The Michigan Press Association judged the contest submissions in January.

Courtesy NYPA

At the New York Press Association’s spring convention in Saratoga Springs, members of Herald Community Media’s editorial team with President and CEO Stuart Richner, far left.

Herald file photo

Bill targets harassment at houses of worship

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Calls to protect religious institutions from harassment and intimidation took center stage last Friday morning at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

There, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi unveiled the bipartisan Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption Act, known as the SACRED Act, legislation Suozzi said would address growing concerns among his constituents about safety at houses of worship.

“There’s too much hate in our country right now,” Suozzi said. “A lot of people are being intimidated as they enter into their religious institution to practice their faith.”

The bill, co-led by Rep. Max Miller, a Republican from Ohio, would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct or harass individuals within 100 feet of a place of worship, including blocking their path or approaching within 8 feet with the intent to harass.

Suozzi said the measure “ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression.” He added that it draws “a clear line: Intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.”

“We at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center understand religious persecution,” Alan Mindel, the center’s chairman, said, “and so we are so proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi in protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of where they pray.”

Leaders of several national advocacy and faith organizations attended the event, including represen-

Community leaders, elected officials and faith advocates gathered at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County to highlight efforts to protect religious institutions and ensure safe access to places of worship.

tatives of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitism has reached historic levels, with 9,354 incidents recorded in 2024, underscoring concerns about the safety of those attending religious services.

“Religious freedom thrives where respect prevails,” Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America, said. “Let every place of worship be a sanctuary free from intimidation, obstruction or harassment so all people may practice their faith in peace, dignity and safety within every sacred space.”

The proposal has also drawn political criticism.

Mike LiPetri, who is challenging Suozzi for his 3rd Congressional District seat in November, said he believed the congressman had not been sufficiently vocal on the issue in the past.

“Now in an election year he wants to take action?” LiPetri wrote in a statement to the Herald. “We’re not buying it.”

Rep. Laura Gillen, who was not in attendance, emphasized the need for additional protections.

“In the wake of rising hate crimes in our own backyard, we must safeguard our houses of worship and ensure every Long Islander has the freedom to gather without fear of violence,” Gillen wrote. “Establishing buffer zones is a step in the right direction.”

Roksana Amid/Herald

Harlem Wizards bring hoops to Hewlett

the Harlem Wizards brought their signature mix of trick shots, comedy and high-energy entertainment to Hewlett High School on April 19, facing off against HewlettWoodmere school district teachers and staff in a spirited fundraising event.

Known for combining basketball with showmanship, the Wizards are a touring team that performs in communities nationwide, raising money for schools and nonprofits while engaging audiences of all ages. Their games are less about competition and more about crowd interaction, featuring slam dunks, trick plays and plenty of humor.

The matchup gave students and families a chance to see their own teachers take the court, adding to the excitement and community feel of the event. Events like these are designed to bring schools together while generating funds through ticket sales and community participation.

Organizers said the evening delivered both entertainment and impact, creating a memorable experience while supporting school programs. With laughter, energy and audience involvement throughout, the event highlighted how fundraising can double as a unifying community celebration.

— Melissa Berman

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Faculty and staff from the Hewlett-Woodmere school district played against the Harlem Wizards in a basketball game, on April 19.

The Harlem Wizards came to Hewlett High School for a day full of tricks, hoops and alley-oops.

The Hewlett-Woodmere staff played defense against the Wizards as they tried to stop them from scoring.

Giuliana Curra, 8, from Hewlett with Harlem Wizard player after the game at Hewlett High School.

George Atsidaftis, substitute teacher at Hewlett Elementary School tried to steal the ball from one of the Wizards.

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HERALD neighbors

‘The Schmoozer’ visits the Five Towns

5 Towns Mini Golf & Batting Range in Lawrence hosted Steve Somers ‘The Schmooze” for a book signing, meet and greet and Q & A for his book “Me Here, You There,” on April 19.

Steve Somers, nicknamed “The Schmoozer”, is an American talk radio host best known for his work on the New York City sports radio station WFAN. He has been with the station since its inception in 1987.

Owner Marty Rosen along with his son Matt organized the event because they read that Somers had published a book.

“Steve is a great personality, and I was so glad to have him back 19 years later,” Marty Rosen said. “Everything went very smooth as always. He’s just wonderful, a terrific personality, as you can imagine, especially from a sports standpoint.”

Somers made an appearance at the 5 Towns Mini Golf & Batting Range in 2007 and left a good impression on Rosen.

“He’s such a wonderful, warm and thoughtful person,” he said.

— Melissa Berman

Steve Somers held a book signing, meet and greet and Q & A for his book “Me Here, You There” at the 5 Towns Mini Golf & Batting Range in Lawrence.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Marty Rosen, owner of 5 Towns Mini Golf & Batting Range in Lawrence with Steve Somers ‘The Schmoozer” and his son Matt Rosen, on April 19.

Elliot Goldberg from Little Neck Queens had the opportunity to meet Steve Somers. Anthony Mouras from Bellmore shakes hand with Steve Somers.

Andy Shulman from Bellmore with Steve Somers during his meet and greet.

Shoppers react to closing of King Kullen

groceries — it’s where neighbors run into one another, employees know customers by name and routines are built around weekly visits.

“I’m sorry to see it’s closing. I’ve been shopping here over 30 years,” Jane S., of Hewlett, said. “It was convenient for me and smaller than the one in Valley Stream. The people are nice. You get to form a relationship with them.”

Yvette Para, of Rosedale, a meat wrapper at King Kullen for 32 years, said she will miss the store’s music playlist that changes every holiday season.

“It really made the holidays nice,” Para said. “That’s what I liked most about the company I worked for.”

She started working for King Kullen in 1994 at age 26, when the store was around 15 years old.

“I never had a problem with the company,” she added. “Some people tried to make it hard for me, but the company never bothered me. It was hard working in a male-dominated field, as it was mostly the people I worked with who caused problems.”

Para said she’s happy not all King Kullen locations are closing, because she’s looking forward to continuing to work for the company.

“Please stay open until I retire,” Para said.

As part of her daily commute to work, Para feeds the birds by the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream. She once saved a duck named “King,” who was hurt near King Kullen, and called the Nassau County SPCA, which rescued him and placed him in a sanctuary.

“I’ll miss my Hewlett King Kullen family,” Para said. “I’m looking forward to working in another location.”

Residents of Lynbrook and East Rockaway took to Facebook to express their feelings about King Kullen’s closing.

Carol Ann Sustad-Renz, a former employee and Lynbrook resident, said she went there all the time.

“I worked there in the 80s. I’m so sad for all the workers,” she said.

Jennifer Croce Kennedy said she’s sad it’s closing, since it’s a five-minute walk from her house.

