Members of the Lawrence High School class of 2026, above, applauded after the student speeches during graduation at the Tilles Center on June 29. The ceremony featured remarks from administrators and student leaders, as well as a special performance by the senior chorus of “No One Is Alone,” from “Into the Woods.” At right, senior class President Eliana Perez Reyes addressed her fellow graduates. Story, more photos, Page 10.
Little League softball team
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Five years ago, girls’ softball had all but disappeared from the Hewlett-Woodmere Little League.
Then, starting in 2021, after more than a decade without a program, league volunteers worked to rebuild it from the ground up, recruiting players, organizing teams and creating opportunities for girls to take the field once again.
This summer, those efforts reached a milestone no one in the league had experienced before.
For the first time in league history, a 10-and-under softball all-star team qualified for the Little League Softball World Series, known as the Williamsport tournament, last month, marking a historic chapter for the league despite an early exit from postseason play.
all-star team, said. “I told the girls after we lost that, yes, we were disappointed, but we just went down in history. They’ll forever be known as the first girls’ team from our league to ever compete in this tournament.”
The team lost its first two games of the double-elimination tournament, defeated by Rockville Centre, on June 24 before battling Oceanside to a close loss the following day. Although the season ended there, Savin said that wins and losses were secondary to what the girls accomplished.
ISABELLA SAVIN
“It was really a great moment,” league President Mike Savin, who coached the
“Five years ago, we had just started the girls’ softball program,” Savin said. “There hadn’t been girls’ softball in Hewlett for probably more than 10 years. We got a bunch of girls to register, got the league going again, and this year, with the growth of the league, we were finally able to have a Williamsport team. It’s actually the first Williamsport team in the histo-
Continued on page 7
Tim Baker/Herald photos
things to know About the 2026 AtlAntic hurricAne seAson
Atlantic Beach urges everyone to get ready
By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY
awarshavsky@liherald.com
Living within walking distance from the beach presents the threat of one recurring
n No matter the storm, catastrophes are powerful
Rather than moving under their own power, Hurricanes are steered across the ocean by large-scale global wind patterns and high-pressure systems. On the East Coast, storms are often grabbed by prevailing winds, which blow from west to east, often causing storms to recurve, turning northward before moving to the northeast. Once hurricanes make landfall, their impacts can be unpredictable. Despite weakening to a tropical storm after making landfall, Hurricane Agnes left parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia with flooding. The storm caused more than $20 billion in estimated damages, according to the National Weather Service. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated New York, making landfall as a posttropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds. The storm inflicted nearly $98 million in damages and killed 48 people.
natural hazard. The Atlantic Hurricane Season — which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 — causes catastrophes every year. While this season is projected to be below normal, according to the National Weather Service, they anticipate as many as six storms to become hurricanes, half of which are expected to become major hurricanes.
n How to prepare for hurricane season
The American Red Cross is encouraging households to be ready by understanding what hazards can affect the community and to sign up for free emergency alerts from local government. The Red Cross also urged residents to have “go-kits” including three days of supplies and “stay-at-home kits,” lasting two weeks, filled with critical supplies such as food, water, medicine and other necessities. In the event of a hurricane watch — threat of landfall within 48 hours — Atlantic Beach officials urge residents to assemble five-day supply kits and personal documentation. and personal If a hurricane warning is issued — 36 hours until landfall— residents are encouraged to listen to local officials for advisement on sheltering in place and evacuation. Officials also noted identifying potential evacuation sites.
n Community organizations in Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach Mayor Barry Frohlinger said hurricane preparedness remains a top priority as the village heads into another storm season. Last year, the village established an Office of Emergency Management to strengthen its ability to protect lives and property, coordinate with county, state and federal agencies, and maintain essential services during emergencies. Over the past several months, the office has been refining its response plans, using winter storms as opportunities to test procedures and improve coordination among emergency personnel and volunteers. Village officials have also upgraded the municipal website to provide residents with timely emergency alerts through email and text messaging. The village continues to draw lessons from Hurricane Sandy, which caused extensive damage to Atlantic Beach’s boardwalk, trees and infrastructure.
Putnam Park playground re-opens in Atlantic Beach
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Laughter returned to Putnam Park this weekend as Atlantic Beach celebrated the grand reopening of its newly renovated playground, a yearlong community project that village leaders say represents far more than new swings and slides.
Residents gathered on July 5 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the state-of-the-art playground, followed by a community celebration sponsored by the Friends of the Village of Atlantic Beach, a nonprofit that funded much of the project. Families also enjoyed treats from a Hewlee ice cream truck later in the day.
The renovation transformed what had become an aging, unusable playground into a modern, ADA-accessible destination designed to serve children for generations.
“This is one of the many projects we’ve needed to work on,” Mayor Barry Frohlinger said. “We’re so grateful that this came together the way it did. It really is quite amazing.”
Planning for the project began shortly after the current village administration took office last summer. Frohlinger credited Trustee Laura Heller, the Village Board, the Department of Public Works, local beach clubs, nearby condominium residents and approximately 80 village families whose donations helped make the project possible.
“We really view this as a public-private partnership,” Frohlinger said. “The board, residents, businesses and volunteers all came together to create something that benefits the entire community. It’s a great model for future projects.”
The redesigned park features separate play areas for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to
12, a six-seat swing set, climbing structures, slides, interactive play equipment, a musical drum feature and a fire truck-themed play element honoring the Atlantic Beach Rescue Department.
The playground also includes a poured rubber safety surface that is fully ADA accessible, new fencing, retaining walls, landscaping, bicycle racks and engraved commemorative pavers recognizing many of the families who contributed to the fundraising effort.
Frohlinger said the village selected equipment specifically designed to withstand the challenges of Atlantic Beach’s coastal environment, including salt air, sand, sun and wind.
“We had the time to design it correctly,” he said. “Everybody put their minds together, and I think we ended up with the best of
the best.”
Heller said the project would not have been possible without the Friends of the Village of Atlantic Beach, whose fundraising campaign brought together residents and local businesses to finance the improvements at a time when the village faced financial constraints.
“The village simply couldn’t afford to replace the playground on its own,” Heller said. “The outpouring of support from the community was phenomenal.”
The original playground had fallen into disrepair and could not have safely reopened this summer without major renovations, Heller said.
Now, she hopes the park becomes a gathering place where children create lasting memories and neighbors strengthen community bonds.
The Putnam Park features a brand-new play structure, poured rubber safety surface and areas for children of all ages to explore.
“I’m so happy for the village,” she said. “It’s a shining moment to have such a beautiful improvement that everyone can enjoy together.”
The Playground Committee Chair said the project demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community rallies around a common goal.
“This playground is the result of a true community effort,” the chair wrote in a statement. “A playground is much more than a place to play — it’s where children make friends, parents connect and families spend time together.”
In an era when children spend increasing amounts of time on screens, the chair added, investing in inviting outdoor spaces is an investment in the future.
“By building this playground,” she said, “we’ve strengthened our community.”
Sea, sand and Shabbat for Temple Israel
By MELISSA BERMAN
mberman@liherald.com
Temple Israel of Lawrence will once again bring the beauty of the beach and the warmth of Shabbat together when it hosts its annual Oceanview Shabbat on July 17 at the Sunny Atlantic Beach Club.
The evening, which has become one of the congregation’s signature summer traditions, will begin with an indoor Shabbat service overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, followed by a barbecue buffet dinner, desserts and dancing with a DJ. Congregants and guests are encouraged to wear white and blue attire as they gather to celebrate Jewish faith, friendship and community.
Rabbi Galina Makaveyev said Oceanview Shabbat has been a cherished Temple Israel tradition for many years before it was paused during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Oceanview Shabbat has been a beloved Temple Israel tradition for many years,” Makaveyev said. “It was paused during COVID, and we are grateful to continue bringing it back for our community.”
For Makaveyev, the evening is about much more than a service by the sea.
“This warm and inspiring evening is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Shabbat surrounded by the beauty of nature, strengthen our sacred community, and celebrate with longtime members and those who are just beginning their journey with Temple Israel,” she said. “It is also a beautiful way to welcome friends and family members who join us.”
Although guests enjoy just one evening together, planning begins almost as soon as the previous Oceanview Shabbat ends.
Makaveyev said organizing the event requires coordinating three distinct elements — the worship service, the barbecue dinner and the evening’s entertainment. This year, Temple Israel Board Trustee Robin Agin volunteered to oversee the social festivities, helping ensure the celebration is engaging for all ages.
“My favorite part is being together,” Makaveyev said. “Praying, singing, sharing a meal, dancing and celebrating as one community, surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. It is always inspiring and uplifting.”
The congregation has once again partnered with the Sunny Atlantic Beach Club, whose panoramic ocean views have helped make the event a favorite among members.
Club owner Howard Taub said hosting Oceanview Shabbat is one way the business gives back to the surrounding community.
“We love it,” Taub said. “We love giving back to Atlantic Beach and the surrounding communities. Without the people who support us, we wouldn’t be what we are.”
Taub said preparing for the evening is a collaborative effort between the club and Temple Israel. Together they develop a menu centered on a traditional barbecue buffet while club staff handles the food and hospitality.
“The views are already here,” he added. “All we have to do is hope for good weather.”
As the sun begins to set over the Atlantic, attendees gather for candle lighting, prayers over the wine and challah, and a Shabbat service before sharing dinner and celebrating together overlooking the ocean.
“It’s really a community event,” Taub said. “Everybody gets together, talks with each other and enjoys the evening.”
For Taub, watching neighbors connect is the most rewarding part of the event.
“Just seeing everybody come together as one community and celebrate their religion together is what it’s all about,” he
said.
Makaveyev said that spirit of togetherness reflects Temple Israel’s mission.
“This evening reflects what Temple Israel is all about,” she said. “Community, tradition and the joy of celebrating Jewish life together.”
To register for the event, go to https:// tilny.shulcloud.com/event/oceanviewshabbat2026.
Alice Moreno/Herald photos
Village of Atlantic Beach Mayor Barry Frohlinger welcomed residents to the Grand Re-Opening of the Putnam Park on July 5.
Courtesy Howard Taub Temple Israel of Lawrence will once again host its annual Oceanview Shabbat on July 17 at the Sunny Atlantic Beach Club.
News brief
Gan Chamesh throws musical graduation
Gan Chamesh, the Chabad of the Five Towns, celebrated the end of the year with a large musical graduation ceremony.
The parade aimed to highlight a year of learning, growth, and discovery. The musical celebration represented the idea that each child is essential and unique with their own special voice, and together they form an orchestra.
The teachers of Gan Chamesh filled out the role of conductors in the orchestra, showing how each one guides their students to discover their strengths and individuality.
The origins of the musical parade stemmed from the story of the Jewish people signing after the parting of the Red Sea by Moses, as they thanked God for kindness and miracles.
The Gan Chamesh students marched with tambourines and sang songs of prayer and gratitude to reflect how Miriam did the very same with her people in the Bible.
Gan Chamesh extended congratulations to their graduates and “wishes for a new sweet harmony to fill the world.”
— Jack Levey
Crime watCh
Inwood traffic stop arrests
According to police, two Brooklyn residents were arrested after a traffic stop in Inwood on July 1 at 6:16 p.m. that left two Nassau County police officers injured.
According to NCPD, officers were conducting a Vehicle and Traffic Law investigation involving a man operating a moped with a female passenger near Burnside Avenue and the Nassau Expressway.
According to detectives, both individuals became aggressive when officers approached, and the driver attempted to flee on the moped. The passenger, identified as Nicole Demmerele, 40, of Brooklyn, was taken into custody at the scene.
The driver, Jason Adams, 18, of Brooklyn, fled on foot, police said. Members of the Nassau County Police Canine Unit responded and located Adams nearby, where he was taken into custody.
Police said both defendants resisted arrest and became violent and combative, resulting in injuries to two officers. The officers were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Demmerele was also taken to an area hospital for evaluation.
During the investigation, police determined the moped had been reported stolen in New York City.
Adams was charged with seconddegree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, resisting arrest and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
Demmerele was charged with seconddegree assault, resisting arrest and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.
Both defendants were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on July 2.
—
Melissa Berman
News brief
Rock Hall Museum Awards Ceremony
Hempstead Town Councilwoman, Melissa Miller, congratulated honorees during the Rock Hall Museum Awards Ceremony on June 3, 2026.
The honorees included Mia Koloden, Micah Newman, and Joshua Simms.
— Jack Levey
Courtesy Keri Naiman
Students were hand in hand marching with one another during the musical celebration
Courtesy Town of Hempstead Stand with their awards left to right: Mia Koloden, Micah Newman, and Joshua Simms.
Nicole Demmerele
JasoN aDams
Hewlett’s Yehuda Kutai earns prestigious award from Touro
By JACK LEVEY Intern
Touro University of Health and Sciences has presented Hewlett resident and graduate student, Yehuda Kutai, with the prestigious Maimonides Award.
Kutai, a nursing program student, was recognized by the university during the June 11 graduation ceremony of the class of 2026 at the Tilles Center with the esteemed award.
The Maimonides award, which was presented to 14 recipients this year, is a prestigious accolade that is presented to students recognized by the university for their excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.
“It’s an honor because I think that it reflects all the values that I try to bring to patient care,” Kutai said. “I bring compassion, professionalism, and a lot of dedication. I’m very honored and humbled that I was picked.”
