HERALD Oceanside/island park
Oceanside Chamber celebrates community
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Tom Lehman, athletic director of the Oceanside School District, was honored on Feb. 13 as the Ocean Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Citizen of the Year, and the Hal Knopf Team at Compass real estate was awarded Business of the Year.
The honors came during the chamber’s annual installation and awards dinner at Temple Avodah, recognizing outstanding contributions to the community and honoring individuals and businesses that exemplify excellence, service and leadership. The event, attended by local officials, business leaders and COnTinued On page 16
A return to the ring for ‘the cancer fighter,’ Sean Wachter
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
For many, professional wrestling is just entertainment. For Oceanside resident Sean Wachter, it has been a guiding force after a hard-fought battle with cancer, and he is making his return to the ring.
Wachter, 40, a business development manager, was a lacrosse and football player at Alfred State College, but his true love was always professional wrestling. In addition to wrestling and advocacy, on Feb. 3 Wachter took on a new role as the director of operations for Long Island’s upcoming arena
football franchise, the Entertainment Football Association. (He played outside linebacker in the Arena Football League in 2008.) The team’s name and logo were scheduled to be revealed on Friday.
Wachter had trained to become a professional wrestler, and when the Arena Football League went defunct, he tried out for World Wrestling Entertainment, but a neck injury he had suffered in an accident derailed his dreams of becoming a wrestler. Later he coached high school football in Long Beach and Baldwin, where he discovered a passion for mentoring young athletes.
He has had two battles with rare Stage 4 melanoma with leptomeningeal enhancement. After months of recovery, he is now preparing to make his wrestling comeback. He will do so at New York Wrestling Connection’s Psycho Circus on Saturday at the Farmingville Fire Department.
A week later, Wachter will make his debut in the National Wrestling Alliance during its Northeastern tour, wrestling at the Factory, on the Nautical Mile in Freeport, on Feb. 28, followed by shows in Greenport and New Jersey in the coming weeks.
Wachter’s bouts with cancer
began unexpectedly in September 2016, when he collapsed in the living room of his parents’ Oceanside home and suffered severe neurological symptoms.
A CT scan revealed a golf ballsized tumor in his cerebellum, and doctors initially gave him about 12 weeks to live.
Rather than succumbing to despair, Wachter leaned on the strength of his family, particu-
larly his parents, whose unwavering support helped him endure multiple surgeries, treatments and the grueling process of relearning how to walk.
“I realized I needed to be strong for my parents,” Wachter said. “‘We got this. Let’s fight.’ My mom said, ‘I’ve never been prouder of you in
Mellissa Baptiste/Herald
Cory Knopf, center with plaque, and Thomas Lehman, to her left, with Oceanside Chamber of Commerce members.
schools address phone ban concerns
By KEPHERD DANIEL & REI WOLFSOHN
Of the Oceanside/Island Park Herald
With Governor Kathy Hochul proposing a smartphone restriction law for schools, and teen phone use on the rise, Oceanside High School held a viewing of the film Screenagers Next Chapter for parents on Feb. 11.
Screenagers Next Chapter is a documentary that looks into the mental health of teenagers in general, and how it’s affected by screen time. Governor Hochul’s proposed law would leave it up to schools to develop an implementation plan in a way that removes screen use from schools.
“I’m always worried about it too,” said Leanne Christel, a high school parent. “And I think that my takeaway is that I’m validated in worrying about it.”
According to the film, teens who are heavy screen users see increasing anxiety the longer they are away from their phones. Teens who are moderate screen users see an initial state of anxiety, but that goes away the longer their phones are away.
“There can be the distraction in the moment with the devices, but also the likelihood for there to be fragmentation of attention,” said Nina Weisenreder, the high school’s psychologist and coordinator of its wellness center. “I think the tendency to isolate and distract with social media and devices.”
Teens in the film reported being unable to remove themselves from their phones. Others reported finding support for there mental health online using their phones, including meditation guidance, breath work exercises, and personal stories about coping skills.
“Kids that are engaged in other things and use it moderately, I think it could be a positive thing,” said Sara Dowler, the high school’s health teacher. “It’s kids that they’re so wrapped up that they’re putting other things aside, including interacting with other people and joining different clubs and sports.”
Some parents are in support of the potential law.
“I like it,” Christel said. “I don’t think they should be in school and I think the biggest people who have problems with phones not in school are the parents. I don’t think the kids really mind, to be honest with you. “
Dianne Provvido, the superintendent of curriculum, explained that there are a variety of different practices that are currently in place in Oceanside schools.
“We do have in our high schools pock-
ets where students are able, through teacher direction, to put their cell phones in pockets,” Provvido said. “At the younger grades we don’t have cell phones out. It’s not a practice that we allow and similarly in the middle school.”
Provvido believes that schools should take the middle path with regards to smartphones.
“There’s a reality to phones, and there has to be balance, not extremes on either end,” Provvido said. “I do think that whatever is in place is going to be with the intent and the impact of helping our kids be healthier, more focused learners.”
Provvido sees a potential challenge in implementing the new policy uniformly across grade levels, but is generally positive about the potential law.
“It’s different in each of the levels, because the kids are different…I’m sure there’ll be a curve of some sort in implementing it,” Provvido said. “But I’m hopeful because I think that kids want to be their best selves. I think parents want to partner with us.”
At the Oceanside school board meeting on Feb.12, Superintendent Phyllis Harrington also acknowledged the challenges of implementing a strict, onesize-fits-all phone ban.
“The governor has made her proposal tied to her budget,” she said. “It’s an extreme position, and many districts have taken that position. “My personal and professional opinion, given the reality of what students are used to, is that if we are given an option to make a local policy, we would start by restricting cell phone use during instructional periods.”
Oceanside High School already has classrooms where students place their phones in pouches during lessons. This prevents distractions while allowing students access to their devices outside of class. These practices aren’t explicit policies, but they are showing positive results.
“The practices are successful,” Provvido said. “You’ll have students who might not necessarily use, or follow, what the teacher’s practice is, but when they’re in place you do see that it benefits our students in terms of their focus.”
Board President Michael D’Ambrosio clarified that no official policy has been implemented yet.
“We do not have a policy in place, and the board has not agreed to one,” he said. “We’re just having a discussion to figure out what’s best for the students.”
Photos courtesy Oceanside School District
Superintendent of Curriculum Dianne Provvido awaits a parent’s answer at film screening discussion of Screenagers Next Chapter which was shown on Feb. 11.
O’Side
School Psychologist Nina Weisenreder and Superintendent of Curriculum Dianne Provvido engage with parents after the screening of Screenagers Next Chapter.
Pet Trusts
Bob and Laura were ready to move forward with their estate plan to save estate taxes and avoid probate. The only hitch was who would take care of their beloved pets, Samson, the dog and Delilah, the cat, after Bob and Laura passed away.
Under New York law, trusts for the care of our pets are valid and enforceable. You can set up a pet trust in either a trust or a will. A trust is a private document that generally does not go to court, so if you create a pet trust within your own trust, it’s a private affair. A will, once submitted to court, is a public document and the court oversees the directions in your will, including your pet trust provisions.
Bob and Laura created pet trusts in their own living trusts. After more searching and discussion, they chose Bob’s brother, Rich, to be the trustee, or manager, of the pet trusts, meaning Rich will oversee and keep account of the money allocated to care for Sampson and Delilah. Rich will also be the caretaker. The trustee and caretaker do not have to be the same person but often that is the arrangement.
Island Park Library celebrates Valentine’s Day with style
According to their trusts, after Bob and Laura are both gone, they leave $10,000 for each of their surviving pets. The trust money is to be used for the “proper medical care, support and maintenance” of their pets until the last pet dies. Then, the remainder of the money, called the “trust balance,” is distributed according to Bob’s and Laura’s wishes.
Instead of leaving a specific amount of money, a technique developed by Ettinger Law Firm may be preferable. What we suggest is that an amount to care for the annual feeding and medical care of the pet be placed in a trust, based on the actuarial life expectancy of the pet as determined by a local veterinarian. After all, the amount needed varies greatly depending on the age of the pet. To that, an average of five thousand or more may be added for unseen expenses. Consideration should also be given as to what a fair fee may be for the trustee.
Our free review of your estate plan every three years assures that the pet trust will be updated as circumstances change.
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offices in Huntington
Island Park Library spread love and joy this Valentine’s Day with a festive celebration for the community. Patrons of all young ages enjoyed the festive decorations. The holiday brought neighbors together in the spirit of the holiday, offering a fun and welcoming space for all. Library staff expressed their excite -
ment at seeing families and friends engage in creative activities and share heartfelt messages. The celebration was part of the library’s ongoing efforts to foster community connection through engaging programs.
Courtesy Joe Ponte
Children’s Librarian Sarah Campbell helped transform the library for the festivities.
The Island Park Library got festive for Valentines Day with several holiday themed books on display for patrons.
— Kepherd Daniel
O’Side student takes step to improve bike safety
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Oceanside Middle School student
Ethan Wellington wants to roll Oceanside bikers towards a safer future by creating dedicated bike lanes in the community. What started as a simple school project for the 13-yearold student, has evolved into a passionate campaign to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
In late 2024, Wellington, now in eighth grade, had a project in his social studies class where students were asked to identify an issue and find possible solutions. Wellington believed that adding bike lanes to Oceanside would be the best idea after observing his friends riding their bikes on busy roads near his neighborhood.
“I saw my friends riding their bikes near traffic, and it didn’t feel safe for them,” Wellington said. “I knew something had to change.”
To make his project even better, Wellington decided to start the organization “Rolling Towards Safety”, which is dedicated to making roads safer for cyclists. He has reached out to local politicians and advocacy groups and also worked to raise awareness at the Middle School.