“I would go shopping for my 90-year-old mom,” Kennedy said. “I hope another grocery store takes its place. We will end up going to Foodtown in Hewlett or the Rockville Centre King Kullen.”

Following the closure, King Kullen will operate 24 remaining locations, along with four Wild by Nature stores across Long Island. But for many in Hewlett, the end of their local store marks the close of a chapter — one defined by decades of service, familiarity and community connection.

a Woodmere resident and

King Kullen shopper, said he visits the supermarket up to three times a week, and has gotten to know the employees. “everybody here is family,” he said.

Melissa Berman/Herald photos dennis gilroy,

longtime

Yvette para, a King Kullen meat wrapper for 32 years, is hoping to move to a new location and to continue working for the company.

Installation & Networking Dinner

News brief

Arts Below Sunrise postponed to May 3

The 13th annual Arts Below Sunrise has been postponed from its original date to May 3 due to inclement weather on April 26.

The festival will be held in the parking lots of the Woodmere Education Center and the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. Johnson Place will be closed, and organizers are contemplating using the school district’s maintenance building lot.

From its inception in 2014, the festival— hosted by Hewlett Woodmere Public School’s Endowment Fund — has evolved from a small craft fair into a larger community event, pausing during the pandemic and expanding significantly for the district’s 125th anniversary. The festival attracts over 4,000 attendees and 150 student and adult volunteers annually.

— Melissa Berman

Herald File Photo

Arts Below Sunrise will return for its 13th year, in a downsized fashion, on the rain date May 3.

STEPPING OUT

You don’t have to be a kid to love bubbles. Step into the museum’s bubble playroom and see why bubbles are fun for any age.

No kids allowed

By Abbey Salvemini

For many folks a trip to the Long Island Children’s Museum isn’t just a childhood outing, it’s a shared community memory. Now, those of us “big kids” who grew up visiting here will have a chance to step back inside but this time as grown-ups.

Relive the wonder of childhood at the museum’s inaugural “Adults Only Nostalgia Night” on May 6. Open to guests ages 23 and up, this after-hours event (starting at 6:30 p.m.) offers a lively, playful reimagining of a beloved local destination — welcoming visitors to explore familiar exhibits in a whole new light, long after the kids have gone home.

“This has been something that’s been talked about for years,” Communications Coordinator Stephanie Silver says. “We have so many people who came here as kids and are now bringing their own children or even grandchildren. There’s always been this desire to come back and experience it again for themselves.”

That idea recently gained momentum online after a nostalgic TikTok post comparing the museum’s former Stewart Avenue location with its current home in Garden City went viral, creating a wave of former visitors in the comments reminiscing and sharing memories.

The result is an occasion designed to feel equal parts reunion and night out.

For three hours, the museum’s galleries are open exclusively to adults, giving guests the rare opportunity to explore exhibits at their own pace. From the popular bubble station to newer installations, visitors can revisit old favorites or discover exhibits they may have missed.

“It’s really about giving people the freedom to explore,” Silver explains. “They can go wherever they want, spend as much time as they want, and just enjoy it without any responsibilities.”

Beyond exploring the exhibits, the evening comes

Children’s Museum turns childhood memories into an adults-only night out

alive with a DJ spinning crowd pleasing hits from across the decades, inviting guests to hit the dance floor or simply enjoy the music. Classic games add a touch of friendly competition, while photo stations capture the fun along the way. Together, these elements transform the museum into a vibrant, social “playground,” a striking departure from its usual daytime pace. The result is a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where nostalgia, play and connection come together for a memorable night. Light bites and refreshments are available; admission includes two drink tickets for beer and wine. Organizers aim to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where everyone can mingle, unwind, and rediscover a beloved space in an entirely new way — all without straying far from home.

Guests are also invited to take part in hands-on memory-making activities throughout the evening. Design your own I Heart LICM friendship bracelet to keep as a personal memento, or contribute to the Nostalgia Wall by posting photos and sharing stories from past visits. Over the course of the night, the growing display will reflect decades of community connection — ranging from childhood snapshots to treasured, multigenerational memories — woven together into a heartfelt collective tribute.

For Silver, that piece hits close to home.

• Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-9 p.m.

• Tickets are $45 per person, $40 members, with limited availability; Advance registration and valid ID required

• Visit the events calendar at licm.org for tickets and additional information

• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

“I grew up coming here,” she says. “My own photos will be up there. It’s special to see how many people have that same connection.”

While designed to be lighthearted and fun, the museum’s educational spirit remains an underlying thread throughout. Exhibits originally created to spark curiosity in children take on a new dimension for adults, offering a fresh perspective that invites reflection, rediscovery and a touch of wonder in a familiar setting.

“That’s actually the easiest part,” Silver adds. “Everything here is already grounded in education. The nostalgia just comes naturally.”

If the evening proves successful (as expected), museum leadership aims to make this a recurring offering and potentially expand it in future seasons, building on what’s anticipated to be strong community enthusiasm.

“We’d love to make this a reoccurring event,” Silver says, enthusiastically. “But we also want to hear from visitors … what they enjoy, what they want to see. This is really about the community.”

Nostalgia Night will offer something that’s familiar yet new: a chance to revisit a childhood staple, reconnect with friends or neighbors and see a well-known local institution in a completely different light.

“We want people to walk away feeling reconnected, not just to the museum, but to that sense of joy and creativity,” Silver adds. “Play is just as powerful for us as adults as it is for the children.”

And for those who recall spending rainy afternoons or birthday parties inside the museum’s walls, this might feel somewhat like coming home — only this time, with music, companions and no curfew.

George Thorogood and The Destroyers

For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of their 53rd year of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roof-raising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before.

Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Til Death Do Us Part … You First!

Love, regret and second chances take center stage in a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud solo show directed by Broadway veteran Chazz Palminteri. Written and performed by comedian Peter Fogel, the 90-minute multimedia performance blends sharp humor with heartfelt reflection on the realities of modern relationships. At the heart of the story is Fogel himself — an eternal bachelor blindsided by a Valentine’s Day breakup that forces him to confront more than just heartbreak. As he wrestles with questions of love, timing and personal growth, he’s guided by his own conscience, voiced by Palminteri, in a clever theatrical device that adds both wit and depth. What follows is a whirlwind of storytelling as Fogel transforms into more than a dozen characters, Saturday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Photos courtesy LICM

Building boom! ‘Big kids’ are sure to have fun unleashing their creativity by building with KEVA planks

Delve into Long Island’s maritime history and connections at the Saltwater Stories exhibit.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

Lawrence Board of Trustees meet

The Village of Lawrence Board of Trustees welcome all to their monthly meeting Attend to learn what is going on in the community and to speak out about issues and concerns.

