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to care for mental health

vices has centralized many of its behavioral health services in the new Walsh Ambulatory As anxiety, depression and Pavilion in Far Rockaway. The substance use disorders contin- second floor houses both the ue to rise across the Five Towns Community Mental Health and Rockaway peninsula, Epis- Center, which provides care for c o p a l H e a l t h S e r v i c e s i s children, adolescents and adults, and the expanding its Wellness and behavioral health Recovery Center, programs to ensure serving adults 18 residents receive and older with a treatment before higher level of outthey reach a crisis. patient support. According to The expansion is EHS, about 20 perpart of a broader cent of residents in effort to integrate the Rockaways live behavioral health with a mental illwith primary care ness, yet many while reducing the never seek treatstigma often associment because of ated with seeking stigma, limited psychiatric treatawareness of availment. able services or dif- DR. ANDREW “I think it just ficulty accessing SINGER normalizes that care. Adult and pediatric mental health is Queens Commupsychiatrist, Episcopal p a r t o f h e a l t h , ” nity District 14, Health Servoces said Dr. Andrew which includes Far Singer, an adult and Rockaway, also faces a shortage of mental pediatric psychiatrist who has health providers, while rates of treated patients at Episcopal psychological distress, poverty Health Services for more than and behavioral health-related two decades. “Patients are comemergency department visits ing into the same building for primary care, pediatrics and exceed city averages. To help address those chal- behavioral health. It reinforces lenges, Episcopal Health SerCoNtiNuEd oN pAgE 8

By MELISSA BERMAN

mberman@liherald.com

Courtesy Nat Etrog

For more than 40 years, Atlantic Beach resident Nat Etrog has volunteered to keep the community informed about safety and aware of the dangers around the water.

A.B.’s Nat Etrog: 40 years as Parks and Beach chairman By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Since Atlantic Beach’s incorporation as a village in 1962, there have been six mayors — but not much is said about the people who volunteer alongside them, like resident Nat Etrog, who has served all of those mayors. Since he was 6, Etrog, 80, has been around water. Growing up in Fresh Meadows and Forest Hills, in Queens, he spent his childhood summer days at Jones Beach’s Zach’s Bay, where his father, the Rev. Chaim Israel Etrog, taught him how to swim. As a teen, Nat swam and ran track at Jamaica High

School, graduating in 1962. In college, he rowed on Boston University’s crew team as a freshman before stepping away to focus on his studies. In the summers, Etrog was a lifeguard in Atlantic Beach, commuting from his family’s home in Park Slope, Brooklyn. After graduating from BU in 1967, he earned a master’s degree in social work from Yeshiva University in 1969. When it was time to settle down, Etrog knew where he wanted to be: Atlantic Beach. “I had always loved the village,” he said. “Working here, obviously, wasn’t the same as living here. But when it came time to CoNtiNuEd oN pAgE 9

ental illness should be treated no differently than diabetes, asthma or heart disease.

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Residents urge Cedarhurst to put the brakes on speeders By MELISSA BERMAN Residents voiced growing concerns about speeding traffic and pedestrian safety throughout the Village of Cedarhurst during the Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 3, urging officials to install speed bumps and take stronger enforcement measures on residential streets. Several longtime residents described speeding vehicles, drivers ignoring stop signs and dangerous cut-through traffic as persistent problems they believe have worsened in recent years. Village officials acknowledged the concerns but said speed bumps are not a practical solution because of the community’s street design and operational challenges. Sarah Kaplan told trustees that she fears for the safety of her four children every time they cross the street near her home. “There are cars that just speed out of the gas station,” Kaplan said. “It’s a cutthrough street. The cars just speed down and up the block.” Kaplan said two of her children regularly cross the street, and she watches them closely whenever they play outside. “Every time they go outside, I’m afraid every single time,” she said. “Every time I have to cross the street, I run outside to make sure they’re crossing correctly because those cars just keep going back and forth, and they speed.” Kaplan said she believes speed bumps

Melissa Berman/Herald

Residents voiced growing concerns about speeding traffic and pedestrian safety throughout the Village of Cedarhurst during the Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 3. may be the only effective solution. Resident Roz Liebenthal, who said she has lived in Cedarhurst for more than 31 years, echoed those concerns, saying drivers routinely fail to stop at stop signs, particularly along Arlington Road. “I spoke to you about this many years ago, and nothing’s changed,” Liebenthal said. She suggested the village consider installing traffic enforcement cameras at stop signs and launching pedestrian safety education campaigns for children and families. Liebenthal also expressed frustration over pedestrians walking in road-

ways instead of on sidewalks, saying it creates additional hazards for motorists and walkers alike. “I don’t allow my husband, who’s been driving for 50 years, to drive at night here or on weekends because of what’s going on in the streets,” she said. Resident Irene Redless, who said she has lived in Cedarhurst for more than 40 years, questioned why the village has not embraced speed bumps when neighboring communities have installed them. “The situation is safety,” Redless said. “Safety of the people who pay taxes. If it’s not safe and we don’t get our money’s

worth, why should we pay taxes?” Redless described crashes and damaged vehicles on her block, saying speeding has become a recurring problem. “There has to be safety,” Redless said. “That should be the primary point of why we’re here. You have to put speed bumps. That may solve the problem — it’s not going to make it worse.” According to a statement distributed by the village to residents, traditional speed bumps are generally not permitted on public roadways in New York State, while speed humps present significant drawbacks. “Because much of Cedarhurst consists of long, straight avenues, vehicles often approach speed humps at excessive speeds,” the statement wrote. “This can create substantial noise as vehicles pass over them and, in some cases, cause vehicles to become airborne. The constant noise generated by thousands of vehicles each day can become a significant nuisance for nearby homeowners.” The board also said installing speed humps on one street would likely prompt similar requests throughout the village, increasing maintenance costs while complicating emergency response and winter operations. “Speed humps also create operational challenges during snow removal. Snowplows frequently strike them, resulting in costly damage to Village equipment and, at times, to nearby parked vehicles,” the statement wrote.

Hewlett’s Beverly Wachtel honored for decades of service By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

When Beverly Wachtel and her husband, Jerry Wachtel, moved to Hewlett from Brooklyn in 1988 to begin a new chapter, they looked for a Jewish community. But for the Westchester native, it would be the start of an unparalleled journey of dedication. Wachtel’s rise in the community stems from her involvement at the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre, in East Rockaway. She began in a leadership role as the President of the Nursery School Parents Association in 1992. Since then, Wachtel has served in numerous roles, including 13 nonconsecutive years as president of HERJC Sisterhood, a women’s group within the synagogue that organizes community-building social events. Additionally, she served as Sisterhood vice president for 20 years and spent time as a member of the board of directors and the religious school parents association. Wachtel credits her volunteerism to her late parents, Stanley and Theda Okun. “My mother was President of Hadassah and President of B’nai B’rith, and my father was on the religious school board of education at Congregation Kneses Tifereth Israel, so I did all those things,” Wachtel said. “I didn’t really think about it, I just kept doing more. I wanted to be a part of it” Throughout her years of service to HERJC, Wachtel helped create programs. In

2004 and 2005, Wachtel organized and ran a 3-kilometer walk for Israel through the Sisterhood and the congregation to help victims of terrorism in Israel. She established the annual joint Sisterhood event, which brings together local synagogue sisterhoods for programs, and started fundraisers for the congregation. Wachtel grew up skiing and playing volleyball in Westchester and was part of the third full graduating class at Blind Brook High School, a public school in Rye Brook. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. She has two children, Jonathan Wachtel (Ninette Shikley) and Lisa Wachtel (Dave Krieg) and two grandchildren, Alex Krieg and Zachary Krieg. Wachtel was one of 18 women at Assemblywoman Judy Griffin’s sixth annual Women of Distinction Ceremony on July 29. The event honors women for their leadership and service to their communities. “These women remind us that leadership isn’t measured by titles or recognition. It is found in showing up for others, lifting people up during difficult times, building vibrant communities, and inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps to make a difference,” Griffin wrote in a news release. “I believe that our communities are shaped by people who choose to give back, and I am grateful for your presence in Assembly District 21. Your generosity, engagement and service make our communities more welcoming, kinder, and more connected.”

Courtesy office of State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin

Beverly Wachtel, left, was one of 18 women awarded by assemblywoman Judy Griffin for her volunteerism in the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish community.

NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

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Hewlett Neck man arrested According to Nassau County Police, a her hands and damaged it. Fearing for Hewlett Neck man was arresther safety, the woman fled on ed on Aug. 8 at 2:33 p.m. folfoot to a neighboring resilowing a domestic dispute in dence, where she called 911. which he allegedly shoved a Khalil was located a short woman to the ground, threattime later and arrested withened her and damaged her out incident, according to cellphone. police. Fourth Squad detectives He was charged with thirdsaid officers responded to a degree menacing, fourthresidence on Dolphin Drive degree grand larceny, thirdfor a report of a disturbance. degree criminal mischief and Police said a verbal argusecond-degree harassment. ment occurred between Khalil was arraigned at Ahmed S. Khalil, 54, of First District Court in HempHewlett Neck, and a 50-yearstead on Aug. 9. Ahmed S. old woman. The argument The charges are allegaKhAlil escalated when Khalil allegedtions, and Khalil is presumed ly shoved the woman to the innocent until proven guilty. ground and threatened her. — Melissa Berman According to detectives, Khalil then forcibly took the woman’s cellphone from

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streaks to build a habit (7) get creative with a variety of prompts, and (8) stay positive with daily affirmations. As to the latter, your writer has found reading daily affirmations to be an invaluable resource for maintaining a positive mindset. The great motivational speaker Zig Ziglar notably said that “People say that motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily”. Daily positive affirmations may be found by googling “daily affirmations” and choosing one of the free services that appeals to you. An analysis of 38 gratitude studies concluded that “gratitude interventions can have positive benefits for people in terms of their well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, grateful mood, grateful disposition, and positive affect, and they can result in decreases in depressive symptoms”. “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” — Willie Nelson

