Oceanside/Island Park Herald 10-09-2025

HERALD Oceanside/island park

MSSN gala ‘brings heart home’

Mount Sinai South Nassau President Adhi Sharma, far left, and his wife, Emily, applauded Stephen Bradley’s performance of the national anthem on Saturday at the Lanin, in Eisenhower Park, as the hospital’s 2025 Soiree Under the Stars honorees were recognized for their dedication, leadership and support in expanding cardiac care on the South Shore.

The Driscolls have plans for a ‘Miracle’ baseball field on L.I.

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

When Oceanside residents Brian and Dena Driscoll took their son Liam to a Savannah Bananas baseball game on Aug. 2 at Oriole Park at Camden yards in Baltimore, they watched him light up — clapping and swaying to the music and dazzled by the lights and scoreboard.

The simple joy of being in the middle of a loud, playful crowd is the driving motivation behind the family building a Miracle League–style, fully accessible baseball field on Long Island so children of all abilities can play, not just watch.

Miracle League Baseball is a national baseball program that provides children and adults with physical or cognitive disabilities the opportunity to play baseball in a fun, inclusive environment. The league uses specially designed, rubberized turf fields to eliminate barriers for players with wheelchairs and walkers.

Liam, now 9, was born with tetralogy of Fallot, a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth, causing oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body.

Liam underwent open-heart surgery at 3 months old. Over the years, he has faced permanent hearing loss that requires hearing aids, severe feeding problems that led to a “failure to thrive” diagnosis and placement of a G-tube, and a Nissen fundoplication, a surgical procedure used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.

After extensive genetic testing, doctors diagnosed Liam with ATR-X (Alpha-Thalassemia Mental Retardation X-linked) syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects development, muscle tone, feeding and vision. Liam is nonverbal and cannot

A new leader, with new ideas, at O’side library

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Michelle Samuel, a familiar face at the Oceanside Library for the past seven years, stepped into the role of assistant director at the end of July, succeeding the retiring Tony Iovino, and has taken on responsibilities she previously shared with Director Chris Marra. Samuel — who came to the library in March 2018 as the head of children’s services — said the transition has been busy and full of face-to-face time with patrons, staff and neighbors.

Oceanside as my second home. I really do love it here.” Samuel’s path to librarianship began early. She started working at her hometown Freeport Memorial Library as a teen — shelving books and learning the operations that most patrons never see. After earning her master’s she spent 12 years at Freeport Memorial, moving up through roles before coming to Oceanside.

MIcHELLE SAMuEL Assistant library director

Samuel, 43, who lives in Freeport with her 5-year-old daughter, is a career librarian who graduated from St. John’s University with a Masters in library science in 2007. Over the years she has gained operational know-how and leadership skills to draw on in her new role. She says she is dedicated to serving the Oceanside community.

“I’m here to help them,” Samuel said. “Freeport is my hometown, but I look at

“I first met Michelle during the very challenging pandemic year of 2020, when she was Head of Youth Services in Oceanside Library’s and I was fortunate enough to be hired onto her staff as a Children’s Librarian,” said Adult Programming & Outreach coordinator, Sarah Campbell in an email. “Her unique blend of organizational skills mixed with care, thoughtfulness, sense of humor, and ability to “see the bigger picture” have always made her both approachable and a great leader. After five years and many changes for us both, I feel incredibly lucky to once again

Continued on page 11

Deliah Roberts/Herald

VoL. 60 No. 41

Petros Krommidas to remain on Legislative District 4 ballot

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Democratic leaders and local elected officials rallied outside the Nassau County Board of Elections on Oct. 3 to condemn what they called a Republican effort to “silence voters” by keeping the name of missing candidate Petros Krommidas on the November ballot — a decision a county judge upheld.

The dispute leaves the 4th Legislative District race in legal limbo and has raised questions about how the county will finalize ballots before the election.

“We shouldn’t have to be here today,” said Democratic County Supervisor nominee Joseph Scianablo. “They’d rather have a selection and not an election,” he said.

Krommidas — who has been missing since April 23 — will remain listed as the Democratic candidate for the 4th Legislative District in November. The county Democratic committee earlier filed a certificate of substitution seeking to place James Hodge on the ballot in Krommidas’s place; that substitution was challenged in court by two Oceanside voters, and the challenge prevailed for now. Democratic representatives called the lawsuit and the decision to keep Krommidas on the ballot politically motivated and insensitive to the Krommidas family’s loss.

James Hodge, the would-be substitute, urged voters to pray for this family.

“I was honored to be the person selected to continue what Petros started, a great young man, a great son, a great co-worker and just a great person,” Hodge said. “They didn’t have to bring this lawsuit 50-some odd days before this election. They didn’t want to give voters a choice.”

County executive nominee Seth

Koslow framed the issue as one of decency and voter choice. He said Democrats had moved to substitute a new candidate “to take one thing off the family’s plate” and to provide voters with a legitimate option on the ballot.

“The Republicans don’t believe in free elections,” Koslow said, calling the lawsuit “disgraceful” and “embarrass-

ing.”

When asked about an appeal, event speakers said legal options were being reviewed by counsel.

“We are letting the legal system play out,” Koslow said.

Legislator Patrick Mullaney, the Republican incumbent in the District 4 race, offered condolences to the Krommidas family.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Petros Krommidas during this very difficult and uncertain time,” and he would not “engage in speculation regarding his situation.”

If Krommidas’s name remains on the ballot and he were to win, officials say the inability to sign an oath of office would trigger special procedures — possibly a vacancy to be filled or a special election — depending on legal and procedural steps that would follow any such outcome. Democrats say they prefer to avoid that painful scenario by having another candidate run in November. Mullaney also emphasized that he is not a party to the legal proceedings and expressed trust in the courts and the Nassau Board of Elections to follow the law.

“In the meantime, I will continue my campaign for re-election and remain focused on addressing the needs and concerns of the residents I am privileged to represent,” his statement said. He added that he would “circle back on a new interview date.”

The Bungalow

Kepherd Daniel/Herald Nassau County Seth Koslow speaks at the podium Friday outside the Nassau County Board of Elections in Mineola, joined by local Democratic leaders calling for a fair choice for voters in Legislative District 4.

Gala raises funds for expanded cardiac care

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s annual Soirée Under the Stars gala lit up The Lannin in Eisenhower Park on Saturday as supporters, staff, and community leaders gathered to raise funds for the expansion of advanced cardiac care on the South Shore.

This year’s theme, “Bringing Heart Home,” celebrated the hospital’s growing cardiovascular program and the forthcoming launch of open-heart surgery services at its Oceanside campus. Funds raised will support new cardiac catheterization and CT-angiography labs as well as advanced cardiac surgical services, pending state approval.

Philip Shuman, vice president of The

Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, was honored as the Corporate Honoree for his leadership in managing the construction of the new Feil Family Pavilion — a cornerstone of the hospital’s $500 million capital expansion project.

The pavilion, which houses the newly opened Fennessy Family Emergency Department, will soon include nine state-of-the-art operating rooms to accommodate complex cardiac procedures.