• Where: 196 Central Ave., Lawrence

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 239-4600

Family theater

MAY

Long Island Children’s Museum stages

“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon since you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also May 2 and May 6-7

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

MAY

2

Chalk It Up!

Families are welcome to Long Island Children’s Museum to mix, pour and create your own sidewalk chalk. Then bring it home to create a sidewalk masterpiece. This is a drop-in program, free with admission.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Old Westbury Gardens’ Regency Romance Weekend

Enjoy two delightful days of romance, revelry, and refinement in true Jane Austen-style at the lush estate. Step onto the grounds, don your finest gowns and cravats, and prepare for

Ben Folds & A Piano

MAY

Amazing Animal Encounter

Join Long Island Children’s Museum’s animal educator in the Hive Studio in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of the museum’s “residents.” Meet some of our real-life animals up close.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.

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

MAY

4

An Evening With Goldie Hawn

Ben Folds, widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation. brings his latest tour to the Tilles Center, joined by multi-talented actress-singer- composer Lindsey Kraft. Known for pushing genre boundaries, Folds first rose to prominence with Ben Folds Five before launching a wide-ranging solo career that blends sharp lyricism, piano-driven melodies and orchestral ambition. Over the years, he has released multiple solo albums alongside collaborative projects, earning an Emmy nomination and a devoted global following. His most recent pop album (2023) drew critical praise and played to sold-out audiences, followed by a holiday release in 2024. Folds’ recent work also reflects his deep engagement with orchestral music, including a live album featuring a live orchestral performance of his hits recorded just before concluding his eight-year tenure as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center — an appointment that marked a first for the role. Today, he continues to move fluidly between pop tours and performances with leading orchestras worldwide, while also developing new work for film, television and theater. A bestselling author and former podcast host, Folds remains a restlessly creative force — an artist constantly expanding the reach of his music.

a weekend of charm, wit, and elegant amusements. Stroll the gardens, try your hand at lawn games and crafts, enjoy classical melodies, test your Austen knowledge, and admire the finery of fellow guests dressed for the occasion. Between diversions, indulge in sweet treats at the café and discover Regency-inspired treasures in the gift shop. Visit the website for programming details.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: Ongoing, through May 3

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

Fine Craft Fair

Venture out to Nassau County Museum of Art for the Fine Craft Fair with the Long Island Craft Guild. Discover unique handmade works by local and regional artisans, including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, glass, sculpture, and more. Whether you’re searching for a special Mother’s Day gift or looking to add a unique piece to your home, the Long Island Craft Guild Fine Craft Fair offers extraordinary items for everyone — each is crafted with care, creativity, and exceptional talent. Make sure to visit the museum afterwards to view the exhibitions.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; also May 3

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

MAY

3

Alice’s Afternoon Tea

Everyone is invited to Rock Hall for tea. Come dressed to impress and enjoy “high tea” in the Rock Hall gardens, circa 1767. This is an informal social event featuring a variety of tea flavors, delicious finger sandwiches, miniature desserts, fun etiquette lessons, raffles, door prizes, photo ops and much more. Tours of this historic home available. $45 $25 children (Ages 6 and up). limited. Reservations required. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Rock Hall.

• Where: 199 Broadway, Lawrence

• Time: 1-p.m.

• Contact: (516) 239-1157

Stars On Ice

Celebrate America’s skating superstars! Fresh off their Olympic performances, the 2026 Stars on Ice tour brings the thrill of the Games to fans/ Headlined by Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God”

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

and Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu, Olympic Silver Medalists Madison Chock & Evan Bates, the tour also stars National Champions Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn, Jason Brown and more. Feel the passion, precision and power of the U.S. National Figure Skating Team — live on the ice.

• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: 4 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

Spring Dust-Off Car Show

The Town of Hempstead welcomes all to check out all makes and models of cars and trucks at this competitively judged show — from pre-war to the ‘50s ‘60s, ‘70s and up. With entertainment, a popular touch-a-truck experience, a kids zone, a beer garden, and dozens of vendors offering food, merchandise, and automotive accessories. $25 pre-registration fee for cars, or $30 the day of the event. Spectators are welcome at no charge.

• Where: Point Lookout Town Park, 1300 Lido Blvd, Point Lookout

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m; gates open at 7 a.m. for vehicles

• Contact: townofhempsteadevents.com or (516) 670-1050

The Madison Theatre welcomes Goldie who introduces “The After-School Kindness Crew #1: Pooch on the Loose,” the first book in an inspiring new series about friendship, community, and the power of kindness. In this rare Long Island appearance, the award-winning actress, producer, director and best-selling author discusses her legendary career, and her children’s book series, written with Lin Oliver and illustrated by Breanna Chambers.

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

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

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

Cozy

games and crafts

Spend a relaxing afternoon at Peninsula Public Library! Join friends in a game or to work on your ongoing craft projects in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Bring your own knitting, crocheting, or other projects and materials. Some games will be provided.

• Where: 280 Central Ave., Lawrence

• Time: 2-4:30 p.m.

• Contact: peninsulapublic.org or (516) 967-5777

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.

Stamp Out Hunger drive will return May 9

Residents across Long Island are being asked to take part in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9 by leaving donations at their homes for pickup.

Island Harvest Food Bank and the National Association of Letter Carriers are partnering for the nationwide one-day effort.

Community members can leave nonperishable food items and personal care products in a bag by their mailboxes, where letter carriers will collect them during regular delivery. All donations collected on Long Island will support Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries and feeding programs.

The need remains significant, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and chief executive of Island Harvest Food Bank, which distributed a record 21 million pounds of food across Nassau and Suffolk counties last year.

“Hunger and food insecurity impact about a quarter of a million Long Islanders, including children, families, older adults, and veterans — and virtually every ZIP code is affected,” Shubin Dresner said in a news release. “We have always depended on the generosity of Long Islanders to support their neighbors. The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is an easy yet powerful way for our community to come together. When Long Islanders act as one island for one day, the impact is extraordinary.”

Items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices and shelf-stable milk. Prepared food and items in glass containers are not accepted. Personal care products such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant and disposable diapers are also accepted.

Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, said that letter carriers see the effects of

food insecurity every day.

“Our members see firsthand the impact of food insecurity on Long Island during their daily routes,” Siesto said in the release. “We are proud to partner

with Island Harvest once again and to help bring neighbors together for the 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection. This one day when letter carriers and residents unite island-wide makes a real difference.”

Stamp Out Hunger is held annually on the second Saturday in May, and has collected more than 2 billion pounds of food nationwide since it began in 1993.

Last year, Long Island residents donated more than 360,000 pounds of food, enough for more than 600,000 meals. Island Harvest aims to collect more than 500,000 pounds this year.

This year’s collection campaign on Long Island is supported by presenting sponsor National Grid, lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase, and IPRO Healthcare, along with nearly 40 additional corporations.

Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human-services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. It has organized innovative programs and services aimed at enhancing hunger awareness, short-term case management, nutrition education, outreach and advocacy initiatives, its Healthy Harvest Farm, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, and efficient food collection and distribution.

Island Harvest’s work directly supports children, families, seniors and veterans who turn to the organization in times of crisis, and supports a network of community-based nonprofits. Its Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks leading the effort to combat hunger in the United States. To learn more, go to IslandHarvest.org.

–Jeffrey Bessen

Courtesy Don Miller

Long Island residents can help by leaving food donations outside their homes for the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive on May 9.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

LAWRENCE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 15

NOTICE OF PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN, that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15 (the “District”) shall hold an informational Public Budget Hearing on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 8:00 p.m., prevailing time, at Lawrence High School located at 2 Reilly Road in Cedarhurst for the purpose of conveying information regarding the expenditure of funds and the budgeting of such expenditures for the 2026-2027 school year. Public comments may be submitted to BOE@lawrence.k12. ny.us.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Annual District Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., prevailing time, at the four (4) school election districts indicated below for the purpose of enabling the District’s properly registered and qualified voters to vote upon the appropriation of necessary expenditures for the 2026-2027 school year, to elect two (2) trustees of the Board of Education and one (1) trustee of the Peninsula Public Library at which business will be transacted as required by law, including a vote on the following propositions, as well as any other propositions which may properly come before the electorate:

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the accurate description of the boundaries of the election districts is available for inspection by any qualified voter together with a map of the district in the Office of the District Clerk at Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, New York, during regular school days by appointment only.

“ Atlantic Beach Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach

“ Primary School at Number Two School, 1 Donahue Avenue, Inwood

“ Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst

“ Lawrence

Middle School, 195 Broadway, Lawrence

PROPOSITION NO. 1SCHOOL BUDGET

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, be authorized to expend the sum of One Hundred Six Million Two Hundred Thirty One Thousand Nine Hundred Eighteen ($106,231,918.00) Dollars for the 20262027 fiscal year, and is further authorized to levy the necessary tax for the above purpose upon the taxable property of the School District, after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.

PROPOSITION NO. 2LIBRARY BUDGET

RESOLVED, that the sum of Three Million Six Hundred One Thousand Four Hundred Fifty ($3,601,450.00) Dollars be appropriated for the Peninsula Public Library for the 20262027 fiscal year and that said amount be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, pursuant to §259 of the Education Law, and be levied and collected in the same manner as are other general taxes, after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.

PROPOSITION NO. 3 - 2026 BUILDING CAPITAL RESERVE FUND CREATION AND EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATION

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15 is hereby authorized to establish a Building Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to §3651 of the Education Law (to be known as the “2026 Building Capital Reserve Fund”) and expend funds from such Reserve for the purpose of financing reconstruction, renovation, equipping or purchasing of the following: 1) Districtwide: site improvements, flooring, ceiling and lighting replacements, gymnasium upgrade, purchase new trucks, cars and lifts, new backhoe and equipment trailer, landscaping equipment, snow removal and related equipment, curb, street and sidewalk maintenance; 2)

Lawrence Primary School at Number Two School, 1 Donahue Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: rebuild storage buildings, replace garage doors; 3) Lawrence Early Childhood Center at Number Four School, 87 Wanser Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: sidewalk restoration, playground resurfacing and fencing, flooring replacement, masonry restoration, hardscapes and landscapes upgrade; 4) Lawrence Middle School, 195 Broadway, Lawrence, NY 11559: classroom renovation Phases VI, VII and VIII, masonry and facade restoration, window replacement, courtyard foundation walls (waterproof and install drainage), renovate library, tennis courts, track and field reconstruction, parking lot reconstruction; 5) Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, NY 11516: masonry and façade restoration, roof replacement, door replacement, window and curtainwall replacement, lighting upgrade, athletic wing renovation (HVAC, locker rooms, weight room, bathrooms, floors, ceilings, new gymnasium roof), music wing renovation, administrative wing renovation, waterproof foundation. The ultimate amount of such Reserve is not to exceed Five Million ($5,000,000.00) Dollars, plus interest and earnings thereon. The probable term of such Reserve is to be ten (10) years, but such Reserve shall continue in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted. The sources from which the funds shall be obtained for such Reserve are unappropriated fund balances made available by the Board of Education from unappropriated funds and the 2025-2026 budget.

PROPOSITION NO. 4 - 2027 BUILDING CAPITAL RESERVE FUND CREATION AND EXPENDITURE

AUTHORIZATION

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District No. 15 is hereby authorized to establish a Building Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to §3651 of the Education Law (to be known as the “2027 Building Capital Reserve Fund”) and expend funds from

such Reserve for the purpose of financing reconstruction, renovation, equipping or purchasing of the following: 1) Districtwide: site improvements, flooring, ceiling and lighting replacements, gymnasium upgrade, purchase new trucks, cars and lifts, new backhoe and equipment trailer, landscaping equipment, snow removal and related equipment, curb, street and sidewalk maintenance; 2) Lawrence Primary School at Number Two School, 1 Donahue Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: rebuild storage buildings, replace garage doors; 3) Lawrence Early Childhood Center at Number Four School, 87 Wanser Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096: sidewalk restoration, playground resurfacing and fencing, flooring replacement, masonry restoration, hardscapes and landscapes upgrade; 4) Lawrence Middle School, 195 Broadway, Lawrence, NY 11559: classroom renovation Phases VI, VII and VIII, masonry and facade restoration, window replacement, courtyard foundation walls (waterproof and install drainage), renovate library, tennis courts, track and field reconstruction, parking lot reconstruction; 5) Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, NY 11516: masonry and façade restoration, roof replacement, door replacement, window and curtainwall replacement, lighting upgrade, athletic wing renovation (HVAC, locker rooms, weight room, bathrooms, floors, ceilings, new gymnasium roof), music wing renovation, administrative wing renovation, waterproof foundation. The ultimate amount of such Reserve is not to exceed Five Million ($5,000,000.00) Dollars, plus interest and earnings thereon. The probable term of such Reserve is to be ten (10) years, but such Reserve shall continue in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted. The sources from which the funds shall be obtained for such Reserve are unappropriated fund balances made available by the Board of Education from unappropriated funds and the 2026-2027

budget.

SCHOOL BOARD

TRUSTEES- To elect two (2) trustees of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029.