Although he hasn’t personally experienced a bike-related accident, his concern for his peers’ safety was enough to spark action. The project began as part of a social studies assignment, where students were tasked with identifying a community issue and proposing a solution. While Wellington’s project partner chose not to continue, Ethan pressed forward on his own, driven by a strong sense of purpose.
“I decided I’d keep it going and keep fighting to get this project done,” he said. “If I don’t make a change it’s not going to happen.”
Wellington launched a petition to gather support from fellow students and the Oceanside community. He organized an assembly during lunch periods in the school’s main lobby to present his ideas and engaged in oneon-one conversations to explain the importance of bike lanes. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with he said was about 80 percent of students supporting the initia -
tive.
Most of the kids I talked to ride their bikes and agree it’s not safe,” he said. “They believe we need a solution.”
However, Wellington acknowledged that about 20 percent of his peers were initially skeptical, citing concerns about costs and questioning the necessity of the project. To counter these doubts, Wellington presented compelling statistics, which spent days compiling.
“In 2022, over 1,000 cyclists lost their lives due to not having bike lanes,” he explained. “When people hear that, they realize this isn’t just about convenience—it’s about saving lives.”
Ethan has calculated that the project will require approximately $47,000 to cover the cost of painting about 3.9 miles of bike lanes. He arrived at this figure by researching the average cost of bike lane materials in New York City and factoring in multiple coats of paint.
To raise the necessary funds, Ethan
plans to launch a GoFundMe campaign within the next month, after gathering additional community support. If that doesn’t reach the goal, he intends to explore alternative fundraising methods, including sponsorships, campaigns, and social media outreach.
“Money is the biggest thing with this, but I’m determined to find a way,” he said.
In addition to his advocacy work, Wellington is active in extracurricular activities at his school. He participates in track and cross-country and is involved in Best Buddies, a club dedicated to supporting individuals with special needs. His commitment to helping others is a driving force behind his bike lane campaign.
“I’m always trying to make sure people are happy and safe,” he said.
Wellington has also taken the initiative to create a website for his project using Google Sites, where he shares updates and information about his campaign. Despite managing the project solo, he remains optimistic about
recruiting more supporters.
“Right now, I’m running it by myself, but I’m looking for ways to get others involved,” he said.
Wellington has reached out to local politicians to gain their support but has not yet received a response. Undeterred, he plans to follow up in the coming weeks, bolstered by his campaign’s growing momentum.
“I’m going to gain more support with fundraisers and keep pushing until this gets done,” he said.
Wellington hopes to see more progress by early March, with potential fundraisers and increased community engagement on the horizon. His dedication and leadership have already made a significant impact, and his efforts serve as an inspiring example of how one young person can drive meaningful change in their community.
For more information or to support Ethan’s bike lane project, visit his website rollingtowardssafety@gmail. com, or stay tuned for updates on his YouTube channel rollingtowardssafety.
Courtesy Ethan Wellington
Oceanside Middle School student Ethan Wellington is taking action to make Oceanside a better place for bikers, starting his own organization, Rolling Towards Safety.
Oceanside produces record-setting results
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The decorated high school wrestling careers of Oceanside’s Jake Strianese and Jared Marine saw another chapter added Sunday evening when both seniors reached the finals of the Nassau County Division I championships at Hofstra University.
Strianese was runner-up at 124 pounds, while Marine finished second at 190. The pair, along with fellow seniors Jesse Bittenbender and Santino Palmisano, and sophomore Chace Morris advanced to the state championships Feb. 28 and March 1 at MVP Arena in Albany. Marine placed eighth in the state last winter. Morris was county runner-up to Long Beach’s Brody Franklin at 131.
“This is the most All-County wrestlers our program has ever had in one season and the highest we’ve finished in team points,” Oceanside coach Brian Schoenfelder said.
Strianese had a bye to the last Saturday’s second round where he defeated Bethpage’s Jake Ragusa by technical
fall. In the quarterfinals, Strianese took an 8-3 decision over Clarke’s Richard King.
Sunday morning’s semifinal was a high-scoring battle that saw Strianese emerge with an 11-9 decision over Long Beach’s Gregory Walpole.
Marine was in cruise control Saturday and unlike Strianese, didn’t get a first-round bye. Marine started with a pin of Valley Stream South’s Ismael Ali-Barreto, followed with a tech fall of Syosset’s Max Glambosky, and capped opening day by pinning Port Washington’s Jivan Nakashian. He then worked past Wantagh’s Shareef McMillian in the semis, 7-3, before falling 14-2 to Kama in the title match.
Morris, seeded fifth, was nothing short of dominant on his road to the finals with two pins and one tech fall victory on Saturday, and a major decision over top-seeded William Grassini of Clarke in Sunday’s semifinal. Morris pinned Jericho’s Brad Safir in the first round and Farmingdale’s Sal Migliaccio in the second round.
Bittenbender was seeded fourth at 138 and showed plenty of resiliency
after falling in the second round to East Meadow’s Matthew Motamedian, the No. 13 seed. Bittenbender put the loss in the rearview mirror and battled all the way back to qualify for states with six wrestleback wins to capture third place. Included in his rally was a pin of Motamedian.
For third place, Bittenbender pinned Kennedy’s Vasilios Katranis. “Jesse showed you have to put an early loss behind you and just focus on what’s ahead,” Schoenfelder said.
Palmisano made a nice run to the semifinals at 170 with a pin and major decision to secure his spot on the AllCounty podium, but he wasn’t satisfied. After falling in the semis, he rebounded to dominate Saurico Romero of Roosevelt (13-1) and Farmingdale’s Jovens Theodate (8-1) to punch his ticket to Albany.
“I call Santino ‘The Great Santini,’” Schoenfelder said. “He lost a tough semifinal but battled back for third. I’m not surprised.
“Our senior group along with Chace has brought the program to another level,” Schoenfelder added.
Flu surges in ‘under-vaccinated’ population
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Anna Sequoia had never had the flu before. At 79, the Glen Cove resident thought she knew what to expect when she developed a sore throat while on a Caribbean cruise last week. But by the time she got home, the illness had taken a frightening turn.
“By the third night, I could barely sleep because of the coughing,” Sequoia recounted. “The coughing was so horrible my chest really hurt.”
Sequoia, who has asthma, went to an emergency room after struggling to breathe. “I told them that I was short of breath,” she said. “I immediately told them that I had been out of the country. They always want to know that. And at that point, everybody put masks on.”
Doctors diagnosed her with the flu and prescribed multiple medications, including Tamiflu, prednisone and a nasal decongestant. They also told her to use a nebulizer every four to six hours to ease her breathing. Now recovering at home, she remains shaken by the experience.
“I was scared, actually,” she said. “It’s frightening to me that people are walking around now without masks.”
Flu cases in New York have surged to more than 53,000, with Long Island recording 11,862 cases in a single week — the highest in at least two seasons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that flu-related doctor visits nationwide are at a 15-year high. The CDC estimates that, so far this season, 24 million Americans have had the flu, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths.
In New York, flu activity has reached its highest level in years. The number of flu-related doctor visits
Health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination as the number of flu cases remains high.
climbed 7 percent in the first week of February, approaching levels last seen during the 2009-10 flu pandemic.
Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of epidemiology at Northwell Health, said this year’s flu is being driven by low vaccination rates and changes in the virus strains.
“Flu seasons vary year by year, depending upon minor drifts in the virus,” Farber said. “Secondly, the population is under-vaccinated. Flu vaccination rates are much lower than they have been in years previous
… And then, of course, the matchup of the flu vaccine to this year’s strains is also always a prediction, at best.”
In New York, flu vaccination rates among children ages 6 months to 17 have dropped from 60 percent in 2020 to 49 percent this season, according to the CDC. Public health officials stress that the vaccine reduces the severity of illness and the likelihood of hospitalization, even if it doesn’t prevent infection entirely.
Health officials expect flu cases to remain high for several more weeks. “Rates have been very high the first week of February. They’re just starting to level off and fall,” Farber said. “It usually remains at high levels of infection for about eight to 10 weeks, and then slowly declines.”
Officials track the flu’s spread through hospital admissions, flu test positivity rates and emergency room visits.
The Nassau County Department of Health stressed the importance of flu vaccinations in an email to the Herald, noting that it is not too late in the season to get protected. In addition to vaccination, health officials recommend frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces to reduce the spread of the virus. Those who are not feeling well should stay home from work, school and social gatherings until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.
Those who need help finding a vaccine can call the county health department, at (516) 227-9697.
With between 20,000 and 60,000 flu-related deaths expected annually, Farber stressed the seriousness of the illness, particularly for vulnerable populations. “People should realize that this disease is responsible for a lot of mortality every year,” he said. “It’s not a cold.”
Courtesy Metro Creative
HERALD SCHOOLS
Members of Oceanside High School Step Team and African American Culture Club performing an African Dance.
O’Side High celebrates Black history month
The African American Culture Club and The Step Team at Oceanside High School hosted a Historically Black Colleges and Universities college fair on, Feb 8. The event provided students with valuable information about HBCUs, promoting higher education opportunities within the community.
–Kepherd Daniel
Oceanside Teenagers Efrain Leonardo, Darry Volny and Carlvensky Samedy with Virginia Union University representative Veta Williams who gave insights on the impact of HBCUs, encouraging students to consider historically Black colleges in their higher education journey.
Stu Goldman/Herald photos
Drum Player Kevin Manuel performed for students.
Florida A & M representative Harlean Penn, Natalie Peters and Jeff Horne engaged with students at the HBCU College Fair. Students learned about academic programs and campus life.