Kutai described working in the medical field as something that has always come naturally to him, as he grew up helping his family and friends who had medical conditions and wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.
“I understand how much of even a little difference is very significant,” he said.
Kutai said he was always called the “mother” of my friends, and it led him to go into the nursing field.
Kutai described his first introduction to Touro, how he went there with little prior knowledge of the university and was blown away by it. He said the school’s positive atmosphere instantly pulled him in upon his first entrance.
“The moment I entered the build-
ing and saw the faculty, the atmosphere was so good.”
Kutai said.
“I thought about different places, but I said, this is where I’m going to study,” he added. “Even though I had to commute every day, it was worth it. The professors were phenomenal. My colleagues, my friends for life. I was able to flourish, even though it wasn’t familiar to me. It’s just an amazing experience from my nursing school.”
Marcia Jones-George, the assistant professor who nominated Kutai for the award, highlighted the graduate’s strengths in a separate interview with the Herald.
“He has a passion, a strong drive to succeed and he will go an extra step to help people,” Jones-George said. “You couldn’t ask for a better student than Yehuda.”
Now that he has graduated from Touro’s nursing program, Kutai plans to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam and then go on to start applying to hospitals in the area such as South Nassau, NYU Langone and Long Island Jewish Medical Center.
He said that he hopes that wherever he ends up will enable him to help improve his medical skills, help the community, and help to change people’s lives.
Kutai extended thanks to the faculty of Touro, his friends, and his family.
“It truly is an honor, and I feel very privileged to be surrounded with such people,” Kutai said. “Without them I would never have been able to make it this far. The award will serve as a reminder every day that I’m on the right path.”
Courtesy Touro University
Yehuda Kutai, a Hewlett resident, was presented with the Maimonides Award at the Touro University of Health and Sciences graduation ceremony on June 11.
HERALD SPORTS
Racing fans say final goodbye to Aqueduct
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
There were plenty of cheers along with some tears in South Ozone Park June 28 as 6,866 horse racing fans bid farewell to Aqueduct Racetrack.
The crowd at ‘The Big A’ roared one last time as Assume Nothing, with jockey Jaime Rodriguez aboard, went wireto-wire to capture the final race of the track’s storied 132-year history.
“This is where my career started in 2010 and it feels amazing to win the last race on the last day,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve ridden the horse a few times and knew if he got a clean break, he’d have a great chance to win.”
After the finale, Rodriguez and the rest of the jockey colony celebrated with fans along the rail, giving out high fives and fist bumps. One fan hoisted a cardboard sign that read: “One more day! Give me a chance to win it back.”
Several thousand fans arrived two hours before the nine-race card began at 1:10 p.m. The first 1,000 through the doors received a small mason jar containing dirt from the main track.
One of the highlights on Aqueduct’s final day came not on the dirt but the turf in the penultimate race when Highway Harmony set a new track record at the 6-furlong distance, taking the last stakes race at the track in 1:06.44 under jockey Edgard Zayas.
Ron Berkowitz, a Merrick resident who grew up in Lynbrook, had the closing date circled on his calendar once it
was announced by the New York Racing Association.
“It’s a bittersweet day,” Berkowitz said. “I’ve been coming here since the late 1970s and really fell in love with the track and the sport. I haven’t been here in a couple of years, but there was no way I was missing today.”
Franklin Square residents Anthony and Sally Turco echoed Berkowitz’s sentiments. “Today brings back a lot of
The mural outside Aqueduct depicts Secretariat, who made his career debut there in
at Aqueduct, “Goretty” came in 2008. “So many memories,” he added. “I won’t miss the Belt Parkway, but I’ll definitely miss the Big A.”
great memories of coming to the Big A with family,” Anthony said. “Lots of nostalgia. It was awesome.”
The Turcos were in the paddock prior to the fifth race with friend Bruce Brown, a longtime trainer on the NYRA circuit and Floral Park resident. Brown saddled the winner, Boston’s Phinest.
“This is where it all started for me in New York when I came over from New Jersey,” said Brown, whose first winner
The closure of Aqueduct coincides with a rebuilt Belmont Park, set to open Sept. 18.
“I can see the new Belmont grandstand from my house,” said Brown, who expects to have between 15 and 20 horses in his barn once racing shifts back downstate from Saratoga. “I’ve watched the construction from the beginning to what’s almost the end and it’s going to be incredible when it opens,” he added.
Assume Nothing and jockey Jaime Rodriguez won the Aqueduct finale.
Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos
Nearly 7,000 fans packed Aqueduct Racetrack June 28 for its final day of racing after 132 years.
1972.
Making league history, one pitch at a time
ry of our league.”
The league assembled its top players to compete against neighboring communities for a chance to advance through the tournament. For many of the players, simply putting on an all-star uniform was a memorable experience.
“The girls really enjoyed it,” Savin said. “They all get special uniforms, and it really makes them feel special to be an all-star. They get a lot of attention, and it was just a really great experience all around.”
Just as meaningful for Savin was working with a team that reflects the unique makeup of the Hewlett-Woodmere community.
“Our leagues are really special,” he said. “We have almost a 50-50 divide of kids who go to public school and kids who go to private school. It’s so nice to see Orthodox Jewish girls playing with public-school girls. My daughter has friends from all different cultures and backgrounds. It’s just such a nice community.”
Savin has coached Little League for eight years, beginning with his son before coaching all three of his daughters as well. At one point, he was coaching three teams simultaneously. Now his focus is on his youngest daughter, Isabella, who pitched for the 10U all-star team.
Coaching, he said, has allowed him to
share an experience with his children that he wishes he had when he was growing up. “My father was a single parent,” he said. “He worked so hard that he didn’t have time to coach us or be as involved in our sports. Thankfully I’m able to do that for my kids.”
Watching children develop both as athletes and people, Savin said, has become the most rewarding part of volunteering. “I’ve gotten so much positive
feedback from parents and kids over the years,” he said. “I’ve had kids begging me to pick them for my team the next year. It’s just good vibes.”
For Isabella Savin, 9, softball has become much more than learning how to pitch. “I really like softball because it teaches me that teamwork can really make the best out of everything,” she said. And, she added, “I like pitching because you’re kind of in control of the
game.”
One of Isabella’s favorite things about competing in the World Series, she said, was playing alongside many of the league’s best players after other seasons of competing against them.
In contrast, this was 10-year-old catcher Elizabeth Plunkett’s first season of softball. After deciding to join because her friends played, she quickly discovered she enjoyed both the sport and the friendships she made. “I get to meet new people and experience new things,” Elizabeth said.
Chana Rosenberg, also 10, has been playing since first grade and is both a pitcher and a first baseman, though pitching remains her favorite. “It’s fun to strike people out,” she said with a smile.
Chana described the tournament atmosphere as “very intense,” because every team was talented, but said the best part was taking the field with teammates she has played alongside for years.
“We make really good plays together because we all know each other,” she said. “It’s really fun.”
While the all-star season has concluded, the league is already preparing for next spring, planning summer and winter clinics intended to help girls’ softball continue to grow. “We’re looking to continue the success we’ve been having,” Savin said.
Courtesy Mike Savin
The Hewlett-Woodmere Little League 10-and-under softball team represented the community in the Little League Softball World Series for the first time.
Annual Russian Shabbat brings community together in Hewlett
On June 19, the Chabad of Hewlett welcomed dozens of community members to its annual Russian Shabbat, held this year at the organization’s new home at 44 Everit Ave. in Hewlett.
The evening celebrated the traditions, culture and resilience of Russian-speaking Jews while bringing together families from throughout the Five Towns for a festive Shabbat experience centered on faith, fellowship and heritage. Hosting the event at the Chabad’s new building marked another milestone for the congregation as it continues to expand its programming and outreach in the community.
Guests gathered for traditional Shabbat prayers before enjoying a festive dinner featuring Russian and Eastern Europeaninspired cuisine alongside classic Shabbat favorites. The annual event offered attendees an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new families and celebrate the customs that have been passed down through generations.
Families with young children joined longtime congregants and first-time visitors, creating a warm, multigenerational atmosphere that reflected the Chabad’s mission of welcoming Jews of all backgrounds. Conversations continued throughout the evening as attendees shared stories, celebrated their heritage and forged new friendships.
Russian Shabbat has become one of Chabad of Hewlett’s signature annual programs, honoring the rich cultural traditions of Russian-speaking Jews while strengthen-
ing connections across the broader Jewish community. This year’s celebration carried added significance as one of the major community gatherings held at the congregation’s new facility on Everit Avenue.
Organizers thanked the volunteers and supporters who made the evening possible and said they look forward to welcoming even more families to future Russian Shabbat celebrations at the Chabad’s new home.
— Melissa Berman
News brief
EHS Simulation Lab earns award
Episcopal Health Services has announced that its Simulation Lab has been awarded the Accreditation in teaching and education by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).
This comes after a comprehensive review of process which was conducted by the SSH’s Board of Review. The lab was granted accredited status in teaching and education with exemplars and staff education, which will be effective from June 8, 2026, through December 31, 2031.
The SSH is a leading international organization within the medical simulation field, and its accreditation is considered the gold standard for simulation programs around the world.
Jameela Yusuff, senior vice president and chief medical officer of EHS, highlighted the importance of this accreditation, writing that “Achieving accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare is a testament to Episcopal Health Services’ unwavering commitment to excellence in clinical education and patient safety.”
The director of the EHS Simulation Lab, Eric Stern, described the Simulation Lab as a program that provides a realistic, hands-on experience for students within different roles of the medical field.
The EHS Simulation Lab is at their
Clinical Learning Center on 19-09 Plainview Avenue, Far Rockway. — Jack Levey
Sue Grieco/Herald photos
Rivkie and Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim of the Chabad of Hewlett hosted the annual Russian Shabbat on June 19.
Jenny Feygin, left, and Schandel Meshman were dressed to celebrate their Russian culture.
Friends Aaron Gendelman, 13, left, Aaron Rudgayzer, 12, and Jake Goldstein, 14, hung out at the annual event.
Courtesy Episcopal Health Services
Christopher Jean-Pierre, former simulation coordinator of the Simulation Lab at EHS and family medicine resident at EHS, left; Eric Stern, director of the Simulation Lab at EHS; Jameela J. Yusuff, senior vice president and chief medical officer at EHS; and Gary Xavier, simulation coordinator at the Simulation Lab at EHS.
A. B. resident Joel Greenberg hosts walking tour of Long Beach
By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com
When Joel Greenberg “quasiretired” from a career in law, he gained the time and opportunity to give back. “I’m a beach person. I love riding my bicycle everywhere” Greenberg said. “I just get on my bike and take my camera and explore everywhere.”
Greenberg, an Atlantic Beach resident, was familiar with Long Beach from his high school days growing up in Hewlett and East Rockaway. He leaned into that familiarity and found a way to share his enthusiasm for the city. “The more I explored, the more I was fascinated,” he continued. “And then I started digging into the history and where all this came from. And it just got more and more interesting.”
Those interests led Greenberg to develop a 90-minute walking tour of Long Beach that featured 16 stops, beginning at The Allegria Hotel and concluding at Kennedy Plaza. On June 7, he held the tour for guests of the Allegria and members of the Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David in Rockville Centre, which he attends.
Along the way, Greenberg showed participants the site of former Nassau Hotel — the area’s first hotel, built by city founder William Reynolds — which is has been condominiums for several decades. The walking crew learned about the iconic boardwalk, and the effects of Hurricane Sandy, before hearing about the local ecosystem with osprey nests on the barrier island’s north shore and oystercatchers across the south shore.
Walkers were led through the historic red brick district, now down from an entire neighborhood to a three-block area, and discovered the home where Irving Berlin allegedly stayed when he wrote “God Bless America.”
Progressing into town, local businesses were used to highlight different parts of the community. Life’s a Bagel was emblematic of the significant Jewish community. LB Surf Shop show -
cased world-class surfing. LB Bicycles represented the city’s bike-friendly layout, while Earth Arts Pottery Studio was one of several visual and creative arts outlets. The day concluded with a sobering visit to the Holocaust memorial statue displayed in Kennedy Plaza, in front of City Hall. Greenberg volunteers his time to guiding groups through the city like a Long Beach docent. In lieu of gratuities, he asks attendees to donate to either the Kiwanis Club of Long Beach or the Long Beach Soup Kitchen.
Nancy Hochhauser is a Rockville Centre resident who also attends Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David. “I learned about the red brick district, that it was all red brick and those are the only three blocks left,” she said, after completing the tour. “It’s incredible. And how it was mandatory for the homes to be white stucco and the roofs. You don’t really think about those things. You’re driving down here and kind of take it for granted. It’s very interesting.”
News brief
LPS throws end of school year carnival
Lawrence Primary School students celebrated another successful school year with a fun-filled carnival.
The end-of-year celebration had students participating in various activities, such as a bouncy house and a dunk tank. Students were seen enjoying the festivities with their friends as they celebrated the conclusion of the school year as well as their accomplishments.
The celebration had students, teachers and staff participating and having fun with one another to celebrate their hard work and growth throughout the year.
The carnival served as a fun way to kick off the summer season for members of the school community
— Jack Levey
“I thought he did a great job,” said Adam Strauss, president of the Congregation’s men’s club. “I live in Oceanside, two towns away. I didn’t know all this was here. I knew this was City Hall, but I never knew this was a Holocaust memorial.”