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Boogie boarder injured in A. B. A 45-year-old man was injured on Aug. 9 at 4:30 p.m. after falling from a boogie board and striking his head in the waters off Atlantic Beach, according to Nassau County police. The Public Information Office said police received a 911 call reporting an injured boogie boarder in the vicinity of the Sunny Atlantic Beach Club, at 2035 Ocean Boulevard. According to police, the man fell from his boogie board and struck his head, resulting in a suspected spinal injury. Sunny Atlantic Beach Club Lifeguard Antonio Scottodiclemente and Village of Atlantic Beach Lifeguard Daniel Vanefsky responded to the scene and performed life-saving skills. “I would just like to acknowledge the outstanding actions of these two men who acted imediately, Daniel and __________________

Anthony,” said Chief Lifeguard Dan Majikas at the Village of Atlantic Beach Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 10. “I would also like to thank the Sunny Atlantic lifeguards and staff, chiefs and members of Atlantic Beach Rescue and all medical personnel involved in the emergency response.” Nassau County Aviation Helicopter 6 responded to the scene and transported the man to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment, police said. The man was listed in stable condition. — Melissa Berman NASSAU _________________

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MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: nassaueditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 201 E-mail: nassaueditor@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subsriptions@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com The Nassau Herald USPS 371680, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Nassau Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Newsstand Price: $1. Annual Subscription Rates, $52 per year auto-pay or $65 one-time payment within Nassau County or $76 outside of Nassau County. Copyright © 2026 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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For dozens of women across the South Shore, the Atlantic Beach Tennis Center has become much more than a place to perfect a forehand or backhand. It has evolved into a community where competition, friendship and recreation come together several days a week. The center’s Ladies Tennis League draws players of varying skill levels from throughout Nassau County, with organized doubles matches, clinics and social events helping to build lasting relationships on and off the courts. For East Rockaway resident Anna Wilson, tennis has been a lifelong passion spanning more than three decades. She remembers when the Atlantic Beach Tennis Center was considered one of Long Island’s premier tennis destinations and says today’s league has recaptured much of that welcoming atmosphere. “I’ve been playing tennis for 35 years,” Wilson said. “I love the sport more than life itself. We both like to get as many people out on the court as we can.” Wilson helps organize the higher-level women’s league on Mondays and Wednesdays, coordinating player signups and court assignments. The league extends beyond tennis. After finishing their matches, many members head to the pickleball courts, while others gather inside for lunch, conversation and card games. “We make a day of it,” she said. “We bring lunch, we play cards and stay until two or three in the afternoon.” Much of the league’s success, members say, is due to tennis professional Eric Morales, who oversees the facility’s programming. Players credit him with maintaining the Har-Tru courts, organizing balanced matches based on skill level and creating a welcoming atmosphere through barbecues, themed events and social gatherings. “I think he really takes care of the courts,” said member Adrienne Wesley, who has played at the center for three

years. “When you go on the court, it’s clean, they’re groomed well, and he knows everyone’s level so he can put together good games.” Wesley plays about three times each week and said friendships have developed naturally because everyone shares the same passion. “Our underlying connection is a love for tennis,” she said. Atlantic Beach resident Jodi Lipsky rediscovered the sport after knee surgery ended a decades-long hiatus from competitive play. She joined the Atlantic Beach Tennis Center last year and quickly found herself immersed in both the tennis and social communities. “I love it more than I ever did,” Lipsky said. “It’s been great because of the social aspect, making good friends and playing good tennis.” She said Eric’s enthusiasm for the game stands out. “You just see the love from him, and he brings it out in everyone,” she said. For longtime Atlantic Beach resident Nancy Jackson, the facility carries decades of memories. About 30 years ago, she served as the village’s tennis commissioner during a period when the center hosted charity tournaments that attracted high-level players from across the Northeast. While the facility itself has changed over the years, Jackson said today’s league has restored much of its community spirit. “They make it very easy for you,” Jackson said. “You develop camaraderie with the group, and it’s just really an enhanced life experience.” Jackson, who plays four times a week when weather permits, said the league has given players a chance to stay active while strengthening friendships. For Wilson, the league’s continued growth proves tennis remains alive and well despite the popularity of pickleball. “We have more people playing this year than last year,” she said. “People come for the tennis, stay for the friendships, and that’s what makes this place so special.”

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HERALD SPORTS Nassau H.S. Athletics HOF class of 2026 By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

The Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame will hold its 2026 induction ceremony Oct. 7 at the Crest Hollow County Club. Here’s a list of some local honorees in alphabetical order. For more information, tickets and a full list of honorees, go to www.sectionviii.org/halloffame.

Tom Abruscato The list of Abruscato’s coaching achievements at Clarke is mind-boggling. During his 26 years at the helm, the Rams have won 531 baseball games with an .801 winning percentage and 23 conference championships. Clarke has captured eight Nassau titles, three Long Island crowns and two state championships during his tenure. He was named conference Coach of the Year 23 times, and Nassau Coach of the Year eight times.

Stan Bujacich Bujacich is second on Nassau girls basketball all-time victory list with 429, trailing only Farmingdale Hall of Famer Pete Cerrone (600.) A member of the New York State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, Bujacich’s Wantagh teams have captured three county crowns in 2005, 2006 and 2025 and reached the county finals three more times. The Warriors won the Long Island title in 2025. From 2011 to 2015, they won 34 straight conference games and went 43-3 overall.

Jeffrey Dingle Dingle possessed one athletic skill that can’t be taught: speed. In 1985 for West Hempstead football, he averaged an amazing 7.6 yards-per-carry for 1,045 yards. Good enough to be named firstteam All Long Island. That’s not all. He was a finalist for the Thorpe Award as Nassau’s top player. He was also a 300and 400-meter county track champion, and a 300-meter indoor and outdoor state finalist.

John Hamilton

Hamilton spent 18 years as a wrestling coach, 10 at East Meadow, five at Calhoun, two at Mepham and one at Oceanside. His teams won 193 dual meets and many team and individual championships. He coached soccer for 14 years, earning Nassau’s Coach of the Year honor in 1993. Hamilton was a superb grappler at Central Connecticut State. H’es a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

James Hegmann Hegmann was unlike most basketball players. For one thing, he was 6-foot-11 when he showed up at Carey in the 1960s. For another, had to work hard on

Photos courtesy Nassau County Athletics

Michael O’Neill was an offensive machine for Massapequa in the 1970s.

Katie Starsia was a standout defender on South Side’s four straight NYS girls soccer championship teams. his craft. Until he got to Carey, he hadn’t played organized basketball. He scored 11 points per game as a junior and pulled down 13 rebounds per game. The measure of his improvement was demonstrated the next season, when his scoring soared to 20 ppg and 16 rpg.

and led the Blue Jays to the NCAA championship in 1978. A four-year starter for Hopkins, he scored 237 career points with 138 goals and 99 assists. As a senior, he earned Division I Player of the Year honors.

Kristen Hoffman Hoffman was one of the most unique high school athletes in Nassau history, excelling in basketball and swimming at Long Beach. She swam on the varsity team for six years, competing in the 200 and 500 freestyle, the 400-yard freestyle relay, and the 200 medley relay. She was a state qualifier and a three-time AllCounty selection. She a two-time AllConference basketball player and averaged 17 ppg as a senior when was named All- County.

Sandberg is one of the finest softball players ever developed on Long Island. She earned All-County honors as a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior at West Hempstead. In 2008, she put together one of the greatest offensive seasons in Nassau history. She hit .784 with 11 home runs. Sandberg had a starstudded career at the University of Georgia, leading the Bulldogs to two College World Series appearances with a .355 batting average, 19 homers and 51 RBI as a senior.

Michael O’neill

Michael Stanley

O’Neill was a lacrosse scoring machine at Massapequa in the early 1970s. It would not have been a stretch to assert that he was the best high school attack in not only the county but the country. O’Neill was a scoring machine at the collegiate level at Johns Hopkins

Stanley took over an excellent Carey football program in 2007 and made it better. He’s guided the Seahawks to a pair of Rutgers Cups, awarded to the best team in the county, including in 2013 when they defeated Riverhead to win the first-ever Long Island title in program

Kristyn Sandberg

history. One year later, Carey repeated as Nassau’s Conference II champion and then rolled to an incredible 41-7 victory over East Islip, giving the team its second consecutive L.I. title. In 19 years, Stanley’s teams have totaled 138 wins.

Katie Starsia Starsia was a star defender on South Side’s amazing four straight state girls soccer championships in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Her greatness as a soccer player did not diminish her outstanding skills in basketball and track. In track she earned All-County in the 800 meters as a senior, and was twice All-County in the 4x800 relay. Starsia played soccer at the University of Virginia but her athletic career didn’t end there as she completed marathons in New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin, Sydney, Philadelphia and Orlando.

Bruce Stegner Coaching 18 years and winning 14 Nassau County titles. Many coaches go a lifetime without winning one. Only four times in 18 years has a Stegnercoached team not won a county title. His tenure at Massapequa has been beyond amazing. Aside from the 14 county crowns, he has guided the girls soccer team to eight Long Island championships and five state titles. He has been named the state’s Coach of the Year five times. His overall record is 260-46-35.

News brief

NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

High School Football Preview is coming! Get ready for an action-packed season with the 2026 High School 2025 Football Preview.