Longtime benefactor Jeffrey Feil received the prestigious Heart of the Hospital Award for his decades of philanthropic support. Two dedicated team members were also recognized for their

Debbie Jonason, , assistant nurse manager of Cardiovascular Services, received the Mary Pearson Award for her leadership and compassionate care; and Arthur Golbert, senior cardiac rehabilitation exercise physiologist, earned the Cupola Award for his commitment to helping patients rebuild their health through cardiac rehabilitation.

Guests enjoyed a lively cocktail reception, dinner, and dancing to a 10-piece band under the stars, while celebrating the hospital’s continued growth and commitment to excellence in health care.

— Kepherd Daniel

exceptional service:

Deliah Roberts/Herald

Arthur Golbert’s family and friends stood to honor him as he received the Cupola Award from Mount Sinai South Nassau on Saturday.

Stephen Bradley sang the national anthem to start the night.

The Mary Pearson award recipient was Debbie Jonason, an assistant nurse manager in the cardiac catheterization lab at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

Hospital president Adhi Sharma, right, with Cupola Award recipient Arthur Golbert, a senior exercise physiologist for cardiac rehabilitation at MSSN.

Honoree Philip J. Shuman, Vice President of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company gave an appreciative speech.

Jeffrey J. Feil, CEO of the Feil Organization received the Heart of the Hospital Award.

An Inheritance is a Gift, Not a Right

Ann Landers, who published her weekly advice column from 1955 to 2002 listed this as one of her top ten most requested columns – republishing it seven times in her long career.

Dear Ann: Let this letter be a wake-up call to all sons, daughters, and grandchildren. The message I want to convey is this: YOUR INHERITANCE IS NOT AUTOMATIC. IT’S A GIFT.

I am an estate planner. Over the last several years, I have seen many clients change their wills, bypassing children and grandchildren, and leave their money to friends, charities, and people they once worked with who were kind and helpful.

There are many reasons for changing a will, but the two most common are disrespect and isolation. In some families, the only time the old folks see the grandchildren is when their parents need a favor–usually, it’s money. So, the message the old folks wish to convey is as follows: “You didn’t make time for me when I was lonely and would have enjoyed your company, so why should I leave you the

money I worked for all my life?”

Wake up out there. An inheritance isn’t something that is owed to you. It is a gift of love. When there is no love, there should be no gift. — Manasota, Fla.

We like to say that your “family” are those you love and who love you. The rest are your relatives. Or, put another way, it’s not who you’re related to, it’s who you relate to.

For those who have children, the inheritance is usually left to the children in equal shares. However, there is no legal requirement to do so. One of the first concepts we learned in estate planning is that “there is nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals.” Are some considerably better off than others? Has one been more attentive, more caring, gone out of their way for you? Where distributions will be unequal, we often suggest leaving a letter, to be opened after your death, explaining the reasons for your decision. A discussion with an experienced estate planning attorney often will provide ideas and options that you may not have thought of.

LAW FIRM

Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid NO-COST CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offices in Huntington • Melville •

HERALD SchoolS

OHS musicians selected for All-State chorus

Arianna Shamin and Emma Lopez, Oceanside High School juniors and members of the Symphonic Choir (Honors Choir), have been selected to perform in the prestigious New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Treble Choir.

Selection to All-State represents one of the highest honors a high school musician can achieve in New York. Students earn this recognition through auditions at a NYSSMA Solo Festival, where they are evaluated on technical skill, musicality, and artistry. Only a small percentage of students across the state reach this level, reflecting not only talent but also years of dedicated practice, discipline, and perseverance.

“Arianna and Emma’s accomplish -

ment highlights the strength of Oceanside’s music program and the commitment of our students to excellence,” said Andrew Frey-Gould, director of Media, Fine and Performing Arts. “I could not be more proud of them.”

The students’ hard work and passion for music will be showcased this December, when they join the finest young vocalists from across New York State in a performance at the NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester.

Frey-Gould congratulated choir director Alexandrina Leahu on preparing the students for this outstanding recognition.

— Kepherd Daniel

OHS hosts senior interview day

Oceanside High School’s Counseling and English departments hosted the annual Senior Interview Day on Friday, September 19. The event prepares high school seniors for job and/ or college interviews, complete with creating resumes, prepping for and participating in the interviews, and following up with a letter of thanks.

More than 30 volunteers, including OSD staff, Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital professionals, Molloy and Adelphi college reps, and members of the Oceanside community, pitched in to conduct 400 interviews.

Teachers prepared students with guidance-developed interview questions tailored to job, internship, and college admissions interviews. English teacher Kimberly Rodrigues encouraged her students to review their prior relevant experiences to

build confidence in answering impromptu questions. Lessons also focused on professional appearance and demeanor, and presenting polished applications and resumes.

Students reported that they got over their initial nervousness quickly, and that the interviews soon evolved into natural conversations. Focusing on experiences that were relevant to the interview helped them feel more confident about responding in the moment. They also said that the interviewers offered them helpful advice and constructive feedback on the spot.

“It definitely opened up a lot of doors for new opportunities for me now that I have a bit of experience interviewing,” Gianna said in her thank you letter to her interviewer.

— Kepherd Daniel

Teachers share work-based learning at IHOP networking dinner

The Oceanside School District’s Work-Based Learning Program took center stage at a recent Let’s Meet and Network on Long Island (LMNOLI) meeting at the Oceanside IHOP on Sept. 30, where educators discussed how local partnerships are helping prepare high schoolers for real-world success.

Work-Based Learning Coordinator Iris Wiener shared updates on the district’s expanding career education efforts, including site visits and mentor-

ships connecting students with small business owners across the South Shore. Students have learned hands-on skills from professionals in hair care, floristry, therapy, and entrepreneurship — experiences that have not only built confidence but also created career awareness for multilingual learners exploring options beyond traditional college paths.

— Kepherd Daniel

Community celebrates 80th birthday of longtime volunteer Joe Ponte

Joe Pontecorvo — a longtime community leader, volunteer, and local historian — recently celebrated for his 80th birthday on Sept. 28. The celebration, held at Villa Formia in Oceanside, brought together family, friends, and fellow community members to honor his decades of dedication to Long Beach, Island Park, and Oceanside.

Ponte, known for his lifelong commitment to civic service, has served as president of the Island Park Library Board, a Long Beach historian, and an active member of numerous chambers of commerce. The Oceanside Kiwanis recognized him with a Legion of Merit pin and certificate for his milestone years of membership, highlighting his efforts to support local organizations.

— Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Joe Ponte Joe Ponte with his son-in-law Rob Torres, and his wife Christins, and Ponte’s granddaughters, Sophia, left, Ariella, and Adelyn.

Courtesy Mark Greenberg Oceanside High School Work-Based Learning teacher Iris Wiener, left, joined by students and LMNOLI organizer Mark Greenberg, center, at the group’s Oceanside IHOP meeting, where educators shared how hands-on career experiences are shaping students futures.

CHRISTIAN ANAYA CAREY Senior FOOTBALL

A TWO-WAY LINEMAN for the reigning Nassau and Long Island champions, Anaya completed a rare daily double on the defensive side of the ball for the Seahawks in a 35-14 victory at South Side Sept. 27. His sack in the end zone for a safety put Carey ahead for good in the second quarter. Then, late in the fourth, he scooped up a fumble forced by Justin DePietro and raced 69 yards for the game-sealing touchdown as the team won its 15th straight.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Oct. 9

Girls Soccer: Elmont at Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Long Beach at Kennedy 4:45 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Mepham at Garden City 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Clarke at Carey 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Garden City at South Side 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: North Shore at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Long Beach at Oceanside 6 p.m.