Greenberg will repeat the tour on the first Sunday of each month, through October, for guests of the
Allegria Hotel, as well as any interested participants. This Saturday, he’ll perform the tour for alumni of Muhlenberg College, of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Greenberg is a class of 1973 alum and offered to guide fellow classmates in the area. Information about the walking tours and indoor audio-visual tours can be found at longbeachbarrierislandny.com.
Chris Colucci / Herald
Joel Greenberg, far right, gave more than two dozen out-of-towners a look at the city’s history along the boardwalk and around the streets.
Courtesy Lawrence school district Lawrence Primary School students celebrated another successful school year with a fun-filled carnival.
LHS seniors shine at commencement
students of the Lawrence High School Class of 2026 turned their tassels and celebrated the culmination of their high school careers during commencement exercises on June 29 at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts.
Graduates crossed the stage before proud family members, friends, faculty and district administrators as they received their diplomas and prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives. The ceremony recognized students for their academic achievements, leadership, perseverance and contributions to the school community over the past four years.
School leaders encouraged graduates to embrace new opportunities while carrying forward the values of integrity, resilience and service that defined their time at Lawrence High School. The commencement featured student speeches, musical performances and the traditional turning of the tassels, marking the official transition from students to alumni.
As the ceremony concluded, applause filled the auditorium as the Class of 2026 celebrated its accomplishments and looked ahead to futures that include college, military service, careers and other pursuits.
— Melissa Berman
Tim Baker/Herald photos
The Lawrence High School Class of 2026 celebrated graduation on June 29 at the Tilles Center.
Superintendent Ann Pedersen spoke to the graduating class about their next chapter of life after high school.
Salutatorian Ava Abramov received a special award from the school administration.
The senior choir performed “No One Is Alone” from “Into the Woods” during the ceremony.
Valedictorian Poonam Bansi addressed her fellow graduates as she talked about her high school career.
Nassau celebrates America’s 250th
Thousands of residents gathered at Eisenhower Park on July 2 for Nassau County’s annual Celebrate America Fireworks & Drone Show, kicking off Independence Day festivities and commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Families and friends filled Parking Field No. 6 with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening of patriotic entertainment, including live performances by Glenn
Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock. The free celebration concluded with a fireworks and drone show that lit up the night sky in honor of the nation’s semiquincentennial. The event was presented by Nassau County and TD Bank and drew crowds from across Long Island for an evening of music, community and patriotic pride.
— Jordan Vallone
Tim Baker/Herald photos Families packed into Eisenhower Park to honor America’s semiquincentennial during Nassau County’s annual Celebrate America Fireworks & Drone Show.
Patriotic colors were on display around the Harry Chapin Lakeside Threate. Lisa Marie, of Staten Island, with Walter Canteel, of Floral Park.
Following a variety of musical performances, fireworks illuminated the park.
JU JULY 16 M M-122:30PM 6 • 10 10AM-12
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
AGENDA: VISIT EXHIBITORS EXPERT PANEL + Q&A RAFFLE DRAWINGS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN
Register for this FREE event: y rbamgbose@liherald.com or call 516.569.4000 x273
JULY 9, 2026
Cover Story
Summer in motion
Longer days, warm temperatures and abundant sunshine make summer an ideal season to take your fitness routine outdoors. Whether it’s a morning run or walk along the boardwalk, a bike ride, a game of tennis or pickleball, yoga on the beach, or even a family hike, exercising outside o ers both physical and mental health benefits.
An outdoor workout does more than change your scenery. Exercising outdoors has been linked to improved mood, lowered stress, better cardiovascular health, and more motivation to move consistently. Even walking outside can be an excellent workout, especially when you do it regularly. Fresh air and a change of scenery can make workouts feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable part of your day.
Of course, summer’s relaxed pace — complete with vacations, barbecues, beach days and social gatherings — can sometimes derail even the best fitness intentions. The key is finding ways to incorporate activity into seasonal routines while taking precautions against heat and sun exposure.
Beat the heat
Summer temperatures can quickly turn a workout into a health risk. Exercising during the hottest parts of the day can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
Whenever possible, schedule outdoor activities during the cooler morning or evening hours, typically before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Check the heat index before heading outside, and if temperatures or humidity levels are extreme, consider moving your workout indoors to an air-conditioned gym, recreation center or your own home.
Watch for warning signs of heatrelated illness, including dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive fatigue, muscle cramps or confusion. If symptoms occur, stop exercising immediately, move to a cool location and rehydrate.
Protect your skin
While we all love being outside, the sun doesn’t love us. Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Health experts recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating heavily.
Additional protection includes wearing lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Light-colored fabrics help reflect heat and keep the
body cooler during outdoor activities.
Hydration matters
Proper hydration is essential yearround, but it becomes especially important during the summer months.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends drinking approximately three to eight ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise, depending on intensity and environmental conditions. For prolonged or high-intensity workouts lasting more than an hour, sports drinks may help replace electrolytes lost through sweat.
Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Thirst is often a sign that dehydration has already begun. Carry a reusable water bottle and drink fluids before, during and after physical activity.
After exercise, experts recommend consuming 20 to 24 ounces of water or a sports beverage for every pound of body weight lost during exercise.
Don’t skip the warm-up
Warm weather doesn’t eliminate the need to prepare your body for exercise. A proper warm-up gradually increases heart rate, loosens muscles and improves flexibility, helping reduce the risk of strains and injuries.
Spend five to 10 minutes performing light aerobic activity such as brisk walking, followed by dynamic stretches that target the muscles you’ll be using during your workout. Cooling down afterward is equally important and can help prevent sti ness and aid recovery.
Try something new
Summer o ers endless opportunities to shake up your exercise routine. Trying new activities can prevent boredom and challenge di erent muscle groups.
Consider adding activities such as:
• Walking or jogging on local trails
• Swimming or water aerobics
• Outdoor yoga classes
• Kayaking or paddleboarding
• Hiking
• Recreational sports leagues
Our parks, beaches and community organizations also o er free or low-cost fitness classes throughout the summer. Rev up the heart and cardiovascular system with sports you can play in the great outdoors. Eschew indoor racquetball for a game on an outdoor court. Try pickleball instead.
It’s easy to break a sweat and enjoy a good workout when a game of hoops is taken outdoors. Head out to your nearby park and check out the action on the basketball courts. Pickup football or baseball is another way to enjoy physical activity outdoors, especially for those who may not be gym hounds. Both sports provide a cardiovascular workout while building muscle. When you’re
engrossed in the game, you’re having fun and getting fit at the same time.
Even consider using items in your favored park to tailor a complete workout. Park benches can serve as a workout bench where athletes can do push-ups, triceps dips and step-up exercises. Stretch on a jungle gym or use monkey bars to fit in some pull-ups.
You’ll find that some parks even have their own fitness zones with exercise equipment built into the design.
Hike on! A nearby park or preserve that features walking trails is a good place to begin an outdoor workout. Some parks build exercise stations into their hiking paths, enabling visitors to vary their workouts along the way. Signs may also point out particular exercises that can be done during the hike, such as lunges or squats.
Hiking is a good cardiovascular workout that is particularly beneficial when done on varied terrain. Mixing uphill and downhill portions of the trail with level ones will work the various muscles in the legs and also provide greater resistance to get the heart pumping.
Take advantage of the beach
We’re surrounded by beaches, so make the most of our environment! After all, that’s one of the best features about living on Long Island. The beach provides much more than a place to relax. It can also serve as a natural fitness center.
Swimming in the ocean provides a full-body workout, as the resistance created by waves and currents challenges muscles while the water’s buoyancy reduces stress on joints. Water workouts are especially beneficial for older adults and those with arthritis or mobility concerns.
Walking or running on sand requires more effort than exercising on pavement because the unstable surface engages additional muscles in the legs,
core and hips.
As a result, beach workouts can improve strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness.
Even active beach outings that involve carrying chairs, coolers, umbrellas and beach gear can contribute to daily physical activity goals.
Keep moving all summer long
Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with musclestrengthening activities on two or more days, according to federal health guidelines.
Summer is the perfect season
to reconnect with the outdoors and discover enjoyable ways to stay active. By taking sensible precautions, staying hydrated and making movement part of everyday life, you can enjoy all the benefits of the season while supporting your long-term health and wellness.
The Best Outdoor Workouts to Try
1. Trail Running
What it works: Lower body, core, and cardiovascular system
Benefits: Trail running demands balance, coordination, and strength. Unlike conditions on a flat road or treadmill, trail running requires more physical effort,
Cedrina Calder, M.D., a boardcertified preventive medicine physician and fitness professional says.
“The balance and stability required on the trail engages and strengthens your core muscles. It also requires greater use of your lower limb muscles, including the glutes, quads, and calves.”
Trail running can also support mental health and often feels more engaging than repeating laps on a track.
“It requires 100-percent mental focus — or you subject yourself to a tumble,” says fitness expert Tina Vindum, M.S., C.P.T.
A 2020 study published in BMC Public Health found that people who completed at least 6.5 miles of trail running reported higher wellness and health scores. Additional research suggests that spending 90 minutes moving in nature can help reduce depressive rumination.
Beginner tips: Start with wellmarked trails and shorter distances, focusing on time on feet rather than pace. Keep your eyes a few feet ahead, shorten your stride, and use walking breaks on steep hills to manage intensity and protect your knees.
2. Surfing
What it works: Upper body, core, anaerobic conditioning, and balance Benefits: Surfing blends aerobic paddling with short bursts of anaerobic effort that feel similar to a HIIT routine.
“It’s a great anaerobic exercise that will help strengthen the trapezius, abdominals, and obliques, as well as the lats, triceps, biceps, and deltoids,”
Jimmy Minardi, C.P.T., founder of Minardi Training, says.
Water-based workouts can offer a powerful reset and stress relief in ways a gym can’t match. “I can tell you one thing after being a devout surfer for [many] years, the tranquil and buoyant qualities of being in the water lift your spirits up,” Minardi said.
Beginner tips: Work with a certified instructor and start on smaller waves. Always check tides, weather, and surf conditions and wear appropriate safety
gear, such as a leash and personal flotation device.
3. Hiking
What it works: Cardiovascular system, lower body, and aerobic endurance Benefits: Hiking intensity is highly customizable, making it an accessible outdoor workout.
“Hiking can be a great cardio workout as long as it’s intense enough to significantly raise your heart rate and respiratory rate,” Calder says.
Elevation gain, speed, and pack weight all influence intensity, allowing you to progressively increase the challenge as your fitness improves. Beyond fitness, hiking encourages mindfulness and sensory awareness in a natural environment. Spending time on the trail can also help reduce stress, support mental health, and improve sleep.
Beginner tips: Choose shorter trails with minimal elevation gain and use hiking poles if knee comfort is a concern. Wear supportive footwear, carry water, and plan your route so you finish before dark and avoid extreme heat.
Photo by Marcel Straub Summer is an ideal time to trade the treadmill for trails, parks, beaches and other outside paces. Outdoor fitness routines can help turn exercise into an enjoyable part of everyday life
health
at Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Wellness Center
Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Wellness Center, 106 Boardwalk in Long Beach, is open all summer to help you enjoy the season safely. Stop in for no-cost health screenings. (See a full list of hours and screenings below.)
To make safety a priority, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s experts have compiled these important summer safety tips:
1. Tick Bites, Bee Stings and Insect Bites: One of the best ways to avoid ticks, mosquitoes, bees, and other insects is to apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, skin-friendly picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus onto clothing and exposed parts of your body. Other steps include: Wear light, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes/sneakers when hiking or gardening to reduce exposed skin areas.
2. Sunburn: When the skin — the body’s largest organ — soaks up the sun, it helps produce vitamin D, which is vital to maintaining a healthy calcium balance, immunity, blood pressure, and insulin secretion. When skin is repeatedly exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, the risk can far outweigh the reward.
The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends you:
• Minimize sun exposure between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against both harmful UVA and UVB rays to every part of your body exposed to the sun
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days
• Wear clothing that covers the body and shades the face
• Schedule an annual skin cancer screening
3. Water and Pool Safety: Whether spending time in the pool, at the beach, or on a boat:
• Never leave a child unsupervised near or around any water source
• Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets during boating and fishing activities
• Keep a safe distance from boat propellers
• Learn CPR, especially if you and your family participate in water activities
Orthopedic Injuries: More than half of all sports and recreation-related injuries are preventable, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To reduce your risk of injury:
• Warm up first: perform gentle stretches before playing, practicing, or training
• Diversify training by alternating exercises like walking, jogging, biking, or weightlifting
• If you feel pain, soreness, or tightness, stop! Early
intervention is key to avoiding further injury
4. Dehydration: Symptoms of dehydration may include some or all of the following: lethargy, dizziness, deep or rapid breathing, muscle cramps, dry mouth and nose, and a drop in blood pressure. Prevent dehydration by drinking six to eight cups of water per day; avoid consumption of tea, coffee, soda, or alcohol on hot days or during recreational activities; and take a break from the sun and heat in a cool, shaded area
5. Picnic Food Preparation and Storage: Food that is not prepared and stored properly is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. For a safe picnic:
• Wrap uncooked chicken and meats in separate tightly sealed bags or containers and place them at the bottom of the cooler
• Store foods with mayonnaise in the cooler and be sure to serve them on platters that are chilled by ice-filled salad bowls
• Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot
• Freeze foods that are prepared more than one day in advance of the picnic
• Discard all leftovers
The Community Wellness Center, a service of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Department of Community Education, is offering daily health education and screening events throughout the summer and early fall. This includes:
Monday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — EKG screenings for student athletes, ages 13-25 (registration is required)
9 a.m.-2 p.m.— Narcan and Stop the Bleed training*
Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — How to take your blood pressure at home*
9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Healthy eating and teddy bear clinic for kids*
= 30- to 60-minute sessions provided within the timeframe
The Center also offers free blood pressure, colorectal, memory, body mass index, diabetes risk, and stroke risk screenings Monday-Friday, 9 am-2 pm. The Center does not provide medical care. For more information, call the Department of Community Education at (516) 377-5333 or follow us on Facebook.
Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education team is hosting daily health education and screening events throughout the summer at the CommunityWellness Center located at 106 Boardwalk on the Long Beach Boardwalk
Join Us at the Mount Sinai South Nassau Community Wellness Center for Daily Health Screenings and Community Education Events
106 East Boardwalk, Long Beach
(Between Long Beach Blvd. & Riverside Blvd. Enter via ramp at boardwalk level )
June 1- September 4, 2026
EKG Screenings for Students Ages 13-25 (pre-registration required) | 9 am - 2 pm
Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training* | 9 am - 2 pm
*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.
CPR/BLS Certification (pre-registration required) | 10 am - 12 pm
Blood Test (Diabetes, PSA, Cholesterol) | Call 516-377-5333 to schedule
Blood Pressure Cuff Loaner Program* | 9 am - 2 pm
*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.
*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.
Blood Test (Diabetes, PSA, Cholesterol) | Call 516-377-5333 to schedule
How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home* | 9 am - 2 pm
Healthy Eating & Teddy Bear Clinic for Kids* | 9 am - 2 pm
*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.
We also offer FREE Health Screenings (Monday - Friday, 9 am - 2 pm) including:
• Blood Pressure
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Colorectal Screening
• Diabetes Risk Assessment
• Memory Screening
• Stroke Risk Assessment
We are also offering COVID-19, Shingles, and Pneumonia Vaccines. For more information about the program, please call 516-377-5333
Programs subject to change. Please refer to our Facebook page @MountSinaiSouthNassau for weekly schedule.
This is not a patient care facility. In case of emergency, please call 911.
9, 2026
Be sun smart
Take precautions so that the sun is friend not foe
For many people, summer means long days spent outdoors relaxing at the beach, boating on the water, tending the garden, enjoying backyard barbecues or simply lounging by the pool. While sunshine can lift our spirits and encourage us to be active, too much exposure to the sun can have serious consequences for our health.
A moderate amount of sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is important for bone health and immune function. But excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage the skin and eyes, increase the risk of heat-related illness and significantly raise the likelihood of developing skin cancer.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting millions of Americans each year.
Fortunately, many cases are preventable with proper sun protection. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the golf course, a summer concert or simply spending time in your backyard, taking a few simple precautions can help you enjoy the season safely.
Have your fun but proceed with caution
Many folks take sunburn lightly, viewing it as an inevitable part of summer. But sunburn is much more than a temporary inconvenience.
Sunburn is actually a radiation burn caused by overexposure to UV rays. Depending on its severity, a sunburn can range from mild redness and tenderness to painful blistering and swelling. Severe sunburn may even require medical attention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that sunburn remains common among both adults and children. Yet every sunburn causes damage to skin cells.
Much of that damage cannot be seen immediately. Ultraviolet radiation penetrates the skin and can alter the DNA inside skin cells. Over time, this cumulative damage contributes to premature aging, wrinkles, age spots, loss of skin elasticity and an increased risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Because UV damage accumulates over a lifetime, practicing sun safety is important at every age.
Avoid the burn
Sunburn is one of the most preventable summertime health risks. It’s also important to remember that UV exposure occurs year-round not just on hot, sunny days. Up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate clouds,
As
and reflective surfaces such as water, sand, concrete and snow can intensify exposure.
We all know by now that artificial UV sources, including tanning beds and sun lamps, are also dangerous. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and dermatologists strongly discourage indoor tanning because it significantly increases skin cancer risk.
Seek shade
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit prolonged outdoor activity during these peak hours.
If you are outside, take frequent breaks in the shade beneath a tree, umbrella, canopy or other shelter. Planning outdoor exercise, yard work or recreational activities during the early morning or evening hours can also help reduce UV exposure and lower the risk of heat-related illness.
Cover up
Clothing provides one of the simplest and most effective forms of sun protection.
Choose lightweight, loose-fitting garments that cover as much skin as possible, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants when practical. Densely woven, tightly constructed fabrics generally offer better protection than loosely woven materials.
Many outdoor clothing manufacturers now offer apparel with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF, rating. UPF indicates how effectively fabric blocks UV radiation.
Clothing with a UPF rating of 30 to 50 or higher provides excellent protection. Darker colors and brighter fabrics typically absorb more UV rays than pale colors, while tightly woven materials outperform sheer or loosely
woven fabrics.
Complete your sun-protective wardrobe with a wide-brimmed hat that shades the face, ears and neck.
Wear sunscreen — and reapply it
Sunscreen is an essential part of any sun safety strategy, but it should not be your only line of defense.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Broad-spectrum products protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature aging and skin cancer. Both types of UV radiation can damage skin cells and increase cancer risk.
Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Most adults need approximately one ounce about enough to fill a shot glass to adequately cover the body.
Don’t overlook commonly missed areas, including:
• Ears
• Back of the neck
• Scalp or part line
• Tops of the feet
• Hands
• Lips
• Around the eyes
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often after swimming, sweating or towel-drying.
Forget the ‘base tan’
Many people believe that obtaining a “base tan” before summer will protect against future sunburn. Experts say this is a myth.
A tan is actually a sign that the skin has already been damaged by UV radiation. When exposed to sunlight, the skin produces additional melanin pigment in an attempt to shield itself from further injury.
There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Any tanning or burning represents skin damage that can accumulate over time and increase skin cancer risk.
The safest way to achieve a sunkissed appearance is to use sunless self-tanning products rather than UV exposure.
Protect your eyes
The sun can damage the eyes as well as the skin.
Long-term exposure to UV radiation has been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration and certain cancers of the eyelid and eye.
Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays whenever you are outdoors. Wraparound styles offer additional protection by limiting UV rays that enter from the sides.
Children require extra precautions
Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to sun damage because their skin is thinner and more sensitive.
Babies younger than six months should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Use shade, protective clothing and hats to shield infants from UV exposure.
For older infants and children, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, dress them in protective clothing and encourage regular hydration during outdoor play.
Teaching children healthy sun habits early can help reduce their lifetime risk of skin cancer.
Know when to seek medical care
Most sunburns can be treated at home with cool compresses, moisturizers, hydration and overthe-counter pain relievers. However, seek medical attention if sunburn is accompanied by:
• Extensive blistering
• Fever or chills
• Severe pain
• Confusion or dizziness
• Signs of dehydration
• Nausea or vomiting
Summer is meant to be enjoyed. By seeking shade, covering up, wearing sunscreen and practicing smart sun habits, you can safely soak up the season while protecting your health for years to come
great as the sun feels, it poses serious threats to your health and appearance. Have your time in the sun while sparing your skin from damage and overall harm to your body.
The Freedom To Hear and Stay Independent.
very Independence Day, we celebrate freedom.
_ Dr. Keith N. Darrow, Ph.D., CCC-A
Each Fourth of July, Americans gather to celebrate independence declared nearly 250 years ago, honoring freedom through family, parades, fireworks, and shared stories. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, independence is not only a historic idea but an ongoing responsibility to protect, renew, and pass forward.
Independence also applies to personal health. For many people, it means living confidently— managing daily life, participating in conversations, making decisions, and staying connected without relying on others to interpret the world.
But for millions with untreated hearing loss and tinnitus, that independence slowly erodes. It often begins with asking for repetition, increasing television volume, avoiding noisy environments, and withdrawing
from social situations that once felt effortless.
Over time, hearing loss affects not just hearing but participation in life. Spouses often become interpreters, conversations become shorter, and social events become more stressful. This shift can strain relationships and reduce quality of life for both people.
Medical treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus focuses on improving clarity, reducing listening effort, and restoring
access to sound. The goal is not only louder hearing, but better understanding and fuller participation in everyday life.
Untreated hearing loss is also linked in research to cognitive decline risk, making hearing health an important part of brain health and long-term independence.
Tinnitus can further reduce independence when people rely on masking sounds such as fans, apps, or sound machines to cope
with constant ringing. Effective treatment aims to reduce the brain’s reaction to tinnitus, not just cover it.
This Independence Day, take action if hearing loss or tinnitus is affecting your life.
Schedule a hearing evaluation with Hearing and Brain Centers of America by calling (516) 212- 0691 or request information by visiting HBCABookOffer.com
Learn more to understand treatment options that support communication, brain health, and lasting independence.
The Freedom To Hear and Stay Independent.
The Parker Jewish Institute Golf Outing is set for July 27
The Parker Jewish Institute will host its 2026 Peter Seideman Golf Classic at the Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success on Monday, July 27, 2026. This year’s Golf Classic begins registration and breakfast at 10 a.m., followed by shotgun start at 11:30 a.m., and cocktails and dinner at 4:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Parker Jewish Institute Foundation to enhance the network of programs and services for thousands of people who access Parker’s continuum of services each year.
This year’s honoree is Old Republic Commercial Risk, which the Parker Foundation is recognizing for its excellence in delivering tailored commercial insurance solutions, and for its unwavering commitment to Parker’s patients and residents.
Parker’s golf outing is one of two major annual fundraisers, including the Parker Gala. This year’s gala will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at The Village Club at Lake Success.
“We are grateful to our donors, sponsors, families and dedicated team
members, whose support is integral to the Parker community,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, President and CEO of The Parker Jewish Institute. “Through their generosity and commitment, Parker will continue advancing excellence in patient care, research and innovation while enhancing the lives of those we serve.”
To learn more about the 2026 Peter Seideman Golf Classic, and about sponsorship opportunities, call the Parker Jewish Institute Foundation at (718) 289-
About The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation
The Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation is headquartered in New Hyde Park. The facility is a leading provider of Short Term Rehabilitation and Long Term Care. At the forefront of innovation in patient-centered health care and technology, the Institute is a leader in teaching and geriatric research. Parker
Parker Jewish Institute • (718) 289-2212
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
Jewish Institute features its own medical team, and is nationally renowned as a skilled nursing facility, as well as a provider of community-based health care, encompassing Home Health Care, Medical House Calls, Palliative Care and Hospice. Parker Jewish Institute is also home to Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI) — providing patients with safe, comfortable Hemodialysis treatments in a relaxed setting — as well as PRINE Health — a Vascular Center offering advanced vascular services. The Center and QLIRI further Parker’s ability to expand access to essential health-care services to adults in the greater New York metropolitan area. For more information, please visit parkerinstitute.org or call (877) 727-5373.
Stronger bones start with healthy kidneys at Queens-Long Island Renal Institute
Healthy bones depend on healthy kidneys, and at Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI), protecting bone health is essential to comprehensive kidney care. The kidneys regulate calcium and phosphorus levels and activate vitamin D, maintaining bone strength. When kidney disease interferes with these processes, bones can weaken, increasing the risk of fractures.
The QLIRI team takes a proactive approach to preserving bone health. Through ongoing lab monitoring, individualized treatment plans and expert nutritional guidance, QLIRI helps patients maintain the delicate balance of minerals that supports strong bones.
For those on dialysis, maintaining optimal calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone levels can significantly help bones stay strong. QLIRI’s specialists collaborate closely with patients to fine-tune care plans and prevent complications.
Even small lifestyle steps — including
approved exercises, lower-phosphorus diets and prescribed medications — can strengthen bones and improve quality of life.
With advanced technology, a compassionate care team and a focus on education and prevention, QLIRI empowers patients to protect their bone and kidney health, helping them stay strong, active and independent.
About the Queens-Long Island Renal Institute
The Queens-Long Island Renal Institute (QLIRI) is a state-of-the-art dialysis center, conveniently located inside the first-floor lobby at Parker Jewish Institute in New Hyde Park, New York. QLIRI provides patients with the finest quality care, stateof-the-art technology, and uncompromised dignity, in a bright, ultra-modern and comfortable setting. Licensed by the New York State Department of Health, QLIRI is led by a compassionate and dedicated interdisciplinary team of experienced
Nephrologists and Dialysis Registered Nurses, a Renal Social worker and a Registered Dietitian. QLIRI also offers home dialysis, providing patients the flexibility to access needed care without ever leaving their homes, while also freeing up time to engage in their daily activities.
For more information, visit qliri.org or call (718) 289-2600.
Queens Long Island Renal Institute • 271-11 76th Ave., New Hyde Park • (718) 289-2600
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
Queens-Long Island Renal Institute is located at the Parker Jewish Institute.
Inspirational drawings from our youngest readers
Ashly R. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School
Keilani C. 5th G California Ave. School
Rubi 4th G California Ave. School
Jayden C. 2nd G California Ave. School
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Karol M. 4th G California Ave. School
Mila O. 4th G California Ave. School
Janelle H. 3rd G California Ave. School
Samantha P. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School
Mia H. 6th G West Babylon Junior High School
Mia A. 6th G West Babylon Junior High School
Jocelyn C. 5th G California Ave. School
AMERICA
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Between 1860 and 1942, agriculture remained a defining part of life on Long Island across Nassau and Suffolk counties. During the same period, transportation improvements and expanding connections to New York City began shaping economic changes that would influence Long Island’s future development.