LIBRARY BOARD

TRUSTEE- To elect one (1) trustee of the Peninsula Public Library for a five (5) year term commencing July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the election shall be held in accordance with the Annual Meeting and Election Policy and Candidate and Campaigning Policy adopted by the Board of Education.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN, in accordance with §495 of the NYS Board of Real Property Services Local Government Exemption Impact report, the District shall prepare a Real Property Tax “Exemption Impact Report” which will show how much of the assessed value on the final assessment roll (utilized for the school tax levy) is exempt from taxation by the school District. This exemption report will be in the 2026-2027 Budget Statement (Line by Line) and will become part of the final budget.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that nominations for the office of trustee of the Board of Education and of the Library Board, shall be made by petition subscribed by at least 51 qualified voters of the district, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District located in Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. not later than the 30th day preceding the election, at which the trustees shall be voted upon. Such petition shall state the residence of each signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate and the specific vacancy on the Board for which the candidate is nominated, which description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any. Each vacancy shall be considered a separate office, and a separate petition shall be required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. No person shall be nominated for more than one separate office on the Board of

Education. However, a nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares their unwillingness to serve. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any proposition or question to be placed upon the official voting ballot shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 250 qualified voters of the district and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. not later than the 30th day preceding the election at which such question or proposition shall be voted upon, except that this rule shall not apply to those questions or propositions which are required to be stated in the published or posted notice of the meeting or to those propositions or questions which the Board of Education has authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the condensed form of the budget proposition and the text of all other propositions to appear on the official voting ballot and a detailed statement of the proposed budget, in writing, of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2026-2027 for school purposes, specifying the purposes and the amount for each, will be prepared and copies thereof will be made available upon request, to any resident in the district at each schoolhouse in the district, during the period of fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual District Budget Vote and Election excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on the district website Lawrence. org and at the polling locations on the day of the election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that registration of voters shall take place at the office of the District Clerk located at, 2 Reilly Road, Cedarhurst, New York, on school days between September 2, 2025, and May 6, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., during which times any person shall be entitled to have their name placed upon such register

provided that they are known, or proven to the satisfaction of the District Clerk to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the Annual District Budget Vote and Election for which such register is prepared.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the registration of voters, not previously registered and eligible to vote, will take place between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on May 6, 2026, at the Office of the District Clerk. Such persons must present themselves personally for registration during the time and place set forth, in order to be entitled to vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the final date to register for the 2026-2027 Annual District Budget Vote and Election is May 12, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the office of the District Clerk, 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 the satisfaction of the District Clerk, to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the Annual Budget Vote and District Election for which such register is prepared. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the district who shall personally present themselves for registration; and (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special District meeting or election and who shall have voted at any annual or special district meeting or election held or conducted at any time within the four (4) calendar years prior to preparation of the said register; and (3) voters permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the register shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk where it shall be open for inspection by appointment, by any qualified voter between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each of the five (5) days prior to the day set for the election, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots may

be obtained at the Office of the District Clerk and on the district website Lawrence.org. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk in the District Clerk’s office, not before April 20, 2026. If the ballot is to be mailed to the voter the application must be received before May 12, 2026. If the ballot is to be hand delivered, it must be received by the District Clerk in the District Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election. If the ballot is to be hand delivered, the application must be received by the District Clerk in the District Clerk’s office the day before the election. 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 on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that military voters may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk via email at MBharaj@Lawrence. org. For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must have received a valid ballot application no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 20, 2026. In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. A list of all persons to whom military ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the district in the Office of the District Clerk during regular business hours during the seven (7) days prior to the election, except for Saturday and Sunday, and on May 19, 2026 at the polling locations, subject to any applicable laws and regulations. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that this Board shall convene a special meeting in the Lawrence High School within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby

Public Notices

designates

By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE LAWRENCE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 15, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York

MS. MOHINDER

BHARAJ, DISTRICT CLERK 159940

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a license, number NA-0240-26-108875, for beer, cider, and wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, cider, and wine at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1047 Broadway, Woodmere, New York 11598, for on-premises consumption.

DELICIOUS DISHES OF 5 TOWNS LLC d/b/a Capri 159752

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-WMC4, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-WMC4 Plaintiff, Against

LUCRECIO AQUINO, et al Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/24/2018, 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, NY 11501 on 5/27/2026 at 3:00PM, premises known as 46 Saint George Place, Inwood, New York 11096, and described as follows: 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, State of New York. Section 40 Block 57 Lot 48 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is

$466,857.24 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 16-008698 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.

Michael Ehrenreich, Esq., Referee.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 3/24/2026 File Number: 560-3388 CA 159802

LEGAL NOTICE Village of Lawrence Legal Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Building Design of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence will hold a work session beginning at 6:30 P.M. followed by a public meeting on May 11th, 2026 at the Lawrence Village Hall 196 Central Ave Lawrence, New York 11559 beginning at 7:00 P.M. to conduct the following Public Hearings and to attend to such other matters as may properly come before the Board:

“ Pelman1020 New McNeil Avenue- Proposed New House Design.

“ Kaplan - 191 Briarwood CrossingProposed New Driveway Entrance

The order in which the listed applications are heard shall be determined the night of the meeting. The applications and accompanying exhibits are on file and may be inspected at the Village Office during normal business hours between 8:00a.m. and 4:00p.m. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the hearing. All interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard By Order of the Board of Building Design

Barry Pomerantz Chairman Dated: April 23rd, 2026 159913

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF ATLANTIC BEACH

Public Hearing on the Annual Storm Water Management ReportMS4

Notice is hereby given that on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM in the Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach, NY the Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing. A copy of the text will be on file in the office of the Village Clerk. At such public hearing interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Emily Siniscalchi, Village Clerk

Dated: April 13, 2026 159914

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF LAWRENCE

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the Planning Board of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence will hold a work session beginning at 6:45 P.M. followed by a public meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at the Lawrence Village Hall located at 196 Central Ave., Lawrence New York 11559 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Alan Goldman of 5 Heather Lane, Lawrence, owner of premises known as Section 41, Block 48 Lot 71 & 236, Applicant proposes to sub-divide the existing lot creating two separate plots.

293 Breezyway LLC & 295 Breezyway LLC of 239-295 Breezyway, Lawrence, owner of premises known as Section 41, Block H Lot 155, 204 & 518, Applicant proposes to sub-divide the existing lot(s) creating three separate plots. The application(s) and accompanying exhibit(s) are on file and may be inspected at the Village Office during normal business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If anyone needs special accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the hearing. All interested parties will have the opportunity to be heard. By Order of the Planning Board. Michael Pinter

LEGAL NOTICE

A nonprofit organization in Long Island, NY is seeking sealed bids for sales and installation of security related enhancements. The project includes (i) installation of one or more: technology (such as CCTV, access control, alarms, sensors, X-ray machines, handheld radios), security film, doors, locks, windows, bollards, booth, planters, barriers, lighting, fencing, privacy fencing, gates, (ii) training programs, (iii) security personnel, and (iv) Cybersecurity. Bids will be accepted until 5:00 PM on June 15, 2026. Work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026. All interested vendors will be required to demonstrate preliminary qualifications and licensing for this work, acknowledge receipt of the proposal documents, and provide company name, business address, telephone, fax and email address, and primary contact name. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of surveillance and security, adherence to projected work schedule, prior experience, references, and cost. Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at grantbids316@gmail.c om 159857

LEGAL NOTICE

Request for Bids

A nonprofit facility in New York is seeking bids for M&A and consulting services for implementing security grants. Selection will be based on prior experience, references, cost and criteria. Proposals can be sent to: bidssend27@gmail.co m, referencing “RFPNSSMA”. Bids will be accepted until May 14, 2026. 159881

News brief

Members of the Lawrence High School Parent Teacher Association have been participating in Zumba classes to boost community engagement.

