Overpaying on Taxes?
Kepherd Daniel/Herald Oceanside Middle School Principal Allison Glickman-Rogers will be honored with the Oceanside Kiwanis Club’s Special Service Award on Oct. 16.
Kiwanis to honor OMS principal with Special Service Award
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Allison Glickman-Rogers, principal of Oceanside Middle School, will be honored with the Oceanside Kiwanis Club’s Special Service Award on Oct. 16 at the organization’s 80th anniversary Charter and Installation Dinner Dance. The installation of officers will be held at Temple Avodah, at 7:30 p.m., and the dinner and cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m.
For nearly two decades in Oceanside, Glickman-Rogers has been an advocate of what she calls the “middle level” philosophy — a model of schooling that emphasizes “relationshipbuilding, developmentally appropriate instruction and structures” that make a large building feel small.
“This kind of recognition belongs to our entire school community, because I couldn’t do what I do here without the overwhelming support for middle-level education that we have here in this district,” she said.
Glickman-Rogers is in her 19th year at the middle school. Her career began at Hofstra University, and it has taken her to the Lynbrook school district, where she taught phys. ed. and health, and to assistant principal positions in Port Washington and at Oceanside Middle School. She served as principal at School Five for a year before returning to the middle school as principal in 2010.
“There is no stronger advocate for our young adolescent students than Dr. GlickmanRogers,” said Oceanside Superintendent Phyl-
Hospital poll reveals public care concerns
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
A recent Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” poll revealed New Yorkers are worried that the nation is illprepared for another publichealth emergency — and remain deeply concerned about the cost of care for their families.
IThe Oceansidebased hospital surveyed 600 adults in New York City and on Long Island July 13-20. Forty-four percent of the respondents said they believe the United States is unprepared for the next publichealth crisis, while 40 percent said the country is prepared and 17 percent were unsure. The high level of concern stems from recent experiences with Covid-19 and ongoing worries about emerging infectious diseases.
“This is our 24th ‘Truth in Medicine’ public health poll,” Joe Calderone, the hospital’s senior vice president of communications and development, said as he opened the Sept. 16 panel discussion at the Optimum/ News 12 Theater in Bethpage. “It’s the only hospital-based public health poll in the New York metro area.”
think we have to lower the rhetoric
DR. A ARoN GLAtt Chair,
Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai South Nassau
In addition, two-thirds of those surveyed said they worry about affordable health care for themselves and their family, while 65 percent said the government should help ensure access to affordable care.
“Sixty-seven percent strongly agree or agree that they’re concerned about being able to afford health care for their family,” Dana Sanneman, the hospital’s vice president of public affairs and development, added.
Many respondents expressed concern about specific infectious diseases. Sanneman reported that 80 percent were concerned about seasonal flu, 77 percent about measles, 75 percent about bird flu, and 65 percent about a new strain of Covid-19.
She said 8 percent reported having no health insurance; 36 percent were receiving private coverage; 17 percent were covered through the Affordable COntinued On PAGe 12
things to know from the school board
Board of education unveils school year goals
The Oceanside School District on Sept. 17 laid out a wide-ranging set of priorities for the 2025–26 school year, from expanded curriculum offerings and digital initiatives to building upgrades and safety training — and the Board of Education moved quickly to approve the plan. Here are the three most important takeaways.
— Kepherd Daniel
n Board approves 2025–26 district goals
The board presented a multi-page plan that will guide instruction, staffing and programming through the school year. Oceanside will pilot an AP Seminar course for 10th-grade English to give students earlier exposure to college-level research and presentation skills.
The district is also refining small-group literacy work and expanding elementary phonics and vocabulary supports. Grades 6–8 will see full integration of the KidOyo coding platform; elementary students will begin earning digital badges through a “digital discoveries” program that teaches basic coding, digital citizenship and safety.
Executive functioning and Dialectical Behavior Therapy strategies will be woven into classroom work; the district is also hosting a cohort of seven LIU teaching fellows placed in elementary schools for additional reading and math support.
n Kindergarten enrollment surges
Administrators reported the district opened this month with 5,155 students, compared with 5,173 at the same point last year — a net change of 18 students and overall stability districtwide. Middle school enrollment sits at 831 students.The district saw a late influx of kindergarten registrations in the week before school and the first days of classes, producing some classrooms that exceeded the district’s 22-student kindergarten guideline (a few reached 23). Harrington said the district is monitoring class sizes and will add sections where appropriate, and noted that Oceanside traditionally staffs each kindergarten classroom with a teacher and an aide.UPK numbers were slightly down. Administrators said anecdotal feedback suggests many twoworking-parent families need longer school-day options than the district’s current UPK hours provide, which influences parental choices.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.
The Heritage Club at Bethpage
n Capital and energy projects advancing
District buildings have several capital projects in motion and are nearing completion of measures intended to reduce energy costs and modernize facilities. Turf fields are installed at School No. 3 and work on renovated tennis courts is complete; the district plans to finish turf installations for baseball and softball ahead of next spring’s seasons.
Interior foundation and shell work is underway with classroom reconstruction planned to create a new auto shop and a modernized wood shop.
The district has implemented 11 energy conservation measures — from LED lighting to solar panels and building weatherization — and has begun to see utility savings.
Officials said some savings are already evident but noted the district needs a full year of data before the contractor’s three-year measurement and verification guarantee officially begins.
Join Us!
For more than 100 years the American Red Cross on Long Island has helped the community prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.
HONORING
COMMUNITY IMPACT HERO
Luv Michael
FIRST RESPONDER HEROES
Offcers Timothy Deegan and Matthew Walling
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP HERO
Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize
DISASTER HERO
Jennifer Keane
MILITARY HERO
Mel Cohen
YOUTH HEROES
Charlie Dubofsky and Sydney Hassenbein
The American Red Cross Heroes Celebration is the signature fundraising event for the American Red Cross on Long Island, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Event Co-chairs: James Quent, Greg Lavine, and Jennifer Solomon
For tickets, sponsorships, journal ads and to learn more, please visit redcross.org/LIheroes
Burgers, ice cream and fun at Sizzle and Scoop
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Charles Mattina, 53, has kept an ice cream scoop in his hand for decades. This weekend, the longtime Oceanside shop he has owned since the 1990s officially reopens under a new name and a new concept: Sizzle and Scoop, a yearround eatery at 3286 Long Beach Road, serving homemade ice cream alongside burgers, hot dogs and other comfort foods.
“I’ve owned it for 30 years,” Mattina said. “I made homemade ice cream — people already love that. Now we’re going to offer more food.”
The menu will include $4 hamburgers made from fresh, never-frozen meat supplied by nearby Janowski in Rockville Centre, two styles of chicken — including a buttermilk version — hot dogs and about 24 ice cream flavors, six of them vegan. Mattina, who grew up in Queens before moving to Syosset, said the shift from an ice-cream-only model was necessary to sustain a business on Long Island.
“You need a 12-month-a-year business to live on Long Island,” he said. “Five months a year you do good business with ice cream, but you need more months — so I have no choice.”
The location on a busy corner — Mattina pointed to its multiple entrances and an existing drive-through zoning — convinced him to expand the shop’s offerings. He said Sizzle and Scoop will keep the shop’s homemade base for ice cream and add digital menu boards and rotating specials, while leaning into local sourcing and freshly prepared items.
“We make banana (ice cream) with real bananas,” he said. “ I make coffee with real coffee,” he said. It’s a creamier type of ice cream… the more butter fat you have, the creamier it is.” He encouraged customers to try the banana fudge crunch and touted his vegan options as “outrageously good.”
The rebrand is the latest in a long run for Mattina. His family has deep ties to the Carvel franchise; his father Charles Sr. ran several Carvel stores and taught him the trade. Mattina converted his location from Carvel to the locally
branded “Frozen Side” in 2018 after contractual issues with the Carvel franchise. He said the lease renewal and franchisor practices — including what he described as increased oversight — motivated him to go independent.
“They wanted to start tracking your sales, start micromanaging,” he said. “I saw the writing on the wall.”
In January he ended the Frozen Side brand and is prepared to relaunch this weekend as Sizzle and Scoop. Mattina recounted how a childhood injury and a subsequent settlement helped launch his business career. “When I was a kid, a 250-pound cement block landed on my foot when I was hopping a fence, just being a kid,” he said. “When I turned 18, it was 50 grand in the bank from a lawsuit. My father said, ‘What do you want to do? Buy a Corvette or buy a store?’”
Mattina recalled. His father, a former schoolteacher who owned several Carvel stores, steered him into the business.
“Dad taught us everything,” Mattina said. “I learned how to decorate cakes, make cakes.”
Family remains central to the operation. Mattina said his wife, Tara, who worked as a branch manager at Keystone Automotive, previously would handle the bookkeeping and day-to-day administrative tasks while he runs the floor, make the ice cream and decorates cakes.
“She’s the brains of the operation,” Mattina said. “I talk to the people — I’m the high-energy one. She does the accounts receivable.”