According to the Long Island Farm Bureau, agriculture has been an important industry on Long Island since the earliest periods of Native American cultivation and European settlement.
Before European settlement, the 60,000-acre Hempstead Plains in Nassau — the largest natural prairie east of the Mississippi River — served Indigenous peoples as a vital landscape for hunting, gathering and managing natural resources. English colonists later used the expansive grasslands to graze livestock, establishing agriculture as one of the area’s earliest industries.
The organization reports that fertile soils, access to fresh water, and proximity to major markets helped make Long Island one of New York State’s most significant agricultural regions. The Farm Bureau notes that farmers produced a wide range of crops and agricultural products, including vegetables, potatoes, fruits, poultry, livestock and shellfish.
Historical records published by the Town of Brookhaven show that early residents were primarily engaged in farming, fishing and whaling. The town’s historical records further indicate that additional industries developed during the nineteenth century, but agriculture remained an important part of the local economy.
Transportation became an increasingly important factor in the region’s development. According to the Town of Brookhaven’s historical overview, the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road during the mid-19th century made travel and the movement of goods faster and easier. Historical records of Long Island transportation show that rail service reached the eastern end of
Farming fueled Long Island before suburbia
Angelina
Zingariello/Herald
While the landscape and industries of Long Island have changed over the years, the East End holds onto its farming roots. Every spring, the Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden in Manorville plants over a million tulips for the annual Tulip Festival.
the island in 1844, creating stronger links between rural communities and larger markets.
By the late 19th century, however, parts of Nassau County’s rural landscape were undergoing dramatic change as wealthy industrialists purchased North Shore farmland to build lavish country estates, creating the famed Gold Coast.
Even as the North Shore evolved, farming remained a dominant force across central Long Island. Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potato-producing regions.
Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potatoproducing regions.
Farming remained a dominant force across central Long Island. Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th centu-
ry, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potato-producing regions. Thousands of acres were planted with potatoes, supporting a thriving agricultural economy and supplying markets throughout the Northeast.
While much of eastern Suffolk County remained rural during this period, signs of long-term change were emerging. Historical information published by the Town of Brookhaven states that the 20th century witnessed the town’s expansion from an agrarian community into a more diversified economy.
The transition had not yet fully occurred between 1860 and 1942, but the transportation networks and market connections established during those years
helped shape the conditions under which later development would occur.
Manorville itself retained strong agricultural roots. Historical accounts of the hamlet describe it as a farming community for many years, reflecting the broader agricultural character that defined much of central and eastern Suffolk County during the late 19th and early 20 centuries.
That era began to fade after World War II. As returning veterans fueled an unprecedented demand for housing, farmland rapidly disappeared beneath subdivisions, highways and commercial development. The transformation was perhaps most evident in Levittown, where beginning in 1947 more than 4,000 acres of former potato fields were converted into what became the nation’s most iconic suburban development, symbolizing the shift from an agricultural landscape to the suburban Long Island recognized today.
AMERICA
ABy BRIAN KACHARABA, ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & LAYLA EASON
of the Herald
cross Long Island, history is not just preserved — it is built into the landmarks that still stand in its villages, harbors, downtowns, and shorelines, where centuries of American life are reflected in manor houses, churches, libraries, museums, crossroads, and memorials.
Together, these sites form a living timeline of the nation’s past, showing how Long Island evolved alongside the United States over more than 300 years.
One of the earliest stories begins in Bay Shore at Sagtikos Manor, one of Suffolk County’s oldest surviving structures. Built around 1697 by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, New York City’s first native-born mayor, the manor grew from a colonial estate into one of the region’s most enduring landmarks.
During the American Revolution, British forces occupied the property, placing it directly within the war’s contested landscape. In the early years of the republic, the manor is also associated with President George Washington, who stayed there for one night during his 1790 tour of Long Island, further linking the site to the nation’s founding era and its first presidential administration.
In Massapequa, Old Grace Church, established in 1844 on land donated by General Thomas Floyd-Jones, preserves nearly two centuries of community life and remains a lasting symbol of the area’s early settlement era. Nearby, the Elbert Floyd-Jones Servants Cottage,
1 2 3
Landmarks define Long Island’s history
built around 1870, survives as one of the few remnants of Massapequa’s grand estate period, offering a rare glimpse into daily life on Long Island’s 19th-century South Shore estates.
The Phillips House Museum in Rockville Centre, built in 1882 and once home to village founder James Phillips, reflects the community’s late-19th-century growth driven by commerce and transportation. Saved from demolition in the 1970s and restored during the Bicentennial era, it now stands as one of New York’s premier small historic museums.
Long Island’s rise to national prominence is reflected at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, built between 1884 and 1885 for Theodore Roosevelt. The Queen Annestyle home served as both his family residence and Summer White House, where policy and diplomacy shaped the Progressive Era. Today, it remains a National Historic Site and one of the country’s most significant presidential homes.
The growth of suburban Long Island is traced to Pearsall’s Corners, later Lynbrook, where a 19th-century crossroads centered on the Pearsall family store evolved into a stagecoach and railroad hub. With the arrival of the South Side Railroad, the community expanded rapidly and adopted the name Lynbrook in 1894, marking its transformation from rural hamlet to suburban village.
In Massapequa, the Delancey FloydJones Free Library, built in 1896, became the community’s first public library and remained its only one for more than 50 years. Now preserved within the Massapequa Historical Society Historic Complex, it reflects the rise
of civic institutions across Long Island.
On the South Shore, Long Beach reflects early 20th-century coastal planning. The home at 226 W. Penn Street, built in 1909 as part of William H. Reynolds’ resort vision, is one of the city’s earliest surviving structures. Now the Long Beach Historical Museum, it preserves the story of a barrier island community that grew from seasonal destination to year-round city.
The North Shore Historical Museum in Glen Cove occupies the former 1907 Justices Court Building, a State and National Register landmark that preserves the legacy of the Gold Coast era. In nearby Sea Cliff, the Village Museum—founded in 1979 and housed in a former Methodist church—continues that preservation effort through extensive archives of photographs, artifacts, and village records.
In Freeport, history spans multiple eras. A historic marker at Babylon Turnpike and Lakeview Avenue commemorates Washington’s passage through Long Island during his 1790 tour, linking the village to the nation’s earliest years. Nearby, the World War II memorial honors local service members who fought in the nation’s defining 20thcentury conflict, while the Vietnam War memorial stone at the Freeport Memorial Library stands as a tribute to those who gave their lives in service.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, these landmarks underscore a simple truth: history is not confined to textbooks. It continues to live in the buildings, streets, and communities that shaped Long Island — and helped
shape the nation itself.
Photo 1 - Sagtikos Manor in Bay Shore, built around 1697, stands as one of Suffolk County’s oldest surviving homes and a rare link to Long Island’s colonial, Revolutionary War, and early presidential history.
Brian Kacharaba/Herald
Photo 2 - The World War II memorial plaque in Freeport honors residents who served and sacrificed during the conflict.
Layla Eason/Herald
Photo 3 - Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, the longtime home of President Theodore Roosevelt, reflects Long Island’s role in American leadership history and served as his residence and “Summer White House” during his presidency.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Photo 4 - A historic marker at Babylon Turnpike and Lakeview Avenue in Freeport commemorates President George Washington’s passage through the area during his 1790 tour of Long Island.
Layla Eason/Herald
Photo 5 - The Old Grace Church in Massapequa traces its roots to 1844, where community members gathered to establish an Episcopal church closer to home rather than traveling to Hempstead for worship.
Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald
Photo 6 - Built in 1882, the Victorian home now housing the Phillips House Museum was once owned by sea captain and village founder James Phillips, whose family played a key role in the early development of Rockville Centre as a growing center of commerce and banking.
Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald
By Leah Ramai (Hunter) Sewanhaka High School freshman
AReader, three centuries is a long time.
ridiculous amount of possibilities could generally happen. Robots mating and artificial intelligence becoming the structure of everything.
America at 300. It’s long enough for your name to become dust. Long enough for every person you have ever loved to disappear. Long enough for your bedroom to become a room nobody remembers belonged to you. Long enough for the sound of your laughter to vanish from the earth entirely.
And perhaps, before you continue reading, I ask something of you. Look at your mother. Look at the shine in her eyes. The bliss, the warmth in her hugs. Look at your father. His tired eyes of making income and he doesn’t get a minute to himself. Not as parents. Not as permanent figures suspended safely in the background of your life. Look at them as people. As living things, imagine the lines of their faces softened by time until even memory struggles to hold them together. Imagine the sound of their voices becoming some-
AMERICA America at its 300th anniversary
thing distant. Imagine reaching for a memory and discovering it has begun to fade. That it simply doesn’t exist anymore. Where do these memories go? Certainly not in the future. Horrifying, isn’t it? Yet this is not fantasy. This is not horror fiction. This is reality moving exactly as it always has, because time does not wait for anyone whatsoever.
When people speak of America 300 years from now, they speak of progress. They speak of technology, discovery, innovation, and futures polished bright enough to distract themselves from the darkness beneath them. The good and positives. Yet I find myself haunted by something far quieter. Far more patient. The casualties time leaves behind.
How many voices will history never bother to remember? How many political figures will be jacks of spades in newspapers and magazines. How many poets will spend entire lifetimes filling notebooks only for their words to disappear without ceremony?
How many artists will devote themselves to beauty only for time to consume their work without even acknowledging it existed? Somewhere tonight, a child is creating something absolutely extraordinary. Somewhere, a story capable of changing a life is being written for the very first time. And somewhere else, another story dies before it is ever born. Reader that should terrify you. Not because it is unlikely. Because it is ordinary for dreams to never be pursued.
That is what makes humanity sacred. Not permanence. Not survival. Not the illusion that anything was
ever promised forever. If life stretched endlessly before us, love would become weightless. If grief did not exist, devotion would mean nothing. If death never arrived, neither would urgency, nor wonder, nor the desperate and beautiful need to create something before time steals the opportunity away.
It isn’t the fear of leaving, but leaving behind something utterly unfathomable, Humanity. Edgar Allan Poe understood this. Mary Shelley understood this. Beneath every graveyard, every ghost, every monster stitched together from pieces of the dead, there lingers the same unbearable realization. Existence is precious because it ends.
America, 300 years from now, will not be measured by what it builds. It will be measured by what it remembers. By whether someone still believes stories matter. By whether a child still stays awake long after midnight scribbling poems in a notebook because their heart feels too large for silence, deeply madly in love. Love, will you still feel the same flutter in your heart.
It’s chronically insane, isn’t it reader? To have to ask if a feeling would still sit in your anatomy because of how the world can change. By whether humanity still possesses the courage to create despite knowing everything eventually disappears. Knowing you have a purpose, but genuinely? It will end one day. Because the greatest horror has never been death. It has always been reaching the end of a life without leaving behind proof that you were here at all.
Look into the future
Photo: Credit: Courtesy Sewanhaka High School
LeaH Ramai (HunteR)
YBy JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
It is nearly impossible to discuss American literary history without mentioning Walt Whitman. Often called “America’s poet,” Whitman left a lasting mark as a writer, journalist and teacher, with a legacy deeply woven into both the nation’s history and Long Island’s own.
Born in what is now Huntington Station in 1819, Whitman came from a family whose Long Island roots stretched back to the 17th century. Though the family moved to Brooklyn when he was young, the island remained part of his foundation. His formal schooling ended at 11, but his education continued in print shops, newsrooms and city streets, where he developed a lifelong appetite for language, politics and the lives of ordinary people.
ou cannot really understand America... without ‘Leaves of Grass.’
MARY BERENsON
Art historian
As a teenager and young adult, Whitman worked as a printer, teacher and journalist across Long Island and New York City. When he returned to Huntington, he founded The Long-Islander, a local newspaper that is still being published.
His formative years placed Whitman in close contact with people from every corner of American life: laborers, commuters, families, readers, voters and strangers passing through the world around him. That broad human canvas helped shape the ideals that came to define his poetry — a sweeping appreciation for everyday Americans.
Whitman carried those influences into “Leaves of Grass,” the collection he first published in 1855 and continued revising until his death in 1892. What began as a slim, unconventional volume grew into a sweeping body of work that challenged literary traditions and helped redefine what American poetry could sound like.
Much of Whitman’s work opens a window onto everyday American life, but “Song of Myself” may be his most expansive expression of that vision. In it, the speaker stretches beyond the individual, seeing himself reflected in all people and all things — a voice that is deeply personal and collective.
The poem stands apart for its bold embrace of the body, its deep connection to the natural world and its insistence on elevating the ordinary individual.
“Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,”
AMERICA Long Island’s own Walt Whitman helped give America its voice
Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Gottscho-Schleisner Collection [LC-USZC2-4855]
Walt Whitman, one of America’s most renowned poets, taught at a summer school in Woodbury in 1840. The school building, erected in 1807, was acquired by Alexander M. White around 1927, who moved it to his estate in Oyster Bay Cove. The desk from the schoolhouse once used by Whitman is now at his birthplace, a historic site, in Huntington Station.