Boys Soccer: South Side at Malverne/ERock 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer: West Hempstead at V.S. South 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 10

Football: Malverne at Seaford 6 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Syosset 6 p.m.

Football: West Hempstead at Plainedge 6 p.m.

Football: Clarke at V.S. South 7 p.m.

Football: Calhoun at Long Beach 7 p.m.

Football: V.S. Central at Glen Cove 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Football: Mepham at Garden City 1 p.m.

Football: South Side at Wantagh 2 p.m.

Football: East Meadow at Baldwin 2 p.m.

Football: Island Trees at Lynbrook 2 p.m.

Football: Herricks at Freeport 3 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.

Oceanside riding familiar road

By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com

The Oceanside girls’ soccer team is 4-3-2 and third in Conference AAA/AA-I behind Garden City and South Side.

While the results haven’t met the expectations coming into the season, the alarm bells on Skillman Avenue aren’t sounding. That’s because the Sailors are basically at the same spot they were this time last year when they went on to win the Nassau Class AAA title.

“A good amount of these girls are part of our defending Nassau County championship team, and they know what it’s like to have some hiccups in the season, but ultimately finish on top.” coach Danielle Chiera said.

Although the Sailors are disappointed in some results, they’ve had success against the ‘AAA’ teams in their conference. They are 1-0-1 against Syosset, have beaten Massapequa once, and Port Washington twice.

With a nine-match sample size, Chiera said the team has identified the issue that has plagued them to this point. It’s a team that is highly technical and talented, that plays positionless soccer as an unselfish unit. But they are too unselfish at times in the attacking third.

“We have players who can shoot from distance, and also players who are very dangerous in front of the goal,” Chiera said. “But when we try to get too many of our teammates involved, we miss some of the opportunities that we could have to really put points on the board.”

Winger Ava Bowers has been a consistent scoring threat, leading the team with six goals and one assist. Ryann Zydor, a starting left back who has also pushed forward to left wing, has five goals and two assists, including a hat trick in a 7-1 win over Port Washington last Saturday.

“They’re both seniors who have really taken leadership roles,” Chiera said. “They’ve been on the team since freshman year, and they’ve played different positions throughout the years and had different roles, but this year they are definitely attacking players.”

The central midfield trio of seniors

The Sailors are looking to make another deep playoff run after capturing the Nassau Class AAA title last fall.

Molly Boller and Chloe Polito and junior Gianna Visone all have an incredible work rate and do the dirty work to run the midfield, often making the play before the play that leads to a goal.

Senior Cathryn Evans often puts in a shift at right wing, and although she’s limited to just one assist thus far, she has a high work rate that sets the tone for the underclassmen on the team.

Junior Maddy McMurray is a returning starting center back and, along with senior Jordyn Davis, who saw limited minutes last year, anchors the back line.

Junior Ella Hickey and senior Riley Harrington have also been stabilizing presences in the back.

And junior Ella Murray is in her first year as the starting goalkeeper, a position she doesn’t even play on her club team.

“You would never know that because she never complains about it,” Chiera said. “She knows what her role is. She knows what’s expected of her, and she has just stepped up to that starting goalie spot, and has really been great between the posts.”

Eric Dunetz/Herald

News briefs

The Oceanside High School girl’s tennis team held their annual clinic on Sept. 20.

Tennis players host annual youth clinic

A beautiful morning was had by all when the girls Oceanside High School tennis team under the direction of Coach Corriel and Coach Hanrahan gave there annual tennis clinic. Students in Grades

k-8 enjoyed partnering up with a high schooler to either learn the fundamentals of tennis or to participate in a friendly competition.

— Kepherd

Daniel

Daniel Tommasino/Herald

Thanks for letting me tell your stories FAREWELL COLUMN

When I graduated from Hofstra with my journalism degree, I had no idea how my career would start. I live about 40 minutes away from Oceanside and Island Park. I don’t think I had been to Oceanside or Island Park before I was hired, or explored Nassau County to the extent I now have. However, the way I got to know the communities, they now feel like a second home, and that is because of how warmly members of the community always received me.

Being a hyperlocal community journalist is a privilege. You get to know community members on a level arguably not found anywhere else in the field, and it was so much fun to meet and get to know so many people and be in rooms I’d never be in had I not had the job I have. I learned so much in 4 years, and the most fulfilling part of the experience is hearing from community members that the work I was doing was making a positive impact in their lives.

brook/East Rockaway, Glen Cove, Nassau, Franklin Square/Elmont, WantaghSeaford, and Hempstead. That may be a Herald record.

I’ve spoken to many people and tried to make myself as available as possible because everybody should have a chance to have their voice heard. Being able to tell your stories and inform you on the news that was important to you, honestly and impartially, was important to me.

I’ve grown a lot since I first started, and by no means has it all been perfect, but I couldn’t think of a better place to start my career.

When I posted on Facebook that I would be departing the Herald, the outreach from community members and colleagues was a pleasant surprise. You never really take time to think about the impact you or the work you do has on others, and it was heartwarming to see so many kind words about me and the work I did.

I believe journalism is about people. In a time where distrust in media is at an all-time high, it is more important than ever to be able to meet with and speak to all different types of people and hear various perspectives to tell an accurate story.

That is the only way for trust to be repaired between the media and the public, and I was able to do my part in helping that. I’ve reported for Oceanside/Island Park, Bellmore-Merrick, Lyn-

I thank former executive editor Scott Brinton for giving me the opportunity and my editors Jim Harmon and Jeff Bessen for helping me improve as a writer and reporter. And a special thank you to the Oceanside/ Island Park community, where I spent the bulk of my four years, for allowing me to tell their stories and always being fair and good to me. And I went all this time and did not do one story on a Nail Spa, so that’s a plus.

It was fun, and I’ve made long-lasting connections within the communities I covered, as well as amazing friendships and connections with several fellow reporters, for which I am thankful.

I’ll still be doing the work I love, and won’t be hard to find. Those who want to reach me will still be able to, and I hope that any incoming reporters take the time to get to know their community and the people in it, and hear as many voices out as possible.

That’s what makes community journalism fun — people. I’ll carry everything I learned here into what comes next, always rooted in the belief that journalism is about people — and I thank the community for showing me that every day.

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9am: Registration • 10am: Walk Begins

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Friedberg JCC celebrates 25 years

The Friedberg JCC proudly celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Nathan and Muriel Glanz Campus on Sept. 14. Families, members, staff, and supporters gathered for a joyful day that captured the center’s enduring spirit of connection and service.

Guests enjoyed family-friendly activities, campus tours, fitness demonstrations, and reflections on the JCC’s 25

years of impact across early childhood education, afterschool programs, summer camp, fitness and aquatics, senior services, and cultural enrichment. The event also featured special recognitions honoring those who have helped shape the JCC’s mission of being a true community center for all.

— Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Friedberg JCC

Friedberg JCC leaders and staff gather beneath festive balloons with Assemblywoman Judy Griffin to mark the 25th anniversary of the Nathan and Muriel Glanz Campus.

Families came together in the gymnasium for a day filled with smiles, games, and community spirit.