LHS parents move to the grove at zumba

The Lawrence High School Parent Teacher Association has been bringing parents and staff together in a new way this spring, hosting weekly Zumba classes aimed at boosting community engagement and wellness.

Held every Tuesday evening since early March, the classes are led by parent Ada Beltran and have drawn participants looking for a fun, energetic outlet while connecting with others in the school community.

Organizers said the initiative has

helped strengthen relationships among parents and staff, offering a relaxed setting outside the classroom to build connections.

PTA leaders encouraged additional parents and staff members to join future sessions and get involved with the organization. Those interested in participating or learning more can contact PTA representative Elissa Sharin at esharin@hotmail.com for details.

— Melissa Berman

Public Notices

AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 24, 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 June 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 186 East Rockaway Road, Hewlett, NY 11557. 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 42, Block 249 and Lot 4.

Approximate amount of judgment is $1,045,892.89 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 604694/2024. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 202758-6 159923

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2018 G-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST TREVORTON

A. WILLIAMS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 3, 2025 and amended on March 19, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 1, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 903 Park Lane, North Woodmere, NY 11581. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being near Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 39 Block 564 and Lot 12.

Approximate amount of judgment $649,016.09 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605709/2023. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Samantha Segal, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-001905 89677 159849

Courtesy Elissa Sharin

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There’s not much creativity in suburban building design

Q. My daughter is in architecture school, and she has always had an interest in doing more artistic things, thinking outside the box, so to say. When she comes back home after architecture school, she wants to look for somewhere that she can do more artistic designs, not just the ordinary kinds of buildings that you see around us, for the most part. Where would you recommend that she look? What communities are more open to doing unusual designs?

A. Not on Long Island. I, too, was once a starry-eyed young architecture graduate, ready to change the world with groundbreaking designs that inspired forward thinking, etc. I even got an amazing opportunity I didn’t plan on when I was hired to work in a firm that landed three entire cities to redesign Jeddah, Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

Between my minor in city planning and studying with a group called Superstudio in Florence, Italy, I ,too, thought this was the most extraordinary opportunity. And it was, for a time, but the process of building design is very long, and cash flow changes by the day. The city design started with a lot of statistical analysis, referred to as the scope of work or program, which was better suited to an accountant, so that by the time the design phase began, the cost analysis showed that the exciting ideas had to be cut back.

On Long Island, government regulations such as zoning, parking, height restrictions, use allowances, groundwater containment you get the idea create so many restrictions that artistic creativity is limited. Then you encounter architectural review boards that won’t let you deviate from their version of local styles, such as no flat roofs in some communities, to adding colonial trim details and only specific colors. If you ever notice in architecture magazines, most of the more creative, curvy or flat-roof homes are somewhere out away from cities. The land of the free isn’t so free when it comes to suburban building design.

Your daughter will need to search for communities with fewer restrictions, away from populated or conservative towns and villages, if she wants to generate her ideas. You could bond over road trips, like my family did. My father was an aerospace engineer who worked on Saturn, Gemini and Apollo rockets, and my mother was an interior designer, so we set out to find the latest new designs by piling into the family car and traveling all over. Fortunately, with the internet, your daughter can research the regulations of community governments before you drive off to the horizon.

Remember, some things that stand out may have taken many years to even get permission because of restrictions and politics. For example, the Guggenheim Museum, on Manhattan’s Central Park, a complete departure from convention, took 14 years to obtain approvals to build. Even the replacement World Trade Center tower took three years to get final approvals. Your daughter must persist if she wants to fulfill her dreams. Good luck!

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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GET A BREAK on

Federal funding has helped science thrive on L.I.

While the headlines have focused on science funding cuts at elite national universities, we shouldn’t lose sight of the local impact. Long Island is home to major research centers, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes at Northwell and Stony Brook University, among others.

The $47 billion in cuts to the National Science Foundation and other federal sources of research funding affect those institutions, too. The administration has halted thousands of approved grants for projects focusing on infectious diseases, energy management and quantitative computing, while also releasing staff and curtailing new funding, causing major upheavals in research.

Some now argue that the United States model for research, involving universities, research institutes and private corporations, should change because there’s too much reliance on unstable federal support. Fair enough, but first we should ask how we got here, and how federal support became so important. Our current research enterprise originated in World War II. Reflecting on the

immense and immediate response of universities and scientific laboratories to the war effort, Dr. Vannevar Bush, an engineer at MIT, accepted President Harry Truman’s invitation to write a report on what worked and how to plan for the future.

Bush assembled several committees of experts to examine the issues, and wrote an essay entitled, “Science: The Endless Frontier.” In it he summarized the various reports and recommended goals and a strategy for the president to consider.

RFirst, Bush highlighted the fact that many of the discoveries and advances that aided the war effort were made by scholars who had migrated to the United States from countries under totalitarian rule. One conclusion was that immigration was an important source of intellectual talent. A second was that the war had kept millions of Americans from advanced education, and that we should create a program that offered them opportunities to earn college and higher degrees. The G.I. Bill was one result.

years. They include support for federal student aid, immigration policy and grant programs for basic and applied research at universities and private companies.

esearch here has led the world, and Washington shouldn’t forget that.

The war also gave birth to the Grumman Corporation, which mass-produced aircraft as well as an innovative wing configuration that made it possible to fit more planes on aircraft carriers. The story of how this unique folding feature was developed from a model using two paper clips and a soap eraser is engineering legend. That same spirit launched the lunar module that transported two astronauts to the surface of the moon.

Another example is Brookhaven National Laboratory, established on an unused Army base in1946 by a consortium of nine major universities. Today it is a leader in high-energy physics, materials chemistry, national security and nonproliferation, neurosciences and computational sciences.

A significant source of science innovation is Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, home to eight Nobel Prize winners in physiology and medicine. It has an education division that awards doctoral degrees, hosts international conferences and partners with regional medical schools affiliated with Hofstra/Northwell and Stony Brook University.

Stony Brook’s prominence is grounded in biomedical science, including work that led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging, which was recognized with a Nobel Prize in 2003. Other research is dedicated to understanding and addressing water quality challenges on Long Island, in the interest of restoring the health of bays and waterways, safeguarding fisheries and protecting the coastal environment that is so central to the region’s identity and economics.