Whitman writes — a line that captures the layered, generational nature of belonging. It suggests how roots are formed not only through family, but through the places people claim as home. For Whitman, one of those places was Long Island.
Today, the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association maintains the New York state historic site Whitman was born in. Open to the public for tours, the home provides Long Islanders with insight into his early childhood, which influenced his work. Tours run daily in the summertime, and between Wednesdays and Sundays after Labor Day.
On the grounds of his original home is also an Interpretive Center, which opened in 1997, further allowing the birthplace association to build a tourist destination and regional hub for arts and literature, that offers unique, interdisciplinary programs.
“You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without ‘Leaves of Grass’…” art historian Mary Berenson once wrote of the work, according to Whitman’s profile on Goodreads, a networking site for readers. “He has expressed that civilization, ‘up to date,’ as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him.”
Program Director The New Terminal One MEREDITH VANDEGRIFT, MD, FACS Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Vandegrift Plastic Surgery KRISTIN THORNE Emmy-Award Winning Investigative Reporter
THERESA PORCARO Vice President, Growth & Marketing Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine
News briefs
Birthright Israel raises $2 million
Birthright Israel foundation was able to raise a record-breaking $2 million in honor of community leader Jonathon “Jon” Held.
Around 300 community members gathered at the Glen Oaks Club for the Birthright Israel Foundation Long Island Gala to recognize and honor Held, who is one of the founding supporters of Birthright Israel on Long Island as well as being a respected business and community leader.
“For more than 20 years, Jon has been a cornerstone of that work on Long Island, inspiring others to invest alongside him” wrote President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation, Elias
Saratovsky.
The record-breaking event was cochaired by Steven Cooper and Scott Jaffee and had over $2 million raised with nearly half of it being raised in one night alone.
The gala itself was planned by Rachel Podell, Birthright Israel Foundation Long Island Cabinet Chair, and Amy Jaffee, Past Cabinet Chair.
Michelle Rojas-Tal, a leader in the global Israeli and Jewish community and a Birthright Israel alumna, was featured as speaker where she highlighted the impact of the program on young Jewish adults around the world.
— Jack Levey
Annual Larwence Student Art Show
Community members have come together to celebrate the artistic achievements of the local publicschool students at the Lawrence Student Art Show.
Students of all grade levels from around the Lawrence Public School District have had their own art pieces shown at the recent Lawrence Student Art Show. The exhibit showcased a wide range of artistic expressions reflecting the unique and diverse imaginations of the various students.
The principal of Lawrence High school, Ryan Armstrong, highlighted the display’s showcase of the student body’s confidence, perseverance, and personal growth.
— Jack Levey
HWPL appoints new trustee member
The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library Board of Trustees appointed Theodore Simmons as their newest member. He is due to start his term this July.
Simmons and his family have been Hewlett residents since 2020 and are active attendants of the HWPL’s community events. His professional experience includes past work with Nike Communications and currently being employed as an Adjunct Professor at Yeshiva University where he teaches business communications.
Simmons has also had a prolific journalistic history, having been featured in premiere publications such as “Wine Enthusiast,” “The Spirits Business,” “The Hollywood Reporter,” “Billboard,” and “InsideHook.”
Simmons holds a master’s degree from New York University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.
— Jack Levey
NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!
Courtesy Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library Board
Theodore Simmons joins as the newest member of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library Board of Trustees.
Courtesy Birthright Israel Foundation
Johnathon Held was honored at the Birthright Gala.
Courtesy Lawrence school district Artwork at the Lawrence Student Art Show.
STEPPING OUT
Photos courtesy LICM
Young artists created colorful works during last summer’s ArtVentures. This year, the program is expanded into four categories and families can enjoy similar creative experiences.
Bright colors and creative techniques come together in the watercolor project, one of the hands-on activities Kids can experiment how colors react to elements, and other colors.
More than art
Cool off with an ‘Artventure’
By Stacy Driks
Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to put down the screens this summer, pick up a paintbrush and discover the many ways to create art.
With the launch of Summer ArtVentures [July 7], the museum expands its arts programming into a season-long celebration of imagination, hands-on learning and creative exploration four days a week.
Whether it’s experimenting with watercolor, building collages, sculpting with clay or creating artwork inspired by professionals, every visit offers something new.
The lineup grew from a pilot series the museum introduced last summer. After seeing children return week after week and hearing families ask for more opportunities to create, museum educators decided it was time to think bigger.
“We had such a positive reaction, people were asking if we could do them on other days and if we could offer more arts programming,” says Jeanmarie Walsh Mansfield, the museum’s director of visual arts and community initiatives. ”We found families kept coming back, and kids were building on what they learned from one week to the next.”
That enthusiasm inspired a full calendar of art experiences running throughout July and August, with activities designed to appeal to toddlers, schoolage children, teens and even adults.
Unlike traditional art classes, participants aren’t divided by age. Instead, everyone creates together in the same space, allowing each person to work at a level that’s comfortable while learning from one another.
“It’s sort of like an old-school classroom,” Mansfield says. “Kids of all ages learn with and from each other.”
Each Tuesday, the museum hosts Imagine That! Summer ArtVentures Workshops, where participants explore a different artistic medium or technique. One week may focus on collage, while another introduces mosaics, sculpture or animation. Before children begin creating, participants are introduced to artists whose work connects to that week’s project.
Some come from centuries ago, like Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, whose portraits famously transformed fruits, vegetables and other everyday objects into imaginative faces. Others are contemporary artists such as Octavio Ocampo, whose optical illusion paintings encourage viewers to look beyond first impressions.
Fireworks with the South Shore Symphony
“I want kids to learn that art can be much more than they think art is,” Mansfield says. “Art can be everywhere and made from anything. All you need is your creativity, your imagination and a willingness to experiment.”
Fridays offer Watercolor Wonder Pop-Ups, rotating through different galleries with new watercolor techniques and themes each week. One session explores the effects of salt on watercolor paint, while another teaches children how oil pastels and watercolor interact to create surprising results. Other activities draw inspiration from nature, encouraging families to experiment with flowers, color and texture.
What program is best for you?
• Tuesday: Imagine That ArtVentures workshops run from July 7 to Aug. 25, 1-3 p.m. Fee: $4 for children three and up.
• Friday: Watercolor Pop-Up run from July 10 to Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free with museum admission.
• Saturday: Amethyst Playground Pop-Up runs from July 11 to Aug. 1, noon-2 p.m. Free with museum admission.
• Monday: Squish Studio runs from July 27 to July 31, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Free with museum admission.
Still craving more fireworks? Rockville Centre’s annual celebration is just the ticket! Head to Pette and Barasch Fields for a festive evening with the South Shore Symphony, capped off by a spectacular Grucci fireworks display. It’s a beloved summertime tradition that brings together everyone for a rousing spectacle. Music Director Adam Glaser passes the baton to conductor Eileen Murphy who leads the orchestra in a program of Broadway hits, movie themes, pop hits, and patriotic standards. Selections include American Salute by Morton Gould, Suite from Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, RimskyKorsakov’s Procession of Nobles, Sousa’s Washington Post March and John William’s Raiders March. The orchestra begins performing at 7:30 p.m., the fireworks begin at 9:15 and the orchestra continues after. Hosted by the Village of Rockville Centre and the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, this free event has been a favorite for more than 30 years. Admission is free and is open to everyone. Rain date is July 12.
Hope shows her art project inspired by Kelly Olshan’s “Amethyst Playground” exhibit.
On Saturdays, Amethyst Playground Pop-Up connects directly to the current Artists’ Corner exhibition by Kelly Olshan. Families transform leftover materials from the artist’s creative process into colorful magnets, demonstrating how everyday objects can become works of art.
For children who love getting their hands dirty, Squish Studio, running July 27 through 31, offers an entire week devoted to clay. Young artists can experiment with different tools, create personal sculptures and contribute to a collaborative creature that grows throughout the week.
Clay holds a special place for Mansfield.
“I’ve been wanting to do clay-based workshops for a long time,” she says. “Kids really respond to it. It’s intuitive, it’s hands-on, and it helps develop fine motor skills while encouraging creativity.”
But the aim is for visitors leave with more than artwork to hang on the refrigerator.
Creating art helps children build confidence, develop criticalthinking skills and become more comfortable taking creative risks, Mansfield explains. Working alongside others also teaches collaboration, communication and problem-solving.
“Art making reduces anxiety,” she says. “It can be meditative. We know screens can increase anxiety, but when children are creating with their hands, they’re engaged, they’re present and they’re learning.”
Perhaps most importantly, art teaches children that mistakes aren’t something to fear.
“You fail sometimes,” Mansfield says. “You make something and it doesn’t come out the way you wanted. That’s an important life skill — mistakes are learning opportunities and that you can pivot and try something different.”
And the experience sparks curiosity. Rather than providing step-by-step instructions with one “correct” outcome, educators encourage children to ask questions, explore materials and decide for themselves what they want to create.
“There’s no wrong way to make art,” Mansfield says. “I want kids to push their boundaries and realize they’re artists.”
And this is only the beginning.
Museum leadership plans to further expand programming beyond the summer, with additional workshops during school breaks and perhaps a future art festival that celebrates creativity throughout the museum.
Until then, paint, sculpt, squish and create all summer — one colorful adventure at a time. For schedules, admission and registration information, visit licm.org.
Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m. Pette and Barasch Fields, 244 S. Park Ave, Rockville Centre. For more information, visit.rvcny.us.
The Bronx Wanderers
What do you get when a father, his two sons, and two high school classmates come together to create a show? A wildly entertaining mix of hilarious personal stories, a powerhouse playlist spanning every genre and decade, and one unforgettable family’s journey through life and music. Meet The Bronx Wanderers — a high-energy musical experience that’s been bringing audiences to their feet for over 20 years. With a unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia, modern hits, and dynamic storytelling, this band has mastered the art of connecting with fans of all ages in one sweeping, musical tour de force. They’re still having the time of their lives — and by the end of the show, you will be too.
Sunday, July 12,7:30 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
Courtyard Concert: Sheri Miller
The HewlettWoodmere Public Library celebrates 250 Years of independence and freedom in the United States: From Pete Seeger to the Beatles. Sheri Miller offers uplifting, all-ages music concert on guitar with “This Land Is Your Land” by Pete Seeger, as well as popular classic favorites from The Beatles to Judy Garland. You’ll be singing and clapping along.
• Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett
• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: hwpl.org or (516) 374-1967
Lights, camera, Long Island!
The Long Island International Film Expo continues, bringing independent cinema from around the globe to local audiences. The diverse lineup includes documentaries, feature films, shorts, horror films, music videos and late-night screenings for mature audiences, along with workshops and more. Notable selections include “The Random Guest,” the final film featuring actor Peter Greene.
• Where: Bellmore Movies & Showplace, 222 Pettit Ave.,Bellmore
• Time: Varied, through July 16
• Contact: For a complete schedule and tickets, visit LIIFE2026.eventive.org
jul
10
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to country-western. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Wild Child
jul 13
Gardening: A lesson in life
Learn to cultivate, seed, plant and tend a vegetable garden on the beautiful grounds of Rock Hall Museum Share healthy eating habits while practicing “farm to table.” Get dirty and then enjoy the fruits of labor. Tools provided. Bring gloves and a water bottle. All ages are welcome.
• Where: 199 Broadway, Lawrence
• Time: 10-11 a.m.
• Contact: (516) 239-1157
Cedarhurst Board of Trustees meet
The Village Board of Trustees holds their next meeting. All are welcome to hear monthly updates, express issues/ grievances and learn about what is going on in your village.
• Where: 200 Cedarhurst Ave., Cedarhurst
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 295-5770
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
This is not a typical tribute or pretend concert act. Wild Child relies on recapturing the original: sound, feel, mood, dynamics and delivery of the Doors music. In true Doors fashion there are no: wigs, props, costumes, or phony banter between songs. It’s about the music and its delivery. Wild Child lead singer Dave Brock’s Doors tribute debuted with a triple sellout at the Whisky a-Go-Go. Since the band debuted, the act has been touring and playing at sold out national act venues and festivals around the world. Wild Child became the mold that “tribute bands” aspired to become, as they flooded the market in the 1990s with good and bad impersonations of famous artists. In 2010 Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, invited Dave to tour with them as their vocalist on their concert engagements. This was perhaps the best compliment Dave has ever received from anyone for his work. Being selected by these two Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame musicians was a huge honor; the ultimate compliment of his talents and speaks volumes for his credibility as a Doors style frontman and vocalist. Fans and critics alike praise Wild Child performances as the closest thing to a real 1960s Doors concert and live Doors experience.
Santa Marina Feast
Santa Marina Society of Inwood welcomes all to the annual Santa Marina Feast. The annual feast and mass are held to commemorate their ancestor’s immigration from Filandari, a small town in the Calabria region of Italy to Inwood. Their devotion to Santa Marina is what makes this feast special. There will be Italian food, games, rides and music each night.
• Where: 68 Wanser Ave., Inwood
• Time: 7 p.m., also July 11
• Contact: (516) 239-0953
jul
11
Family theater
Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm... must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come
ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 15
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
jul
12
2026 Summer Sing
Calling all singers! From experienced choral veterans to shower singers with a taste for the classics, all are welcome at Long Island Choral Society’s sing-in happening. The repertoire includes Faure Requiem and assorted choral works to honor America. Summer Sing is an opportunity for people who love to sing, love choral music or both to get together with like-minded individuals and sing some great musical compositions. It’s not a performance. There aren’t any rehearsals. There’s no audience. We just sing for our own enjoyment. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the notes. The point is not perfection, it
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
is to have fun. Bring your own musical score or borrow one. $10 donation.
• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: LICS.org
The World Goes Round: Songs of Kander & Ebb
Filled with humor, romance, drama and nonstop melody, Plaza Theatrical stages a thrilling celebration of life and the fighting spirit that keeps us all going. Five individuals find themselves careening through the world of love, babies and coffee. From Cabaret to Chicago, the nonstop hit parade features unforgettable gems, including “Mr. Cellophane,” “Maybe This Time,” “Cabaret” and “New York, New York,” seamlessly woven into a passionate, harmonious, up-tempo performance of musical theater.
• Where: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Contact: PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870
Antique Roadshow
Peninsula Public Library hosts Certified appraiser Les Wolff. He discusses how to properly collect, invest, protect, and preserve memorabilia. Each attendee can bring one item for Les to evaluate and appraise after his lecture. Registration is required. Spots are limited.
• Where: 280 Central Ave., Lawrence
• Time: 10:15 a.m.-2:15 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.
Construction brings reduced fees at Lido Golf Club
By WESLEY SCHNELL of the Herald
Major renovations and improvements are coming to Lido Golf Club resulting in a decrease in greens fees, according to Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti.
Lido Golf Club is “one of the crown jewels of the Town of Hempstead” according to Ferretti, which is why the Hempstead Town Board will be implementing major upgrades to the course.
In 1942, The United States Navy acquired the property during World War II to construct a naval base. After the war in 1953, the course re-opened and was designed by golf course architect Robert Trent. With waterfront views, challenging layout and distinctive seaside character, the course has been a staple of the Town of Hempstead for many years.
Ferretti and other Town Board members, including Town Clerk Kate Murray and Commissioner of Parks and Recreation William Hawkins, spoke at Lido Golf Club on Thursday to announce the upcoming renovations and an associated discount on greens fees.
The first phase of the project will affect nine different holes throughout the course to improve playability, turf health and overall course conditions. “Temporary greens will be in effect on two of the nine holes, and shared greens will be in effect on the other seven,” Ferretti said. This allows for continuous play with no inter-
ruptions while the upgrades are completed.
“These improvements demonstrate our commitment to preserving and enhancing this remarkable course while keeping it affordable and accessible to the public,” Ferretti said.
Due to the potential disruption, greens fees will be reduced by 50 percent to encourage golfers to play the course during renovations. “We believe that when
the course benefits, golfers should benefit as well,” said Ferretti.
The improvements will include an increase in the number of groundskeepers dedicated to maintaining the course. Pest control will be expanded to better protect the health of the grounds and there will be major irrigation system improvements to promote healthier greens and fairways.
“This is about preserving a beloved public asset and supporting recreation for
Course fees were cut by 50 percent to accommodate inconveniences during the renovations.
years to come,” Ferretti said. “Our goal is simple: provide the best possible golf experience while keeping Lido Golf Course affordable, accessible and enjoyable.
Wesley Schnell / Herald photos Town Supervisor John Ferretti, center, presented a news conference with Town Clerk Kate Murray, left, and William Hawkins, the commissioner of parks and recreation.
July 9, 2026
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
INC. VILLAGE OF CEDARHURST
LEGAL NOTICE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
THAT the Planning Board of the Village of Cedarhurst will hold a public hearing on 07/15/2026 at 8:00 PM in the Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY for the following: Petition of Pearsall Rock LLC
You are hereby notified that: Pearsall Rock LLC doing business at 219 Rockaway Tpke. Lawrence, NY 11559 has made an application to the Village of Cedarhurst Planning Board for a hearing to consider a subdivision to permit condominium ownership of the apartment units at 312-318, 350-362 Pearsall Avenue, 210, 218-220 Rockaway Tpke. Cedarhurst, New York 11516
Sec/Blk/Lots 39/424/ 12,14,21,22,23,36,50,1
34,234,413,711 & 712
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard at said hearing.
Dated: July 1, 2026 Cedarhurst, NY Benjamin Weinstock Mayor Jacob Plaut Village Clerk-Treasurer By Order of the Planning Board 161017
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter:
Agency: Board of Appeals
Village of Woodsburgh
Date:July 15, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place:Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York
Subject: Application of Chagai Freund, 835 Channel Road, Woodsburgh, New York, to construct a one-story addition under an existing second floor, a onestory front extension and two one-story extensions to the existing den, which requires variances of the following Village Code sections: (a) §150-11, (i) to permit
the addition on the east side yard to be setback of 14.7 feet, where the minimum required is 20 feet, (ii) to permit a deck to be 16 feet from the side yard, where the minimum required is 20 feet; (b) §150-13.2, to permit a side height/setback ratio of 1.12, where the maximum is 1.050; (c) §150-50.2 to maintain two air conditioning units on the west side property line, where the minimum setback is 15 feet. Premises are also known as Section 41, Block 70, Lot 441 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map.
At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters.
This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation.
All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.
Dated: June 29, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 161117
LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF LAWRENCE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that there will be an Organizational Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence, at Lawrence Village Hall, 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559, on the 16th day of July, 2026, at 8:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on all meeting matters at the place and time aforesaid. If anyone needs special
accommodations for a disability, such person should contact the Village Clerk at least 5 days before the meeting.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to the requirements of the Open Meetings Law of the State of New York, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lawrence will convene in public meeting at the place and time aforesaid for the purpose of conducting an organizational meeting where general business will be conducted.
Dated: July 2, 2026
By Order of the Board of Trustees, Village of Lawrence, NY, Gerry Castro, Village Administrator 161118
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 07/22/2026 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.
376/26. - 378/26. WOODMEREEmmanuel Bonochov, Variances, lot area occupied, side yard, maintain raised concrete patio & a/c unit both attached to dwelling; Special exception to maintain accessory structure (gazebo with counter), higher than permitted & with lot area occupied variance; Special exception to maintain 2nd accessory structure (shed) with lot area occupied variance., W/s Church Ave., 140’ N/o Poe St., a/k/a 579 Church Ave.
388/26. EAST ATLANTIC BEACHBrendan Healy, Variances, lot area occupied, front yard average setback, side yard, side yards
aggregate, construct 1st floor decks, 2nd floor deck, & rooftop deck, all attached to dwelling., W/s Rochester Ave., 170’ S/o Beech Blvd., a/k/a 41 Rochester Ave. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M.
390/26. WOODMERETerrel & Elizabeth Ross, Use variance to construct accessory structure (shed) higher & larger than permitted, exceeding horizontal maximum on 2 sides & not permitted in the side yard., W/s Wyckoff Pl., 150’ N/o Broadway, a/k/a 15 Wyckoff Pl. S.E.Q.R. determination not made.
397/26. WOODMEREBeth & Asaf Rabinovitz, Variances, lot area occupied, side yard, rear yard, construct 2-story & 2nd story additions all attached to dwelling., S/s Hazel Pl., 261.61’ E/o Westwood Dr., a/k/a 1023 Hazel Pl.
1186/26. WOODMEREWG Woodmere LLC, LH Barick LLC & SG Barick LLC, Variances, height, exceeds number of stories, construct 4-story age restricted condominiums (155 units), install 10’ high living fence on 5’ high berm which is a greater distance frontward to the street than all street side building lines & install 6’ high decorative fence on 5’ high berm which is a greater distance frontward to the street than all street side building lines., S/W cor. Meadow Dr. & Broadway, f/k/a 99 Meadow Dr.
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
This notice is only for new cases in Woodmere & East Atlantic Beach within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is
LHS hosts Tri-M Honor Society inductions
Lawrence High School celebrated the induction of its newest members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter 1787 during a special ceremony and honors recital where they recognized the 2026-2027 inductees.
The ceremony began with a speech from Interim Principal Kathleen Stanley, who commended the students for their musical excellence and dedication to the arts.
Tri-M advisor Andrew Khrahm then introduced the president of the chapter, Arbi Corbita, who then helped lead the ceremony as they inducted the different candidates. The ceremony transitioned into an honors recital which showcased
https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it 161098
LEGAL NOTICE Request for Bids
A nonprofit facility in Richmond County is seeking bids for installation of security related enhancements. Project include: Shatter resistant glass, Impact resistant doors, exterior lighting, bollards, surveillance equipment and systems, fencing,
alarm/access controls, cybersecurity, backup power, guards, M&A and communications. Selection will be based on prior experience, references, cost and criteria. Specifications can be obtained via bids@yaazoru.org, referencing “RFPCCSI”. Bids will be accepted until 7/23/2026. 161085
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Nassau The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders, CWALT, Inc., Alternative Loan Trust 2007-12T1 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series
the talents of the school’s many musicians. The recital featured a diverse selection of classic and contemporary works.
The event concluded with remarks from District Music Coordinator Pam Gallopino, who in her speech congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue pursuing the arts and academics.
Lawrence High School’s Chapter 1787 continues to foster the skills of student musicians who go on to be positive influences within both their school and surrounding community.
2007-12T1, Plaintiff AGAINST Sarwar H. Riaz, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 4, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 721 Park Lane, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 39, BLOCK: 292, LOT: 116. Approximate amount of judgment is
$947,543.00 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 000334/2016. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Francesco Tini, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON
— Jack Levey
Courtesy Lawrence High School
Arbi Corbita, vocalist, right with Shelly Goldman, Piano accompanist.
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.
Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour
Night Availability is a Must.
Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Operations/ Office Coordinator Full-Time. Cedarhurst. $25–$30/hour. Seeking person with strong communication, organizational, computer skills. Resume: info@purebitessnacks.com
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Contemporary Coastal Living
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WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
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What to do about cracking concrete
Q. We have large cracks in our concrete driveway and garage floor, and want to make sure they are repaired correctly, since they appear to be recently done, possibly within a year before we purchased the house. In particular, there is a nearly round hole that turned to gravel, kind of, and we want to know why it happened and avoid having it happen again. What can you tell us?
A. Concrete reacts to extreme weather changes. That is a given to designers of concrete structures, even though most people think concrete is the “immovable object.”
Nature moves mountains, so your driveway was no challenge for the forces of nature.
Extreme cold causes concrete to contract, push in on itself, while the heat has the effect of stretching this fairly rigid material to its limits. In the heat of summer, as you may have heard, the beautifully engineered Autobahn in Germany just buckled in various places. I’ve seen cars going nearly 200 miles per hour on that roadway, but with a buckled road, sections were shut down.
The key to any material selection is understanding its reaction to two major factors in nature, namely, water and movement. Throw in other factors, like chemical reaction and deterioration rates, and you realize that concrete is vulnerable. You have to work with its basic properties to have it adapt and cooperate with your intended use.
All that being said, the hole is basically like a zit, a buildup of pressure in a weaker place across the surface. Concrete develops strength as a chemical reaction to the specific combination of materials it is made from. With too much water in the mix, it will be weaker, especially in a particular spot. If it has no way to expand over a large area, as a thin sheet, only 4 to 6 inches thick over 10 to 20 feet, its strength is reduced because of a strengthto-distance ratio. So, to relieve the intensity of the expansion or contraction, separations, or “joints,” are made so the slabs can spread the forces of shrinking or expanding, a little.
Concrete is known to be very strong in compression, meaning you can press it together, to an extreme, before it crushes. On the other hand, it has very little ability to resist being stretched or pulled apart. To counteract the problem, steel, which is very elastic (stretchable) is spaced within formed concrete to increase the resistance to cracking apart. The combination of steel, in the right ratio and strength, and expansion joints, to let the concrete separate without unsightly cracks, makes the concrete more stable. Even just a depressed joint, not through and through, helps, by basically letting the concrete crack in a controlled way, where the crack runs in a straight depression instead of looking like a big rip.
I recommend having a professional make the repairs, with caution. You want an experienced company that works from a calculated solution, not just a quick fix. More next week. Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
Stuff HERALD
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Even liberals are being attacked for supporting Israel
Most Long Islanders believe antisemitism is somebody else’s problem. We watch what’s happening in New York City and tell ourselves it can’t happen here.
We watch Democratic Socialists take control of the conversation. We watch politicians refuse to condemn chants like “Globalize the intifada!” We see Jewish students harassed on college campuses.
We watch antiIsrael mobs shut down streets, disrupt public events and intimidate anyone who dares support the Jewish state. We watch elected officials excuse it, justify it or pretend not to see it.
And we tell ourselves, that’s Manhattan. That’s Brooklyn. That’s somebody else’s problem. It isn’t.
And if you’re not Jewish, you may be tempted to think this has nothing to do with you. It does.
Because history teaches us the same lesson over and over again: It always starts with the Jews, but it never ends with the Jews. As the son of a Holocaust survivor and as a Long Islander of Italian descent,
I understand that lesson all too well.
A couple of weeks ago, New Yorkers witnessed another warning sign. A liberal Jewish Democratic congressman walked into a coffee shop in Brooklyn with his 7-year-old daughter. Not a Republican. Not a conservative. Not someone from the political right. It was Rep. Dan Goldman, one of the most liberal members of Congress.
LThe coffee shop publicly posted surveillance photos of Goldman online, labeled him a “genocide enabler,” refunded his money and told him he was no longer welcome. Days later, his congressional office was vandalized with antiIsrael graffiti.
al members of Congress. Yet he was publicly humiliated, ostracized and targeted anyway.