But now that couple has a seven-yearold son, Tara stays at home to care, and Mattina said fatherhood has been life changing.
“It’s been the greatest,” he said. “Some things are meant to be in life.”
Sizzle and Scoop’s opening was delayed by construction and permitting, Mattina said, but he planned a soft opening earlier this week and a full grand opening this Saturday, complete with a bounce house, face painters and giveaways of T-shirts and tote bags. He said he hopes to staff the shop with 20 to 25 employees working in staggered shifts
to cover front- and back-of-house needs.
The shop’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, Mattina said, an expanded schedule intended to capture both day and evening crowds. He also plans to be more aggressive with marketing than he was in the past. “I didn’t tap into social media,” he admitted. “Now I’ve got kids who do that stuff. I paid someone to set up the website.”
Mattina said he is hopeful that stronger signage, the new menu and better promotion will draw customers.
“Before, people would drive by and I can’t tell what you are,” he said. “Now you look at the signs we got up, I got the whole building covered.”
Community ties matter to Mattina. He said he has reconnected with the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and hopes leadership joins the grand-opening festivities. For now, his focus is simple.
“My goal right now is to get that grand opening, just to get it going and see what happens,” he said. “We’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
Kepherd Daniel/Herald
Charles Mattina, owner of Sizzle and Scoop, stands in front of his newly rebranded Oceanside shop, ready for the grand opening.
Syosset resident and long time ice cream store owner Charles Mattina will be unveiling new flavors and a plethora of grilled cuisine year round at Sizzle and Scoop at 3286 Long Beach Road.
Banana fudge crunch will be one of about two dozen rotating flavors customers will be able to enjoy.
Protecting Your Future with Michael and Suzanne Ettinger Attorneys-at-Law
The Farmer’s Daughters
A farmer came in to see us with this dilemma. He had a working farm where his twenty something daughter and her husband were engaged full-time. His other daughter worked in the arts in New York City. He wanted to keep the farm in the family, but didn’t know how.
He initially wanted to leave the farm and his other assets to the two daughters in equal shares. We cautioned against this since, we advised, no one likes to do all the work and then split the profts. Additionally, real estate prices could be considerably higher on his death and there might not be enough money in the estate for the working daughter to buy out her sister. We also had to consider the sweat equity the young couple would be building up over the years working the farm. Here’s how the matter was ultimately resolved to the client’s satisfaction.
We deeded the farm now to the working daughter (not her and her husband quite yet) reserving a “life estate” in the farmer so that he had a right to live there for the rest of his
life while preserving his senior tax exemption on the property. We established the value of the property today, and made a bequest on his death, from the farmer’s living trust, of a like amount in cash to the sister before the balance of the trust was divvied up.
Now the young working couple are secure in their future, the non-working daughter gets her fair share of the estate and the farmer is protected in his rights for life. Most important of all, he has the peace of mind in knowing that the farm will stay in the family.
If you’re a business owner, and have one or more children working in the business, you have the same issues. We generally like to see the “working” children take over the business and other assets used to even out the estate distribution with the “non-working” children. Where there are not enough other assets to make the distribution even, then life insurance or a mortgage can be used for this purpose, or the “working” children can pay off the “nonworking” children over a period of years at a rate the family business can afford.
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Photos courtesy Oceanside school district
Oceanside High School students work on a “healthy relationships” display in the Wellness Center during their free period. The display is based on teen favorite, “The Summer I turned Pretty.”
School wellness center sparks conversation via hit
Oceanside High School students kicked off the new school year in The Wellness center by creating its first psychoeducational display, “The Summer I Turned Healthy.”
Wellness center coordinator and school psychologist Dr. Nina Weisenreder, who is a fan of the hit TV series “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” saw an opportunity to connect the show’s themes of relationships, self-discovery, and growth to The Wellness Center’s mission of connection, collaboration, education, helpseeking and fun.
“I was surprised by the idea,” said Megan, an OHS student, “but I like how it grabs the attention of teens while also focusing on healthy and unhealthy relationships.”
During free periods, students jumped in to design the display, which quickly became a conversation starter.
“Even though I don’t watch the show, I can understand the relationship dynamics,” said Michael, a regular Wellness Center visitor.
The display has encouraged discussion around healthy lifestyle choices, communication skills, and the importance of recognizing what makes relationships supportive—or not.
TV show
Students used screen grabs from the show and definitions from a brochure on healthy relationships to highlight the show’s positive and problematic relationships.
By tying these ideas to characters from the TV show, students are exploring mental health topics in a relevant and relatable way.
“Seeing Conrad learn how to express his feelings and be more truthful with Belly was very fulfilling, and Belly is finally focusing on herself” said Abigail. Sophia summed it up simply: “It’s a way of making healthiness relatable to the kids.”
Oceanside High School students work on a “healthy relationships” display in the wellness center during their free period. The display is based on teen favorite, “The Summer I turned Pretty.”
— Kepherd Daniel
Principal keeps watch over a ‘School to Watch’
lis Harrington. “Her leadership keeps Oceanside Middle School at the forefront of best practices in middle-level education.”
Glickman-Rodgers earned undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees from Hofstra. She teaches a course at Molly University for aspiring administrators. Under her leadership, the middle school has been recognized with a number of honors.
“We have been designated multiple times over the past 15 years as a School to Watch,” she said, referring to the Essential Elements: School to Watch program coordinated by the New York State Education Department, and noted citations from the Association for Middle Level Education. Glickman-Rogers credited the district’s long history of supporting middle-level education for making the middle school a model for others.
“The spirit — this is a very, very spirited school,” she said. “If you meet anyone that graduated from this middle school, they will tell you what team they were on.”
The school’s teaming and looping structures — organizational features intended to keep middle school students connected and supported — are central to the school’s identity. Roughly 100 students are grouped with the same four or five teachers and a counselor for two years, creating a “small family” and a shared identity within the larger student body. Advisory groups meet daily to build relationships and address social and emotional topics. Those structures, Glickman-Rodgers explained, help students feel they belong and encourage participation.
“The teaming is all about relationships,” she said. “It makes the school feel smaller, and they stay with these students and these teachers for two years. Teachers really get to know the students and the families well.”
One of the initiatives she said she was most proud of was reinstating recess after the pandemic, and expanding
the school’s lunch period to 40 minutes for eating, socializing and activity.
“We have, I think, the best resource program I have ever seen,” she said. “Every kid is engaged in pickleball, volleyball, football, soccer. We have spikeball, we have can jam.”
Service projects are woven into the school year, Glickman-Rogers said. Student groups such as Builders Club, Best Buddies and an active American Sign Language club lead outreach projects; the school hosts monthly awareness campaigns for causes such as breast cancer, men’s health and mental health; and students take part in seasonal food and coat drives, visits to local senior residences, and a Civic Partnership Day that introduces eighthgraders to nonprofits and other community organizations.
“She’s always looking to be ahead of the game rather than to be complacent with good,” said Oceanside Middle School teacher Joe LaTorre. “She wants the kids to be part of the place they live in, and not be bystanders in the community. Just because things are working, doesn’t mean you don’t keep trying to evolve and make it better.”
Outside the building, Glickman-Rogers said family is central to her life. She and her husband, Brian Rogers, live in Lynbrook, have four children — Jack, 22, Caden, 17, Max, 14 and Caroline, 12 — and, she said, “I couldn’t do any of this without the support of my family.”
Glickman-Rogers credits teachers, parents, administrators and students for sustaining the school’s longstanding vision. “I’d like to know how many people would choose to go back to middle school, to be 12 or 13,” she said. “It’s not an easy time, and it’s really important that we’re there to support our kids. I’m proud to be the principal of the school, and proud of all the accomplishments that we have had together as a school and a community. This kind of recognition belongs to our entire school community.”
Kepherd Daniel/Herald
Principal Allison Glickman-Rogers, right, has the full support of Oceanside Middle School teachers and staff, like guidance counselor Roseanne Daly.
sTEfANo BoRsELLiNo HEWLETT Senior FOOTBALL
A TWO-YEAR STARTING safety, Borsellino is no stranger to the high school gridiron. Only this year, he’s stepped into Hewlett’s starting quarterback role. So far, so good. In his first-ever start under center, Borsellino guided the Bulldogs to a 35-12 win over visiting Mineola in the Conference III opener Sept. 12. He passsed for 181 yards and two touchdowns and added 109 yards rushing and a score. He also booted three extra points.
GAMES TO WATCH
Friday, Sept. 26
Boys Soccer: Uniondale at Freeport 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Lynbrook at V.S. South 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer: V.S. North at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Football: Uniondale at Westbury 5 p.m.
Football: Elmont at Manhasset 6 p.m.
Boys Volleyball: Elmont at Sewanhaka 6:15 p.m.
Football: Hempstead at Massapequa 6:30 p.m.
Football: Herricks at Farmingdale 6:30 p.m.
Football: Freeport at Syosset 6:30 p.m.
Football: North Shore at Malverne 7 p.m.