A third conclusion was that the country needed systemic support for ongoing research and advanced learning not limited to defense. The National Science Foundation was another result.

The models that Bush’s report inspired have worked well for over 80

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health, established in 1999, is home to 50 research labs, 2,500 clinical trial studies and 5,000 professional and support staff. They conduct research in molecular medicine, genetics, cancer, neuroscience, behavioral science and bioelectronic medicine.

Together, these Long Island enterprises employ thousands and operate with millions of dollars in federal grants. They contribute to improved health outcomes and the economic well-being of individuals and communities. The products and services they develop create businesses, expand services and contribute tax revenue that supports our schools and public services. Rather than shutter these programs, let’s work together to remember why they exist and consider how they can improve even further.

Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”

My colleagues in Congress did the right thing — finally

In January, I received a phone call at my Garden City office that no parent should ever have to make.

Andrew Jedlicka, a father from Merrick, whose 5-year-old son is fighting a rare and debilitating genetic disorder, was desperately seeking help. The only lab in the world treating, and potentially capable of curing, his son was set to shut down because its federal funding had run out.

The lab, in Queens, had been partially funded by grants from a federal program known as the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer. The program is branded as “America’s Seed Fund” for high-risk, highreward medical and technological research and development that is often not attractive to investors. The federal funding is the crucial factor to incentivize and enable private-sector investment

in these types of innovations.

For the Jedlicka family and others, SBIR/STTR program dollars promise a future for a child whose life depends on them. And the program not only aids the families and smallbusiness owners who directly benefit from it; it also grows and strengthens our economy and enhances the United States’ competitive edge and dominance in medicine and technology. For every dollar the federal government invests in SBIR/STTR, taxpayers see a return of $22 to $33 in economic impact.

I helped a unique lab in Queens get some of those crucial federal funds.

The program has supported everything from new, innovative cancer treatments to semiconductors that power our lives to the world’s smallest heart pumps. It should have been reauthorized without delay. Unfortunately, it ground to a halt in late 2025, leaving small businesses and families like the Jedlickas in peril.

Andrew’s plea was heartbreaking — I certainly understood the anguish and

fear his family felt, and was determined to break the gridlock and get his family the help they needed. Reauthorizing the program had broad bipartisan support — a bill had passed the House, but because of delays in the Senate, the program expired without being reauthorized.

I immediately reached out to and pushed my colleagues on the Senate Small Business Committee, including the chair, to work across the aisle to reauthorize the program. Following my efforts, the Senate finally reached a bipartisan deal to reauthorize funding for five years.

After passage of a revised bill in the Senate, followed by the House, with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority, we thought the Jedlicka family’s nightmare might be over. But then, instead of moving to the president’s desk, the bill inexplicably sat on the House speaker’s desk for weeks, awaiting his signature. There was no good reason for this, and on April 1, I demanded that the speaker

act. Two days later, the bill was at last presented to the president, and on April 13 it was finally signed into law.

I’m glad colleagues on both sides of the aisle came together to finally reauthorize the SBIR/STTR program. This long-overdue victory belongs to Andrew and his son, and it is an honor to fight on their behalf. Andrew’s relentless advocacy shows how one father can make a real difference for Americans at a time when constant partisanship in Washington leaves many families feeling helpless. His family, and others facing the diagnosis of a rare disease, should never have faced this uncertainty.

My office is now working to ensure that the National Institutes of Health moves the funding to the lab immediately. We have extended vital medical research funding for the next five years, but Washington should not need a crisis to compel it to act. I will never stop fighting for Long Island families, and will use every tool available to cut through the partisanship and political games that put their futures at risk.

Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

lOri harWiTT

Long Island must make pedestrians safer now

atroubling pattern is emerging across Nassau and Suffolk counties — and it should force leaders in both to act with urgency. In recent weeks, there have been a number of serious and fatal crashes involving pedestrians in our communities, from Wantagh to Freeport, Rockville Centre and Lindenhurst.

In Wantagh on March 9, a 53-year-old woman was killed when a pickup truck struck her while it was making a turn at an intersection. On April 4, In Freeport, a 66-year-old man died after being hit while crossing Merrick Road, with police later charging the driver for a hitand-run.

In Rockville Centre on April 10, a 76-year-old woman died of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at an intersection. And in Lindenhurst on April 15, an 85-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was hit by a vehicle making a left turn. These were not isolated incidents. They were part of a steady, devastating rhythm of crashes that too often end in tragedy for people doing something routine — crossing the street.

Even in Long Beach, where city officials are now reviewing traffic data in an effort to improve safety, the response remains reactive. Studying the problem isn’t the same as solving it. Long Island has reached the point where analysis

letters

Peninsula Library trustees have violated the law

To the Editor:

On behalf of Civil Service Employees Association, I would like to comment on the most recent Peninsula Public Library board of trustees meeting.

As a CSEA leader, I represent a number of workers at the library. I have been employed by the library for 16 years, and firmly believe in our mission to provide the best possible service and programming to our community.

I believe it is important to inform the public of what is occurring at our library, and how it is affecting our ability to serve the community. Specifically, the actions of the current board are having a direct, negative impact on day-today operations.

We believe the board has violated openmeeting laws, which require all board meetings to be clearly published and accessible to members of the community. The board has held recent meetings in secure areas of the library, and has moved them at the last minute without providing adequate notice. This is in direct violation of open-meeting laws.

Additionally, the current board seems to believe it can appoint trustees at its discretion,

must give way to action.

The uncomfortable truth is that Nassau and Suffolk are still operating under an outdated suburban model of road design that prioritizes speed and vehicle flow over human safety. Wide lanes encourage faster driving. Long crossing distances expose pedestrians to danger. Intersections are designed for convenience, not caution.

We do not need to reinvent the solution. We need to look west.

New York City, through its Vision Zero initiative, has spent years reshaping its streets with a different philosophy: that no loss of life on the road is acceptable. That approach has led to lower speed limits, redesigned intersections, pedestrian islands, expanded enforcement and a fundamental shift in the way streets are used. The results haven’t been perfect, but they have been meaningful. Fatalities have declined over time, and the conversation has changed.

Now the city is going even further, considering a “full stop” rule that would require drivers and cyclists to remain stopped at intersections until pedestrians have completely crossed the street — not just cleared their immediate path. It is a simple idea with powerful implications: The pedestrian comes first, fully and without compromise.

Long Island should not wait to see how that proposal plays out. The princi-

ple behind it is already clear, logical, and overdue here.

And not every solution requires tearing up asphalt. Some changes can happen quickly: reducing speed limits on local roads, increasing enforcement of failure-to-yield laws, improving signage and crosswalk visibility, and launching public-awareness campaigns that reinforce a culture of caution.