NCJW Peninsula Section thrift store update NCJW Peninsula Section’s building at 342 Central Ave, Lawrence including our Thrift Shop has sustained extensive smoke damage. We will not be able to open or take donations until further notice. We miss our customers and hope you

can hold your donations until we reopen. Call our Thrift Shop at 516-5690510 and we will leave a message saying when we expect to be back. — Bonnie Sperry, NCJW Peninsula Section executive director

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EHS puts mental wellness front and center Continued from page 1

that this is all part of taking care of yourself.” Singer, who grew up in North Woodmere and maintains a private practice in Woodmere, said the types of conditions he sees have changed dramatically during his 21 years with the organization. “When I first started, I saw a lot more attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,” he said. “Now, by far, the most common conditions are anxiety and depression.” Singer added that he’s also seen an increasing number of children and teenagers struggling with suicidal thoughts and anxiety disorders. St. John’s Episcopal Hospital works to identify concerns early by screening pediatric patients for depression and anxiety during routine medical visits. Behavioral health clinicians also visit schools and community organizations to educate families and encourage residents to seek help before problems escalate. “We know that early intervention can change the trajectory of a child’s life,” Singer said. “If you help a child early, you’re helping the entire family.” Behavioral health leaders said the Rockaway peninsula faces unique challenges that contribute to mental illness, including poverty, housing instability and the lingering impact of Hurricane Sandy and the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Piotr Slowik, medical director of outpatient behavioral health services, arrived at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in 2012, just before Hurricane Sandy devastated the peninsula. “I still remember the hospital being one of the only buildings with electricity,” Slowik said. “People came seeking shelter, and many are still processing that trauma today.” He said the hospital continues to treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder connected to Sandy,

Courtesy Episcopal Health Services

Helping to combat mental illness at episcopal Health Services are, from left, dr. piotr Slowik, medical director, outpatient Behavioral Health Services; dr. Jessy Colah, chair of psychiatry; and dr. andrew Singer, adult and pediatric psychiatrist. while the pandemic intensified feelings of isolation, particularly among adolescents. “We have never seen so many younger patients with depression, social anxiety and suicidal ideation,” Slowik said. “Many teenagers struggled socially after Covid because they were isolated for so long.” The hospital has responded by expanding access to care. Telehealth appointments help patients who face transportation barriers, interpreters are available for patients who speak languages other than English, and financial counselors assist residents whose insurance has lapsed or who need help accessing charity care. “We don’t turn anyone away,” Singer said. “Wheth-

er someone needs help with insurance, medication or language services, we work to remove those barriers.” The behavioral health program also offers homebased crisis intervention for children, care coordination services, collaborative care with primary care physicians, medication-assisted treatment, family counseling and after-hours crisis support. For patients requiring hospitalization, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital operates two inpatient psychiatric units with a combined 43 beds, providing around-theclock care for adults experiencing serious psychiatric illnesses. Dr. Jessy Colah, chief of psychiatry, said the hospital has invested heavily in expanding services because behavioral health needs continue to grow throughout the region. “We have built a comprehensive system of care,” Colah said. “Patients receive a therapist, a psychiatrist and access to individual therapy, group therapy, family counseling and addiction services. We want people to know help is available.” Colah noted that coordinated care has improved outcomes by allowing behavioral health providers, primary care physicians and social workers to communicate more effectively under one roof. Patients leaving inpatient care are introduced to their outpatient treatment team before discharge, improving continuity of care and reducing missed follow-up appointments. Singer, Slowik and Colah emphasized that stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing people from seeking treatment. “The earlier someone reaches out, the better,” Singer said. To learn more about behavioral health services or to schedule an appointment, visit www.ehs.org or call Episcopal Health Services at (718) 869-7000.

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A.B.’s Nat Etrog has ‘right heart and soul’ buy a house, it was the first place that I thought of.” In 1976, Etrog began volunteering on the village’s Parks and Beach Commission after he met Bill Tarter, then Atlantic Beach’s superintendent of public works. In 1985, he became chairman of the commission. Etrog attributes his community service to his professional background. For more than 30 years he was vice president for psychiatry at St John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway. He also directed what is now the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, a nonprofit that offers nonsectarian mental health counseling and children’s services for New York City families. “As a social worker, my commitment to working with people was very much in mind with all the work that I’d done,” Etrog said. “It was natural for me to get involved.” In addition to his service as a commissioner of the Atlantic Beach Fire District since 1999, he was captain of Atlantic Beach Rescue from 2005 to 2017. He was also a village trustee, from 1988 to 1989 and again from 2023 to 2025. Many community members have felt Etrog’s impact, including Scott Zelenetz, who has known him since the early 1990s. They have served together on the Parks and Beach Commission for the

Courtesy Nat Etrog

nat etrog, far left, patrolled the waters surrounding the barrier islands as a member of the atlantic Beach rescue Squad. past five years, and teamed up in Atlantic Beach Rescue. “Whether it’s been his lifeguarding days, captain of the water rescue or as fire commissioner, Nat’s always looking to put the interest of the community ahead of anything else,” Zelenetz said.

“It’s very rewarding to work with someone as selfless as that. He’s always there for the community.” Mayor Barry Frohlinger, who met Etrog in 2021, said he was impressed by Etrog’s commitment to safety, noting that he would address the community at vil-

lage meetings regardless of the season. “He wanted to make sure that everyone understood the need to be diligent about safety for themselves and loved ones,” Frohlinger said, “whether it was in their pool, on the beach or on vacation.” Etrog said his focus has always been to create awareness by sharing his experiences as a member of Atlantic Beach’s rescue team. Over the years, he said, he has been involved in searches and rescues around the barrier islands and the Rockaways that, unfortunately, “became search and recoveries.” “My major commitment is safety, situational awareness and drowning prevention,” he said. “Drowning continues to be a nationwide issue, but it’s preventable, and it’s important we don’t forget that while understanding the pleasures and dangers of bodies of water.” Last Sept. 3 — Etrog’s 80th birthday — he was honored by the village for his dedication to the community on “Nat Etrog Day.” “I think that the village and every resident who uses the beach should feel proud that we’ve got someone with such a commitment,” Frohlinger said. “Being on the board with him as a trustee and seeing the commitment in his work, Nat has a wealth of experience and the right heart and soul.”

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NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

Continued from page 1

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

What’s up next door and around the corner

HERALD neighbors

Delilah Roberts/Herald photos

The Village of Cedarhurst hosted “A Night of Country Music” as part of their Sumer Concert Series on Aug. 4. It was also National Night Out hosted by the Fourth Precinct.

Country music and crime prevention in Cedarhurst The Village of Cedarhurst combined live entertainment with community safety during its Summer Concert Series on Aug. 4 at Andrew J. Parise Park. Residents gathered for “A Night of Country Music,” featuring a performance by the County Line Band, while also taking part in National Night Out Against Crime. The annual event gave families an opportunity to meet local first responders, strengthen neighborhood relationships and promote crime prevention in a relaxed setting. Didi Maxx served as the evening’s emcee, keeping the crowd engaged throughout the festivities. The event was made possible through the support of sponsors Rason Materials, Russo Development Enterprises, Bolla Market, 202 Convenience Store, Michaels Electric Supply and the Five Towns Kiwanis Club. The evening highlighted Cedarhurst’s commitment to fostering community spirit, public safety and summer fun.. — Melissa Berman

Naava Lazar 8, left, Atara Paultman 8, Avrumi Lazar and Gabriel Lazar, 5, brought their chairs and enjoyed the concert while eating popcorn.

Didi Maxx performed in the pre-show, showcasing her magic skills to the children.

Village of Cedarhurst Trustee Dan Plaut, left, Deputy Mayor Ari Brown, Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, Mayor Benjamin Weinstock and Trustee Izzy Wasser enjoying the concert.

Pam Rivera, lead singer for County Line Band, performed as the main attraction during the evening.

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LY&CC members honored for life-saving actions

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

When a Lawrence Yacht and Country Club member suffered a heart attack on the golf course July 24, fellow members Greg Jackman and Karyn Edelstein did not hesitate to respond. Jackman, an East Rockaway resident and FDNY battalion chief for 25 years, and Edelstein immediately began performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator. Jackman was playing the first hole when he noticed a commotion near the first green, close to the trees and in a shaded area. As the golf cart moved closer, Jackman realized someone was in serious trouble. “I said, somebody’s in trouble. They need help,” he said. “So, I ran off the cart. I ran myself over there and said, ‘Can I help?’” Edelstein was already assisting and told Jackman she needed his help. “Both of us just, you know, what we were trained to do, it just kicks in second nature,” he said. The two checked the man and found that he had no pulse and was not breathing. Jackman said the man’s lips had begun turning blue. “There was no choice but to start CPR,” he said. Edelstein began rescue breathing while Jackman took responsibility for chest compressions. The two performed two-person CPR as other members arrived with an AED.

Courtesy Village of Lawrence

Lawrence Yacht and Country Club member Karyn Edelstein, left, was honored by Village of Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias for saving a man’s life on the golf course on July 24. “Thank God we had an AED,” Jackman said. A member of Hatzalah and members of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department subsequently arrived and continued the emergency response. Firefighters eventually took over CPR. Jackman said the response was a true

Melissa Berman/Herald

Greg Jackman, an East Rockaway resident and FDNY battalion chief for 25 years, right, was also honored for his lifesaving actions by Mayor Samuel Nahmias, left. team effort, with each person contributing whatever training and skills they had. “It was truly, like, teamwork,” he said. “Everybody’s training just kicks in. I really didn’t have time to think about it.” The outcome made the effort particularly meaningful. Jackman said he later learned that the man, whom he identified as Mark, had been taken off a ventilator and was

expected to recover. “It just makes me feel great,” Jackman said. “Honestly, at work, we’ve done this so many times, and if you’re not there right away, they really say time is of the essence.” Despite his extensive experience responding to emergencies as a firefighter, Jackman said he does not view himself as the only person who could have stepped in. “If it wasn’t me and any of the other guys that were here that are other firemen, they would have done the same thing,” he said. Ultimately, Jackman said he was simply grateful that he happened to be nearby when the emergency occurred. “I’m just thankful that he has another chance at life,” he said. “I’m just glad I was there.” The Village of Lawrence recently recognized the two members for their life-saving actions, with Mayor Samuel Nahmias presenting Jackman and Edelstein with proclamations on behalf of the village. “We’re very grateful that we have people here at the club that are dedicated, that can actually act very quickly, and then have the background to save someone’s life,” Nahmias said. Nahmias said the quick response demonstrated the value of having people in the community with the training and experience to act during a life-threatening emergency. “You save one life, you save a world,” he added. “People have kids, people have family, people have siblings. You’re saving an entire world when you save one life.”

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Smart essentials

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

Getting kids ready for a new school year is about more than updating their wardrobe or organizing carpools with fellow parents. Reacclimating everyone in the family to the routine of school after a relaxing summer is a significant undertaking,

ust as your family hits its peak summer groove, the back-to-school countdown begins. It’s a seasonal shift that brings a familiar mix of relief and stress to parents and students alike. Even the most adaptable kids can find the leap from lazy, unscheduled days to rigid routines jarring. Rather than letting the September surge catch you off guard, start laying the groundwork now. A few intentional adjustments late in the season can turn an overwhelming transition into a calm, confident start.

Ease Into The Rhythm

Abrupt wake-up calls on day one rarely go well. Rather than forcing a sudden shock to the system, start tapering back late summer bedtimes two weeks before school begins. Shift sleep and wake times back by 15-minute increments every few days. Don’t forget mealtime timing: if summer snacking has derailed regular breakfast and lunch hours, gradually realign them with the school clock so morning bell appetites don’t catch kids off guard.