Holocaust survivor visits Lincoln Orens Middle School
Seventh and eighth grade students at Lincoln Orens Middle School in Island Park recently heard firsthand from Holocaust survivor and bestselling author Marion Blumenthal Lazan. Lazan, who shared her powerful story of survival and resilience, captivated the students with a message of hope, compassion and the importance of bearing witness to history.
During a special assembly, Lazan recounted her childhood in Nazi Germany before the war, her family’s forced relocation to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and the game she played while incarcerated, believing that if she could find four perfect pebbles, her family of four would remain safe. This emotional story served as the inspiration for her book, “Four Perfect Pebbles.”
Lazan, who was just 13 years old when she and her family were liberated and immigrated to the United States in 1948, spoke directly to the students, urging them to share her story and to continue telling the stories of Holocaust survivors.
“In a few short years, I and other survivors will not be around to share firsthand our experiences,” she said. “Please share our stories. It is you who will have to bear witness.”
The survivor’s heartfelt message emphasized the importance of kindness, respect and celebrating both the differences and similarities between people.
“This is the only way to prevent our past from becoming your future,” Lazan said, encouraging students to act with compassion and to stand against hatred.
Lazan travels internationally to speak on her experiences and is com -
mitted to ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten. She speaks to students about the power of sharing their voices and how, as future generations, they play a crucial role in keeping the memory of these atrocities alive.
“It’s incredibly important for our
— Kepherd Daniel
students to hear from those who lived through history, and we are honored that Ms. Lazan could share her incredible story with us today,” said Lincoln Orens Middle School Principal Bruce Hoffman.
Courtesy Island Park Public Schools
Holocaust survivor and bestselling author Marion Blumenthal Lazan share her story to Island Park students.
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516-489-9005
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Attention parents and students: De-stress for spring success
In years past, the onset of spring signaled to students the beginning of the end of the school year. Today, this season has increasingly become one of the most stressful times of the year due to the convergence of extracurricular activities, sports, end-of-year assessments, projects and, for high-school students, college admissions.
“As stress builds for students during the second half of the school year, the best release to this ‘academic pressure cooker’ may also be simple —time,” says education expert Bavaria. “Through effective time and other strategies, students can time’ and find themselves better all of the activities and challenges along with the final months of the outside of the classroom, there ways that students can manage their create time for stress-reducing home.
some recommended strategies to achieve academic success.
Spring cleaning: Organization both at school will save students time the need to search for homework books and other items necessary success. Create a “homework zone” study tools and allows students to distraction.
kids do better in school than kids. Help them to set up their planor electronic), to keep their notebackpacks neat and orderly, to break assignments into smaller ones so they overwhelming, to maintain a work home that’s actually workable and not area, and to stick to the goals you’ve
establish or re-establish helpful rouyour kids the consistency of fairly routines (weekends and holidays can be Bedtime, wake-up, study, homework, time kids rely on these routines, structure helps them to feel safe, know expected of them and be successful.
Spring check-up: Stay informed about the activities for which your child will responsible. Encourage students to use plan-
ners to create timelines, or place a large calendar with deadlines and test dates in a visible area of the house.
Spring tune-up: Help your child evaluate the subjects or areas that she finds most challenging. Assigning a priority to homework items according to their level of difficulty will save time by ensuring your child devotes the most energy to the areas that require extra focus and attention.
Spring in your step: Exercise is a great way to alleviate stress and stimulate the mind. Taking short exercise breaks between assignments can refresh a student’s energy level and renew focus. Maintain healthy habits since healthy kids are better learners. Help your children by making sure they’re getting enough sleep, insisting on their good eating habits, and making sure they’re involved in regular and aerobic exercise.
Spring break: Compressing study time into one all-nighter may seem like a good way to save time, but the brain is less efficient without taking a break to rest, and a student’s memory can be affected. A better alternative is to ensure your child obtains the recommended amount of sleep by spreading study efforts out over a period of time.
Spring forward: Use your family’s “found time” to celebrate spring successes! Show your child that you are confident in her academic abilities, and reward the little things, such as improved concentration while studying or proactively organizing her homework space. Recommit to learning: With your children, come up with one or two major goals that they want to accomplish for the remainder of this school year. Raising that algebra grade? Getting homework done on time and turning it in the next day? Organizing a study area at home? Using a planner regularly and efficiently?
Agree on some age-appropriate rewards and consequences. Commit to a family-centered goal that education is important to all of you, and work together to support, encourage and help each other.
Photo: Help your kids manage the end-of-year school crunch.
Afternoon rush
not over once the school bell rings
Kids nowadays are certainly busier than ever before. The increasingly competitive nature of scholastic life combined with the increase of outside of classroom options available to kids means that kids nowadasys are much busier than their school-aged counterparts of yesteryear.
Can after-school programs give your children an academic boost? According to a recent study of after-school programs serving low-income elementary and middle school students, the answer is yes. Students who regularly participated in after-school programs surpassed their peers in academic performance. They also exhibited notable improvements in work habits and behavior.
“These findings underscore the importance of high quality after-school programs and activities for both elementary and middle school youth,” explains Deborah Lowe Vandell, PhD, Chancellor’s Professor Emerita, University of California at Irvine’s Department of Education, and the study’s lead author.
It’s no surprise that after-school programs can do much more than keep your children occupied during the afternoon. In fact, afterschool activities can help them in a variety of ways. Children develop time-management skills, build self-esteem, and practice goal-setting. While it may be tough to squeeze in afterschool activities for your children, the benefits
are well worth the extra effort.
Time management and prioritizing. Extracurricular activities teach children how to manage their time and prioritize various tasks and commitments.
Exploring diverse interests. The school band, drama club, or any sport may be an activity your children are interested in joining. By allowing your children the opportunity to explore diverse interests, you give them the opportunity to discover what they are passionate about. Once your children find an activity that they enjoy, succeeding in the activity could ultimately build their confidence and self-esteem.
Making a contribution. Extracurricular activities allow your children to make a contribution to their school or community, which is an important step in preparing them for life outside of academics.
Building self-esteem. Mastering new skills can help create confident kids. By participating in after-school activities, they can build their self-esteem in a relaxed setting as their activities provide the opportunity to be successful in something that they are passionate about.
Setting goals. Participation in extracurricular activities and programs present opportunities for your children to develop their goal-setting skills. Most involve reaching or
achieving a goal, whether it be the lead actor in the school play, winning the state championship or coming in first place in the science fair. As a result, these activities help encourage students to work toward achieving those goals, while having fun at the same time.
Teamwork. Sports teams, clubs and activities, like dancing and music, all require children to work together toward a common goal. By participating in these activities, your children develop the skills they need in order to successfully work with others. In addition, extracurricular activities let children to build
relationships and socialize with peers who share their interests.
College applications. And, of course, after-school activities look great on college applications. In addition to academic performance, colleges want a well-rounded student and look at what activities students are involved in outside of school as a way to fully understand each student.
Photo: Recent studies show a correlation between improved grades, behavior and work habits as a result of students’ involvement in after-school activities.
Immigration policies spark anxiety on L.I.
By SCOTT BRINTON Special to the Herald
First in a series of stories on immigration through a partnership between Herald Community Newspapers and Hofstra University.
Sergio Jimenez, of Amityville, an activist with an immigrant rights coalition that includes the Workplace Project in Hempstead, was recently approached by an acquaintance with an unusual proposition: The man asked whether Jimenez would take over his car payments.
The Honduran man had had enough of the Trump administration’s treatment of the immigrant community, and planned to return to his home country. He needed someone to assume his car payments rather than abandon the vehicle.
“He’s going back to Honduras because he can’t stand all this suppression,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez spoke during a nearly twohour-long conversation on Feb. 5 that the Herald hosted at a restaurant down the street from Hempstead Town Hall, attended by 15 immigrants and advocates from the local community and beyond. They came to discuss President Trump’s immigration policy, with its increased focus on identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants.
To protect its owners’ privacy, the Herald is not naming the restaurant.
Trump, Jimenez said, is ignoring the potential economic impact of tens of thousands, perhaps millions, of undocumented and documented immigrants returning to their home countries, either because they are forced or choose to. If a growing number of immigrants leave, the economy will suffer, he said.
Immigrants comprise a third of Nassau County’s workforce and a third of its small-business owners, and New York’s immigrants, documented and undocumented, pay more than $3.1 billion annually in state and local taxes, according to the New York Immigration Coalition.
Nadia Marin-Molina, co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, which has an office at the Freeport Workers Justice Center, said she believes the Trump administration aims to “make people’s lives miserable and to scare people, to terrorize people into leaving themselves, because they can’t deport everybody that they say they’re going to deport.”
As of Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported nearly 8,800 arrests of immigrants from 121 countries, with almost 5,700 deportations and removals since Trump took office. As of 2022, an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants lived in the U.S., 3 percent of the population, according to the American Immigration Council.
Many immigrants were already on edge and thinking of returning to their homelands before Trump’s increased enforcement, according to Deyanira Barrow, who immigrated to the U.S. 35
An increasing number of immigrants are considering returning to their home countries because of the Trump administration’s “suppression” of immigrant rights, according to Hempstead-area activists. Advocates and 15 immigrants gathered to talk with the Herald on Feb. 5.
years ago following the Nicaraguan civil war from 1978 to 1990.
Theft is often why “our people say, no, no, I’m going back to my country. They know some people spend a lot of money for nothing,” Barrow, a Workplace Project activist from Baldwin Harbor who owns a cleaning business, said. An attorney might charge $3,000 to $5,000 to process an immigration claim and provide no services, she added.
Local cooperation with ICE?
According to the National Immigration Law Center, on Jan. 20, his first day in office, Trump signed executive orders calling for, among other measures:
■ A recommitment to mass detention of undocumented immigrants.
■ Potential punishment of municipalities that act as “sanctuaries” for them.