And he’s not alone. The political left keeps moving further and further left. Yesterday’s progressives become today’s moderates. Today’s moderates become tomorrow’s enemies.
iberal U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman was targeted for being a ‘genocide enabler.’
Think about that. Goldman didn’t become a Republican. He didn’t move to the right. He didn’t abandon progressive causes. Yet even someone as liberal as Goldman wasn’t liberal enough. That’s the point.
For years, many Jewish Democrats persuaded themselves that their politics would protect them. They believed that because they supported progressive causes, those same movements would stand with them.
They were wrong. Goldman isn’t a conservative who wandered into the wrong crowd. He’s one of the most liber-
Imagine spending your entire political career supporting progressive causes only to discover that supporting Israel is enough to get you cast out. Imagine being one of the most liberal members of Congress and still being treated as the enemy. That’s where we are today.
Some people will say that there are extremists on both sides. No. There are bad people everywhere, but let’s stop pretending that the Democratic Party doesn’t have a serious problem. This is the party that once fought to preserve slavery. The party of segregation. The party of the Dixiecrats.
We recently celebrated Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in America. The historical reality is that Republicans fought to end slavery while Democrats fought to preserve it. History matters. Political parties can lose their way. And today’s Democratic Party has increasingly become a home for people who excuse, rationalize and remain
silent in the face of antisemitism. My message isn’t just to Jews. My message is to everyone. Stop voting for people who are helping normalize this. Stop pretending that antisemitism is acceptable as long as it comes wrapped in the language of activism. Stop believing that political labels matter more than reality.
And to my fellow Jews who continue supporting politicians and movements that tolerate anti-Israel extremism, I ask you to honestly look at what is happening. The people who targeted Dan Goldman don’t care how he voted. They don’t care how progressive he is. They don’t care how loyal he has been. All they see is a Jew who supports Israel.
The warning signs are no longer subtle. And Long Island should be paying attention. Many people still believe this hatred stops at the city line. It doesn’t. Ideas travel. Movements spread. What begins in Brooklyn today can arrive in Nassau County tomorrow.
Every generation asks how ordinary people failed to recognize the warning signs. The answer is always the same. They convinced themselves it couldn’t happen where they lived.
Long Island shouldn’t make the same mistake. Even liberal Dan Goldman wasn’t liberal enough. Long Island should pay attention.
Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.
Biofuels can help decarbonize L.I.’s school bus fleet
As the deadline for school districts to begin purchasing zero-emission school buses loomed, state lawmakers rightfully hit the brakes by delaying the mandate for five years.
The reasons are as clear as they are daunting: the electric grid isn’t ready, charging infrastructure remains scarce compared with ambitious state targets, and the upfront cost of a single electric bus can be triple that of a traditional one.
For Long Island school districts already grappling with a high tax burden and unique costof-living challenges, this represents yet another significant financial strain that would fall squarely on local taxpayers.
State leaders should be lauded for recognizing these realities. But as officials continue to debate these and other changes to the state’s climate law, we can’t fall into an either-or trap, just as we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
New York already has a solution that has been in use for decades, and is easily deployed: renewable liquid fuels.
Transitioning the existing school bus fleets to renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent immediately. Unlike electric buses, which require specialized chargers and rely on our dangerously thin electric grid, renewable diesel works in the engines we already own. It requires no costly equipment overhauls, no new infrastructure, and performs reliably in cold New York winters.
Rfrom entering our air annually. Officials aim to complete the conversion of all city-owned vehicles this summer.
e newable diesel
New York became the first state in the Northeast to offer the fuel to state agencies, authorities, schools, municipalities and nonprofits in 26 counties, including Nassau and Suffolk. Still, too few are availing themselves of this resource.
fuel works in the school bus engines we already own.
While the state waits years for the grid to catch up, municipal leaders are already proving that renewable liquid fuels — biodegradable fuel manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled restaurant grease — can deliver significantly carbon reduction today without breaking the bank.
New York City is leading the way, having transitioned its fleet of garbage trucks, emergency vehicles and other heavy-duty machines to renewable diesel in 2024, a move expected to prevent 162 million pounds of carbon dioxide
And while much of today’s conversation centers on delays in transportation electrification, concerns about the pace and practicality of electrification are also growing in the homes and buildings sectors, as well as budget-strapped public facilities — especially our schools.
Consider a high school in Brooklyn where administrators recently replaced traditional heating oil with the renewable fuel alternative, making it the first school in New York City to convert to a heating system running entirely on biofuels. This historic transition to cleaner renewable fuels proves that giving schools and other institutions the flexibility they need to adopt a range of clean-energy solutions — not just electrification — is how the
state can continue to make meaningful climate progress while keeping energy reliable and at a manageable price point.
This common-sense approach is what New Yorkers are demanding as they navigate a punishing economy. With affordability continuing to be top of mind and the state grid operator warning of a razor-thin reliability margin that leaves Long Island particularly vulnerable to blackouts, a pragmatic, costeffective approach to making environmental progress today is the smart approach for the region’s school districts and the taxpayers and families who support them.
The debate in Albany often presents a false choice between a costly mandate and a climate delay. But a true all-of-theabove approach to energy options being advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and some legislators can find an effective middle ground when the right tools are brought into the mix.
The grid will catch up eventually, but our environment and hardworking Long Islanders can’t afford to wait. It’s time to choose the solutions that work today.
Rocco J. Lacertosa is CEO of the Hauppauge-based New York State Energy Coalition.
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Investing in libraries pays dividends all year
Summer has a way of reminding us about the simple pleasures in life. For many, that means relaxing on the beach with a good book, spending time with family or finding fun ways to stay cool during the hottest days of the year.
HERALD
But while a great novel may be the perfect beach companion, the local public library offers so much more than books. It is one of the smartest and most valuable investments any community can make.
Libraries have evolved far beyond quiet reading rooms lined with shelves full of books. They are vibrant community centers that welcome residents of every age and every background. They’re places where curiosity is encouraged, lifelong learning is celebrated and neighbors come together at author readings, musical performances and movie screenings.
Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for libraries. Children who might otherwise lose valuable academic skills during the school break can take part in summer reading programs intended to keep their minds engaged while making learning fun.
Teens can explore new interests through workshops, volunteer opportunities and technology programs. Adults can attend lectures, careerdevelopment seminars, financial-literacy classes and cultural events. Seniors can take part in social gatherings, edu-
letterS
Scott’s column should be required college reading
To the Editor:
Re Robert A. Scott’s column, “What it means to be a college graduate,” in the June 24-30 issue: At a time when some are questioning the value of a college education, Dr. Scott offers a thoughtful perspective on this important issue. Drawing on his own experiences at Bucknell University as well as research that demonstrates the many positive outcomes of college, he makes a strong case for post-secondary education. At its best, Scott notes, college can not only improve students’ writing and speaking skills and boost graduates’ earning power, but also foster personal growth and enhance one’s outlook on the world. “College is, or should be,” he writes, “as much about character development and active citizenship as it is about preparation for careers and advancement in commerce.”
cational presentations and wellness activities that help combat isolation while strengthening community connections.
Libraries are free public spaces open to everyone. They provide safe, air-conditioned environments in which families can spend time together, students can study, remote workers can focus and anyone can simply enjoy a quiet place to read, learn or reflect.
These services don’t disappear when summer ends. Throughout the year, libraries host civic meetings, support groups, educational workshops, cultural performances, technology training, tax-preparation assistance, job search resources and countless other programs that strengthen the social fabric of our communities. They serve as gathering places where ideas are exchanged, friendships are formed and local organizations find a home.
Elected officials deserve recognition when they prioritize funding for public libraries. Public investments often bring to mind roads, bridges or major construction projects, and those investments certainly matter. But investments in libraries produce returns that cannot always be measured in dollars. Whether funding is for the renovation of a community room to expand programs and services or a much larger capital project that overhauls the entire building, libraries aim to improve educational outcomes, encour-
age civic engagement, reduce social isolation, create stronger, more connected communities, and make their facilities more welcoming, accessible and functional for everyone who walks through their doors.
These projects also reflect a broader truth: Investments in libraries are investments in people. Every renovated classroom, meeting space or children’s area creates opportunities for learning, connection and growth that extend well beyond the life of the construction project itself.
At a time when many people worry about loneliness, educational gaps and divisions in society, libraries quietly address each of those challenges every day. They remain one of the few places where everyone is welcome, regardless of age, income or background, and where the only requirement for entry is a willingness to learn.
As summer unfolds, residents should take full advantage of everything their local libraries have to offer. Borrow that next beach read. Sign a child up for a reading challenge. Attend a lecture, explore a new hobby, join a community group or simply spend an afternoon discovering something new.
Every library card opened, every book borrowed and every program attended is a reminder that one of the greatest investments we can make is in institutions that educate, inspire and bring us together.
New York deserved better from this legislative session
The 2026 legislative session may be over, but the problems Albany left unresolved are still staring New Yorkers in the face.
lies, seniors and small businesses to stay in New York.
autopilot.
This year the Legislature made history for all the wrong reasons. Families needed real relief from rising costs, a stronger focus on public safety and a government that understands how expensive it is to live and work in this state. Instead, Albany delivered the latest budget in 16 years, the largest spending plan ever and another clear sign that one-party control is failing the people who are paying the bills.
Every legislative session reveals what Albany truly values. With families across New York struggling with rising expenses, public safety concerns and a state that continues to become less affordable, they deserve a Legislature focused on the issues affecting their daily lives. Instead, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the legislative majorities used another year of one-party control to advance the same misplaced priorities that have made it harder for fami-
LeTTers
The clearest example was the state budget. Despite one-party control of the Senate, Assembly and governor’s mansion, a budget deal wasn’t reached until 57 days after the April 1 deadline. After all that extra time, New Yorkers still didn’t get a clear accounting of what they were being asked to fund. Last year’s budget totaled $254 billion, and this year it’s $277 billion. That isn’t fiscal discipline, nor is it transparency. Rather, it is record-breaking spending, while New Yorkers are still waiting for the relief Albany promised. Instead of strengthening the state’s Medicaid program and ensuring that every dollar is being used for its intended purpose, to help New Yorkers in need, the state continues to simply throw more money at the $124 billion program. Medicaid is a lifeline for seniors, people with disabilities and families who really need care. That is precisely why it must be safeguarded from fraud, waste and abuse. I have repeatedly called for a comprehensive audit so taxpayers know where the money is going and resources are preserved for those who depend on them. A program this large shouldn’t run on
Scott’s column should be required reading for every new college student, especially those entering with the misguided notion that college is little more than a quick ticket to a job. While finding a career that’s a good fit should certainly be part of everyone’s college years, students should also use this time to learn about themselves, to engage ideas, to come to grips with life’s complexities, and to develop a deeper understanding of the world that’s waiting for them after graduation.
Colleges themselves would also do well to pay attention to Scott’s advice. Too many schools present themselves as career factories, highlighting their programs’ “real world” skill development while paying only minimal attention to the transformative experiences that a college education can (and should) provide. Graduating thoughtful, knowledgeable and insightful human beings — people capable of seeing life’s big picture and acting on behalf of the greater good — should be a primary goal of higher education.
Given the cost of college, as well as our collective anxiety about the future of America’s workforce, I can understand many students’ wish to choose a major that will help them make their way. But preparing for a career needn’t preclude being open to activities and experiences, both in and out of the classroom, that will invite students to stretch intellectually, socially and emotionally. There are indeed many valuable lessons to be learned here; students should not miss out on them.
The clearest example was the bloated state budget, which was 57 days late.
At the same time, Albany apparently had less money for the volunteer firefighters who answer the call in our communities every day. The V-FIRE program helps departments invest in equipment, facility upgrades and lifesaving infrastructure. Yet this year’s budget reduced that program by $5 million, even as departments across Long Island face rising costs and growing emergency-response needs. The very least Albany can do is make sure these volunteers have the funding they need. That’s why I’m cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to help ensure that fire departments receive their fair share of V-FIRE funding.
This same mismatch between Albany’s and New Yorkers’ priorities continued beyond the budget. While residents were asking for relief, the legislative majorities advanced a proposal to replace words like “mother” and “father” in sections of state law with terms such as “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent.” My four children call me “Mom” every day. That word has meaning in my home, as it does for mothers and fathers across the state. Why does Albany keep finding time for symbolic language changes
Framework by Tim Baker
while families are still waiting for action on the issues that truly affect their lives?
The same problem surfaced in redistricting. In 2014, New Yorkers voted for the Independent Redistricting Commission because they wanted a fairer, more transparent process. In 2021, they rejected changes that would have weakened it. This year, Albany Democrats went right back at it, advancing another constitutional amendment that would make it easier to redraw maps in the middle of the decade and give the Legislature more control when the commission doesn’t produce the maps it wants.
Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. This is a clear attempt by politicians to consolidate power, and it’s all the more insulting to New Yorkers that in the waning days of the 2026 legislative session, the majorities’ focus was on solving their own political problems rather than New Yorkers’ financial struggles.
Residents expect a budget that respects taxpayers, policies that make communities safer, and a Legislature focused on the problems that families are actually facing. I will keep fighting for a safer, more affordable New York, and for a state government that finally puts New Yorkers’ priorities first.
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.
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