Build A Central Command Station

Cover Story

Trade the flip-flops for backpacks: Prep now to get everyone school-ready

As extracurriculars, club meetings, and weekend sports stack up, keeping track of family logistics becomes a fulltime job. Designate a high-traffic area — like the kitchen wall or entryway — as your family’s command center. Visual calendars: Hang a large dryerase or paper calendar where everyone can see it. Color-coding system: Assign each family member (or activity type, such as sports, academics, and chores) their own distinct marker color for instant readability. The daily landing zone: Create a designated drop spot with labeled bins or hooks for backpacks, lunchboxes, and sports gear to prevent morning scrambles.

Tame The Paper Trail

Lost permission slips, crumpled notices, and forgotten homework are classic early-year pain points. Stop the paper shuffle before it starts by establishing a clear intake process. Set up an “Inbox” tray near your

command station where kids deposit forms requiring signatures or teacher notes as soon as they walk through the door. Pair this with an inviting, well-lit homework station stocked with essential supplies—pencils, highlighters, paper, and calculators. Keeping this space free from screens and clutter trains the brain to lock into focus mode. A quick nightbefore check ensures signed papers and finished assignments make it safely back into the backpack.

Set Intentional Family Goals

Back-to-school season offers a fresh start for everyone, not just academically. Hold an informal family meeting over dinner to discuss individual and collective goals for the upcoming year. Encourage kids to set a mix of academic milestones (like mastering long division), personal growth targets (like trying a new club), and family contributions (like managing their morning routine independently). This practice reinforces core values, builds accountability, and gives kids a sense of ownership over the months ahead.

Beat The Rush On Supplies

Waiting until the final weekend to shop guarantees picked-over shelves, long checkout lines, and unnecessary anxiety. Take inventory of what you already have at home before buying new items. Spreading purchases across several weeks late in the summer lightens the strain on your budget and gives you time to track down specialized items or sales on bigger-ticket essentials like backpacks and durable lunch totes.

Readiness Checklist

3 Weeks Out: Inventory existing supplies. Avoid last minute store rushes and budget spikes. 2 Weeks Out: Begin shifting bedtimes and wake-up times by 15 minutes. Reset internal biological clocks gradually. 1 Week Out: Set up command station, inbox tray, and study area. Establish physical organization zones early. Days Before: Hold the family goalsetting chat and pack bags. Build mental readiness and excitement.

***

Checking

NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

out

Navigating back-to-school spending

etween high-end tech requirements, athletic gear, and updating wardrobe staples, backto-school prep across Long Island, like elsewhere, continues to carry a significant price tag. Recent national retail data shows families with K-12 students plan to spend an average of $863.86 per household on back-to-school items this year, pushing total spending to a record $43.3 billion, a 9.8 percent increase over the previous year, according to the National Retail Federation. The average spending per household represents a modest increase of about $5 per family over last year. “Affordability is a concern for families and a top priority for retailers as we enter the back-to-school season,” said NRF Chief Economist and Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews. “Shoppers are keeping value front and center as they look for ways to make their dollars go further.” Economists and retail analysts note that the record total is being driven primarily by broader participation and higher prices on essential items rather than increased consumer confidence. Because inflation and supply costs have kept prices elevated, families are spending more total dollars even though many report buying fewer non-essential discretionary items. Here, where suburban living often means multischool commutes and competitive youth sports programs — the local cost of getting classroom-ready often scales even higher. Here’s how households are strategically managing their wallets this season.

‘Micro-Shopping’ Over Mall Runs

The era of the single, epic weekend shopping spree at the mall is shifting. Today, parents are adopting a “micro-shopping” strategy to soften the financial blow. National statistics show that over 62 percent of back-to-school shoppers began purchasing items as early as July. By spreading purchases across mid-summer promotional events and lateAugust store runs, parents can absorb costs over multiple paychecks rather than taking a heavy hit all at once. Furthermore, about 47 percent of families report buying only day-one essential supplies now, choosing to replenish notebooks and buy secondary fall clothing later in September once teachers finalize specific classroom requirements.

Secondhand Swaps And Local Groups

Hyper-local Facebook groups, neighborhood networks and community sports swaps are are seeing significant traffic. Outfitting a student for district sports or school band can add hundreds of dollars to a family’s bill. Trading outgrown soccer cleats, baseball bats, or band instruments with neighbors has quickly become standard practice for budget-conscious parents looking to stretch their dollars.

***

Photo: Parents are rethinking the traditional back-to-school shopping spree, shopping smarter and more strategically.

Make school gear go the distance the least expensive option, some school essentials are worth the extra investment. A sturdy backpack with reinforced stitching, a durable lunch box and a well-made water bottle often withstand daily use much better than lower-cost alternatives. If you’re purchasing an expensive calculator, laptop or tablet, consider whether an extended protection plan or accidental damage coverage makes sense. Depending on the device and your child’s age, the added protection could save money if repairs or replacements become necessary.

ack-to-school shopping is a significant investment for many families. Between backpacks, calculators, laptops, lunch boxes, water bottles and other classroom necessities, the costs can add up quickly. The good news is that a little care goes a long way. Teaching children how to properly use, store and maintain their school supplies can help prevent costly replacements, keep them organized and ensure their gear lasts well beyond the first day of school.

Teach smart tech habits

Technology has become an everyday part of the classroom, with many students carrying school-issued laptops, tablets or personal devices between home and school. Take a few minutes to review basic device care before the school year begins. Encourage children to carry electronics in padded sleeves or dedicated backpack compartments, avoid placing heavy books on top of screens and keep drinks and snacks separate from electronics whenever possible. Remind them never to leave devices in hot cars or out in the rain,

Good habits, from organizing backpacks to protecting electronics, can help students head to class confident and prepared every day.

and to report any damage immediately before a small issue becomes a costly repair.

Pack lighter — and pack smarter

An overloaded backpack doesn’t just wear out zippers and seams — it can also strain a child’s neck, shoulders and back. Help students pack only what they’ll need for the day and clean out

backpacks at least once a week. Old papers, forgotten library books and miscellaneous items can quickly add unnecessary weight. When packing, place heavier items closest to the back panel and encourage children to wear both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly.

Invest in quality where it counts

While it can be tempting to choose

Know what should — and shouldn’t — be shared Sharing is an important life lesson, but some school supplies are better kept in their owner’s hands. Talk with children about which items they’re comfortable lending to friends and which should stay with them, especially expensive electronics, calculators, headphones or specialty supplies. If they do lend something, encourage them to agree on when it should be returned and remind friends to handle it carefully.

***

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When the call comes, Atlantic Beach Rescue launches

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

For the volunteers of Atlantic Beach Rescue, responding to emergencies on the water is more than a responsibility. It is a way to combine their love of the ocean with their commitment to helping their neighbors. Every member is a volunteer. There are no paid positions, and the department is always looking for residents willing to give their time, train and respond when someone is in trouble. For Carl Schulman, who has been a member for 25 years and is a former lieutenant, his connection to the department goes back to his desire to serve following the Sept. 11 attacks. “I always liked the water, but for me, it was 9/11,” Schulman said. “I was downtown with my wife, right next to the Trade Center, and I always wanted to give back.” Schulman also helped bring the department’s current rescue boat to Atlantic Beach. About 15 years ago, the department received a grant, and Schulman traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, to inspect the boat before it was purchased. “This is approximately 15 years old,” he said. “Obviously, it works much better than what we had. You can go anyplace, do anything.”

The boat is equipped with thermal imaging, radar and sonar and can travel approximately 50 mph. It also carries advanced life support equipment. Rescue Capt. Alec Squeri, said the boat has become an important part of the department’s ability to reach people quickly. “We take the boat to all different types of water emergencies,” he said. The boat typically carries two to four rescuers. The water team has also grown to include two jet skis equipped with rescue slides, as well as a smaller inflatable rescue boat that can be deployed for flooding and other situations. “I’m very lucky to have Chief Danny Hamelburg and Assistant Chief Anthony Rivelli at the helm of this operation,” he said. “They have a lot of experience doing this professionally and as volunteers, and we’re extremely grateful.” Alec and his twin brother, Max Squeri, have both been members for 13 years. Their connection to the water began long before they started responding to emergencies. “We grew up fishing, running from the ocean to the bay to the ocean,” Alec said. “We love the ocean. It’s one of the things that shaped us into who we are and into different types of watermen.” For Alec, volunteering provides a

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Atlantic Beach Rescue Commissioner and former captain Nat Etrohg, right, Rescue Capt. Alec Squeri and his twin brother Max on the rescue 15-year-old rescue boat out in the ocean. chance to turn that lifelong passion into something meaningful. “Being able to blend our favorite hobby with community service is really enjoyable,” he said. Max said the close-knit nature of the community makes the work even more personal. “You also might know the person that you’re rescuing,” he said. “It’s this whole tight-knit community with Long Beach and here.” When a call comes in, however, there is little time to think about who might be waiting for help. “Every call is different,” Max said. The team first gathers as much information as possible and determines what resources are necessary. The jet ski is often sent first because it is faster and requires fewer people, while the larger boat follows as support. At night, the boat is often the preferred response. “You try to get the jet ski out first because of speed,” Max said. “It’s less people to staff it, and then the bigger boat will come as support.” One of the most dangerous areas is the East Rockaway Inlet, particularly on the Rockaway side, according to Max. “It’s probably one of the most dangerous places that anybody can swim on the whole South Shore,” he said. “Luckily, we’ve been able to snatch a couple people out of the water there before they get sucked out.” Nat Etrog, a commissioner and former captain, said water emergencies often begin with a search. “If there’s a suspected drowning, what you do in the water is a search and rescue,” Etrog said. Harrison Goldmintz, a medical

lieutenant and nine-year member, said the medical component of a water rescue is just as important as getting someone out of the water. “There’s always multiple ambulances assigned to an incident,” he said. “We’re in the business of saving lives.” Even when an emergency appears minor, Goldmintz said rescuers conduct a full evaluation because injuries and hypothermia may not be immediately apparent. “Just because you can walk away doesn’t mean that you’re perfectly fine,” he said. The challenges of water rescue extend beyond the emergency itself. Conditions can change constantly, from weather and waves to currents and boat traffic. “There’s always a difference in the victim, the weather, our personnel,” he said. For the volunteers, that unpredictability is part of what keeps them prepared. “You never know what you’re going to get,” Schulman said. “You have to remember, you’re not on land. The boat is always moving.” For people like Schulman, the Squeri brothers, Etrog and Goldmintz, Atlantic Beach Rescue has become more than an organization. It is a community of volunteers united by their love of the water and a willingness to help someone in their most vulnerable moment. “There’s not really a season,” Max said. “But there’s a busy time here for sure.”