■ A DHS review and audit of federal grants and contracts with non-governmental agencies that aid them.
■ Possible reinstatement of countrybased immigration bans.
■ An examination of Temporary Protected Status designations that allow immigrants fleeing violence and natural disaster to remain in the U.S.
■ Expansion of the expedited removal policy that allows the federal government to deport undocumented immigrants without their day in court.
■ Authorization for local municipalities to act as immigration enforcement agents.
This final point was most disconcerting for a number of the immigrants interviewed by the Herald. They wonder whether local governments, such as the villages of Freeport, Hempstead and
Westbury, and area school districts might cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signed an agreement with the Trump administration on Feb. 4 that deputized county police officers to carry out immigration enforcement in tandem with ICE.
Blakeman’s policy has received bipartisan support. Freshman U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat, issued a statement on Feb. 6, saying, “Violent criminals with no legal right to be here should be deported in accordance with the law. Nassau County detectives now being able to work directly with ICE agents on targeted enforcement against known noncitizen criminals will help keep Long Islanders safe.”
Whether local governments and school districts will cooperate with ICE is an open question. Last month, Hempstead Board of Education President Victor Pratt told Newsday, “We will continue to comply with federal mandates, and the law is the law, whether we agree with it or not.”
That prompted the immigrant rights organization LatinoJustice PRLDEF to respond. “Allowing ICE into our schools or working with this federal agency jeopardizes the safety, rights and wellbeing of the district’s student body,” Lourdes Rosado, the group’s president and general counsel, said.
Hempstead Schools Superintendent Susan Johnson posted a message on the district website last week to reassure concerned parents and students: “We understand that there are concerns circulating in our community regarding the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During these times, it is important to know that our schools are safe spaces where all children are valued, protected and supported.”
No village or school district could be reached by phone for comment at press time.
‘The struggle continues’
“We are in a dire situation, as I see it,” Jimenez said. “Part of it is the lack of cohesion in the community. There’s no one representing, working with us, except organizations” like the Workplace Project.
The immigrant community was very active politically during the 1980s, “but then somehow the community fell asleep, and we remain sleeping,” Emilio Alfaro Ruiz, national advertising director for La Tribuna Hispana, a Hempstead-based Spanish-language newspaper, said. “It’s a state of mind. We have to tell the people that the struggle continues.”
Elected leaders of both parties have disappointed the immigrant community, Ruiz said, adding, “We always hope the Democrats will do more.” In particular, he said, the community had hoped that President Barack Obama, with a Democratically controlled Congress from 2009 to 2011, would push through comprehensive immigration reform, but that never happened.
Many immigrant activists have grown tired of the fight, Ruiz said. As they see it, the “politicians don’t give a damn about us,” he said, “and I’m going to do my own business — self-care.”
Miguel Alas Sevillano, a community organizer with the Workplace Project and a Salvadoran immigrant, said the organization is holding a workshop series to help immigrants understand their rights under the law. “We prepare people in the community how to act in case ICE comes to our homes or our workplaces or any public area,” Sevillano said.
To learn more about the workshops, call (516) 565-5377.
Courtesy Scott Brinton
Wachter returns to wrestling and football
your life for how you handled that.’”
After receiving an all-clear from doctors in 2022, six years after he was first diagnosed, Wachter was urged by friends to celebrate, but instead of a party, he opted to give back. His father, John Wachter, a retired sergeant in the Nassau County Police Department, manages the Baldwin American Legion hall, and suggested using the venue for a fundraiser. Instead of a typical Long Island benefit concert, Sean and his friends had a unique idea: professional wrestling. He was able to get cleared by doctors to step into the ring. The event was a success, raising significant funds for the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
What was supposed to be a one-time match took a new turn when Wachter’s stepdaughter, who missed the event, asked to see him wrestle. So he returned for another fundraiser at the American Legion in 2023, this time dedicating it to late Island Park firefighter Michael Fisher, with the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
After that, Wachter’s work caught the attention of a number of cancer organizations, including ESPN’s V Foundation, which reported his story. He attracted a substantial following on social media, where he is known as “thecancerfighterseanwachter.” Eventually, World Wrestling Entertainment scouted him in a surprise tryout, where he impressed talent scouts. That led to an invitation to perform at Madison Square Garden, in WWE’s SmackDown, on June 28.
Amid the excitement, Wachter’s life took an unexpected turn. A WWE physician noticed a lump on his shoulder and urged him to get it checked. Despite previous reassurances from his doctor, further testing revealed a recurrence of his melanoma. The diagnosis was devastating, not only because of his career but
Oceanside resident Sean Wachter was named the director of operations for Long Island’s Arena Football League, which will return this summer — and he will return to the wrestling ring this month in Freeport, after laying a smackdown on cancer.
because he is now a husband and the father of two young children.
“You’re going from cutting promos in front of talent scouts for WWE to sitting in your garage and filming videos for your infant daughter, saying, ‘I’m sorry I’m not here to tell you this in person,’” Wachter said, recalling his thoughts at the time. “I don’t think I’ve
cried harder in my life. There was no keeping a game face on when you’re pre-emptively saying goodbye to a child that wasn’t even a year old.”
The battle that followed was brutal — chemotherapy complications caused organ failure, and at one point Wachter was nearly placed on dialysis. But once more, against all odds, his health began to improve.
“For some reason, I guess I have a reason to be here,” he said. “All the liver levels, and kidney levels, started to go back up to a normal functioning range. Everyone kind of just sat there flabbergasted.”
While a small tumor remains that is being monitored, Wachter’s overall health has improved significantly, allowing him to resume training and plan his highly anticipated return to the wrestling ring this month.
“If one person gets to live a little bit fuller because of what I’m doing out there in a wrestling ring, then I would gladly relive my worst day of cancer over and over again, like ‘Groundhog Day,’” he said.
Outside the ring, Wachter’s advocacy continues. On March 2 he will speak before to members of Congress in Washington on behalf of the Melanoma Research Foundation, pushing for financial and legislative support for cancer research and clinical trials.
“I’m thrilled to be back in the ring and to be a part of bringing professional football back to our community,” Wachter said. “This is an exciting time, and I’m honored to be involved in building something special for Long Island sports fans.”
Meanwhile, “I will probably continue throughout the rest of this year,” he said of his wrestling career. “Obviously, my responsibilities to the football team come first and foremost. I hope we build something long-lasting here.”
Jason Thomas/Herald
A successful night for Oceanside’s community leaders
community members, highlighted the dedication and commitment of this year’s award recipients.
“There’s a lot going on in this chamber,” Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said, “from community festivals to the program with the downtown lighting. The investment by the town in this community shows that not only are your businesses thriving, educationwise, you’re thriving in athletics as well. Oceanside is a great place to be and a great place to live. The town is committed to this group.”
Citizen of the Year
Since he was appointed athletic director in 2019, Lehman has played a transformative role in the district’s athletic program. His leadership has mixed academic achievement, community service and mentorship, creating an environment where students excel in sports and develop strong character and a commitment to giving back.
Among his many initiatives, Lehman has implemented programs such as peer tutoring and leadership development for scholar-athletes. He has also engaged students in the “Love Ava” project, leading to the donation of hundreds of toys to local families in need.
“I’ve had the privilege to get to know Tom personally,” chamber member Brian Driscoll said. “He’s an incredible friend, husband, father and community
leader. He always has a smile on his face and is one of the most positive people I know.”
Lehman’s leadership was particularly evident in the aftermath of the Farmingdale tragedy im 2023 when a bus crash that killed two beloved Farmingdale High School educators and injured dozens of students. Lehman helped mobilize the community to support Farmingdale through fundraising efforts. These efforts culminated in a check presentation during an Oceanside varsity football game, reinforcing the deep bonds between the two communities.
Lehman’s influence extends far beyond athletics, fostering a culture of inclusion, encouragement and unity within the school district.
“I’ve been living in Oceanside for about 17 years and have had the privilege of serving the Oceanside community, and when it is a dream come true, working here, working for these children and the students in our community and giving back,” Lehman said.
“I love going to Oceanside every single day, into the buildings,” he added. “I never wake up and say, ‘Oh, man, I have to go to work.’ It’s always doing more and what we could do for everybody and in leadership. It’s about serving others and really identifying a cause greater than oneself. And (with) wins and losses come championships, (which) are great, but what really is everlasting is the bonds that we make, the connections that we’re making in the community.”
Business of the Year
The Hal Knopf Team at Compass real estate, on 2800 Long Beach Road, led by associate broker Cory Knopf, was honored for its professionalism, integrity and deep-rooted commitment to the Oceanside community. The real estate group has been a trusted name in the area, known for its straightforward approach and dedication to helping families find homes.
“What we love about Cory is she’s honest, she’s straightforward,” chamber member Joe Cibellis said. “She tells it like it is, whether you like it or not, which is good whether you want to hear it. She’s very helpful with recommendations and advice. She has a great network of referrals, and she gets things done and to the right price and on time.”
Cory Knopf reflected on the legacy left by her father, Hal, emphasizing the values of hard work, honesty and community engagement that were instilled in her from a young age. She also acknowledged Oceanside’s strong sense of volunteerism, thanking local organizations such as the Oceanside Kiwanis Club and Oceanside Library for their continued efforts to uplift the community.
“Once you have a child, you realize how important it is to invest in your town,” Knopf said speaking about her child. “I never fully understood that before, but I plan to give even more to this community in the years to come.”
Mellissa Baptiste/Herald
The Hal Knopf Team at Compass celebrated being selected the Chamber of Commerce business of the year.
STEPPING OUT
Those ‘wild’ days
Director Billy Bustamante, whose credits include Broadway and off-Broadway, brings his flair to the Madison Theatre’s latest production.