Football: Lawrence at Carle Place 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Girls Soccer: South Side at MacArthur 10 a.m.
Girls Soccer: Massapequa at Garden City 10 a.m.
Girls Soccer: Syosset at Oceanside 10 a.m.
Girls Soccer: Manhasset at Long Beach 1 p.m.
Boys Soccer: Glen Cove at Hewlett 1 p.m.
Football: Kennedy at Calhoun 2 p.m.
Football: East Meadow at Garden City 2 p.m.
Football: Hewlett at Wantagh 2 p.m.
Football: Long Beach at Mepham 2 p.m.
Football: Carey at South Side 2 p.m.
Football: Port Washington at Oceanside 2 p.m.
Football: Sewanhaka at Clarke 6:30 p.m.
Nominate a “spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
Kama lifts Dalers over Oceanside
By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com
Josh Kama’s initials are JK, but after Friday night, they might as well be LIE.
The Farmingdale running back set a new Long Island football single-game rushing record with 495 yards to go along with seven touchdowns on 26 carries to lead the Dalers to a wild 64-57 Nassau Conference I victory at Oceanside.
The senior matched the school record for touchdowns in a game, initially set by Jordan McLune. Against Oceanside last year, Kama rushed for seven touchdowns and 376 yards on 21 carries in a 63-42 victory.
He could have easily broken the touchdown record, but he ran out of bounds at the 1-yard line to seal the win inside the final minute. That 53-yard run, which saw him emerge from a swarm of bodies, set the Long Island record for rushing yards in a single game.
The previous record was held by North Babylon’s Nathaniel Griffith, who had 38 carries for 489 yards and seven touchdowns in a 75-49 win over Smithtown West on Oct. 1, 2022.
“We’ve had plenty of good running backs at Farmingdale High School, and the way this is going, he may be in a class by himself,” Dalers head coach Buddy Krumenacker said.
Kama set the tone for Farmingdale (2-0) with a 20-yard touchdown on the Dalers’ first drive. He followed with a 60-yard touchdown to tie the score at 14.
A 70-yard touchdown gave Farmingdale a 28-14 lead with 1:50 left in the first half.
The line of James McCarthy, Jordan Petzold, Jake Kunz, Aiden Thomas, and James Queen, as well as tight end Mateo Morales and fellow running back Jovens Theodate, provided the blocking Kama needed to get to the second level, where he did the rest.
“I don’t know how I do it,” Kama said. “I really have to give it to my O-line and my running back, fullback, and tight end. They really make all the magic happen.”
Oceanside (1-1) rallied to tie the score at 35 on a 46-yard scoring reception by
Jacob Stern had nine receptions for 183 yards and four touchdowns for Oceanside in last Friday’s wild 64-57 loss to Farmingdale.
Jacob Stern, who had nine receptions for 183 yards and four touchdowns, before Theodate (six carries, 134 yards) broke several tackles en route to an 80-yard touchdown to put the Dalers back in front 41-35 with 2:36 left in the third.
Following a 44-yard touchdown run and 2-point conversion, Kama rushed for a 55-yard score, his sixth and arguably best of the evening, to put the Dalers back in front 57-50 with 3:28 remaining.
After a key interception by Ive Mills, Kama capped the scoring for Farmingdale with a 53-yard touchdown with 2:48 left.
“Kama played lights out, physically willed himself and his team to a win,” Oceanside head coach Rob Blount said. “He’s a generational player.”
Through two regular-season games, Kama has rushed for 766 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with a 60-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, setting the tone as the early favorite to win the Thorp Award, given annually to Nassau County’s top player.
“I hope so,” Kama said when asked if he’s wrapped up the award Friday night. “I think I did.”
Post-game
Eric Dunetz/Herald
Hempstead Town Board reappoints Ferretti
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Hempstead Town Board reconfirmed the appointment of Interim Supervisor John Ferretti at its Sept. 16 meeting, a move officials said was necessary to protect taxpayers from a lawsuit challenging Ferretti’s initial appointment last month.
Ferretti was initially appointed on Aug. 5, the day Supervisor Don Clavin resigned. Town officials said the reappointment was meant to shield taxpayers from what they called a “frivolous and politically motivated” lawsuit filed last month in Nassau County Supreme Court by Democratic supervisor candidate Joseph Scianablo.
The lawsuit claims Republican officials violated the state’s Public Officers Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. Scianablo contends that the appointment was prearranged, pointing to Ferretti’s acknowledgment that both Clavin’s resignation and his appointment were planned days earlier.
The agenda for the Aug. 5 meeting did not list the resignation or appointment, but it did reallocate Clavin’s salary to cover Ferretti’s new role, according to Scianablo.
Brian Devine, the town’s director of communications, said Ferretti’s original appointment was “proper and lawful,” and described Scianablo’s lawsuit as “meritless.”
“By confirming the appointment of Supervisor Ferretti and reaffirming all resolutions from Aug. 5, the Town Board has rendered this cynical lawsuit moot and protected residents from unnecessary costs,” Devine stated in a news release.
State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton had scheduled a Sept. 18 hearing and approved subpoenas for Hempstead officials and records, but Steven A. Loquestro, an attorney representing town officials, filed to stay the proceeding on Sept. 16, arguing that Ferretti’s reappointment made the case moot.
Before the vote, Ferretti recused himself while the board discussed the resolution. Councilwoman Laura Ryder said the reappointment was not necessary, maintaining that the Aug. 5 meeting had followed the
law, but supported the reappointment to put an end to what she called a “frivolous lawsuit.”
“We will not let our residents suffer financially to perpetuate someone’s political agenda,” Ryder said. “That’s why I support taking this action openly and transparently, to make clear that our supervisor has been properly appointed.”
During the public comment period, several residents weighed in on the resolution. Some supported Ferretti, saying he had earned the position, while others argued that the appointment was improper and invalid.
Among the speakers was Scianablo, who called the Aug. 5 appointment a “backroom deal,” claiming the resolution to reappoint Ferretti was “an unmistakable admission” that the board had broken the law.
“The fact that we’re standing here today for a revote proves it,” Scianablo said. “Ferretti and every council member who voted for this sham appointment must be held accountable.”
Scianablo, of Garden City, is a Marine veteran and a former New York City police officer. The Nassau County Democratic Party says he brings leadership, integrity and compassion to the race.
Devine said that Ferretti, of Levittown, has been leading “with integrity and commitment” to Hempstead residents. Ferretti previously represented Levittown, Bethpage, North Massapequa, and parts of Farmingdale as a Nassau County legislator.
“The people of Hempstead deserve government that works for them — not baseless distractions or political games at their expense,” Devine said. “The board’s decisive action today ensures that we can continue to move forward without interference from frivolous litigation.”
Herald file photo/Courtesy Town of Hempstead
John Ferretti was appointed Interim Town Supervisor on Aug. 5, the day former Supervisor Don Clavin resigned.
With new Time-of-Day Rates, 3 PM to 7 PM is now “me time.” By doing chores that use a lot of electricity before or after those hours on weekdays, you take advantage of the times when energy costs less to produce. So, think laundry at 12 PM. Read a book or catch up on emails at 4 PM. Dishes at 8 PM. It’s all about timing your savings and saving your time. Some of the appliances that use the most energy are shown below.
or
mountsinai.org/southnassau
LIRR strike on hold…for now
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
A potential Long Island Rail Road strike that was looming on Sept. 18 has been paused for now after the five unions threatening to halt service announced they are requesting intervention from the Presidential Emergency Board.
The move means negotiations will continue under federal mediation, postponing any immediate threat of a strike.
The development comes amid mounting tension between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the five remaining unions that have yet to reach a contract agreement with the railroad. These unions represent more than half of the LIRR’s workforce, and their decision earlier this month to pursue a strike authorization alarmed the MTA and the commuters who depend on the system every day.
More than 270,000 daily riders would be affected by a walkout. While the latest action delays that possibility, the disputes over wages and work rules remain unresolved, leaving the long-term outlook uncertain.
After months of radio silence, these outlier unions have finally admitted that they weren’t serious about negotiating.
JoHN
J. MCCAR tHy, MTA chief of policy and external relations
The MTA quickly responded to the unions’ decision.
“After months of radio silence, these outlier unions have finally admitted that they weren’t serious about negotiating,” said John J. McCarthy, the MTA chief of policy and external relations, in a statement. “They never had a plan to resolve this at the bargaining table.
“If these unions wanted to put riders first, they would either settle or agree to binding arbitration,” he continued. “And if they don’t want to strike, they should say so -- and finally show up to the negotiating table. This cynical delay serves no one.”
During a Sept. 11 news conference at Penn Station, MTA President Rob Free said negotiations had broken down after the National Mediation Board expedited the release of the unions. That opened the door to a strike that could have begun at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 18.
The last LIRR strike occurred in 1994.
“We have attempted to negotiate in good faith with these five remaining labor organizations,” Free said. “A fair offer has been made and accepted by the majority of all the other represented employees at the Long Island Rail Road, including the largest union, SMART, and four others.”