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News briefs

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS Photo credit

National law firm — Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP — opened a new office in Garden City. From left were Matthew Aracich, president of The Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, New York Managing Partner Greg Katz, and Jill Altarac, Katz’s sister.

Lewis Brisbois celebrates expansion with new Garden City office ribbon-cutting Aharon Fireman of Lawrence and Dave Pollack of Woodmere are among the attorneys at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP as the national law firm expanded its Long Island presence with a new office in Garden City. The firm celebrated the opening with a July 28 ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by more than 100 guests, including attorneys, clients, members of the judiciary, business leaders and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is also the Republican candidate for governor. The nearly 5,000-square-foot office, which opened in April, is centrally located to serve clients throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York metropolitan area. “The opening of our Garden City office reflects our longstanding commitment to Long Island and the clients, businesses, and communities we have served here for more than two decades,” Greg Katz, managing partner of Lewis Brisbois’ New York offices, said in a news release. “This office allows us to better serve our Long Island clients, provide attorneys with a convenient local

with CAFFEINE ACADEMY

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workplace, and strengthen our ability to attract top legal talent seeking the resources of a national platform combined with a meaningful local presence.” He said the office will provide a convenient location for attorneys and clients while helping the law firm recruit legal talent seeking a local presence backed by a national practice. The firm has represented businesses and organizations for more than 20 years on Long Island. Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP is a full-service AmLaw 100 law firm with offices across the country. The firm represents companies ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as public entities, insurers, and individuals, across a broad spectrum of litigation, transactional, and regulatory matters. Since opening its Garden City office, the firm has joined the Nassau County Bar Association, Suffolk County Bar Association, Long Island Metro Business Association and the Garden City Chamber of Commerce. — Jeffrey Bessen

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21ST 7:00PM

EISENHOWER PARK

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferreti, center left, and Town Clerk Kate Murray, center right, greeting members of the Chabad of Five Towns during their visit to Rock Hall Museum in Lawrence.

FREE ADMISSION | Clear Bags Only | No Chairs | Parking Field #6 Weather permitting, call 516-572-0200 for up-to-date information.

Before or after the show, stop by The Union in Eisenhower Park for great food, drinks, and a perfect summer night out.

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August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Chabad of Five Towns welcomed to Rock Hall Members of the Chabad of Five Towns were welcomed as they visited Rock Hall on July 14. Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferreti and

Town Clerk Kate Murray greeted them during their visit. — Jack Levey

STEPPING OUT

Photos courtesy LICM

The industrious honey bee is buzzes into the spotlight to captivate museum visitors.

Busy as a bee

Inside the hive at Long Island Children’s Museum

By Karen Bloom

here’s a national day to celebrate just about everything, so it’s only fitting that one of nature’s most important — and often misunderstood — creatures has one of its own. That would be the honeybee. Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to take a closer look at the tiny pollinators that play an outsized role in our ecosystem, on Aug. 15, National Honey Bee Day. The museum has been home to over 20,000 honeybees year-round since 2012, when a hive was introduced to the Feast for Beasts exhibit, which opened in January of that year. Visitors were welcomed to the first “Honey Hoopla” thenso that everyone could experience the first harvesting of honey from that hive. More than a decade later, the event has become a popular annual tradition. • Saturday, Aug. 15, Today, the 11 a.m.-2 p.m. museum maintains • $20 museum admission, $18 four active hives, seniors 65 and older including an enclosed • View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for observation hive additional information or call inside the Feasts (516) 224-5800 for Beasts gallery. • Long Island Children’s Housed between Museum, 11 Davis Ave., large panes of Garden City plexiglass and connected to the outdoors through a protected tube, thousands of honeybees come and go through a portal that allows them to leave the building, forage in the museum’s pollinator garden and return to the hive, where they work together to sustain the colony.Visitors can safely watch honeybees build honeycomb, care for their queen and work together. Special red lighting helps families observe the hive with minimal disruption to the bees’ natural behavior. The fruit of their labor? Lots of honey, naturally. Families are welcome to taste many different varieties of honey during a tasting session, including, of course, from the museum’s honey harvest. Color, aroma and taste can change based on the nectar of the flower. Everyone can sample various honeys and try to match the flavor profile to the specific honey type. “A lot of people maybe don’t know that honey can taste different from different varieties of flowers or the location where it is. We’re going to be

offering honey varieties that the kids can taste test and try to match up,” Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education, says. Bee-themed activities are designed to highlight the insects’ importance to the environment. Children can create a colorful Busy Bee Hat, while adults and kids alike can meet beekeeper Mark Rogan, one of the museum’s exhibit technicians. He shares insights into bee management, explains how honeybee colonies work and will help visitors spot the queen inside the observation hive. “He’ll be up in the hive showing how to find the queen and explaining what the care is like,” museum spokesperson Stephanie Siler says. “He’ll also talk about the observation hive and the three other hives on our roof, answering questions about the bees’ daily care and how we harvest the honey.” Everyone can even try on a life-size beekeeper suit, offering a hands-on glimpse into the world of beekeeping. The observation hive itself — an actual working hive — remains one of the museum’s most unique exhibits. Because the bees are free to travel outdoors and back into the hive throughout the day, through a portal, museum staff can never be certain exactly how many are in residence. ‘”We like to say that they’re the only animal in our collection that we don’t know how many we have because they’re always coming and going, and they’re the only animal that has free roam of the museum,” Siler says, jokingly. While this is all designed to be fun, the program also carries an important conservation message. Climate change, habitat loss and pesticide use continue to threaten honeybee populations, contributing to colony collapse disorder and declining numbers worldwide. Visitors will learn that honeybees are responsible for pollinating some of Long Island’s most abundant crops including melons, pumpkins, tree nuts and berries and that the population is in danger and decreasing rapidly. Without these pollinators, we would lose some of our favorite foods such as chocolate, grapes, apples and pears. To help support bee conservation, the museum continues its Name a Honey Bee Campaign. For a $10 donation, folks can symbolically name one of the museum’s bees, with both the bee’s new name and the donor recognized on a display. Beyond raising funds, museum leadership’s goal is to replace fear with fascination. “It’s very easy for people to feel fearful of bees because they don’t want to be stung, and maybe they assume that all bees are looking to sting and cause harm,” Niver adds. “But the reality is that the honey bees are very docile, and they are just looking to make their honey. They’re really our friends.” Siler understands those fears firsthand. “For me personally I was terrified of bees, growing up,” she says. “So I hope that every child gets to experience them up close and leaves with a new-found appreciation. Not just because they make honey, but because they’re essential to our gardens, our food.” Whether sampling fresh honey, searching for the queen bee or discovering how a bustling hive works, everyone will leave with a deeper appreciation for one of nature’s smallest yet most essential creatures. This is an opoprtuity to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards by showing that protecting pollinators begins with understanding them. In the process, families may find themselves buzzing away with a newfound respect for the tiny insects that help keep our gardens, farms and dinner tables thriving.

There are cover bands, and then there’s Mike DelGuidice. The multiinstrumentalist whose deep-cut knowledge of Billy Joel’s catalog earned him a spot touring alongside the legend himself, is back to his favorite stomping ground: The Paramount. His long-running residency is less of a concert and more of a victory lap. Alongside his hit-for-hit recreation of Joel’s legendary discography, DelGuidice puts his own songwriting chops on full display — weaving in original tracks from albums like “My Street” and “Mask Production.” From playing his own chart-topping tracks — including “Ordinary Guy,” the theme song for Kevin James’ Kevin Can Wait, to touring the world with his idol, DelGuidice is the real deal.

Friday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m. Tickets at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

The Midtown Men Broadway meets classic rock ’n’ roll as The Midtown Men return to Eisenhower Park for an unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia. Featuring four original stars of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys — Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencer — the acclaimed quartet brings the timeless sounds of the 1960s to life with soaring harmonies, dynamic performances and plenty of infectious energy. These Broadway veterans, with their powerhouse band, are realizing the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. This is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers,

Saturday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Contact nassaucountyny. gov for info and updates.

NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

Mike DelGuidice

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

Your Neighborhood Aug Neil Diamond tribute

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

Fans of Neil Diamond can relive the legendary singer-songwriter’s greatest hits when Robert Neary brings “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” to Eisenhower Park. The acclaimed concert experience features more than two hours of classics, complemented by stories, multimedia and a Broadwaystyle production that celebrates Diamond’s remarkable career. The Broadway, television and film veteran, who recently appeared at Tilles Center, has earned widespread praise for his uncanny vocals and stage presence, creating a concert experience that captures the energy and spirit of the original. • Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow • Time: 7 p.m. • Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

Courtyard Concert: The Day Trippers Love the Beatles? You’ll love The Day Trippers, a Long Island Beatles cover band. The band performs at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. Between songs you’ll hear tidbits about what makes the song special and learn how the Beatles music changed over the 10 years they were a band. • Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett • Time: 7-8:30 p.m. • Contact: hwpl.org or (516) 374-1967

Aug Summer swing

Step back into the golden age of swing when the 20-piece Swingtime Big Band takes the stage at Eisenhower Park. Featuring rich brass, soaring vocals and faithful arrangements of classics from the Great American Songbook, the popular ensemble recreates the unmistakable sound of the Swing Era with energy and precision. Whether you’re reliving cherished favorites or discovering these timeless tunes for the first time, Swingtime Big Band delivers an evening of toe-tapping nostalgia. • Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow • Time: 7 p.m. • Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: 2-3 p.m., also Aug. 26 • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Aug Open Mic Poetry Night