The
stage is set for a steamy Prohibition tale at Molloy’s Madison Theatre
By Danielle Schwab
It’s “the party to end all parties” and everyone’s on the guest list.
You’re invited to travel back to the decadent world of 1920s Prohibition-era Manhattan when the roaring musical production of Andrew Lippa’s “The Wild Party,” arrives on the Molloy University campus shortly, March 7-9.
Audiences can expect a lively show filled with vibrant jazz and eclectic guests — also some uninvited “surprises” — that’s sure to keep the joint buzzing.
Observing the talented young performers involved with Molloy’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, guided by Director-Choreographer Billy Bustamante, you’ll surelly be thinking: ‘Let’s raise the roof, let’s make a scene!’
Set in the Roaring Twenties, it tells the tale of two vaudevillians, Queenie and Burrs, as they throw the party to end all parties. Jealousy and decadence abound in this spicy concoction whose tasty musical stew of jazz, blues, gospel, and Tin Pan Alley sounds remarkably contemporary.
Vaudeville dancer Queenie, (played by senior Jessica Olexy) and her intense partner Burrs (senior Cade Eller) host an evening of delight only to see it spiral into chaos with every twist and turn.
• Friday through Sunday, March 7-9; times vary
• Tickets start at $35; available at madisontheatreny.org or the box office at (516) 323-4444
• Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
Sondheim’s “Here We Are” (choreographer). Now Molloy’s theater students can benefit from his talents.
“I have history with this story,” Bustamente says. “I directed an off-Broadway production of the other version back in 2016, so this feels like a full circle moment, getting to explore this story again through different writers.”
There’s even a ‘show within a show’ musical number, “ A Wild, Wild Party,” a favorite of senior Angelo Domingo, who appears as a party guest, the rambunctious boxer Eddie.
The Pirates of Penzance
Shiver me timbers! Book your passage to the Madison Theatre when Molloy University’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, stages the classic musical, accompanied by the South Shore Symphony, Sail away to the whimsical world of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved operetta, where a merry band of parading pirates — led by their Pirate King — clash swords and nightsticks with the bumbling Bobbies on the shores of Cornwall. The story revolves around Frederic, who was apprenticed by mistake to a band of tenderhearted pirates. He meets the daughters of Major-General Stanley, including Mabel, and the two young people instantly fall in love. With its humorous blend of romantic entanglements and memorable melodies, this delightful production promises an evening of laughter and theatrical magic.
Friday through Sunday, Feb. 2123, times vary. Tickets start at $35. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 3234444.
“At this party, everyone has a secret and something to hide. This show explores what happens when those secrets and the masks — that we all wear — get ripped off,” Bustamante says.
Based on Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 poem of the same name, the award-winning off-Broadway musical wowed audiences with its look into love in a messy and exciting fashion when it debuted 25 years ago.
the award-winning off-Broadway musical wowed audiences with its the score,” Bustamante says. “The nature of the music
While the narrative poem is almost a century old, Lippa’s adaptation brings a modern take to the story, blending the captivating allure of the 1920s with a modern feel.
“The music is a lot more contemporary and eclectic, all while being rooted in jazz. There are some really exciting pop, Latin and contemporary musical theater elements in the score,” Bustamante says. “The nature of the music allows audiences today to engage with the story and see themselves in the characters’ experiences in a really impactful way.”
From larger-than-life dancing sequences such as “Juggernaut,” to soulful reflections as in “What Is It About Her?,” the production traverses the range of human emotions and complicated identities those vaudeville entertainers of that era.
“All these people at the party are people who don’t belong in other places. The nature of what it meant to be a vaudevillian performer was you were uplifted and applauded at one moment and then not allowed certain restaurants or rooms at the next,” Bustamante explains.
“At its core, it’s something really beautiful. But on the
“At its core, it’s something really beautiful. But on the other hand, these are all damaged people because of the lives that they’ve had to leave, and that sets the stage for an evening where a lot can really go down.”
This isn’t the first time that Bustamante has helmed the story. In fact, he was involved with a different musical adaptation of the famous poem, created by Michael John LaChiusa. His resume includes acting in productions such as Broadway Theatre’s “Miss Saigon” in addition to his directorial turns in “Here Lies Love” (assistant director) and Stephen
as a party guest, the rambunctious boxer Eddie. says.
“It was the number that introduced me to the show, and it has just a very fun, infectious vibe,” Domingo
an opportunity to hone their performing skills before
For the cast of 25, this production is an opportunity to hone their performing skills before going forward professionally.
“The [CAP21] program teaches you a lot about how to be an individual in theater. Because we’re in New York, you get the experience of [being with] working professionals who are working on Broadway, Off Broadway and developing musicals,” Domingo continues.
[being with] working professionals who are
“I’ve grown in more ways than I thought I ever would. And when it comes to my training, I achieved things that I thought would take way longer to achieve already.”
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
So get ready to head to the theater — it’s time to join the party.
I thought I ever would. And when it head theater — it’s time to join the party.
audience Party” feeling
“I hope that our audience can leave “The Wild Party” feeling entertained, but at the same time a little educated and with a deeper understanding of themselves,” Bustamante
understanding of themselves,” Bustamante says.
masks serve you, and what masks might you
“And our version of the show can really help ask the question of our audience: ‘What masks serve you, and what masks might you be ready to let go.’
Recognized as one of Europe’s first-rank symphonic ensembles and renowned for its versatility, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra brings its current U.S. tour to Long Island, under the baton of music director Steven Mercurio. Dynamic guest soloist Maxim Lando, an American pianist and winner of the 2022 New York Franz Liszt International Competition, joins CNSO. He and violinist Sandy Cameron perform beloved works from the Romantic repertoire — Jan Václav Hugo Voríšek’s Sinfonia Re Maggiore, Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 and selected works from Antonín Dvorák, including Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 and Czech Suite.
The Wild Party contains mature themes.
Angelo Domingo and
step lively on stage.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Photos courtesy Madison Theatre
Mariposa Boyd
a different musical adaptation of the famous poem, created by Michael John LaChiusa.
THE Your Neighborhood
Colin Jost
March 13
Live … from Long Island … it’s Colin Jost! He appears on the Paramount stage, Thursday, March 13, 8 and 10 p.m. From Saturday Night Live to standup to his appearances in film, other TV ventures and even authoring a memoir, Jost is seemingly everywhere. He is currently in the middle of his 11th season as SNL’s “Weekend Update” coanchor, and his 20th as an SNL writer. His accolades are many: five Writers Guild Awards, two Peabody Awards and 15 Emmy nominations for his writing on “SNL.” Jost and his Weekend Updatemate Michael Che have hosted special editions of “Weekend Update” on MSNBC during the 2016 Republican and Democratic national conventions as well as co-hosted the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2018.
Also, in 2024 they executive produced and co-hosted Peacock’s first live comedy event, “Colin Jost and Michael Che Present: New York After Dark,” which featured an evening of surprise dropin performances from stand-up comedians. As a writer, Jost has been published multiple times in the New Yorker and has contributed to the New York Times Magazine, among other endeavors. In 2020, Jost debuted “A Very Punchable Face.” A New York Times bestseller, the memoir is a series of essays that documents pivotal moments in Jost’s life, including growing up in Staten Island in a family of firefighters, commuting three hours a day to high school, attending Harvard while Facebook was created and more. And in 2024, he even appeared as a correspondent from Tahiti for NBC Sports for the surfing competition at the summer Olympic Games, plus last year he was featured entertainer of the 2024 White House Correspondents Dinner. $129.50, $119.50, $89.50, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
On stage
Adelphi University
Performing Arts students present the musical adaptation of “The Spitfire Grill,” Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 26-March 2. Based on the 1996 film by Lee David Zlotoff, this is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption, perseverance and family. It follows a troubled young parolee yearning for a fresh start who follows her dreams to Wisconsin, based on a page from an old travel book, only to find a small town with a gritty heart aching with longing and regret. Unexpectedly discovering the healing power of community while working at the Spitfire Grill, Percy reawakens the entire town’s capacity for rebirth, forgiveness and hope.
Set to a melodic folk-inspired score, it’s a joyous celebration of human kindness. $30, with discounts available for seniors, students Adelphi alumni and staff. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
In concert
The influential proto-punk/garage band The Dictators performs at My Father’s Place, Sunday, March 2, 7-9 p.m. My Father’s Place at The Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. For tickets/ information, visit MyFathersPlace. com or call (516) 580-0887.
Psychic Night
Tap into spirituality at Sangria71’s Psychic Night at in Island Park, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. With one-onone private psychic readings and a delicious three-course dinner, including tapas, salad, and an entrée. A cash bar will also be available for guests to enjoy. $65 per person, with tax and gratuity not included; $25 deposit is required per person to secure your spot. Reservations can be made by calling (516) 882-4250. For additional questions, text or call Brenda Lee at (516) 4441975. 4585 Austin Blvd., Island Park. Visit longislandpsychics. com for more details.
“Through
My Lens” Photography Exhibit
Photographer and former journalist Joseph Kellard brings his exhibit, “Through My Lens: Skyscrapers to Sunrises to Surfers,” to Oceanside Library in February. Featuring 32 captivating images, the collection includes stunning scenes from Long Island parks, iconic New York City cityscapes, travel moments from Italy and Portugal, and expressive portraits of people and animals. The exhibit opens Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Oceanside Library.30 Davison Ave.
Family
theater
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21,22, 11 a.m and 1:30 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 26-27, 10:15 a.m. and noon It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix his spaceship and show her new hyper warp speed engine.
But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Have questions about tech?
Need help with your device?
Get one hour of one-onone help from a librarian, at Oceanside Library, every Tuesday, 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. For your session, have a clear goal(s) in mind (i.e.: navigating smart phone, attaching documents to email, creating a spreadsheet for a specific purpose, etc.). 56 Atlantic Ave. Register at OceansideLibrary.com or call (516) 766-2360.