The five unions still holding out include the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers and Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Transportation Communications Union. Collectively, they form the Long Island Rail Road Bargaining Coalition, representing 55 percent of the unionized workforce at the LIRR.
According to the MTA, its current proposal calls for a 9.5 percent wage increase over three years. But the unions are pushing for an additional 6.5 percent raise on top of the existing deal, without giving ground on work rules that management says are ‘outdated.’
“Locomotive engineers make over $49 an hour currently. The average salary is over $160,000 a year, with top earners above $300,000,” Free said. “That’s largely the result of antiquated work rules that allow multiple days’ pay for one day of work. And now they want a bigger raise while keeping those rules in place.”
The BRS’s 809 members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike as talks stalled. About 600 BLET workers also approved a work stoppage.
“[The] Long Island Rail Road has not negotiated in good faith and has not been serious from the onset of bargaining,” said BRS Vice President of Commuters and Passengers Tim Tarrant in a Sept. 11 statement. “[The] LIRR’s on-time performance has never been better and it’s time for them to recognize their hardworking men and women by offering a fair contract that keeps up with the cost of living in New York.”
BRS General Chairman Mike Sullivan echoed the frustration.
“Our members will not stand for a contract that results in a loss of real wages, and we are prepared to use all
for Communications and
and
means available to achieve a fair contract,” he said in the same statement.
While the Taylor Law prohibits public employees in New York from striking, LIRR workers are covered under the federal Railway Labor Act. That law allows for strikes under certain conditions, though it also provides a process for federal mediation—such as the Presidential Emergency Board request now underway.
The MTA has repeatedly stressed its desire to resolve the dispute without disruption and was preparing contingency plans in case of a walkout. The plan would have included limited shuttle bus service from three LIRR stations—Bellmore, Hicksville, and Ronkonkoma— running every 10 minutes during peak hours to subway connections in Queens.
Riders were also encouraged to use Nassau Inter-County Express buses for connections to Jamaica and Flushing.
“We couldn’t possibly replace the full
service that LIRR runs every day, but we are trying our best to accommodate those essential workers in an effort to not leave anyone stranded,” said Shanifah Rieara, MTA senior adviser for communications and policy.
The MTA also announced that monthly ticket holders would be eligible for prorated refunds on strike days, subject to board approval.
The strike would have also affected the upcoming Ryder Cup, scheduled for Sept. 23–28 at Bethpage Black.
“Does the union really want to disrupt that and have that on their heads—that they caused Long Island to miss out on this huge economic boom?” Free asked.
With the gap between the MTA’s offer and the unions’ demands unresolved, the dispute is far from settled. The intervention may provide some breathing room, but the risk of a future work stoppage remains unless both sides can settle their differences.
Herald File Photo
The Long Island Rail Road strike set for Sept. 18 has been put on hold for now after the five unions announced on Sept. 15 that they are requesting federal mediation from the Presidential Emergency Board.
Courtesy MTA/David Steckel
Senior Adviser
Policy Shanifah Rieara, from left, President Rob Free, and Chief of Policy
External Relations John J. McCarthy detailed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s strike contingency plan on Sept. 11.
Ryder Cup set to tee off at Bethpage Black
Governor Hochul announces
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
After years of preparation, the Ryder Cup is about to begin at Bethpage Black. And Long Island golf fans can anticipate even more championship golf coming to one of the country’s most popular public courses.
While visiting the Farmingdale course on Sept. 17, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Bethpage Black will also host the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2028, and the PGA Championship in 2033.
“I don’t look at it just as an economic boost,” Hochul said. “I look at it as a point of pride.”
Hochul, who added that the PGA Championship will be played at Oak Hill Country Club, in Rochester, in 2035, said that she “could not be prouder,” that the state is a home to golf “and always will be.”
Bethpage Black hosted its first PGA Championship in 2019, when Brooks Koepka won his second PGA title. The last time the women’s championship was played in the state was at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison, in 2015; this is the first time it will be played at Bethpage Black.
“Bringing the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to Bethpage Black is a significant milestone,” PGA of America President Don Rea said, adding that it reflects the PGA’s “commitment to staging this event at premier courses in major markets.”
PGA of America, based in Frisco, Texas, hosts the Ryder Cup and other major golf tournaments in the United States. This year’s biennial tournament, a matchup of the top golfers in the U.S. and Europe, is set for this weekend, beginning Friday.
A week before the first competitors teed off, Ryder
SHOW
Cup Shops hosted a grand opening for the public, last Friday through Monday. Team U.S. fans can choose from over 1,500 items from more than 50 vendors at the 61,800-square-foot temporary pavilion, near Bethpage Black’s main spectator entrance. Tournament tickets are not required, and this week the shops will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Ryder Cup Shops has 70 registers and a large queuing area for customers, so fans can pick up merchan-
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dise and get back to the competition quickly. There are 10 full-time staffers, 20 interns and 1,200 volunteers, according to Michael Quirk, the chief commercial officer of merchandising for Legends Global, the company overseeing tournament merchandise.
“We’ve been told the expected number (of fans) for the Ryder Cup is north of 50,000” per day, Quirk said. “When we talk about a structure this big, there’s a reason for it. This is a machine that is really built to make sure that the best premium retail experience is actually possible this week.”
Luke Feeney/Herald
At Bethpage Black on Sept. 17, Gov. Kathy Hochul — above with Derek Sprague, CEO of PGA of America — announced that the course will also host the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2033 PGA Championship.
Two-thirds of respondents worry over health care costs
Care Act; and 25 percent were covered under Medicare or Medicaid.
Steve AOKI
“When folks don’t have insurance, they do one of three things: They don’t get care at all; they delay care; or they seek care in safety-net places such as the emergency department,” Dr. Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, who spoke on the panel, said. “It’s good that we have that safety net, but that safety net can only bear so much strength before it breaks.”
Five panelists debated causes of rising costs and shared how employers, hospitals and nonprofits are responding.
Panelist Mitali Kamdar, senior vice president at Aon, a global services firm specializing in providing risk management and insurance brokerage, pointed to inflation, higher labor and supplychain costs, and expensive new therapies as the key drivers responsible for premium increases.
“This makes it, I think, a third year in a row where it’s an almost double-digit trend,” Kamdar said. “There’s inflation, labor costs, supply-chain increases, and the advent of new drugs — GLP-1s, gene therapies — which cost millions.”
Panelist Chris Clarke, senior vice president of compensation at Optimum, said the company is experiencing a significant increase in health plan costs.
“This year, we’ve seen a huge increase in high-cost claims,” Clarke said. “We look to absorb the vast majority of costs.”
“We feel healthy food is health care,” Brian Leidy, chief development officer at Island Harvest and panelist said in describing the food bank’s nutritionpathways program embedded in hospital clinics and its workforce development programs.
On public trust in vaccines, panelists urged respectful, fact-based outreach.
“If you vaccinate enough of the population, the disease doesn’t have a group to spread to,” Sharma said. “Once the disease stops spreading, that disease is gone.”
“I think we have to lower the rhetoric,” said panelist and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, Dr. Aaron Glatt. “I think the idea is vaxxers and anti-vaxxers is just not good for society. We have to focus on the group that I call ‘vaccine hesitant,’ which is a significant, probably 15, 20 percent of the population, that makes the difference between us having good herd immunity or not.”
Hospitals can also help through early detection and outreach, Sharma said. “We do community screening — blood pressure, blood sugar, cancer screenings — and travel to senior centers and schools to promote health,” he said.
On pending policy changes, Sharma said hospitals are preparing for potential shifts in coverage rules.
“Hospitals will have to start to prepare. It’s unclear what the impact will be in the end,” he said, noting that federal proposals could leave some without coverage and that states may try to step in.
For the weeklong survey, the 600 adults were polled via random phone calls, with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
Clarke said employers are responding by negotiating network pricing, managing contracts and offering a range of plan options. He added that his company tries to protect lower-paid workers from steep contribution increases.
“We have a salary band,” he said. “Part of our benefit philosophy is to subsidize the medical contributions for our lower-paid employees.”
Panelists also tied health insurance gaps to broader social needs.
The poll was conducted by LJR Custom Strategies for Mount Sinai South Nassau and sponsored by Four Leaf, formerly Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Organizers said the effort is meant to inform public discussion and guide outreach.
Kepherd Daniel/Herald
A Mount Sinai South Nassau panel discussion invited experts to address important health care polling data at the Optimum/News 12 Theater in Bethpage on Sept. 16.
STEPPING OUT
Totally 80s Tribute To The Legends
American Chamber Ensemble at 60
A legacy of harmony
By Abbey Salvemini
The American Chamber Ensemble (ACE), Hofstra University’s esteemed ensemble-in-residence, reaches a musical milestone: its 60th anniversary. To commemorate six decades of musical excellence, ACE invites everyone to special anniversary concert.