Aug

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper‘s 2016 mixtape Coloring Book just turned 10, and he’s announced a tour to celebrate. The mixtape that changed everything is back as Chance takes a victory lap built around the project that won three Grammys in one night, broke streaming-only records, and turned him from a Chicago underground hero into a generational artist. The Coloring Book itself instantly reshaped what a hip-hop record could be. The mixtape became the first streaming-only project to win a Grammy, and it earned Chance Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Performance in a single trip to the podium. Songs like “No Problem,” “Same Drugs,” “All Night,” “Blessings,” “Angels,” and “Summer Friends” turned into staples of a generation’s playlists — and fans have been waiting a decade to hear them performed live in full. The setlist on this tour is built to deliver that, plus cuts from the rest of his catalog and his long-awaited 2025 • Where: The Paramount, 370 release Star Line, his first full-length album in six years. Chance is famous New York Ave., Huntington for raising the energy in a room and turning shows into church-tent revivals, • Time: 8 p.m. especially when the gospel-leaning Coloring Book material lands. • Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Take Flight Aug Old Westbury Gardens

welcomes all to Family Night. Discover the fascinating world of birds and bats during this special after-hours experience in the gardens. families are invited to explore Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit, from 5-8 p.m., the LEGO free-play area, followed by a Birds of Prey show. Participants will meet incredible birds of prey up close and learn what makes them so amazing, plus a Bat Walk, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Registration required. $34, $24 child

your outlook. No experience is needed and no mats are required, just come as you are! Registration is required. Register only with intent to attend, as spots are limited. • Where: 280 Central Ave., Lawrence • Time: 7-9 p.m. • Contact: (516) 967-5777

Aug Tunes in the park

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 5 p.m.; Birds of Prey shows at 5:30 and 7 p.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

The Village of Cedarhurst summer concert series rolls on at Cedarhurst Park. A Night of Country Music features a pre-show performance by Warren Levi Martial Arts and a concert by Peat Moss & The Fertilizers. Bring seating.

Aug Meditation Workshop

• Where: 235 Cedarhurst Ave., Cedarhurst • Time: 7 p.m. • Contact: (516) 295-5770

What would life be like with a fresh perspective and a more positive mindset? Join The Zen Den at Peninsula Public Library for an uplifting workshop featuring energizing meditations and breathing techniques designed to lift your mood and brighten

Aug HewlettWoodmere BOE meets

The Board of Education holds their next meeting. All are encourage to attend to hear monthly updates, express

issues/grievances and learn about what is going on in your school district. • Where: 1 Johnson Place, Woodmere • Time: 5 p.m. • Contact: (516) 371-8100

Nature Connects

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Seasonal Sprouts offers is a LEGO-themed adventure for young explorers. Children (ages 4–10) embark on a guided outdoor tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. Everyone discovers the wonders of nature in a fun and hands-on way. After the tour, kids can unleash their creativity in a LEGO free-play area. $22 per adult, $20 ages 62+, $12 child. Registration required. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 2-3 p.m., also Aug. 26 • Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

Citizen Science: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to be a citizen scientist and study monarch

Calling all poets! Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library welcomes all to bring your poems, prose, spoken word, lyrics, and songs up to the mic. All voices are welcome. Scatter your words, weathered by waves, at our free and open mike! Registration required. • Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett • Time: 7-8:30 p.m. • Contact: hwpl.org or (516) 374-1967

Aug Bricknic Weekend

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to festive weekend to enjoy summer’s final days, inspired by Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects: Made with LEGO Bricks. Pack a picnic, explore the award-winning outdoor exhibition, then enjoy live music, LEGOthemed crafts, free-play building stations, lawn games and fun building challenges for all ages. It’s one of the last opportunities to experience the popular exhibition before it closes on Sept. 7. Included with admission. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 11 a.m-5 p.m.; also Aug. 30 • Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

Having an event? Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Hewlett’s Our Kids Place relocates to V.S. azingariello@liherald.com

After more than a decade in Hewlett, Our Kids Place has relocated to Valley Stream, bringing the family-owned early childhood education program closer to many of the students and families it already serves. The preschool recently moved into its new home at Grace Methodist Church and will mark the occasion with a ribboncutting ceremony at 1 p.m. on Sept. 2, the first day of its fall school year. The event will welcome current and former families, staff members and community members as the preschool officially celebrates its arrival in Valley Stream. “I think it’s a beautiful adjustment,” Lorraine McMillan, director of operations, said. “We’re learning the building, we’re learning the community, but Valley Stream has been warm and welcoming.” The move follows 11 years at the Hewlett location, which opened in May 2015. According to McMillan, the preschool had already been looking for a Valley Stream location because of its universal prekindergarten contract with Valley Stream 24 School District. Relocating places the school within walking distance for many district families and has already generated increased interest, with the District 24 waitlist growing since the move. Our Kids Place traces its roots to a Queens location that has operated since

Courtesy Lorraine McMillan

Our Kids Place is family-owned, with Leslie Peters, far left, Lorraine McMillan and Merlyn Peters running all aspects of the business. 1991. The preschool was purchased in 2006 by owner Merlyn Peters, who continues to lead the business. Today, the organization remains family-owned and operated. McMillan oversees daily operations at the Valley Stream location, while her sister, Leslie Peters, serves as educational director, managing curriculum for both campuses. The preschool serves children from 18 months through prekindergarten and also offers an after-school program for

students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Operating Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the school follows the school district calendar. Rather than functioning solely as a daycare, Our Kids Place emphasizes a structured preschool curriculum. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, with classrooms built around scheduled learning activities, including circle time, centers, arts and crafts, music

and movement, outdoor play and ageappropriate rest periods. Last year, the preschool expanded its offerings to include an integrated special education program, allowing children receiving services such as speech and occupational therapy to learn alongside their peers in general education classrooms. “Whether they’re here for extended hours or they’re here for the traditional school days, they’re always involved in doing something,” McMillan said. “Our goal is to meet the needs of every single child, meet them where they are. We try to give individualized attention.” The transition to Valley Stream has been supported by returning staff and families, with most employees and students moving from the Hewlett location. The preschool has also attracted new families without additional marketing, as residents have recognized the name and stopped by after seeing signage at the new site. Looking ahead, the preschool hopes to continue expanding its integrated special education program and grow its afterschool enrollment while maintaining the level of individualized attention families have come to expect. The upcoming ribbon cutting represents not only the opening of a new location but also the beginning of a new chapter in the preschool’s long history of serving local families. For more information, visit ourkidsplacecares.com.

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NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO

Public Notices

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

LNAS1 0813

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF STARWOOD MORTGAGE RESIDENTIAL TRUST 2020-1, Plaintiff, vs. JOHNSON PLACE HOLDINGS LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 17, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 30 Johnson Place, Woodmere, NY 11598. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Hamlet of Woodmere, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 41, Block 101 and Lot 329 f/k/a Section 41, Block 101, and part of lot 2. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,101,512.31 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #617161/2023. Gerard A. Geisweller, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 231781-1 161420 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A

CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST JOSE C. MARTINEZ, MARIA S. ALVARENGA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 28, 2023, and the Ex Parte Order Amending Judgement of Foreclosure and Sale entered June 14, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 102 Roger Avenue, Inwood, NY 11096. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in Inwood, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 40, Block 146, Lot 126-129. Approximate amount of judgment $824,643.25 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604014/2020. Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 20-000073 90438 161387 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 1, 2006 SECURITIZED ASSET BACKED RECEIVABLES LLC TRUST 2006-HE1 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-HE1, Plaintiff,

AGAINST AZEEM ALI, Defendant(s)

al.

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on December 19, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 8, 2026 at 3:30 PM premises known as 541 11th Street, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Woodmere, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0039, Block 00290-00 and Lot 00054. Approximate amount of judgment $1,966,318.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #001877/2013. Paul L. Meli, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 161579 PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for Fremont Home Loan Trust 2003-A, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2003-A, Plaintiff AGAINST Carolyn J. Orena; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 4, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 14, 2026, at 2:00PM, premises known as 175 Granada Street, Atlantic Beach, NY 11509. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at the unincorporated of Atlantic Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 58 Block 1 Lots 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Approximate amount of judgment $1,402,026.33 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 618063/2024. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Desert Highway, an Eagles tribute band, performed at Nassau County’s Salute to Veterans ceremony and concert.

God Bless America was performed at the start of the show.

Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: June 30, 2026 161710 To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

Legal Notices are everyone’s business

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The American Bombshells entertained with classic hits.

Nassau honors veterans at annual ceremony and concert Veterans, their families and community members gathered at Eisenhower Park on Aug. 1 for Nassau County’s 39th annual Salute to Veterans ceremony and concert. The event, held at the park’s Lakeside Theatre in East Meadow, recognized local veterans and honored the service and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The annual celebration brought residents together to show their appreciation for veterans and their contributions to the country and their communities. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Ralph Esposito, director of the Nassau County Veterans Service

Agency, hosted the event, which included a ceremony recognizing this year’s veteran honorees. Following the ceremony, attendees were treated to live music from The American Bombshells, a group known for performing for and supporting veterans, active-duty military members and their families. Desert Highway, an Eagles tribute band, also took the stage during the evening concert. The Salute to Veterans is an annual Nassau County tradition designed to recognize local veterans while giving residents an opportunity to gather in their honor. —Jordan Vallone

W1 08/13

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ROOSEVELT

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Established 2000

Roosevelt Children’s Academy Charter School was the first charter school to be established in Long Island, New York. We are always looking for NYS Certified energetic Teachers, RTI/ELA Teachers. Response To Intervention/English Language Arts Teachers. Special Education (Special Ed) Teacher, and Substitute Teachers to join our organization.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS

STARTING SALARIES • Teacher • RTI/ELA TEACHERS • Special Ed

SCOPE IS HIRING

• Substitute Teachers - $40K

For The Before & After School Child Care Programs That Will Be Opening For The 2026 - 2027 School Year In Nassau and Suffolk County Elementary Schools Hiring Directors, Assistants, Group Leaders and Substitutes. Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships and Employee Referrals Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer

Bookkeeper/Gal/Guy Friday

EMPLOYMENT

AR/AP; Bank Recs, General Office Duties, Maintain Monthly Reports, Review Monthly Mgmnt Reports. HS Diploma Required. Word, Excel and Quick Books. Salary Range $26 - $30/Hr. Email Resume: rita@13associatesllc.com

Looking to Buy, SeLL or Hire?

Check out our Classifieds Section —

Your go-to local marketplace.