Guests got moving during an energetic fitness session celebrating 25 years of health and wellness at the Friedberg JCC.

Parents and children enjoyed hands-on crafts during the family celebration event.

Samuel settles in to assistant director role

be on Michelle’s team.”

Here she helped run a rapidly expanding children’s program and built relationships across departments. That experience, she said, prepared her for the broader responsibilities of assistant director: supervising staff, helping patrons and collaborating with the director on strategic initiatives.

“Now I’m really getting to say hello to everybody, really getting to know everybody, and just learning how they are using the libraries,” Samuel said.

The promotion made her “nervous, but excited,” she added, crediting both Iovino and Marra for mentoring and preparing her.

“Tony took the time of a whole year to fully train me and prepare me for this step,” Samuel said. “Chris is the one that’s here day to day with me, still guiding us and helping out.”

Samuel has laid out an ambitious agenda, planning to grow programming by bringing back events that were paused during the library’s temporary relocation; pushing current offerings “to the next level”; improving operations so patrons wait no longer than a week or two for requested items; revamping the library’s website to make essential information easier to find; bringing in new services and technology by attending conferences and scout-

ing innovations that enhance patrons’ experiences; and advocating for stronger funding by building relationships with local legislators and being more vocal about the library’s role beyond books.

Money, she said, remains its biggest challenge. State aid covers only a sliver of its operational needs, so staff members pursue grants and creative partnerships to get new projects off the ground.

“Funding is always going to be the first hurdle,” Samuel said. “We do research for grants … but money is definitely an obstacle.”

She is already active beyond Oceanside. She is vice president of the Nassau County Library Association and the organization’s president-elect, with a formal installation set for December. She will be presenting at the New York Library Association conference in Saratoga Springs next month, when, she said, she looks forward to both sharing Oceanside’s successes and bringing back new ideas.

“Michelle’s leadership and the passion she brings is incredible,” Marra said. “We’ve worked together a long time.”

Samuel described her leadership style as accessible and collaborative. She once handed patrons’ questions up the chain, but now has the authority to respond to them directly. She also

stressed cross-department cooperation: helping staff get to “yes” when they conceive new programs, and making it easy for patrons to find what they need.

“Sometimes ideas start small and feel timid,” she said. “Tony taught me to think outside the box: How can we tailor an idea to our community and make it great? I want to keep building on that.”

Samuel’s immediate focus is on return-

ing seasonal offerings to full strength, with the highly anticipated eighth annual OceanCon, Oceanside’s spin on Comic Con, on Oct. 26, and other fall events on the calendar. Longer term, she’s scouting new services and digital tools that could expand the library’s reach and usefulness.

“I look forward to getting out to conferences, really seeing what new services and technology are available, and seeing how we can bring that back here to Oceanside,” she said.

Samuel’s promotion represents continuity and growth for a library that, under Marra’s direction and Iovino’s legacy work, has become a busy community hub.

With Samuel managing day-to-day staff operations and patron services, Marra said, the library will continue enhancing services and programming for the community.

For residents, that means a familiar face in a new role and a leader who has spent decades behind the scenes learning how a library really works — from shelving to public policy — and who now has the platform to expand Oceanside’s footprint.

“I want patrons to know I’m here to help them,” Samuel said. “When they walk in, I want them to feel like they walked into one of the best libraries around.”

Kepherd Daniel/Herald

Michelle Samuel is now the assistant director at the Oceanside Library, having replaced the retired Tony Iovino.

Herald Senior Health & Beyond Expo brings wellness, laughter and life-saving insights

By Anna Graci

Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE successfully hosted the fifth Senior Health & Beyond Expo of the 2025 series at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center. Presented by Hyl Conte Law, the free community event drew hundreds of attendees, including seniors, families, and caregivers.

The bustling expo, on Sept. 26, featured a variety of educational vendors and interactive activities that kept spirits high throughout the day. From lively dance sessions led by Mae Caime, CEO of aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond, to on-site jewelry shopping, there was something for everyone. Guests also accessed essential health services, including free flu shots, eye exams and hearing tests.

Presenting sponsor and keynote speaker Arthur J. Conte, Esq., Partner at Hyl Conte Law, addressed a large audience with his presentation, “Building a Plan for Life’s Uncertainties: How to Achieve Peace of Mind Through Successful Estate Planning.” Conte offered practical advice on planning for the future and emphasized the importance of asking questions when navigating legal and financial matters.

“Thank you to the Rockville Centre and surrounding communities for coming to this event and giving me an opportunity to speak with you all,” Conte said. “I hope you found what we discussed helpful and educational, and if you have any issues you need help with, please feel free to reach out. Don’t be afraid to ask the question you have.”

“It was an incredible turnout — one of our best-attended events yet, with lines around the block to get in,” said Amy Amato, RichnerLIVE ‘s executive director of corporate relations and events. “We’re thrilled to bring this beloved community event to Rockville Centre and look forward to continuing to provide valuable knowledge, resources and fun to senior communities across Long Island.”

One of the day’s highlights was Laughs with Larry. The comedy show featuring Larry Izzo had the crowd in stitches, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

Raffle drawings every half hour kept anticipation high, with winners taking home prizes, including Starbucks gift cards donated by Groth Pain & Spine. Attendees also engaged with experts during panel discussions and Q&A sessions on essential topics.

The expo’s impact went beyond education and entertainment. One attendee, Linda Uzenski, shared that a blood pressure check she received at a previous expo led to a life-saving diagnosis — after follow-up tests, she was successfully treated and is now cancerfree. Her story highlights the tangible,

Audience participates in dancing session.

sometimes life-saving, benefits these events provide to the community.

Guests received complimentary swag bags, and the first 150 attendees enjoyed a delicious to-go lunch provided by Bagel Boss.

A special thank you goes to present-

ing sponsor Hyl Conte Law, as well as program sponsors Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, NYS Department of Public Service Long Island, Grandel Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Beach Terrace Care Center, Oceanside Care Center,

AARP Long Island, SightMD, and Groth Pain & Spine. The Herald also extends its gratitude to the Rockville Centre Recreation Center.

Two expos remain in the 2025 series: Oct. 26, at the Suffolk Y JCC, and Nov. 7, in Oceanside at O’Connell Gardens.

Melissa Baptiste

Hyl Conte Law PLLC, Arthur Conte Esq.

Hyl Conte Law PLLC’s Arthur Conte Esq., right, and Amanda Hacker.

Virginia Caporusso, left, Philip Caporusso and Leeann Pitman at the Expo.

The attendees at the fifth Expo in the seven-part series.

Jill Wasser from New York Department of Public Service Long Island.

Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Janette LeBron, left, and Jeannie Doherty Benckwit, RN.

Dawn Granville, left, and Elaine Moorer with gift bags, sponsored by Grandel Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Oceanside Care Center and Beach Terrace Care Center.

Groth Pain and Spine was represented by Bill Hito, left, Eugene Wang and Alexandra R.

Expo host Mae Caime from aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond.

AARP Long Island volunteers Antoinette Wilson, left, Allan Breitman, Barbara Batagely, and Karen Murphy.

Sight MD’s Dr. Deborah LaBel, MS.

Special stadium would be ‘Liam’s Legacy’

walk or sit up unassisted, but his parents explained that he is full of light and music — and happiest at events that hum with energy. The idea first began unexpectedly when Brian, active on TikTok, connected with a network of first responders and community advocates across the country. One of those new friends, from Michigan, invited him to a fundraiser at a Miracle League field.