The celebratory performance, upcoming on Oct. 12, at Hofstra’s Helene Fortunoff Theater, is sure to be vibrant musical occasion that exemplifies what the ensemble does so well.
ACE was founded in 1965 by two visionary young Long Island mothers — pianist Blanche Abram and clarinetist Naomi Drucker, a proud member of Hofstra University’s Class of 1957. Driven by a shared passion for music and a desire to continue performing while raising their families, then young mothers Abram and Drucker began presenting intimate concerts in local libraries and churches.
“Touring wasn’t an option for them,” explains current ACE director pianist Marilyn Lehman ’75, who is also on Hofstra’s music faculty. “ACE was the compromise that allowed them to share their artistry with audiences here on Long Island.”
What began as a grassroots effort quickly blossomed into something much greater. Over the decades, ACE evolved into a nationally acclaimed ensemble, with performances gracing prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the National Gallery of Art. Despite this widespread recognition, both founders remained deeply rooted in their community. Abram and Drucker often expressed that the ensemble’s growth and longevity were made possible by the unwavering support of their local audiences — a loyal and appreciative community they credited as the heart of ACE’s enduring success.
“American Chamber Ensemble has been bringing diverse programs to Hofstra University, combining strings, winds, piano and voice for decades,” Tammy Hensrud, coordinator of vocal studies and adjunct professor of voice at Hofstra, shares. Hensrud has been with ACE since its founding and will also be performing that day.
Throughout the decades, the ensemble has delivered exceptional chamber music, while nurturing Hofstra talent and promoting local composers.
“It feels fantastic that we can carry on with our work,” Lehman says. Lehman and Mindy Dragovich — ACE’s clarinetist and assistant director — both studied under Drucker and Abram, who were also their instructors during their time at Hofstra. Both women, who are also mothers, continue to carry on the legacy of their mentors, who balanced motherhood with their musical careers and inspired a new generation to do the same.
The audience can look forward to a diverse repertoire and perfomances at this concert — featuring dancers, a chorus and current students. ACE offers up a dynamic program, including Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Make Our Garden Grow,’ as well as works by Beethoven, André Messager, Steven Gerber and Schumann. A special highlight is an eight-hand piano piece from Faust, showcasing the ensemble’s collaborative spirit. The performance also includes dancer Jessica Levin, who has choreographed a work to accompany Gerber’s Cocktail Music for solo piano.
• Sunday, Oct. 12, 3 p.m.
• Helene Fortunoff Theater, Hofstra University’s Monroe Lecture Center, California Avenue, South Campus
• Admission is free; registration requested
• Visit events.hofstra.edu or call (516) 463-5669
Special guest artists include the Hofstra Chamber Choir directed by Dr. David Fryling; mezzo-soprano Hensrud, soprano Karen DiMartino ’07, baritone Andrew DiMartino, and violist Todd Lowe.
“I wanted to have a collaboration with the music department because they have supported us for all these years. So I brought back some of my students to perform,” Lehman adds.
Uniondale resident and Hofstra student violinist Jared Mercado earned the opportunity to play with the ensemble through a competitive audition. He joins Lehman on stage to perform a Beethoven sonata. It’s a fun and inspiring experience for everyone, especially for those students in the audience who see their classmates and music faculty perform together.
Neither ACE’s founders nor its current musicians have ever considered their Hofstra residency to be perfunctory.
“Having our home base at Hofstra means students aren’t just sitting in an audience at our concerts,” Lehman says. “They know us. They learn and perform with us, and we build meaningful relationships with them.”
She further emphasizes the value of having a dedicated cultural space within the community where local folks can experience classical chamber concerts.
“Our mission was to bring professional artists and traditional repertoire up close and in the neighborhood,” Lehman continues.
As the ensemble celebrates this milestone, its members also look ahead with renewed purpose. The group remains committed to its founding ideals: bringing world-class chamber music to the community, fostering the next generation of musicians and building meaningful connections through performance.
This 60th anniversary concert is not only a tribute to the past but also a joyful step into the future of an ensemble that continues to inspire, educate and unite through the power of music.
Prepare to crank up the volume and turn back the clock for a high-energy night of neon nostalgia at Totally 80s — a celebration of the decade that gave us big hair and bigger hits. Featuring powerhouse performances by Bon Journey NY, Rock of 80’s and All About Joel, this electrifying concert takes you through the greatest ‘80s hits, from arena rock to synth-pop and everything in between. Keeping the party going between sets, DJ Jeff Nec spins some tracks. In the spirit of honoring creative excellence, the evening also spotlights the recipient of the Ted Fass Music Scholarship, awarded to an incoming music student at Molloy University who exemplifies the legacy of Ted Fass — a pioneer and visionary in the entertainment industry, and cornerstone of the Rockville Centre community.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.
‘…We will rock you’
Get ready to sing along — Queenmania is back on Long Island. Almost Queen, the acclaimed tribute band, returns to the Paramount stage, bringing with them the soaring vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and theatrical flair that defined one of rock’s most legendary groups. Not just another cover band, their performances are carefully crafted to honor the spirit of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor while delivering a concert experience that feels fresh and alive. The lineup features Joseph Russo as the dynamic and charismatic Mercury, Steve Leonard as guitar virtuoso May, Randy Gregg as bassist Deacon, and John Cappadona as drummer Taylor. Together, they recreate Queen’s iconic sound with impeccable four-part harmonies, precise musical interludes, and the kind of stage energy that pulls audiences to their feet.
Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m.
$108.75, $98.25, $76.25, $64.75, $54.25, $48.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Photos courtesy Marilyn Lehman
Mindy Dragovich, left, Erika Sato, Chris Finckel, Marilyn Lehman, and Deborah Wong carry forward the legacy started by its founders.
The American Chamber Ensemble with Blanche Abram, left, current ACE director Marilyn Lehman and Naomi Drucker.
Photo courtesy Hofstra University
Marilyn Lehman at the piano.
On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainmentrelated activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
On stage
Adelphi University’s Department of Theater presents Samuel D. Hunter’s “The Harvest.” The a gripping, emotionally nuanced exploration of faith, family, and identity asks us to open our hearts and minds to the mystery of what it is to be human. Five young Christian evangelicals in a church basement in Idaho Falls are preparing themselves for a mission to the Middle East. One of them, Josh, is reeling after the death of his father, and has bought a one-way ticket with no plans to return. But when his estranged sister returns to Idaho Falls to stop him, the choice to leave becomes more complicated.
• Where: Adelphi University Black Box Theatre, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: 6:30 p.m.; through Sept. 28, times vary
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000
CALENDAR
Food Fest
Yes: ‘The Fragile 2025 Tour’
Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening of Yes at its best, on the Paramount stage, featuring its existential prog masterworks and instrumental pyrotechnics. A pioneer of progressive rock, Yes has achieved worldwide success through a prolifc and enduring music career spanning 45 years and 20 studio albums. With an ever growing fan base, Yes continues to electrify audiences with its daunting virtuosity, cosmic lyrics, complex musical textures and powerful lead vocals. The band — currently comprising Steve Howe on guitars and vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jon Davison on vocals and acoustic guitar, Billy Sherwood on bass guitar and vocals, and Jay Schellen on drums — performs their iconic 1971 album “Fragile” in its entirety as part of this tour. Fans can look forward to hearing classic tracks such as “Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround,” and “Heart of the Sunrise,” alongside other gems from their extensive and celebrated catalog.
OCT 5
Sample foods from local restaurants and eateries at the community fundraiser benefiting Sacred Heart Church Religious Education program. $25, $5 children under 10. Registration and advance purchase required.
• Where: Sacred Heart Church Parish Center, 301 Long Beach Road, Island Park
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: sacredheartislandpark.com or (516) 431-7877
Splish Splash…Animal Bath
Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents” at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Hive Studio’s in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.” Observe animal bath time.
26
Steve Aoki DJ Set
Get ready to party when multi-platinum DJ and producer Steve Aoki takes the stage, joined by DJ Theo and Untamed at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov SEPT
“Fragile” holds a special place in Yes’s discography, as it not only propelled the band to headline status in the U.S. but also distinguished itself with its unique blend of musical artistry. According to Steve Howe, the collaboration with co-producer Eddie Offord during this period helped the band reach new creative heights. This tour romises to merge the auditory and visual aspects that have always distinguished Yes as a band. The concert features a video wall displaying AI-generated interpretations of Roger Dean’s iconic album artwork, designed back in 1971. Tickets are $152.25, $129.75, $118.75, $108.75, $86.50.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
SEPT
28
8th Annual Reverse Tashlich
Join with Friedberg JCC for the International Jewish Waterfront Clean-up. Help care for the environment by cleaning up local waterways as part of this global initiative.
• Registration: volunteer. repairthesea.org/opportunities/ HteNsxpqoW
• Time: Lido West Beach, 200 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach
• Contact: 10 a.m.–noon
Let’s Meet and Network on Long Island
Join in this free monthly community business networking dinner. Share advice, grow your business network, and enjoy a casual evening with separate checks.