BUS NOW HIRINGIVERS AND VAN DR

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NEW

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for CDL driver bus and van $500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualiﬁed applicants

EDUCATIONAL BUS TRANSPORTATION

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IF YOU THINK YOU CAN ADD TO THE FOCUS OF RCACS PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO

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Positions available in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Apply At: www.educationalbusjobs.com/ EOE

$17.00

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Main Location 111 Pleasant Avenue, Roosevelt, New York 11575 516-867-6202 • www.rcacs.org

needed for Management Co. in Long Beach. 6 Days/Week Experience Preferred Email: humanresoures5771 @gmail.com or Call: (212) 873-7575

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

$5000 SIGN ON BONUS FOR ALREADY ADY LICENSED CDLBPS & CPS DRIVERS!

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SCOPE EDUCATION SERVICES

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. H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

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

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

Open the door to a bright future! Check the

Job listings today!

516-569-4000 Press 5

One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country. Call the USA Classified Network today!

1-800-231-6152

NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

HERALD

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

W2 08/13

Homes

HERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

HOME Of tHE WEEK

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Seaford

Stunning New Construction

Planning an extra-large doorway

Q. I want to remove some walls on the first floor of my building to enlarge from one store to the other. I’ve gotten a few estimates, and each one includes different beams for the doorway header. The opening will be 10 feet wide. How do I know whether I should use wood, steel, or something called a fish beam? A. The whole thing sounds fishy to me. It sounds like you’re hiring cathedral builders. That’s my nickname for contrac‑ tors who save you money by using “rule of thumb” methods. You see, in medieval Europe, when cathedrals were being built, as many as 100 people would die if the stone walls collapsed in an under‑structured build‑ onte eeper ing. Not having our technol‑ ogy and engineering knowl‑ edge, they simply beefed up the structure and started over (stopping long enough for large funerals, of course). Having untrained contractors render the most important opinion about your business, or your life, is a foolhardy endeavor. It’s penny‑wise and ton‑foolish. Many factors are involved in this decision. First of all, depending on the type of construction and “fire limits” set by the fire commissioner and your local code, your new doorway — 10 feet sounds awfully large to call a doorway — may need fire protectives, such as a sprinkler system, automatic closure devices, such as rolling shutters, or special fire‑retardant materials. Next, the type of construction, and the use of upper floors or roofs, must be determined, and calcu‑ lated by a series of code‑ and engineering‑related equations. Imagine forgetting about that 2,000‑pound air conditioning unit overhead, or the fact that the accountant upstairs has file cabinets filled with paper‑ work (at 100 pounds per square foot!) or that a column comes down right above your new door opening. Hire an architect or engineer, even on a consulta‑ tion. As far as “fish plates” are concerned, the word is “flitch” plate, and just the pronunciation mistake is enough signal to me that somebody knows just enough to get you into trouble, but maybe not enough to get you out. A flitch plate is a steel plate that can range from an eighth of an inch thick up to an inch or more. The height and width are determined by calcu‑ lating several factors. The steel plate is bolted between wood joists of the same height. There are more calculations for this “sandwich” beam, as it’s also known, than for other types of simple beams, because the characteristics of the steel, the wood and the bolts all require separate calculations. As Evel Knievel used to say, “Kids, don’t try this at home.” Even if your trusty steel supplier comes up with the calculations, you should be careful. I recently looked at a beam that was “sized” at the steel yard. I called them after calculating that the beam was undersized, and asked how they figured out what beam to sell. The man replied that he “used the info provided by the contractor.” Enough said. Your insurance company won’t settle if everything wasn’t done to code, in case of a failure of the beam, fire, accident or lack of building permits. Be smart. Be careful.

Ask The Architect

tunning 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial located in the heart of Seaford Manor. This 3100 square foot home to be built has everything, a spacious living room, formal dining room, family room with a gas fireplace. Get out your recipe book because you are going to want to cook in this stunning eat-inkitchen with quartz island, countertops and stainless-steel appliances. It also has gleaming hardwood floors and recessed lighting throughout the house. The master bedroom suite has full bath with a soaking, double sinks plus a walk-in closet with hi tray ceilings and a chandelier. The house has central air along with central vacuum and laundry room on the second floor. It also has wainscotting, crown molding on first floor, 9-foot ceilings on main floor and 8-foot ceilings on the upstairs levels. Enjoy a full finished basement with an outside entrance, multi-car garage and black-top driveway. It is definitely a must see. Asking price $1,399,000.

REAL ESTATE Real Estate 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

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space When Available. For Details Call 516-860-6889/ 516-852-5135/ 516-582-9978

Rooms For Rent ROCKVILLE CENTRE: SUNNY Private Entrance, Walking Distance South Nassau Hospital, Share Bath, Negotiable. 516-913-0804.

LAURA DUPKIN MEMISHA Licensed Broker Associate laura@therealtyadvisors.com Cell: 516.984.0343 Office: 516.826.1111 Realty Advisors 3341 Park Ave. Wantagh NY 11793

Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

Helping you find a HOME or sell a HOME … a place to call your own. Suburb or country, house, condo, townhouse or apartment, our Classifieds can help you find a HOME that fits your style, your budget and Real Estate needs... it’s a MUST SEE!

Call us today!

Your Hometown Newspaper

To Place an Ad Call: 516-569-4000 • Press 5

© 2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

W3 08/13

Market Place • • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

T&M GREENCARE

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NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

HERALD

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS Garage Sales VALLEY STREAM: MULTI-FAMILY. Saturday 8/15, 9AM-3PM. 58 Lyon Street. Home Furnishings, Books, Holiday Decor, More..

Finds Under $100 TABLE SAW: ROCKWELL Model 10 Contractors with stand and casters. 40X30 table surface. $95.00 516-343-4010

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Electricians

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Home Improvement

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

Cable/TV/Wiring Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $ 6 0 0 I n G i f t C a r d s . C a l l To d a y ! 1-866-782-4069

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Cleaning Services

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• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

SERVICES

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W4 08/13

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HErald

Crossword Puzzle

Home Improvement

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Medical

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1354934

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD

Answers to todAy’s puzzle

opinions

wo weeks ago, the Mets honored their 1986 team on the 40th anniversary of its World Series championship season. That was the last time the Mets won it all, and unfortunately, it looks like it will be a while before they reach that pinnacle again. That 1986 team was one for the ages, replete with stars, superstars and gritty players who never quit. It was also a team known for what might have been. No Mets squad before or since has had a better season, or such a complete unit with so much talent, ego, disparate personalities and a manager who could fit all the pieces together and make them work so remarkably close to perfection. The team won 108 regular-season games, the ninth-highest in history, and finished 21½ games ahead of their closest NL East rival, the Phillies. The most spectacular superstar was Dwight Gooden, a boy wonder who at 21 had more pitching achievements than anyone ever at his age. Similarly, Darryl

Strawberry, a young slugger with limitless ability, seemed to be headed to the Hall of Fame. Gary Carter was baseball’s leading catcher, and a clutch power hitter who did have a Hall of Fame career. Team leader Keith Hernandez was a fierce competitor, and generally acknowledged to be the best defensive first basemen ever. Other players, though not quite superstars, were top-flight talent who knew how to win: pitchers Ron Darling, Bobby Ojeda and Jesse Orosco and fielders Ray Knight, Howard Johnson, Mookie Wilson, Kevin Mitchell, Tim Teufel and Lee Mazzilli. There were also brawlers like Wally Backman and Lenny Dykstra, who would do virtually anything to win. The ringmaster of this assemblage was Manager Davey Johnson, who was not only one of the first managers to use a computer, but also relied on gut instinct. Johnson was a unique oldschool/analytics composite. The playoff series against the Astros, highlighted by a sixth-game, 16-inning come-from-behind win, put the Mets in the Series against the Red Sox, which proved to be a classic. The

Mets were one out away from losing the sixth game, and the Series, when they staged a miracle comeback to win, and then took Game Seven as well. They were on top of the baseball world, and looking like a dynasty for years to come. But it wasn’t to be. The first sign of what was to come went largely unnoticed at the time. Gooden was missing from the ticker-tape parade up Fifth Avenue. Fans were told he had overslept after too much celebration, but the reality, as would become known the following year, was that Gooden was a drug addict and had missed the parade because he was on a cocaine binge. While he would have several more good seasons, he was never the same. Strawberry had troubles of his own, and left the Mets for the Dodgers after the 1990 season. Like Gooden, Strawberry had serious drug problems, and never played again as a regular after 1991. Several other key players in the ’86 soon left the Mets. After a contract squabble, Knight left for Baltimore. Mitchell was traded because he was considered a disruptive influence, and

rom boy wonders to brawlers to a future Hall of Famer, they were a unique squad.

Dykstra was always a self-destructive wild man. He was traded to the Phillies in ’89. After he retired, Dykstra served in prison for crimes including bankruptcy fraud, money laundering, grand theft and making terrorist threats. For a host of reasons, the Mets never again had the cohesion they had in 1986. I should add that Strawberry went on to overcome his drug problems, and cancer, and is now a true model citizen. I’ve met him a number of times and seen him interact with young kids. You couldn’t ask for a nicer guy. Gooden has had his ups and downs but is also, by all accounts, a good guy. Certainly he has been that way whenever I’ve seen him at events. I’ve also had the chance to meet other 1986 Mets, including Hernandez, Darling, Teufel and Wilson, and they’re all a credit to the game. Gooden, Strawberry, Hernandez and Howard Johnson were elected to the Mets Hall of Fame, and Carter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Most of all, to Mets fans, the ’86 team will always bring back great memories. Let’s go, Mets! Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

On progressive Democrats, misbehavers and oldsters

s the midsummer mark came and went, the nation was dealing with two types of heat waves. One has scorched communities throughout the country with conditions that were never anticipated by any weather forecaster. The other is occurring in Washington, D.C., and around the country, in the form of political scandals and party upheavals whose results will play out in November. It’s difficult to choose one event as the most dramatic, but it’s worth recounting them one by one. The Michigan Democratic primary produced an unexpected victory by progressive candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. President Trump won the state of Michigan in three elections, but with his popularity at an all-time low, a far-left candidate who won on the issue of affordability shouldn’t be counted out. And New York City residents shouldn’t be surprised by the Michigan result, considering that there’s a socialist mayor in City Hall. Republicans of every color of the

political spectrum are jumping for joy over the Michigan results, but the socialist-aligned El-Sayed could well upset the apple cart thanks to a very unpopular president, who is losing support nationally from independents and some Republicans. A Trump-endorsed candidate might not be as popular in November as party officials think. Back in the nation’s capital, Republicans are facing numerous headwinds. Two members of Congress have been accused of conduct that is disqualifying in the current climate. Rep. Chuck Edwards, of North Carolina, dropped his re-election bid after the House Ethics Committee released a report finding that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with congressional staff members. And as of this writing, Rep. Max Miller, of Ohio, was vowing to continue campaigning for re-election despite growing calls for him to drop out amid reports of alleged spousal abuse. Ordinarily, the missteps of two House members would be of no consequence, but House Republicans have a very small majority, and the potential loss of two seats is a big deal in what promises to be a difficult election year. On top of

that, Republicans are dealing with the problem of rapidly aging Senate members, who are no longer reliable votes when they’re needed. Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, has been hospitalized for weeks, and his potential to return to work is questionable. Like the House, the Senate is a big headache for Republicans. There the average age is 64, compared with the average age of 57 for the House. Sen. Charles Grassley, of Iowa, is 92, and he has many oldtimers to keep him company on the Senate floor. While Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, is 84, and Angus King, the independent from Maine, is 82, the Democrats aren’t in trouble if either of them is sidelined. Contrast these old guys with Senators Jon Ossoff, of Georgia, and Andy Kim, of New Jersey, who are 39 and 44, respectively. Not everyone is sitting still when it comes to the large number of aging elected officials. Nick Tomboulides, the head of U.S. Term Limits, a nonpartisan group, is seeking to limit the number of terms that federal officials can serve in office to three terms, or six years, in the

emocrats are dealing with the S word, and Republicans are facing strong headwinds.