“When Brian got there, he FaceTimed me immediately,” Dena recalled. “He said, ‘We have to do this here. Liam could be on a baseball team. We could bring families like ours together.’ He was showing me everything, saying how amazing it was.”

That visit planted a seed. Over time, Brian developed a proposal and brought it to local leaders, including Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Laura Ryder, who was among the first to express support for exploring the project.

“He came home from Michigan saying, ‘This is what we need to do,’” Dena said. “It’s been in his back pocket for a while, but the more he thought about it, the more determined he became to make it happen.”

The quest for such a facility has spawned Liam’s Legacy Athletic Association early this year, receiving state approval for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status earlier this year which aims to build an accessible mini-stadium on the South Shore, where children with disabilities

can play baseball, enjoy movie nights, splash in an accessible pad and experience community events created with sensory and mobility needs in mind.

Modeled around the concept of Miracle League fields, which are found nationwide, the Driscolls’ version will include a rubberized, trip-free turf surface accessible to users of wheelchairs and walkers; a full DJ and audiovisual setup to recreate the high-energy, celebratory atmosphere of Banana Ball; a large outfield screen for movies and special events; a pavilion for families. Banana Ball is a variation of baseball created by the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team, that emphasizes speed, entertainment, and fan interaction. Oceanside Fire Commissioner Mike Graham, who knows Brian Driscoll through local events, joined the effort as a member of the organizing committee

“Many children with special needs don’t get the chance to play the everyday game the way other kids do,” Graham said. “This will make them feel like they belong to the baseball community. It’s something personal to me. I hope my son can play on that field one day.”

The project is still in its very early stages, with no formal town meetings on tap to secure a site or permits.

“It’s not just a field — it’s going to be a place where families can come together,” Dena said. “We want it to look and feel like a real stadium experience, with spon-

sorship boards, music, and energy. Something special.”

Discussions with the Town of Hempstead have included potential use of an open site in Baldwin Park, though no formal plans or approvals have yet been finalized.

“There’s a field there that can be shaped into anything we want it to be,” Dena said. “And there’s already a playground nearby that we’d love to make

accessible too.”

The estimated cost of construction: between $2 and $3 million. A major early boost to raise money has come from Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails in Lindenhurst, which selected Liam’s Legacy for a three- to four-month campaign starting in late September, with proceeds helping fund the field’s early development and awareness outreach.

“This will probably be our first larger donation,” Dena said. “But once we get official approval from the politicians, we’re going to start serious fundraising to make this a reality.”

The Driscolls hope to break ground within the next three to five years — possibly sooner if political support and donor funding accelerate.

“I think once it really hits and people see what we’re doing, it could go faster than we think,” Dena said.

For families like the Driscolls, the project is about more than baseball, providing children with disabilities with a sense of belonging while ensuring that they could enjoy the shared experiences other children take for granted.

“He’s happiest when he’s surrounded by energy, music, lights and excitement,” Brian Driscoll said of Liam. “I want a place where kids like him can play, dance and feel like a star — not just as spectators, but as players.”

Those who want to support can visit LiamsLegacyAthletics.org.

Courtesy Brian Driscoll

The Driscoll family includes their oldest son Declan, 11, Brian, Dena and Liam.

GUEST COLUMN

A controversial chapter in school history

The Oceanside School District has long prioritized maintaining safe, clean, and secure facilities for students. However, there was a time in its 200 plus year history when these standards were far from met. Four angels, one in each direction, escorted him.

In the late 1800s, the district’s original one-room schoolhouse, located at the northwest corner of Christian Hook Road and School Street (now Oceanside and Foxhurst Roads), was replaced around 1880 to accommodate the growing community. According to Dr. Walter Boardman’s book A Story of Oceanside, the second schoolhouse lasted about 15 years before the district replaced it with a third. However, Dr. Boardman, a highly respected educator who played a significant role in Oceanside’s educational development, omitted the contentious events that led to the construction of this third schoolhouse.

In the 1890s, John Merrill, the New York State School Commissioner for Queens County (which included presentday Nassau County), embarked on a mission to improve educational facilities across Long Island. His advocacy for Union School Districts and modern school buildings had been remarkably successful. He claimed that in his travels

from Long Island City to Oyster Bay, 30 districts had constructed new schools under his guidance, and none had voted against his proposals.

In April 1893, Commissioner Merrill arrived in Oceanside, then known as Oceanville, to inspect the local schoolhouse. What he found shocked him. The building, described as a “shackly old affair,” was a fire hazard due to its unstable chimney. Though designed to hold about 100 students, it was overcrowded with double that number. The furniture was in poor condition, and overall, the facility was deemed inadequate for educational purposes. Merrill urged the district to build a new school immediately.

On April 29, 1893, Commissioner Merrill attended a district-wide meeting to advocate for a new school. He was warned that local residents, mostly farmers and baymen, were unlikely to support his proposal. Though considered progressive, many in the community viewed Merrill’s ideas as “educational extravagance.”

Merrill’s attempt to persuade the com-

munity quickly backfired. His remarks were interpreted as insulting, suggesting that the residents were illiterate. The meeting devolved into chaos, with heated arguments breaking out. A quick-tempered Merrill, frustrated by the lack of progress, threatened to have some residents arrested for disrupting the proceedings. The situation only escalated, and Merrill was eventually shouted down. Despite the tension, a resolution to build a Union Free School was brought to a vote. The proposal was overwhelmingly rejected, with 89 votes against and only 28 in favor. Although Merrill faced defeat that day, he ultimately had the final say. Two days later, he officially condemned the schoolhouse, declaring it “wholly defective in ventilation, weak in structure, badly arranged, and detrimental to the health of teachers and pupils.” He concluded that the building was beyond repair and unfit for use. Faced with no other option, the district was forced to comply. On October 13, 1894, the schoolhouse and all its contents—including desks, stoves, and outbuildings—were auctioned off.

Philip Martiny, a renowned sculptor and

part-time Oceanside resident, purchased the building. Martiny moved it to his property at the corner of Terrell Avenue and Chester Street, where it reportedly became his studio for creating many of his masterpieces. With the old schoolhouse cleared, construction of the third schoolhouse began. As Dr. Boardman noted, the new building opened its doors to students in 1895 and served the district for the next sixteen years. Eventually, it gave way to Oceanside’s first modern school—School No. 1—marking the start of a new era in local education. The story of Oceanside’s second schoolhouse highlights the challenges of balancing progress with community values. While Commissioner Merrill’s efforts initially met resistance, his determination ultimately led to necessary improvements that benefited future generations. Today, the Oceanside School District continues to uphold its commitment to providing safe and modern facilities, a legacy rooted in the hard-fought battles of the past.

Seth J. Blau is an Oceanside resident and trustee on the Oceanside School Board since 2012. He has been a columnist featured in local newspapers since 2010 and has a passion for discovering, preserving and displaying the history of the Oceanside community.

Seth J. Blau

STEPPING OUT

Autumnal adventures

Reel in some hauntingly good fun

By Karen Bloom

Spooky season is casting its spell — and whether you’re ready for a scare or just some seasonal flair, there’s much to check out.