• Where: IHOP, 2971 Long Beach Road
• Time: 6-8 p.m.
• Contact: Register at lmnoli. com or call Mark at (516) 993-0053
OCT
1
Voices needed
Oceanside Chorale is looking for new members in all sections to sing in their next concerts: Veterans Day Concert (Nov. 8), Holiday Concert (Dec. 10) and Light up the Holidays (Dec. 14). Rehearsals are Wednesdays.
• Where: Fulton Avenue School, 3252 Fulton Ave. Oceanside
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: Marie at (516) 459-8513 or email oceansidechorale@gmail.com for further information
OCT
4
New Parent/ Grandparent Resource Fair
Oceanside Library hosts an informative session. Discover valuable resources, information, and community connections for new parents and grandparents.
• Where: 30 Davison Ave.
• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Contact: oceansidelibrary.com or (516) 766-2360 ext. 312
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create with kids at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art when it resumes following the summer hiatus. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. $20, $10 child; members free.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Noon-3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Stop The Bleed/ Naloxone Training
Learn lifesaving skills to help keep your neighbors safe at this free community training session. Limited spots available. Registration required.
• Where: 10 a.m.-noon
• Time: Veterans of Foreign Wars, 407 Weidner Ave.
• Contact: RSVP to ofdunion@ gmail.com
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 1:30-2 p.m
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
OCT
13
9th Annual Fall Fest for Cara McGuinness Join the Oceanside community at EGP Oceanside in supporting Cara McGuinness, an Oceanside native and physician assistant fighting Stage 4 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. With raffles, food, crafts, a pumpkin patch, face painting, and entertainment.
• Where: 2382 Long Beach Road
• Time: Noon-6 p.m. (El Scorchio, noon-1 p.m.; The Revelators, 3-6 p.m.)
• Contact: (516) 960-8748 for monetary or raffle donation information
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX #: 609525/2024 ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC Plaintiff, vs JEAN MARIE CARDINEAU, DONNY G. CARDINEAU INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF DONALD E. CARDINEAU, JOHN G. CARDINEAU AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF DONALD E. CARDINEAU, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF DONALD E. CARDINEAU 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; SUCH UNKNOWN PERSONS BEING HEREIN
GENERALLY DESCRIBED AND INTENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN 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, NASSAU COUNTY CLERK, CITIBANK, N.A., PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE IRS
JOHN DOE (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors,
administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s). MORTGAGED PREMISES: 4065 Broadway, Island Park, NY 11558 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) with in twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an offce for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Donald E. Cardineau Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Jeffrey A. Goostein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the TwentySecond day of August, 2025 and fled with the Complaint in the Offce of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclosur e a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by Jean Marie Cardineau, Donald E. Cardineau (who died on July 28, 2023, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York), and Donny G. Cardineau dated the October 31, 2021, to secure the sum of $335,000.00 and recorded at Book M 46255, Page 797 in the Offce of the Nassau County Clerk on January 21, 2022. The mortgage was subsequently assigned
by an assignment executed April 8, 2024 and recorded on April 17, 2024, in the Offce of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 47501, Page 202. The property in question is described as follows: 4065 Broadway, Island Park, NY 11558 HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CA REFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid offce, there are government agencies and non-proft organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1-800-269-0990 or visit the department’s website at WWW.DFS.NY.GOV. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS AND UNTI L YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLD AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN
IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly proft from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for proft to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and comp laint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who fled this Foreclosure proceeding against you and fling the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
DATED: August 25, 2025 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221
The law frm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 87130 155640
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR ONITY LOAN ACQUISITION TRUST 2024-HB2, -againstDOREEN ALBANESE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MURIEL R. DI NICOLA, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Offce of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 23, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR ONITY LOAN ACQUISITION TRUST 2024-HB2 is the Plaintiff and DOREEN ALBANESE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MURIEL R. DI NICOLA, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on October 22, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 3232 ELLIOTT BOULEVARD, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572; tax map identifcation 43-212-4, 5 & 6; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND LYING AND BEING AT OCEANSIDE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK . Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index No.: 613285/2021. David H. Sloan, Esq., as Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask
wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 155771
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Offcers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 10/01/2025 at 9:30
A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
519/25. NR ISLAND PARK - Joseph Brazil, Variances, height, exceeds number of stories, lot area occupied, construct 3-story dwelling with balconies, outdoor spiral staircase (demolish existing dwelling)., N/s Delaware Ave., 410’ E/o Broadway, a/k/a 1047 Delaware Ave. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Island Park within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may
properly come before it. 155924
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 58-2025 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 16th day of September, 2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 58-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 58-2025, to amend Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations.
Dated: September 16, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 155926
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1, PLAINTIFF, VS. DAVID LUSCHER A/K/A DAVID W. LUSCHER, IF HE BE LIVING AND IF HE BE DEAD, THE RESPECTIVE HEIRS-AT-LAW, NEXTOF-KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, ET AL., DEFENDANT(S). Pursuant to an Order Confrming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August
14, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 3000 Roxbury Road, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, at Oceanside, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 371 and Lots 171 & 172. Approximate amount of judgment is $460,829.52 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #601205/2022.
Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 155903
LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County. GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF GITSIT MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST BBPLC1, Plaintiff -against UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT A. LEFCOURT; MADELINE STEMPEL, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT A. LEFCOURT; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF SHERWOOD TOWN HOUSE CONDOMINIUM; MERRILL LYNCH CREDIT CORPORATION; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT) O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; “JOHN DOE” AND “JANE DOE” said names being fctitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants Index No. 64333/2025.
Mortgaged Premises: 3000-1 Stevens Street, Unit 101 Oceanside, NY 11572 a/k/a 3000 Stevens Street, Unit 1 Oceanside, NY 11572 Section: 38 Block: L
Hundreds attend candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk
Lot: 347TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY
SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner 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 hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer,
judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a reverse mortgage to secure $544,185.00 and interest, recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Offce on April 12, 2006, in Book M 30338, Page 191, covering the premises known as 3000-1 Stevens Street, Unit 101, Oceanside, NY 11572 a/k/a 3000 Stevens Street, Unit 1, Oceanside, NY 11572. The relief sought herein is a fnal judgment directing sale of the premises described
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Three days after conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking at a public debate at Utah Valley University, hundreds gathered at the Seaford Long Island Rail Road station for a candle light vigil.
Attendees at the Sept. 13 event said Kirk, 31, believed in God, country and family, describing him as a voice for the younger generation, often glued to their phones and tablets. Crowds held up lit candles, brought signs honoring Kirk and signed a truck memorializing him.
Kirk, who was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois in 1993 — co-founded Turning Point USA when he was 18 — a nonprofit advocating for conservative politics in high schools and on college campuses. Since its founding, Kirk has written books, hosted a podcast, and toured campuses for public debates. He was known for making controversial remarks regarding political and social topics, including civil rights, women’s rights and diversity, equity and inclusion.
The vigil drew Kirk supporters from across Long Island. Maryann Flynn, of Smithtown, described him as a “voice for our younger generation,” adding that he gave young audiences at his campus debates a chance to share their opinions.
“Maybe he didn’t agree on everything, but he allowed them to come to the table and voice their opinion, their concerns and how to make it better,” she said. “He is just somebody that this country is going to miss. I don’t think there will ever be another Charlie Kirk.”
Former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who lives in Island Park, spoke at the event, saying what he admired most about Kirk was his connection with the nation’s youth.
“Unfortunately, college campuses throughout this nation have become petri dishes of hate,” D’Esposito said, “but Charlie Kirk made it his mission to march into the lion’s den and embrace the young men and women of this nation.”
I believe that we’re going to turn into a more positive direction for the good of the people in this country.
JEAnInE
MoRg An, Rockville Centre
municating mostly through text, but Kirk made a point of engaging with them in person.
“He went to college campuses and he made American youth talk again,” he said, “and he made them talk about the things that mattered.”
Michael Bilello, of Levittown, was at home when he heard of Kirk’s assassination. At the time, he was on his phone reading about Irena Zarutska, a 23-yearold Ukrainian refugee who had been stabbed to death on Aug. 22 while on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bilello said finding out about Kirk’s death on his phone felt like a physical shock, as if his heart had left his body.
“At first, when it happened, I lost hope,” he said, “but seeing everyone here together, it came back really quickly.”
Mary Aguilar, from Hempstead, was also at home when she heard of Kirk’s death and said she was “devastated” by the news. She added that his legacy would live on, as his influence touched many, including those at the vigil.
“In unity, there’s strength,” she said. “Not everybody believes the way I believe but, the fact that all these people are here, each one of us has a mouth and voice.”
Jeannine Morgan, of Rockville Centre, said she was “inconsolable” and “angry” about what happened to Kirk, but added that the people at the vigil know what they stand for and will not stop standing, no matter what anyone does.
above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above.. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located.