In concert
Jupiter String Quartet returns to Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. The intimate group of violinists Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel (Meg’s older sister), and cellist Daniel McDonough (Meg’s husband, Liz’s brotherin-law) are brought together by ties both familial and musical.
The ensemble brings its well-honed musical chemistry to three works shaped by bold musicality and deeply meaningful thematic inspirations, including Warmth from Other Suns by Carlos Simon; String Quartet No. 3, Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory by Shulamit; and String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 with the Grosse Fuge by Ludwig van Beethoven. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Having an event?
A Band Called Honalee
Plaza Theatricals welcomes the modern-day folk trio, Sunday, Feb. 23 , 2:30 p.m. Inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary, the ensemble offers up an energetic interactive tribute. Satisfying diehard PPM lovers as well as newcomers to this wonderful era of music, their concer features all of PPM’s beloved hits, including “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in the Wind,” and of course “Puff The Magic Dragon.”
With stirring vocal harmonies and polished showmanship, they also offers favorites from Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, The Mamas & The Papas, Joan Baez, The Weavers, and more. $40, $35 seniors. Groove along at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit plazatheatrical. com.
Items on The Scene 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 thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum. org.
Hempstead House tour
Feb. 23
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 23, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
and School
Oceanside club wins big at Harvard Model U.N.
A team of 16 Oceanside High School students competed at the 72nd Harvard University Model United Nations conference last weekend
Approximately 3,500 students from more than 40 countries competed in the Harvard Model UN—including Brazil, India, and France—this event was an intense and prestigious conference for high school students.
The students spent months researching critical global issues and worked diligently to solve global problems. Some delegations had more than 150 students and gave anywhere from 6 to 8 types of awards. The topics at last weekend’s conference ranged from legal accountability around artificial intelligence to transnational gangs.
Oceanside sent an exclusive delegation of 15 members, and several students earned distinguished awards. Ryan Stromer won the Honorable Delegate Award in a specialized committee where he portrayed Ivan Serov, Chairman of the KGB, navigating Cold War tensions and the Warsaw Pact.
“One of the most competitive Model UN trips I’ve ever attended— winning an award wasn’t easy by any means, Stromer said. “Although the committees were extremely difficult to navigate, meeting delegates from all over the world and collaborating
Oceanside award winners
Maxwell Greenberg, Outstanding Delegate
Ryan Stromer, Honorable Mention
Luke Iacopell, Diplomatic Commendation
and opened a new perspective on my Model UN journey.”
Additionally, Maxwell Greenberg earned the Outstanding Delegate Award, and Luke Iacopelli received a Diplomatic/Verbal Commendation for their performances.
Oceanside’s Model UN success is a testament to the dedication of its members, as well as the unwavering support of their advisors who inspire students to take on leadership roles and push their boundaries. President Amiela Wolkoff also played an influential role in fostering a strong team dynamic and guiding members to success.
This unique committee incorporated unexpected twists—such as the introduction of artificial intelligence into NATO—requiring delegates to
The Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital delivers the nation’s best cardiac care.
Our team offers a full range of exceptional care, from minimally invasive procedures to lifesaving transplants—all while tackling the greatest challenges in medicine.
Northwell.edu/BestHeartCare
North Shore University Hospital
Courtesy Oceanside School District
OHS WIC winners in front of the hotel where the Harvard Model UN conference took place.
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at the Temple Avodah Super Bowl party.
Super Bowl celebration at Temple Avodah
Temple Avodah in Oceanside, celebrated Super Bowl weekend with a special Shabbat service on Feb. 7. The event featured football trivia and a communal dinner, bringing together congregants for an evening of worship and sportsthemed fun.
–Kepherd Daniel
Halo club hosts ‘Great Gatsby’ fundraiser
Halo club in Oceanside transformed into a roaring ‘20s spectacle on Saturday, February 8 for co-owner Kyle Savage’s Annual Birthday Extravaganza: The Great Gatsby. The event, celebrating the club’s Best of Long Island win, doubled as a fundraiser for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.
Sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Laffey International Realty, the night featured live performances, an ice luge, a champagne tower, and a photo booth. Music was provided by DJ Strongarm at 10 p.m. and DJ Ello at midnight, with an appearance by Porsche.
Guests, dressed in roaring ‘20s attire, enjoyed a night of glamour while supporting a meaningful cause.
–Kepherd Daniel
Holden Leeds/Herald
Six-year old Addie Kugelman, eight-year old Zackary Wiener and Addie’s brother William Kugelman had fun
Alice Moreno/Herald Kyle Savage, the star of the night, smiles after a successful night of fundraising.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 003624/2016 COUNTY OF NASSAU
WILMINGTON
SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2019-HB1, Plaintiff, vs. NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF GLORIA GERACI, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described
in the complaint, Defendants. Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Mortgaged Premises: 511 SUNNYBROOK DRIVE, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572
Section: 54, Block: 498, Lot: 12
To the above named Defendants
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $450,000.00 and interest, recorded on December 06, 2013, in Liber M 39369 at Page 420, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 511 SUNNYBROOK DRIVE, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on
the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: December 18th, 2024 ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiff Theresa Regis, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 151268
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU CITIBANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CHASE FUNDING MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2002-3, Plaintiff, AGAINST KIM TUFANO AKA KIM M. TUFANO, et al.
Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on July 24, 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 February 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM premises known as 2858 Cherry Court Oceanside, NY 11572. 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 Oceanside, in the Town of Hempstead, County
of Nassau and State of New York. Section 38, Block 402 and Lot 52. Approximate amount of judgment $374,851.44 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #610176/2018. John P. Clarke, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 151246
PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232
LEGAL NOTICE
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, A/K/A M&T BANK, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER WITH HUDSON CITY
SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff - againstFREDDY ORMENO, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 22, 2023. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 27th day of February, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of Land with the Buildings and Improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Premises known as 78 Concord Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572.
(Section: 43, Block: 385, Lot: 7) Approximate amount of lien $1,010,540.33 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 003398/2017. Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170
Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: December 26, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 151233
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Nassau, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as trustee for CVI CGS Mortgage Loan Trust I, Plaintiff, vs. Frank Morizio, Jr. a/k/a Frank Morizio, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 3, 2018 and an Order Extending Sale Deadline and Other Relief duly entered on February 9, 2022, 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 March 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 84 Virginia Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 43, Block 387 and Lot 21. Approximate amount of judgment is $636,601.18 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #007051/2015. Thomas McNamara, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP,
85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 213045-2 151521 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE CSFB MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-CF2, Plaintiff, vs. ALAN MICHAEL BAER AND LESLIE DANA BAER, AS ADMINISTRATORS OF THE ESTATE OF STELLA ANN BAER, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 16, 2022, 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 March 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 103 Knight Street, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 452 and Lot 11. Approximate amount of judgment is $285,512.03 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #004462/2009.
David Lieser, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 151527
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
TO PLACE AN AD CALL 516-569-4000
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. TOORAK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, Pltf. vs. INTERCONTINENTAL
AMERICA FREIGHT SERVICES, INC S/H/A INTERCONTINENTAL
AMERICA FREIGHT SERVICES INC., et al, Defts. Index #613354/2021. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered May 16, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 1010 California Place S., Island Park, NY 11558 a/k/a Section 43, Block 100, Lots 26-27, 68-70 and 127. Said property designated on Map of Island Park, Long Beach, shown part of holdings of Island Park Long Beach Inc., Sheet 14, W.E. Howard, C.E., dated December 29, 1925 and filed in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on Dec. 29, 1925 as Map No. 587 and also shown on Map No. 572 as and by Lots 26, 27 and 27A and dock plots 26, 27 and 28 in Block 106. Approximate amount of judgment is $570,956.30 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. PETER KRAMER, Referee(516) 510-4020. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Ste. 224, Syosset, NY 11791. #102081 151519
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiffagainst- MICHAEL MCKAY; JANET MCKAY, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 16, 2024 and entered on January 3, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 18, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of
Nassau and State of New York; known and designated as Section 38 Block 400 Lot 474. Said premises known as 2829 ELM STREET, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572 Approximate amount of lien $609,381.14 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 610218/2022.
RALPH J. MADALENA, ESQ., Referee Pincus Law Group, PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 {* ISLAND PAR*} 151452
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST DAVID T. BIANCO IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 4, 2024, 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 March 17, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 326 Moore Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 43, Block 290, Lot 51-53. Approximate amount of judgment $342,122.55 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604724/2021.
Anthony C. Curcio Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 21-000172 84240 151494
I.P. kids honored at awards breakfast
Lincoln Orens Middle School administration and teachers in Island Park recognized 34 students whose projects were selected as winners from the school’s annual science fair that was held on Feb. 7. For their excellent presentation of research and experiments, honorees were formally celebrated during a science fair awards breakfast. At the breakfast, sponsored by
the Island Park PTA, seventh and eighth grade students were called up as their project was announced, additionally receiving a plaque for their accomplishment. There were 10 projects selected in each grade level. Some students worked individually, while others worked in pairs for their explorations and discoveries.
Lincoln Orens Middle School students proudly display their plaques after being recognized as winners of the school’s annual science fair.
Seventh grade winners
■ Josephine Sambade, “The McGurk Effect”
for their outstanding research and experiments.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Mortgage Assets Management, LLC f/k/a Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Unknown Heirs of Samuel Carattini if living, and if he/she be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff claiming or who may claim to have an interest in or general or specific lien upon the
real property described in this action; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 8, 2024, 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 March 25, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2922
Oceanside Road, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside (an unincorporated area), Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, District: 11, Section: 38, Block: 365, Lot: 107-108. Approximate amount of judgment $384,370.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold
subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603698/2022. Linda S. Agnew, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 21-000177 84393 151667
■ Ava Porcelli, “What Household Surfaces Hold the Most Bacteria?”