The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin patches have their moment, but a pumpkin trail is even better. The wooded site of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights is the evocative setting for a spooky 4,200 foot loop of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins and illuminated objects (10,000 in all) that light up the grounds all month long.

The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is now in its 12th season on Long Island, delighting visitors with all sorts of seasonal delights, from those carved pumpkins — of all sizes — to inflatables and even a space to show off some dance moves, complete with disco lights and music.

You may recall Rise from its first eight seasons at Old Westbury Gardens. Its current home at Usdan accommodates a longer trail that enhances the immersive experience.

“We found this trail to be perfect,” says Mike Pollack, Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns’ executive producer, who proclaims this to be “the spookiest walk on Long Island.”

Spooky, most definitely, but not haunted. You won’t find any frightful creatures popping out along the path. As Pollack puts it: “No scares.”

This family-friendly event is designed to get everyone in the spirit of the season, appealing to all ages.

A team of 100 handpicked artists carve their individual pumpkins with facial expressions ranging from scary to silly.

“The artistry of these pumpkins is spectacular and you will not see anywhere else,” Pollack says enthusiastically.

The 40,000 visitors annually would seem to agree. Rise is open on weekends and select weeknight through Nov. 1. All tickets must be purchased online at jackolanterns. com; no tickets are available on site. Rise is located at 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights.

Spooky Fest

Creatures of all kinds inhabit the woods, and ghosts and ghouls come out to play at Tanglewood Preserve, home to the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), in Rockville Centre. A seasonal tradition for area families, the spectacle takes over CSTL’s grounds every weekend through Nov. 2.

Each year the festival offers a spirited fun-filled slate of activities on the preserve’s 16 acres — both scary and not so scary — to appeal to all ages and fright levels. The wooded paths are transformed for the season, with eerie lighting, special effects and characters along the way.

Whether you and the kids are looking to be spooked or not, the choice is yours. This time of year the preserve’s woods are definitely haunted, as those who venture along the scary walk will find out. This quarter mile hike through

the woods is not for the faint of heart, it may leave some younger kids clinging to their parents legs. Step into the darkness of the Haunted Woods where you’ll stumble upon a deserted graveyard and more — you never know what is lurking around the next turn. Be scared if you dare!

“Adults will come out crying and the kids will be laughing,” CSTL Educator Michele Anselmo,says, somewhat bemused. “You need to know your fear factor before you enter.”

As always, the not-so-spooky Enchanted Walk is welcoming haunt for the younger set. Friendly Halloween characters — including witches, fairies, aliens, ghosts, butterflies, and scarecrows — greet visitors. This year a pirate ship with a band of pirates has made its way here to get in on the action. Other activities include holiday-themed arts and crafts, and the return of the Mystic Den, with a fortuneteller and face painting. And, of course, the glow tent, is another popular spot where everyone heads to make “slime.” Just be sure to take the goopy stuff home; “sliming” those nearby is frowned upon.

Costumes are always encouraged. And in the spirit of Hallowen season, kids may find some treats to pick up as they wander about.

“There’s always something for everyone here,” Anselmo says.

Find out what’s lurking in the woods at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre. Visit cstl.org for information and tickets.

Gone Fishing

Anglers — novice and skilled — will be on the scene once again when the Fall Fishing & Children’s Festival returns to Hempstead Lake State Park. Presented by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s “I Fish NY” program, on Oct. 18, the annual event offers an ideal way to make the most of the season with a mix of fishing, fun and family activities.

The day kicks off at 10 a.m., with a fresh stock of trout in the park’s South and MacDonald Ponds to help introduce families to the sport of freshwater fishing. Everyone can take part in fly-fishing instruction, casting practice, fish-cleaning demonstrations, and even borrow rods and bait free of charge.

“All ages are encouraged to attend to enjoy this wonderful fishing experience,” says George Gorman, State Parks’ Long Island regional director. “We hope festival attendees also take the opportunity to explore the beautiful Hempstead Lake State Park and all it has to offer.”

But the fun doesn’t end at the water’s edge. Young visitors can enjoy pumpkin decorating, a magic show, reptile exhibit, and a playful casting contest where the “catch” could be a pumpkin or a prize. Whether you’re an avid angler or just looking for a day outdoors with the kids, the Fall Fishing & Children’s Festival reels in plenty of reasons to drop by.

The fishing license requirement for all anglers over the age of 15 is suspended for this festival, and admission and parking are free. Check out the activities at the park’s MacDonald and South Ponds, also in Rockville Centre. Visit parks.ny.gov for more.

Jessie’s Girl

Break out the neon, dust off those leg warmers and tease up your hair — the ultimate ‘80s party returns to the Paramount stage. Jessie’s Girl, a band of New York City’s top rock and pop musicians, returns with their high-energy Back to the Eighties show, guaranteed to turn back the clock. Fronted by powerhouse vocalists who transform into the decade’s biggest icons, Jessie’s Girl delivers the hits that defined an era. Add in bold costumes, playful choreography, audience participation, and plenty of extras — bubbles, confetti, and props galore — and the result is part concert, part theater and all ‘80s spectacle. These talents each have dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with. With over-the-top renditions of memorable songs, Jessie’s Girl captures the glitz and sheer energy of the decade like no one else.

Friday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. $64.75

$52.25, $49.25, $48.50, $37.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Kate Kortum: The Music of ‘Wild Woman’

Tilles Center’s Atrium becomes an intimate lounge, showcasing 23-year-old Kate Kortum, one of the jazz world’s most exciting breakout artists. Hailing from Houston, Texas, her warm, distinctive sound blends bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theater with captivating, story-driven lyrics. Her artistry bridges tradition and innovation, offering audiences a fresh, contemporary take on the jazz vocal legacy. Critics have praised her ability to revitalize jazz with authenticity and daring. “Wild Woman,” her sophomore album, features reimagined standards and originals that explore a woman’s relationship with complex emotions.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Courtesy Mike Pollack

Thousands of Jack O’Lanterns illuminate the season, hand carved to perfection.

Courtesy CSTL

Some fascinating spooks have taken up residence at Center for Science Teaching and Learning’s Spooky Fest.

Courtesy NYS Parks

Let’s fish: Cast those lines at annual Fall Family Fishing Festival held at Hempstead Lake State Park.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

Sculpture Stroll

Visit Nassau County Museum of Art for hour for discovery and conversation. Explore a selection of sculptures sited across the museum property. Each stop on the tour delves into the choices, inspirations and material of the artists and their sculptures. Registration required. $20, $10 members

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 5-6 p.m.

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

OCT

11

‘Saltwater Stories’ Festival

Families are invited to Long Island Children’s Museum’s special opening weekend festival to celebrate the launch of Saltwater Stories, the new permanent exhibition celebrating Long Island’s coastal heritage. Meet local fisherfolk, explore hands-on activities for all ages, and dive into the rich traditions of our bays and beaches. Enjoy storytelling, crafts, and demonstrations that bring Long Island’s maritime history to life! All activities included with museum admission.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

Whimsical Wizard School

Families are invited to Old Westbury Gardens for a wizarding adventure. It all begins the moment you’re sorted into one of the enchanted Nature Houses. Create your own wand, adding colors and decorations that reflect your style. Step into a magical herbology class, where you’ll discover the plants that inspire fantasy and design your own terrarium herb garden. Join wizard professors on a Wizard Quest through the gardens, solving riddles and uncovering hidden icons along the way. Celebrate the spooky season with games, crafts, and enchanting surprises in the most magical way possible. For ages 5-10. Registration required. $18, $12 children

• Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

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 OCT

Anthony Rodia

Anthony Rodia is back “Laugh Till It Hurts” tour, an all-new stand-up showcase that’s refreshingly genuine and quick witted. Building on the success of his previous outing, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet.