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 fled this foreclosure proceeding against you and fling the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to
the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff. 155912
D’Esposito noted that younger generations are often criticized for living their lives on their phones and tablets, com -
“I believe that we’re going to turn into a more positive direction for the good of the people in this country,” she said. “For the kids and youth that are going to be left with a really big mess to clean up, this is going to take a long time.”
Additional reporting by Tim Baker
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Hundreds of people from across Long Island gathered at the Seaford Train Station on Sept. 12 for a candlelight vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist who was killed while speaking at a public debate.
Michael Bilello, of Levittown, said seeing the large turnout at the vigil gave him hope.
Former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito spoke to the crowd at the Seaford Train Station candlelight vigil honoring Charlie Kirk.
Attendees at the Seaford Train Station candlelight vigil lit candles and waved American flags in honor of Charlie Kirk.
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Q. Our kitchen is being redone, and we’re expanding into our breakfast area. We’re trying to figure out which kind of heat to put in, since our radiators will have to go to make way for the cabinets. Parts of the kitchen were always cold, and we don’t want to repeat that if we can find a better way. Our contractor said he can put in “toe space” heaters that blow warm air. Our plumber said we could do that, but they can be noisy after the break-in period. He also suggested installing either electric heat mats or water piping in-floor heating, but it could cost a lot. What’s your experience, and what do you recommend we do?
A. Keeping kitchens warm is more complicated than other spaces in your home. Of course, you could always just go stand in the corner, because most corners are 90 degrees! The most important factor in heating a kitchen is making certain kitchen walls and ceilings are well insulated, so that whatever system you choose will be the most effective for staying warm.
Old radiators were oversized as a rule of thumb, because, relatively speaking, energy sources were lower costing. Between larger radiators and smaller rooms, older home occupants were satisfied to walk around in sweaters to compensate. Today we want open spaces, removing the walls in the way to achieve a more spacious look.
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In Congress, I’m fighting for Nassau County’s students
As we begin another exciting school year for so many young students across Nassau County, I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Feed Hungry Kids Act in Congress. Earlier this month, I joined educators in Valley Stream to announce this common-sense, bipartisan legislation. As a mother, the thought of any child going hungry in school is devastating to me. Students can’t reach their full academic potential on an empty stomach. Every one of America’s children deserves a good education that sets them up for a successful life, regardless of their background or ZIP code.
We saw during the pandemic that many families struggled to put food on the table. As families struggle with the costs of health care and housing, many times, one of the first things to go is food. In Nassau County, over 15,000 households currently count on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and other food assis-
Itance to put food on the table. Unfortunately, free and nutritious food still remains out of reach for too many across our country.
dents at no charge. The way it works is simple: If a certain percentage of kids in the school qualify, everyone gets access to meals at no cost.
dents right here in this school district and across the country.
n recent months, and perhaps for the first time in our adult lives, many of us have been worrying about the viability and survivability of the great American experiment known as democracy. It has been the only government we have known, and we assumed, perhaps naively, that freedom would ring forever across our land.
I did. I remember my young self, hand across my heart at an elementary school assembly, looking at the flag and reciting the pledge. It was such serious business. My devotion was uncomplicated. I grew up knowing I was lucky to have been born in my time and place.
My dad schooled us early and often on the opportunity America offered his immigrant parents, who fled pogroms and antisemitism in Eastern Europe. I never traveled overseas without coming back through customs and immigration thinking, “God bless America.” I never visited another country that beckoned me for more than a week or two. I think of myself as a
Increasing access to no-cost breakfast and lunch has been shown to boost students’ learning, increase test scores and improve attendance and classroom behavior.
p
rotecting healthy, no-cost school meals is especially important now.
Until recently, however, Valley Stream and other districts like it were not able to provide every student with free breakfast and lunch, no matter what. Two years ago, Valley Stream directly benefited from expanded access to an important federal program called the Community Eligibility Provision.
That’s why I’m introducing the Feed Hungry Kids Act with my Republican colleague, Rep. David Valadao, of California. This bill would protect that federal program, which has helped Valley Stream and more than 17,000 other schools across the United States ensure that they can provide meals at no cost to all of their students.
The Community Eligibility Provision allows underserved schools to offer breakfast and lunch to all stu-
This is so important for so many reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that our kids are fed during the day. Second, and equally important, CEP reduces the paperwork burden facing families and school districts, making sure that kids don’t fall through the cracks and helping our schools focus on what’s really important — educating our kids.
Originally, the threshold was 40 percent, but in the fall of 2023, the federal government lowered the participation threshold for CEP to 25 percent — meaning that if a quarter of kids in the district qualify for free school meals, every kid can benefit.
By reducing the threshold to 25 percent, an additional 17,000 schools across the country, including in the Valley Stream district, became eligible for this essential program.
That’s why I am proud to take the lead on this act, which would codify the 2023 policy expanding access to free school meals into law, ensuring that CEP meals remain available for stu-
Now, earlier this year, some in Congress shopped around the idea of not only returning the threshold for free meals to 40 percent, but raising it even further. In fact, one potential proposal would increase it to 60 percent, literally taking food away from students and schools. That would be devastating to America’s children.
Making sure our students have food in their stomachs should undoubtedly be a bipartisan issue. With this bipartisan legislation, CEP schools won’t have to worry about remaining eligible for the program and being able to keep kids fed.
Protecting healthy, no-cost meals for our nation’s students is especially important now, as we see food assistance programs nationwide, including several that keep Long Island’s children and seniors fed, being threatened by the cruel GOP tax bill passed earlier this summer along party lines.
I’m proud to fight for Nassau County in Congress, and proud to lead this bipartisan bill, to push back against any proposed cuts to food assistance that would hurt our children and our community.
Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
Is our democracy suffering growing pains?
patriot.
When I was a college student and we philosophized about democracy, there seemed only a few and very sensible boundaries. Like don’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Otherwise, free speech felt like a particularly American right. As kids we chanted, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never harm me.”
W e thought of ourselves as a fairly egalitarian society in the pre-MAGA era.
Now, increasing restrictions on speech are disorienting. Our democracy feels destabilized. How do we speak up and support the least powerful and most in need of American justice without fear of reprisals? How have words — just words, compilations of simple letters — become “triggers” or a forbidden form of expression? Why take a word like d-iv-e-r-s-i-t-y and scrub it from policy language as if it were an epithet? It means, “The practice of including people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds” — a quintessentially American concept we historically have embraced.
These days, I don’t recognize us. America on its best day is far from perfect. As an educated adult, I know this. Any country that sanctioned slavery and the internment of citizens car-
ries that brand forever. But we also preserved freedom in World Wars I and II, beat back dictators and welcomed millions of immigrants who helped build the greatest country in the world. We educated the best scientists and led the world in developing vaccines for the most dreaded diseases.
The good, the bad — all of it is true, and the fabric of our nation today is richly threaded with our triumphs. We are all the stronger because we have survived dark times, like the Civil War, and built a society that has been a beacon for freedom around the world.
Within the generous embrace of America’s democratic government there have always been imperfections. Some argue that hard work pays off; others say that not everyone has equal access to either higher education or good jobs. Corruption sometimes tilts the playing field.
I don’t know how to resist the current threats to democracy, except to write and talk about them, to vote and encourage others to vote, to support fair elections. I do know we have to pay attention. Continuing to educate ourselves and encouraging open political discussions among others can only be a good
thing.
We Americans thought of ourselves as a fairly egalitarian society in the preMAGA, pre-billionaire era. There was a real thriving middle class when I was growing up, attainable through higher education or apprenticeship and hard work. Nothing seemed out of reach. The deal was that people in business or professions or trades could buy homes for growing families.
Today that deal is broken. Homes are out of reach for many young couples. Food prices are eating up family budgets. Now, only 250 years after the Declaration of Independence, we observe increasing class distinction in many elements of our culture.
Can we grow through this?
Can we agree that anyone who wants an education can still get it, and that people starting out can find affordable housing? All of it can be true and workable, but we can’t call ourselves a democracy when free speech and economic opportunity are threatened. A democracy embraces all its citizens, and in the best of worlds, welcomes newcomers.
In my lifetime, our imperfect democracy had room for everyone and was moving, in starts and stops, toward inclusivity. Now it seems stalled.
Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
LAURA A. GILLEn
RAnDI KREIss
HERALD
Next month, adopt a loving four-legged friend
october is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, a time to bring attention to the countless animals in need of loving homes. On Long Island we’re fortunate to have strong networks of shelters working to give dogs, cats and other animals a second chance at life. Yet despite their tireless efforts, too many pets remain behind kennel doors, waiting.
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter and Town of Babylon Animal Shelter are major lifelines for rescue pets. There are smaller but equally dedicated operations in Long Beach and on the North Shore.
Animal shelters — such as those in our towns — are typically run by municipalities, and house stray, abandoned or surrendered pets. They are often required to take in all animals brought to them. Shelters may have paid employees, but also rely on volunteer support. Animal rescues, on the other hand, are usually nonprofit and volunteer-run. Rescues can be more selective about the animals they accept. Together, shelters and rescues form a network of care that helps countless animals find safe, loving homes.