■ Liam Fallon and Ethan Vega, “Which Product Tames a Tsunami the Best?”
■ John Trainor and Dylen Collins, “Which Candy has the Lowest Melting Point”
■ Kaiden Callanan and Joseph Robertson, “Ball Launcher Challenge”
■ Luke Testerman and Declan Llewellyn, “How Far Can You Throw a Football?”
■ Deanna Senter, “Does a Cell Phone Conversation Affect Reaction Time?”
■ Isabella Severino and Sophia Santiago, “Does Homemade or Store-bought Shampoo Work Better to Remove Grease from Hair?”
■ Joseph Angelastro and Chase Goodwin, “Bacterial Resistant Materials and the Best Disinfectant”
■ Hudson Segreto and Chase Vicente, “How Much Height Does a Marble Need to Complete a Track”
Eighth grade winners
■ Stefanie Laos, “Biological vs. NonBiological Detergents”
■ Ethan Mosley and Francis Miguel Reyes, “Can Biodegradable Materials Replace Plastic as Protective Food Packaging?”
■ Alex Michaels and Collin Timm, “Can Biodegradable Hydrogels Help Conserve Water in Farming?”
■ Mason Trama and Christian Torress “Testing Glucose in Foods”
■ Jenna Cardineau, “Memory & Personality”
■ Elise LoCastro and Sophia Lajato, “Making Popping Boba”
■ Colin McDonough and Evan Price, “Make Wind Work for You”
■ Denaly Juarez, “Taming the Tsunami”
■ Kylie Delgado and Julie Marrero, “Does Exercise Affect Lung Capacity?”
■ Maxsima Ragnauth and Delilah Gonzalez, “Dissolved Oxygen vs. Temperature”
Honored students gathered at the Science Fair Awards Breakfast, where they were recognized
Photos courtesy Island Park Public Schools
Seventh and eighth-grade winners are called up one by one to receive their plaques, celebrating their hard work and dedication to scientific inquiry.
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Houses in flood zones had to be raised, but businesses?
Q. I am interested in leasing a building that I am certain was flooded during several recent storms. The landlord says the sheetrock and insulation were replaced, and there were only a “few inches of water.” I doubt that. The metal building is stained around the bottom 4 feet, in between tall weeds, since nobody takes care of it. It’s in an industrial area. I wonder why I had to lift my house, but these buildings, which clearly were seriously flooded, never had to make changes to deal with future flooding. I can’t risk losing inventory, and I don’t see where there was much done to prevent water from getting in. I probably won’t take the lease, but I still wonder why these buildings didn’t either have to be raised or make changes for better flood protection.
A. Most commercial buildings were not considered “substantially damaged,” a definition by the Federal Emergency Management Agency requiring flood-prevention implementation. In most cases, only when renovating, waterproofing materials were required to be added to either the inside or outside of buildings, but this was not enforced uniformly with required permits. Part of the reason that flood-proof materials were added was, just as you said, to prevent loss of inventory, but also because businesses can’t be out of commission for very long without losing money.
Flood protective panels that attach at the exterior doors and windows, membranes placed on interior walls behind new finishes, and waterproofing of exterior walls up to 2 feet above the flood elevation, designated by FEMA for your area, have become standard practice for projects where people are concerned about their businesses continuing to operate after the next serious storm. The owner or tenant has to be concerned enough to implement these safeguards, because most commercial buildings in flood-prone areas were either not considered damaged enough to lift or not required to flood-proof unless brought to the attention of officials.
The issue comes down to one thing: insurance. Many people think of FEMA as just a federal government program, but it’s much more than that. It’s a large insurance company, one of the largest in the world. Because there are so many disasters to handle each year — roughly $200 billion worth of damage — most insurance companies stopped insuring coastal communities around the country. There’s just too much risk. So FEMA is designated to cover the high risk, backed by taxpayers to pay for the gaps and losses. That falls to taxpayers because otherwise-thriving communities would cease to exist, tax revenue would be lost, bonds and debt failures would occur and the economy could collapse. It’s all tied together.
So even though evaluation or enforcement may not have been done, taking steps as a tenant may be your only recourse. Consult with experienced professionals to create a flood-proof building. Water gets through floors, gaps in walls and places you may not have thought of. Good luck!
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opinions Recalling the presidents I’ve met
As we celebrated Presidents’ Day on Monday, I thought back on presidents I’ve had the opportunity to meet over the years.
Except for my first meeting with Richard Nixon in 1967, before he was president, all of those meetings resulted from my involvement in politics.
In the summer of 1967, between my second and third years of law school, I worked as an intern in Nixon’s Wall Street law firm. (The fellow intern I was assigned to work with that summer was Rudy Giuliani — who was then a liberal Democrat.) In addition to the chance encounters we had with Nixon in the hallway or elevator, we interns had a long lunch discussion with him, during which he demonstrated his expansive knowledge of foreign and domestic issues. Surprisingly, he also displayed a certain shyness.
A quarter-century later, in 1993, the then former president was in Washington to address Republicans in Congress, where I told him how much I appreciated the long-ago internship. He was no longer shy, but seemingly at peace. The following year, I attended his funeral in
California.
President Gerald Ford was in the closing days of his 1976 campaign against Jimmy Carter when he spoke at a massive rally at the Nassau Coliseum. At a reception afterward, Ford was gracious and friendly, a class act.
The next time I saw him was in 1998, at Sonny Bono’s funeral in California.
From Nixon to Trump, there have been 10, and each left a different impression.
I had just two brief encounters with Jimmy Carter, the first an introduction at Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral in Jerusalem in 1995. The second was about 10 years ago, when I was on a Delta Shuttle, waiting to take off for Washington, when Carter got on the plane, recognized me, shook my hand and gave me a warm hello and a big smile — an awkward moment for me, since I had attacked him for something on national TV just the day before!
Except for a White House briefing for New York Republicans in 1987, my dealings with President Ronald Reagan consisted of handshakes and photos at political events in Nassau County and Manhattan. I was always struck by his sense of dignity and leadership. He never disappointed.
President George Bush 41 was the last of the old-school presidents, in the best sense of that term. He was very knowl-
edgeable and always respectful of his office. In addition to greeting him at political events before and after his presidency, I was invited, along with other newly elected Republicans, to meet with him in the Oval Office in his final days as president in January 1993. It was inspiring and memorable. He didn’t have a word of regret or complaint. True stature.
Though President Barack Obama offered to appoint me ambassador to Ireland, my dealings with him were infrequent and businesslike. He was always polite, and always “no drama Obama.”
My contacts with Joe Biden were when he was senator and vice president, primarily at social events in Washington. He was invariably cordial and humorous. Always greeted me with a big grin, and would kid me that Irish guys should always be Democrats. He was sharp; very different from how he was as president.
The presidents I spent the most time with were Bill Clinton, George Bush 43 and Donald Trump, all of whom are within two years of me in age. I worked closely with Clinton on the Irish peace process, traveling with him on his historic visits to Northern Ireland. I stood with him during his impeachment. He
couldn’t have been more gracious and friendly to my family. He and Hillary were the first to call the night my mother died. We remain friends.
I saw up close how dedicated the younger George Bush was to helping New York and defeating Islamist terrorism following the horrific Sept. 11 attacks. I was with him in the ruins of the World Trade Center three days afterward, and over the succeeding months and years was at numerous meetings he had with cops, firefighters and 9/11 victims’ family members. A true patriot. Great sense of humor.
Donald Trump was and is one of a kind. He and I grew up in Queens at the same time. Though we lived in different Zip codes, one on one he was like the guys I grew up with, totally down to earth. Despite his public persona, he could be caring and concerned, like when he reached out to my daughter when she was sick, or when he invited my grandchildren to the White House. Most significantly, I’ll always be appreciative of his visits to Long Island, where he led the effort to crush MS-13. These are just some of the recollections from my front-row seat of the 10 men who led our nation over the past six decades.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Somewhere, the Founding Fathers must be fretting
As best I can remember when I was in fourth grade, we were taught that there are three branches of government — the legislative, the judicial and the executive. And we were taught that they were co-equals, with each possessing powers that the other branches couldn’t interfere with.
To make it simple, our teacher stated that the legislative branch, represented by Congress, is responsible for making laws. The executive branch, headed by the president, enforces laws made by Congress and oversees federal agencies. The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and ensures that they comply with the Constitution. In my lifetime, over many decades, I have seen how the wishes of our Founding Fathers were complied with. While I was too young to understand the maneuvers of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, when he stepped over the line, the
Supreme Court reversed a number of his actions. In blunt terms, he was told that some of his actions violated the Constitution.
Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama saw their controversial legislation overridden by a vote of three-fourths of Congress. And on quite a few occasions, the Supreme Court told Congress that it had violated the Constitution and its actions were null and void. That seemed to be in line with what I learned at Public School 26 in Brooklyn.
Wcal issues. Some are consistent with campaign promises Trump made, but others clearly step on the toes of the 435 members of Congress.
e once learned that the White House, Congress and the courts were co-equals.
Having served in the State Assembly for 23 years, I am very much aware of how the systems work in both Washington and Albany. I have seen the Legislature in Albany flex its muscles and override the governor on many occasions. I have seen the courts tell the Legislature that it has stepped over the line and violated the state Constitution.
On Jan. 20, President Trump issued an avalanche of executive orders. Many of them have escaped public attention, because voters don’t spend all their time watching the news and following politi-
Under Article I of the Constitution, Congress is given the sole authority to appropriate money for the operation of the government. There is no language that allows the president to impound funding authorized by Congress. The president campaigned on the promise of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education, but only Congress can dissolve a federal agency.