A first-generation Italian-American born and raised in Westchester, Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. With a background steeped in family traditions, Italian-American culture and the ups and downs of modern life, Anthony’s comedy feels like a conversation with your funniest friend. His blend of observational humor, self-deprecation and witty impressions has led him on his path as one of the most exciting rising stars on the comedy scene. Anthony’s comedic career skyrocketed thanks to his viral social media videos, where he brought his hilarious, larger-than-life characters and relatable commentary to millions of fans. His most iconic characters, including his over-the-top Uncle Vinny persona, quickly became fan favorites, making him a social media sensation and establishing a loyal following. His ability to turn everyday situations — family gatherings, parenting, and even the quirks of his own Italian heritage —into laugh-out-loud moments has earned him widespread recognition and a rapidly growing fanbase. Tickets are $144.75, $108.75, $98.25, $86.50, $76.25, $6475.

fighting Stage 4 Triple Negative

Breast Cancer. With raffles, food, crafts, a pumpkin patch, face painting, and entertainment

• Where: Noon-6 p.m.

(El Scorchio, noon-1 p.m.; The Revelators, 3-6 p.m.)

• Time: 2823 Long Beach Road

• Contact: (516) 960-8748 for monetary or raffle donation information

Voices needed

OCT

15

The Oceanside Chorale is looking for new members in all sections to sing in our 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

16

Kiwanis Club of Oceanside Charter & Installation Dinner Dance OCT

Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Oceanside at a special evening honoring Michael Puma and Dr. Allison Glickman-Rogers. With cocktails, dinner, program, dancing, and raffles. $100 per person

• Where: Kombert Caterers at Temple Avodah, 3050 Oceanside Road

• Time: 6:30 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner, program and dancing

• Contact: (516) 972-8011 or email kiwanisfoundationoceanside@ gmail.com

Little Learners Art Lab

Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week create one-of-a-kind wave paintings with a sensory twist. $4 with museum admission.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800org or (631) 264-0567

OCT 21

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

23

‘Brown Bag’ Art Conversation

Join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular Brown Bag Lecture. Experience the museum’s exhibition “At Play: Artists & Entertainment” through a lively and informative presentation. Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program. Registration not required. First come, first seated.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 1 p.m., also Oct. 23

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

OCT

18

Halloween Sugar Cookie

Decorating Class

Oceanside Lutheran Church hosts a

Halloween-themed cookie decorating class — perfect for beginners! Learn step-bystep icing techniques while decorating six cookies, and take your creations (and leftover icing) home. $35 per person (ages 12+)

• Where: 55 Fairview Ave.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 766-0136

Enchanted Forest

Nassau County Museum of Art invites families to another Super Family Saturday program. This magical adventure includes hands-on art activities themed around transformation, fantasy, and discovery, plus a special trail through the site’s fall forest.. $20 non-member adults, $10 members and children.

• Where: Manes Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Session 1, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; Session 2, 1-2:30 p.m.

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

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

OCT

25

Long Beach Humane Society

Halloween Costume Party Fundraiser

The Long Beach Humane Society invites all to its annual Halloween celebration,.With entertainment, food, drinks, raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and a best costume prize. A palm reader will also be on hand. $50 in advance; $55 at the door.

• Where: Dox, 10 Broadway, Island Park

• Time: 4-8 p.m.

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

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

DAVID M. FRIEDMAN, Plaintiff - againstCONGREGATION

DARCHEI NOAM, Defendant.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 8, 2025. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on the 30th day of October, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, and State of New York.

Premises known as 3432 Bayfield Blvd., Oceanside, NY 11572. (SBL#: 54-520-10)

Approximate amount of lien $1,013,750.17 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 612684/2024. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee. Bochner PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 15th FL New York, NY 10018 Tel. 646-971-0685

Dated: September 15, 2025 During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 155978

LEGAL NOTICE

SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A TAX LIEN INDEX NO.: 608393/2025, ELM CAPITAL LLC, Plaintiff,

vs. the unknown heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives of PAMELA S. MICHELS and the unknown heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives of STUART J. MICHELS and all persons that may claim an interest in the property referred to in the complaint by, through or under any of the foregoing (the aforesaid unknown heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives being all such heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives other than those specifically named as a defendant in the complaint-the identity and addresses of all the foregoing not being known to plaintiff), PREMISES SUBJECT TO TAX LIEN: 40 Thompson Ave., Oceanside, NY, SBL# 43, 339, 51 (Group Lot 51-53). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff s attorney within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the date of service, and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property.

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 tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER

WITH THE COURT.

Dated: September 25, 2025. Joseph Ehrenreich, Attorney for Plaintiff, 33 South Service Road, Jericho, NY 11753, 833-993-0100. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON.

JEFFREY A. GOODSTEIN of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, entered September 23, 2025. Such order and the Complaint in this action are filed in the office of the Nassau County Clerk, in Mineola, NY. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien on the premises identified above. 155980

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC INDX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-AR7, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AR7, -againstJENNIFER IADEVAIO, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 14, 2017, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC INDX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-AR7, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AR7 is the Plaintiff and JENNIFER IADEVAIO, 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 November 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 61 MONTGOMERY AVENUE, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572; tax map identification 43-332-349; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS THEREON ERECTED,

SITUATED, LYING AND BEING AT OCEANSIDE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 019258/2009. Barton Slavin, 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. 155998

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 10/15/2025 at 9:30

A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30

A.M.

538/25. OCEANSIDEYaniris A. Martinez, Jose L. Martinez

Rodriguez, Ramon F. Taveras Rivas & Julia Aitigracia Rivas De Hartinez, Mother/Daughter Res. (2nd Kitchen)., S/s Foxhurst Rd., 90’ E/o Loftus Ave., a/k/a 374 Foxhurst Rd. 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 Oceanside 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.

156109

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO.

62-2025

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 30th day of September, 2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 62-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 62-2025, to amend Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.

Dated: September 30, 2025

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk

156129

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

LOCAL LAW NO. 63-2025

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 30th day of September,

2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 63-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 63-2025, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.

Dated: September 30, 2025

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 156130

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OCEANSIDE FIRE DISTRICT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Public Hearing will be held on October 20, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. at Fire District Headquarters, 65 Foxhurst Road, Oceanside, New York. The purpose of the PUBLIC HEARING will be to permit public review of the proposed budget for the Oceanside Fire District for the calendar year 2026.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the proposed budget has been filed with the Town Clerk and is available for review. It is also available for review at the Office of the Board of Fire Commissioners, 65 Foxhurst Road, Oceanside, NY, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS THE OCEANSIDE FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York. Tricia Schields District Secretary 156210

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 Office 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 identification 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 filed 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

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE 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 fictitious, 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 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 Office on April

Four Girl Scouts serve dogs, friends and community

By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent

Four Girl Scouts from Troop 2522 culminated their Silver Award project when they put two dog waste stations inside the Oceanside Park Dog Park on Sept. 13.