House and two terms, or 12 years, in the Senate. Tomboulides says that “incumbency is the problem for elected officials who can easily be re-elected and view their positions as a lifetime job.” What compels public officials to stay in office long after their shelf life seems to have expired? Some simply love the job and enjoy the prestige that comes with it. They have no problem getting restaurant reservations, and love being catered to by the airlines. Others actually focus on getting things done, and their experience is of great value when it comes to government problem-solving. But today there are many much younger people who are ready, willing and able to take on the challenge of public life. To date, Congress has been largely unwilling to discipline its members when they engage in unprofessional conduct. Many members know about colleagues who break the rules but are afraid to blow the whistle on them. And as for the aging senators, it’s up to the voters to give them a hard look, and not just vote for the most familiar faces. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

That unforgettable Mets team of 40 years ago

Herald editorial

Nassau

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Vote on issues, not the scoreboard

very election season follows a familiar script. News reports dissect the latest polls. Campaigns celebrate statistical bump as if they’ve won a championship. Political commentators debate momentum, speculate about strategy and spend countless hours analyzing who’s ahead and who’s falling behind. Somewhere along the way, the issues that will shape our neighborhoods often become secondary. Elections aren’t sporting events, and voters shouldn’t approach them as if they’re rooting for a favorite team. Polls may provide a snapshot of public opinion at a specific moment, but they are not ballots and do not evaluate policies. The danger of treating elections like horse races is that the conversation shifts away from substance. Instead of asking how candidates plan to solve problems, voters are encouraged to ask who appears more likely to win. Instead of examining competing visions for the future, too many people focus on campaign tactics, fundraising totals and social media trends. Who has the best ideas for addressing housing costs, improving public safety, strengthening schools and the many other challenges ahead must not be forgotten. Our communities need voters who are informed, engaged and motivated to familiarize themselves with the choices

letters Time to stop Liberty Water rate increases To the Editor: Merrick and Bellmore residents face an outrageous 37 percent water bill increase requested by Liberty Utilities. Coupled with annual hikes of 13 percent to 17 percent between 2024 and 2026, our water costs will have nearly doubled since Liberty took control in 2022. Forcing neighbors to absorb another massive increase for a basic necessity is unacceptable when a solution already exists to lower our water bills. In November 2021, New York state created the South Nassau Water Authority to transition our water system into a public, taxexempt entity. Because public authorities operate without corporate profits or special tax burdens, this transition would immediately lower our water bills. Yet nearly five years later, the SNWA board has made no tangible

before them. Every election, from town boards and county legislatures to statewide offices, affects the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Decisions made by those officials influence taxes, zoning, infrastructure, emergency services, transportation, parks and economic development. Polling has a legitimate place in politics. It can reveal public concerns and identify emerging issues. But it also has limitations. It reflects opinions only at the time respondents are surveyed, and history has shown that polls can miss late shifts in public sentiment. More important, polls do not tell voters which candidate has the best ideas or values. That requires looking beyond campaign commercials, viral video clips and carefully crafted slogans. Voters should compare candidates’ positions on the issues that matter most. How would they address property taxes? What are their plans for housing, public safety and education? How would they manage taxpayer dollars? What are their priorities for infrastructure and economic growth? Fortunately, the information is available. Attend candidate debates and forums. Read policy proposals and campaign websites. Learn about incumbents’ records instead of relying solely on their promises. Ask candidates thoughtful questions when they appear

before civic groups and community organizations. Read the Herald, which follows local government throughout the year, not just during campaign season. The closer elections become, the more intense the horse-race coverage usually gets. Headlines focus on who gained two percentage points or whose campaign appears to have more energy. Yet when the votes are counted and the campaign signs come down, those numbers quickly fade into history. When Election Day arrives, the latest polls will no longer matter. The decisions made by those who are elected will. Budgets will be adopted, services funded, roads repaired, development approved and taxes set. Those choices affect residents long after campaign momentum has faded. An informed vote is one of the most powerful tools any citizen possesses. It should be based not on who appears to be winning, but on who has earned the public’s confidence with his or her ideas, experience and clear vision for the future. This election season, ignore the scoreboard. Study the issues. Evaluate the candidates. Ask difficult questions. Then cast your ballot based on informed judgment. That is how democracy works best, and how our communities will be best served.

opinions

hether I’m at a community event, meeting with constituents or talking with neighbors, I often hear the same concern: it is increasingly harder to afford living on Long Island. Families are feeling squeezed by rising utility bills and higher auto insurance premiums, housing, health care and child care costs, all combined with the economic instability of our global markets, which drives everyday expenses up. In Albany, I prioritized feasible legislative solutions that ease this financial burden so families can continue to work, raise their children and revitalize our local economy. Affordability isn’t a single policy, but it’s an issue that shapes nearly every decision made in your household. I believe the government has a responsibility to ease people’s financial burden by lowering overall costs where possible, holding corporations accountable, and investing in our state’s services and workforce. This legislative session reflects that commitment through practical investments, reforms and measures designed to lower costs and prop-

Letters progress. There is no timeline for the transition, no contract for sale, and no negotiations on sale price. Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled Town of Hempstead, under Supervisor John Ferretti, and the Nassau County Legislature, under Executive Bruce Blakeman, who appointed the SNWA board, remain silent. They refuse to pressure the board to act or replace them for their inaction. The longer our elected officials fail to act, the more residents will see unnecessary increases in the cost of basic necessities. Residents must stop accepting this broken status quo. We must show up, speak out, and demand that our officials deliver the public water system promised years ago.

erty taxes for working families and small businesses. One of the biggest concerns is the rising cost of utilities. For too long, Long Islanders have wondered whether they can absorb another increase in their electric or gas bill. This year’s stjhate budget, which I supported, increases oversight of utility companies by strengthening scrutiny of executive compensation, rates of return, and costs passed on to consumers. Simply put, the budget favors ratepayers over utilities when they seek rate increases, increasing transparency and accountability in a rate-setting process that all too often excludes the most important voices, ratepayers. The budget also established the Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebates program, providing energy rebate checks for eligible households. Joint filers with incomes under $150,000 will receive a $200 check, those between $150,000 and $300,000 will receive a $150 check, and single filers under $150,000 will receive a $100 check. This initiative will helps alleviate the financial pressures people are facing. Keeping costs down also means making informed decisions about our energy future. That’s why I supported a responsible pause on large-scale data center

expansion while our state agencies evaluate their long-term impact on utility costs and on the resources of local municipalities. While these projects create temporary construction jobs, they also place enormous demands on our electric grid that drive up costs that shouldn’t be passed on to ratepayers. Studying the long-term effects of data centers helps ensure that economic development doesn’t come at the expense of higher utility bills or our quality of life. Auto insurance is another growing burden for many families. Too often, people with clean driving records find themselves paying more because of fraud, costly litigation or outdated rating practices. I’m proud to have advanced reforms that limit excessive insurance profits and require those profits to be returned to policyholders. Just as important, insurers are no longer permitted to base rates on factors such as ZIP code, education level, occupation or homeownership status, ensuring fairness and equitable rate-setting practices across the board for prospective or current policyholders. Affordability also means making it possible for parents to remain in the workforce. This year’s budget includes a $3 billion investment in child care subsidies, along with a restored $116 million

ffordability isn’t a single policy, but it shapes nearly every decision in your household.

for after-school programs and community-based child care services, helping more families balance work and raising children. Finally, we must ensure that Long Island remains economically viable for our seniors, who are facing a 62 percent increase in poverty driven by soaring utility bills and health care costs, alongside young families building their futures. I advocated for $250 million for affordable housing development in the state budget, creating more opportunities for residents to remain in the communities they call home. When our teachers, first responders, health care workers, skilled tradespeople, small business owners, seniors and young professionals can afford to live here, we all reap the benefits. The financial challenges facing New Yorkers didn’t appear overnight, and they won’t disappear overnight. But by lowering utility costs, reforming auto insurance, expanding access to child care, investing in housing and providing direct financial relief, I remain fully committed to delivering on pragmatic policies that lower costs and ensure that Long Island remains a place where families can thrive. While no single program can solve the entirety of the affordability crisis we are facing, these initiatives are a good start, while recognizing that there is still much work to be done. Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.

FrAmeWork by Tim Baker

MICHAEL VANuNu Merrick Editors’ note: In June, Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti called on state regulators to reject Liberty New York Water’s proposed rate increases, arguing that the hikes would place an undue burden on Long Island residents already struggling with rising costs.

And now, the swimming portion of the competition at the 50th-anniversary canoe races in Cow Meadow Park — Freeport

NASSAU HERALD — August 13, 2026

Combating escalating costs on Long Island

The Experts at U.S. News Agree: Mount Sinai South Nassau is High Performing

mountsinai.org/southnassau 1358581

August 13, 2026 — NASSAU HERALD