The message next month is clear: adopt, don’t shop. And even better, adopt from your local shelter.
When people turn to breeders — or worse, puppy mills — for their next pet, they overlook the many dogs already in need of homes. These are animals with plenty of love to give, that simply need someone to open their heart and their home. Shelter pets may not always be purebred, and some may come with personality quirks, but they often make the most loyal companions. Their gratitude is evident in every wagging tail and every snuggle.
Some people worry that adopting from a shelter is expensive. In fact, it’s often the opposite. The cost of adopting a dog can be less than $100, and cats are typically under $70. Many shelters also offer
letters
Find your local shelter
Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh Phone: (516) 785-5220
Website: HempsteadNY.gov/179/ Animal-Shelter
Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter
150 Miller Place, Syosset Phone: (516) 677-5784
Website: OysterBayTown.com/ AnimalShelter
Town of Babylon Animal Shelter
80 New Highway, Amityville Phone: (631) 643-9270
Website: TownOfBabylonNY. gov/132/AnimalShelter
Long Beach Animal Shelter (Operated by Posh Pets Rescue) 770 Park Place, Long Beach Phone: (516) 431-7674
Website: PoshPetsRescueNY.org
special promotions for veterans, seniors and first responders, bringing those prices down even further. When you consider what’s often included — spaying or neutering, vaccinations and microchipping — adoption is not only the compassionate choice, but also the practical one. Of course, not everyone is in a position to adopt. That doesn’t mean you can’t help. Shelters and rescues rely heavily on community support. Volunteers are always needed to walk dogs, play with cats, or simply give animals
Support the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center
To the Editor:
In this critical moment for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, we invite the community to join us in our Flash Membership Drive as we celebrate our 31st anniversary.
For more than three decades, the center has educated over half a million people about the lessons of the Holocaust and the importance of tolerance. Today, that mission is more urgent than ever. With rising antisemitism and hate crimes, your support is vital in helping us spread awareness, strengthen understanding and foster compassion.
the human interaction they crave. Fostering is another option, offering an animal a temporary home while the shelter supplements the costs of its care. Foster homes are especially critical for pets that don’t thrive in a kennel environment or who need extra attention before they’re ready for adoption. Fostering a pet doesn’t just save that one animal. It also opens up space for a shelter to take in another one in need.
Then there are the basic supplies that shelters are always in need of: food, blankets, toys. Monetary donations go a long way in offsetting these facilities’ medical bills for sick or injured animals. Even the smallest contribution can make a big difference.
Adopting a dog can change its life forever, and will likely improve yours. Studies cited by the American Heart Association have found that dog ownership is linked to a lower risk of death from all causes, offering benefits to both heart health and overall well-being.
While October focuses on shelter dogs, it’s worth remembering that they aren’t the only ones waiting. Cats — from kittens to seniors — make up a large portion of shelter populations. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, keep an open mind about who that might be.
Next month is a call to action. For anyone thinking about a new pet, consider visiting a local shelter before contacting a breeder. For those who can’t adopt, find a shelter to volunteer with, foster for or donate to. Every effort helps lighten shelters’ load and brighten the future of the animals they care for.
“Saving one dog won’t change the world,” Karen Davison, an animal advocate, rescue supporter and author, likes to say, “but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” Next month, let’s make that change happen — one adoption, one act of kindness and one wagging tail at a time.
Back-to-school eye exam can set your child up for success
protecting a child’s vision is a crucial part of their overall health and development. Just like regular checkups for their teeth and ears, early eye screenings are essential. Many common vision problems in kids can go completely unnoticed, because a child might not even realize that their vision is blurry or that something is wrong. Catching and treating these issues early is the key to preventing longterm problems that could affect their learning, behavior and social life.
The warning signs of vision problems that parents shouldn’t ignore include squinting at objects; holding books or devices too close; eye misalignment — one or both eyes turning inward or outward, particularly when tired; head tilting; avoidance of near tasks — a reluctance to read, draw or do homework; excessive tearing or light sensitivity, which may signal allergies or inflammation; and difficulty in school — struggling with reading, skipping lines or losing track while studying.
Even one of these signs can indicate that urgent treatment is necessary.
A closer look at nearsightedness in kids. Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is one of the most common eye conditions in children. It’s when a child can see things up close just fine, but things far away appear blurry.
safer than regular glasses. These should be considered essential equipment, just like helmets or mouth guards.
CIf your child’s vision is worsening quickly, there are treatments that can help slow it down. Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of nearsightedness. And certain types of contact lenses are designed to help slow the worsening of a child’s vision. These treatments can make a big difference in a child’s eye health as they grow.
lear vision is about more than just seeing the board at school.
Contact lenses for kids. For active children, especially those involved in sports, contact lenses can be a game-changer. They eliminate the risk of broken glasses on the playground or field, and can give kids more confidence. That said, not every child is ready for the responsibility. Children must be mature enough to remove contacts before sleeping, and to clean and store them properly every day.
Eye safety in sports. Sports are one of the leading causes of eye injuries in children. To help reduce risks, experts recommend polycarbonate sports glasses, which are impact-resistant and far
Letters
Membership offers more than a year of free access to our permanent and special exhibits — it is a commitment to education and action. Every membership directly supports programs that reach over 30,000 Long Island students annually, as well as training for law enforcement, educators and nurses. These efforts empower our community leaders to make a positive difference in confronting prejudice and promoting inclusivity.
Members can also participate in group tours and classes that bring history to life and deepen the conversation about tolerance. Together we can be a beacon of hope, ensuring that the lessons of the past guide us toward a more compassionate future. Join us today and stand with the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
Dr. BErNIE FUrSHPAN Board vice chair, marketing director, HMTC Glen Cove
None of us deserves harm for our beliefs
To the Editor:
I write today outraged at the sense-
Protecting young eyes from the sun. Parents are well aware of the importance of sunscreen, but many forget that UV rays can damage children’s eyes, too. In fact, most lifetime UV exposure happens during childhood.
Wearing 100 percent UVprotection sunglasses when outdoors — especially near water, sand or snow, which reflect UV rays — can prevent damage that may later lead to cataracts or macular degeneration. Making sunglasses a daily habit helps ensure healthier eyes for life.
The dangers of eye rubbing. You may not realize it, but frequent eye rubbing can be a big problem. For kids with allergies, constant rubbing can actually damage the cornea, the clear front part of the eye.
This can lead to a condition called keratoconus, in which the cornea becomes so thin that it bulges forward into a cone shape. This causes blurry vision that can’t be fixed with regular glasses or contacts.
What can we do about it? The good news is that if keratoconus is caught early, there are treatments. A procedure
called corneal collagen cross-linking can help stop the condition from getting worse. Also, using allergy eye drops or oral medication can reduce the itchiness and the urge to rub, protecting the eyes from further damage.
A clear message for parents. Protecting a child’s vision is one of the greatest gifts parents can give. The bottom line is straightforward:
■ Screen early — ideally by age 3 to 5.
■ Watch for warning signs like squinting, head tilting or school difficulties.
■ Protect young eyes from injuries and UV damage.
■ Seek treatment early for conditions such as myopia or keratoconus.
An eye exam for your child is quick and painless, but it can make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Don’t wait for your child to complain about their vision — catching problems early is key. Add an eye exam to the list of things to do early in the school year. Clear vision is about more than just seeing the board at school; it’s about giving every child the best chance at success, safety and healthy eyes for life.
Dr. Carolyn Shih is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and works at South Shore Eye Care, a member of the Northwell Health Eye Institute.
less murder of Charlie Kirk. When did we, as a nation, decide that political disagreement should be met with fists, bullets and blood instead of words? Debate used to be the cornerstone of democracy. Now too often it feels like dissent is treated as a death sentence.
In the late 1980s, I traveled to London, and stumbled on Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park. Anyone could climb onto a soapbox and speak their mind — on politics, faith or even hatred itself. Crowds heckled, argued and mocked, but they did not silence or assault the speaker. The unarmed Bobbies stood by only to keep the peace. It was a living model of what free expression should look like: passionate, messy, even uncomfortable — but never violent.
Charlie Kirk was a lightning rod, and at times I disagreed with his ideas — sometimes very strongly — but other times I agreed with him. That’s how democracy works: We weigh arguments, we challenge one another, we debate. But disagreement is not justification for violence. When I thought he was wrong, I wished for dialogue and enlightenment, not harm.
Instead, we are letting ourselves be manipulated by sensationalist media, rage-driven podcasts and toxic social media that thrive on division. Too many Americans now view someone who holds a different opinion not as a neighbor but as an enemy. That is poisonous — and deadly. None of us deserves harm for our beliefs. If America is to endure as a free
society, we must relearn how to argue fiercely without killing one another. Violence cannot be the answer. Debate must be.
Framework by Tim Baker
The Cowboy Biker Band, carved out of wood, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum — Garden City
CaroLYn sHiH
BrUCE KENNEDY Glen Cove