Some of the most challenging developments in the new Trump term are the actions taken by Elon Musk. He may have been given a blanket direction to cut government waste, but he is not allowed to abolish any federal agency that has been created by Congress. Musk has effectively shut down one agency already by restricting funding, but his powers will no doubt be challenged in the federal courts.
The biggest surprise to me, as a former state and local official, is how civil service protections are being totally ignored. Notices have been sent to thou-
sands of federal workers offering them buyouts with no guarantees that they will keep their jobs if they don’t take them. Actions taken by the administration to force career employees out of their jobs defy what the civil service system is about.
The most eye-popping development is the failure of any Republican member of Congress to complain about the impact of the funding impoundments on their own home communities. Major cancer research hospitals in Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas have made urgent cries about the loss of anticipated dollars. Special drugs for serious diseases can’t be purchased without assurances that the money will be available. Rather than free up these dollars, the White House is focusing on efforts like halting the production of pennies that are popular with the public. There seem to be no people in Washington who are echoing the voices of the Founding Fathers. That is our loss.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
In civil discourse, everyone deserves respect
in February we celebrate Black History Month, honoring the achievements, resilience and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. In March we recognize Women’s History Month, acknowledging the pivotal role of women in shaping our society. Throughout the year, we take time to celebrate mothers, fathers, military veterans, educators, grandparents and others who have made an impact on of our lives, and continue to.
These moments of recognition remind us of something fundamental: Every person, the members of every ethnic and demographic group, and those of every faith deserve R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as the great Aretha Franklin sang. Yet in today’s world, respect often seems to be in short supply. This reality is magnified by the noise blasting from social media, the nonstop discourse on television and radio masquerading as news, and the constant barrage of opinions that seek to divide rather than unite.
We can, and should, engage in constructive discussions on pressing issues such as climate change, education, housing, economic opportunity and social justice without resorting to dehumanization. It is possible to stand firm in our
letters
How about taking on property taxes, Jerry?
To the Editor:
Re Jerry Kremer’s op-ed in the Feb. 6-12 issue, “Cleaning the 2024 slate is comforting”: While we don’t share the same political philosophy, I respect Mr. Kremer’s career and his accomplishments. He was known in Albany as a fellow who actually did the people’s business.
His piece had a regular-guy ring to it. His protestations were mine, as were the laments. I no longer go to Yankee Stadium. I do get to Citi Field for a game or two, but the Mets are moving into the high-priced arena as well. I’ll still go, but I do mourn the old days.
Supermarkets are on my canceled list. I have throwback moments at Costco now.
Jerry’s recollection of the movies took me back to a story my father told me when I was a kid. The son of Sicilian immigrants who didn’t have much, he told me that one day, as a 14-year-old, he found a quarter on the street. With that quarter he got a trolley ride, a hero sandwich and a triple feature. It was 1934, and a quarter got you somewhere in Brooklyn.
Jerry did skip over my major annoyance, property taxes. Last October, the Herald printed my op-ed, “Nassau is no county for old
beliefs while recognizing the humanity of those who see the world differently. Diversity of thought is essential to a thriving society. Healthy debate strengthens our communities, fosters new ideas and leads to meaningful progress. But progress is only possible when conversations are grounded in mutual respect.
As we address the challenges facing our nation, we must acknowledge that the path forward is not always clear. Intelligent, clear-thinking people will advocate different solutions based on their experiences and beliefs. That is to be expected. But what should never change is our commitment to engaging with one another as individuals deserving of respect, regardless of our differences.
It isn’t enough to simply argue about policies or demand that others see the world exactly as we do. True progress requires dialogue. It requires the humility to recognize that none of us has all the answers, and we must be open-minded enough to find solutions together, even when our collective problems seem impossibly difficult.
We must also reject the idea that disagreement makes those who disagree
into enemies. Too often, political and social divisions are deepened by rhetoric that seeks to demonize rather than understand. But a just and equitable society cannot be built on division. Rather, it requires the recognition that, despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family.
In the year ahead, let’s recommit to fostering a culture in which mutual respect is not an afterthought, but instead a guiding principle. Let’s teach our children — not just with words, but also with actions — that disagreement is not a reason to hate, but an opportunity to learn. Let’s model the kind of civil discourse that allows communities to grow stronger rather than splinter apart.
Black History Month, Women’s History Month and all the other days on which we honor those who have shaped our communities serve as indelible reminders of the R-E-S-P-E-C-T everyone deserves, every day. Despite the challenges we face, a just, equitable society remains within our reach — one in which opportunity isn’t determined by race or Zip code, where debate isn’t defined by hostility, and where respect is a cornerstone of its foundation.
men.” I’ll be 80 this summer, and my property taxes, which I’ve been paying for 47 years, are now north of $30,000. I hope that in his editorial role, Jerry can advocate for seniors who want to stay in their homes.
PHIL COMO Sea Cliff
opinions On smartphones, collaborate, don’t mandate
the advent of smartphones, social media and other personal devices has brought about a revolution that has impacted everything from the way we communicate and socialize to the way we research information and work. While these technologies offer undeniable benefits, they also present significant challenges, particularly for our youth.
Gov. Kathy hochul’s proposed statewide ban on student smartphone use during the school day aims to address these challenges, but a top-down approach risks creating more problems than it solves. The governor has charged each school district with devising a plan for eliminating student smartphone use during the school day. While the motivation behind her proposal is laudable, the impact of this mandate could place schools at odds with students and their families. The path forward requires collaboration with our stakeholders, not mandates.
The research highlighting the nega-
tive impacts of social media on young people, especially girls, is compelling. Teachers, administrators and even students themselves acknowledge that smartphones are a problem. In addition to harmful effects on student wellbeing, their use has an adverse effect on learning, socialization and development. students whose use of smartphones is unregulated tend to pay attention less in class. As teachers battle for attention, learning declines. students may try to pay attention, but the gravitational pull of their phones is just too great. Between the alerts, the messages, the apps and the games, it’s extremely difficult for even the most diligent students to resist the urge to check their devices. We can all agree that something must be done.
aincome communities, access to smartphones is more than just play; it is a lifeline to work and needed resources.
s we discuss their challenges in schools, we can’t overlook their benefits.
hochul frames phones as a public health threat, justifying government intervention. however, we must consider parental choice and respect the principle of local control. schools need to work with teachers, families and students to co-construct “rules of engagement” for student smartphone use. We also need to understand the perspectives of all stakeholders before we make decisions that alter the way students navigate their day at schools.
are also significant. storing thousands of phones every day will present logistical and financial burdens for schools that are already stretched thin. While the state proposes funding for storage solutions, the ongoing costs of staffing and implementation remain a concern. Moreover, how will schools facilitate communication between parents and children in emergencies? These logistical hurdles underscore the need for careful planning and collaboration.
But as we discuss the challenges of phones in schools, we cannot overlook the benefits they provide. Teachers may utilize phones during class for instant feedback, and students rely on them when their school-issued devices malfunction or are unavailable. Additionally, some families rely on the access to their teens for coordinating child care or work schedules. In lower-
Letters
There’s good news about younger readers, Randi
To the Editor:
Re Randi Kreiss’s recent column, “When was the last time your read a book?”: I was happy to be informed about Randi’s impressions of the reading habits of children and young adults. This is a subject that I have a firsthand knowledge of.
Over the past 10 to 15 years, I have observed a tendency among my paying customers, most of whom are, in fact, 16 to 30 years old. Most come to me to fill a gap in their knowledge of classics, science fiction, general fiction, mystery and other literary genres. It seems that high schools and colleges assign them books that are online, but those who come to me seem to prefer hard copies. For me the trend is notable and rewarding, and boosts my hope that reading physical books, particularly classics, has not lost its luster in our over-technological, disgustingly overcomputerized society.
AMnOn TIshlER
Booklovers Paradise Bellmore
Alarmed at Blakeman’s ‘outrageous behavior’
To the Editor:
I am alarmed at the lack of alarm in nassau County in response to County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s outrageous behavior.
First he organized an independent local armed security force, and denied it was a “militia.” It actually fits the dictionary definition of a militia, which means Blakeman is either uninformed or disingenuous — or both.
Then he declared that the new York Post, a tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch, is the official publication of nassau County, because Blakeman doesn’t like the leanings of n ewsday, which, for better or worse, has been a l ong Island-centric publication for decades. Both moves are autocratic and partisan, and both are indefensible — but the public outcry has been muted, at best. I believe we need to react to — and reject — this sort of overreach, which I do not believe represent either the feelings or the interests of many nassau County residents.
RIChARd sChWARz Bayville
We should teach students to be responsible young adults, with the ability to self-regulate, by fostering opportunities for them to do so. By teaching them from a young age to manage their phones, we empower them with lifelong skills that they will need in order to succeed in most workplaces. during these conversations with family members, we will undoubtedly find that one-size solutions will not fit every district. Instead, school leaders, in consultation with teachers, parents and students, should be able to develop their own solutions.
The practical implications of a ban
Many districts already have cellphone policies in place. These models, along with input from all stakeholders, should inform the development of targeted strategies that work for them. let’s allow schools the flexibility to develop plans that are responsive to the unique needs of their communities.
The goal is to create safe and productive learning environments in which children are free from the distracting influence of their phones. This requires open communication, mutual respect, and a commitment to finding solutions that work for everyone. By fostering collaboration and empowering local communities, we can effectively address the challenges of smartphone use in schools.
Monique Darrisaw-Akil is superintendent of the Uniondale Union Free School District.
Framework by Tim Baker
At Ogden Elementary School’s Father-Daughter Masquerade Ball — Valley Stream
moniQUe Darrisaw- akiL