The data makes this urgency undeniable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 90 percent of crashes in the United States are tied, at least in part, to human error — speeding, distraction, poor judgment. That means safer systems are not optional; they are essential. Road design must anticipate mistakes and reduce their consequences.

Long Island has the benefit of proximity to one of the largest real-world laboratories for traffic safety reform. The question is whether its leaders are willing to learn from its city neighbors. How many more deaths will it take before that happens?

The recent fatalities in our area shouldn’t fade into the background of the next news cycle. They should serve as a call to action. Nassau and Suffolk must act now to prioritize pedestrians, redesign dangerous roads and adopt proven safety measures. The cost of waiting is already far too high.

and for whatever terms it chooses. In fact, at the most recent board meeting, the board appointed a trustee who was not present. This is in violation of New York state education law governing how public library board elections and appointments must be conducted.

Perhaps worst of all, despite knowing about the retirement of the previous

library director for several months, the board failed to act to hire a replacement. They have also failed to name an interim director, and have insisted on getting involved in day-to-day operations, which is also in violation of several rules and regulations set forth in the New York State Library Trustee Handbook and other guiding documents.

opinions Advanced economics: the bacon, egg and cheese effect

economic trends remain solid on Long Island and across most of the United States, yet consumers still seem “unhappy.” Measures of sentiment, both local and national, are more downbeat than some relevant information would suggest.

For example, inflation, as measured in the consumer price index, continues to moderate from the highs of 2022, up 3.3 percent in March nationwide, while our region was up 3.6 percent. Even with higher gas prices likely to fuel an uptick in inflation overall, we’ve been seeing moderating trends.

Even so, the cumulative increase in inflation since early 2017 remains roughly 32 percent. Prices have gone up over the past five years, and consumers haven’t forgotten it, even if the recent trends are more moderate — or even if they temporarily move in the wrong direction.

The perception that prices are still going higher can be partially attributed to what we call the Snickers Bar Effect: Consumers remember the prices of more frequent purchases. Economists at UBS began examining this issue in early 2024, and it remains highly relevant today. In 2020, the popular candy bar cost $1.50, but today it costs $2.39, an increase of nearly 80 percent. Most consumers, however, don’t know how much their car insurance has gone up over the past few years.

Ysis suggests that in 2015, the average price of a BEC was $3, and in 2020 it was $4.25. Today it’s closer to $7.50. People see the higher prices every morning, which reminds them daily that expenses are higher.

ou’re more likely to know about its price increases than those of your insurance.

We’re all much more aware of the price increases on everyday products, which creates a sense that inflation is still surging. So, even though it has in fact been moderating, most consumers still feel that prices are too high.

For those who don’t scarf down a mix of savory peanuts, caramel and chocolate for breakfast, lunch or a snack several times a week, let’s drill down to a very Long Island-specific product: the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Nearly every neighborhood deli or bodega serves it, on a roll or a bagel. Our analy-

Letters

According to state law, an election for the board of trustees must be conducted on the third Tuesday of May each year, with a petition period open to all residents of the library district to nominate candidates.

This year, to protect our valuable library, we urge the community to carefully consider who they vote for in the upcoming election. Please elect trustees who will protect the library, and can provide the quality of service and programming our community deserves.

is the wrong solution suggests some better choice on offer. The one he offers is the status quo — a denial, in effect, that any crisis exists.

The REVIVE Act will benefit the same interests named above, and will not solve the housing crisis alone, but “house” construction is core to any solution, and thus the right one for the present.

BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre

To be clear, it isn’t just Snickers, bacon, egg and cheeses or even overall inflation that weighs on purchasers on Long Island. Data shows that consumers are also worried about possible layoffs, the seeming likelihood of artificial intelligence replacing jobs, and the so-called K-shaped economy, in which high earners thrive while low earners struggle. These concerns are real, even if they aren’t fully showing up in the hard economic data.

Recent survey data reinforces this point. A few months ago, PKF O’Connor Davies, in partnership with the Siena Research Institute, released its annual Long Island Economic Survey–Outlook 2026. Like consumers, Long Island businesses also seem more worried about the economy, even though current trends are solid. Economic sentiment in

the survey is the third lowest since 1995. Even with March housing data showing continued strength and the stock market rebounding dramatically, affordability and inflation for residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties remain issues. If you bought a home five or more years ago, you are sitting on strong price appreciation. But if you’re entering the market today, there aren’t enough reasonably priced alternatives. Entry-level buyers are being squeezed, and affordability remains a major problem. That’s why the Long Island Association and business leaders have been advocating for federal, state and local support for more housing development.

Sentiment matters, because it drives spending, hiring and investment decisions. When consumers and business leaders feel downbeat, they may pull back — even in a relatively solid economy. Until they begin to feel relief in their day-to-day purchases, housing becomes more attainable and there’s less volatility in economic news, that disconnect is likely to persist, even if the numbers continue to tell a more positive story.

Steven Kent is chief economist at the Long Island Association. Comments? Skent@longislandassociation.org.

Framework by Tim Baker

PERI CAPONI President, CSEA Peninsula Public Library

Do your part to keep construction workers safe

Unit

Ferretti favors status quo amid the housing crisis

To the Editor:

The “local control” lauded by Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti in his April 16-22 op-ed, “REVIVE Act is the wrong solution to the housing crisis,” is spelled NIMBY, for Not In My Backyard, and he spells it out by rote. On Long Island, local control is widespread, a slogan for a politician’s assertion of veto power.

It is, in effect, a feudal remnant of the creation days of “suburbia,” shaped by the interests of bankers, builders, insurance and real estate. It was an illusion then, and is now a distraction from broader visions needed for a better future. Mr. Ferretti’s claim that REVIVE

To the Editor:

Last week was National Work Zone Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign reminding motorists that warmer temperatures bring an increase in construction activities along our transportation system.

Here on Long Island, the state Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of paving and bridge projects this year. For the safety of the highway workers doing this work, NYSDOT will deploy signs, cones, barrels and attenuators to make these work zones as visible as possible. Motorists, however, must also do their part to ensure that our workers return home safely each night: slow down, move over and stay alert. Honoring this simple request can save a life.

Earlier this year, a NYSDOT worker

was senselessly struck by a vehicle while setting up a closure on the Long Island Expressway. It’s a miracle that worker survived. Throughout this construction season, in an effort to better protect our workers, NYSDOT will be working with our police partners on targeted enforcement, and will be deploying automated speed-enforce -

ment cameras in our work zones. Thank you for doing your part to keep our highway workers safe.

RICHARD CAUSIN

L.I. regional director, New York State Department of Transportation Hauppauge

Showing the teachers a few new tricks — Hewlett High School

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