The four scouts are Emmeline McClusky, Cora McCarthy, Toni Zielenski and Shannon Grant, who all profess to love dogs. The project required almost 50 hours of work and effort. The waste stations were built by the four scouts and installed by the maintenance staff at the park.

“I think what makes this project stand out is that they took a lot of time in the very, very beginning to research what community needs were out there,” said Terry Kemp Zielenski, Toni’s mom. “And they aligned what they wanted to do with community needs. They did a lot of research on different projects, and ultimately decided that this was the one they were most passionate about.”

That passion comes from their personal connection to the park, as well as being of service to their community.

“I think we all spend a lot of time outside and at public parks and places like this, so we wanted to do something to make them better,” said Cora. “This is a community place, and it’s also really close to the middle school. It’s a popular hang out place, too. And I think having something here would definitely benefit the community.”

The project is also about progressing and excelling as Girl Scouts.

“We put a lot of work into this, and this has been two years in the making,” said Cora. “Also, it’s getting us closer to earning our Gold Award, so it’s definitely a big milestone.”

According to Cora’s dad Bill McCarthy, these four scouts are involved in so much more than one project when it comes to serving their community and their futures.

“They take part in different volunteering things outside of just Girl Scouts,”

Public Notices

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 final judgment directing sale of the premises described 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 filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can

lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to 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

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 Confirming 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 filed 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

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

McCarthy said. “They’re all involved in the community in the high school and middle school. They’re all in sports. They’re all in clubs at school, music, church. So they’re very active in the community outside of just Girl Scouts. But that is also a big part of what they do.”

The scouts are thinking about helping people they know in their community, not just an abstract concept of service.

“A lot of kids come here, not just from the middle school, but from the high school and elementary schools, because there’s playgrounds here too, not just parks,” said Shannon.

“It’s a lot of where our friends hang out,” said Toni.

The desire for a clean dog park also comes from their love of dogs. Toni and

Shannon each have multiple dogs.

“I love them,” Shannon said. “I have a bunch of them.”

According to Emmeline’s mom Judy McClusky, the process for accomplishing this project was long and effortful.

“The girls have put in almost 50 hours of time, (including) researching the best project to do,” McClusky said. “Then they had a proposal. Then we contacted the Town of Hempstead. They found a location. And they picked out the dog waste stations. They put them together. And this week they will present it to younger Girl Scouts, what they did for their project.”

For the scouts, figuring out where to put a dog waste station was a no-brainer.

“Because this is a dog park where dogs hang out,” said Emmeline.

Shannon Grant, Cora McCarthy, Emmeline McClusky and Toni Zielenski pose with the newly installed dog waste station they planned and built.

Rei Wolfsohn/Herald photos

Shannon and Claudia Grant, Bill and Cora McCarthy, Emmeline and Judy McClusky and Toni and Terry Zielenski enjoy a day at the dog park with their new community project.

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An architect for a sunroom?

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Q. I’m buying a sunroom for my breakfast room on the back of my split-level house, about 8 feet off the ground. I’m being told by the contractor that I need an architect and sealed plans. Since it’s basically a kit of parts that will go on my existing deck, why do I need this? It seems like a lot of extra expense the sunroom people didn’t tell me about. If I already have a permit for the deck, it should be allowed, right? I haven’t bought the sunroom yet. I’m just trying to be sure I know the whole story before I do this, probably by spring, when the weather is better for construction. Any advice would be helpful.

A. Do things once, the best way. A deck isn’t habitable, but a sunroom is, and a permit is required. Plans have to show structural support, energy and building code compliance. Rain, moisture and ice are your primary concerns. You need the whole story without the sales part. Just like any purchase, issues you might not expect are still important, like finding out what kind of oil to add to your snow blower before the engine seizes or that windows without factory tinting can allow ultra-violet sunlight rays to fade your carpet. As an architect for a largely popular sunroom manufacturer in the 1980s and ’90s, I experienced many issues with their construction.

Pre-engineered panel systems are designed by the company, hopefully by engineers, and should come with plans, from the manufacturer, that can be sealed and signed by their in-house engineer. If not, plans may need to be drawn from scratch by an architect or engineer that you hire so those plans can be integrated with your house. Integrated means that the company generally just sells you a product and doesn’t necessarily give any indication of how to support the unit or how to attach the unit system to your house so that it won’t leak or move.

This is the general failing of the system, since, as I experienced with most of the installations, the part I could detail was free of leaking or movement, but the units themselves leaked nearly every time. We could detail how the edges of the unit could be sealed and redundantly weather-stripped and flashed, but the frames around the glass and wall edges would unseal and leak. I even met with the corporate president/ owner and identified the specific problems. Promises to correct leak issues were made but not kept, and eventually I gave up.

I looked at a two-year-old system while discussing other work for a home recently. The owner described the back-and-forth misery he and his family were experiencing with their sunroom and the company. Even 25 years after I gave up, the same company is still doing things the same way. You need a detail-oriented architect and installer, even if you think you don’t. The cost of doing things twice is much greater. Good luck.

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Libraries are precious, and must be treated with care

Some of my most enduring memories involve libraries. Attending “Story Hour” at the local library with my mother as a child. Working my way through college staffing the Circulation desk and re-shelving books. Viewing the special exhibits at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library while serving as a visiting scholar after retiring from Adelphi. Writing my book on university governance while serving as an Allen Room Scholar at the New York Public Library. Showing the Gutenberg Bible to a grandson while visiting the Morgan Library.

Libraries are precious homes for books and other materials that preserve and interpret the past, stir curiosity and the imagination, and nurture future generations. They are celebrated worldwide on International Literacy Day, Sept. 8.

Andrew Carnegie recognized the importance of libraries over a century ago, when he began supporting free public libraries as places of congregation and education. Carnegie believed that access to information and knowledge

would help those from limited household circumstances advance in careers and civic engagement. That certainly was the case for me.

The heart of a library is the librarian. Librarians are licensed professionals with graduate degrees. They are experts in collecting sources of information and ensuring that valid and valuable knowledge is available. They monitor access to age-appropriate materials and make decisions based on evidence, not emotion.

Jtargeted books focus on sexual identity and racism, including slavery.

The lone Supreme Court ruling against book bans, from Long Island, no less, was Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico, in 1982. Some think it could be overturned by a new case from Texas focusing on the removal of 17 books deemed “obscene” and “pornographic,” including Maurice Sendak’s childhood classic, “Where the Wild Things Are.”

ust like doctors and scientists, the expertise of librarians is now questioned.

Librarians build collections according to mission and library type. They not only promote literacy, foster education and encourage critical thinking, but also offer free access to technology. They support teachers and effective teaching. Businesspeople and professionals as well as students use libraries, and seek the help of librarians, for research assignments of all kinds.

But these temples to truth are being threatened by initiatives to ban books and dismantle the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. PEN America, a nonprofit literary and freeexpression advocacy group, found 10,046 instances of book bans in the 2023-24 school year. It noted book bans in 29 states and 220 public school districts, including on Long Island. Most of the

FBanning books denies freedom of speech. In the past, such efforts were isolated and local. Now these campaigns are national, and simply compile lists of books to be banned whose subjects or authors — especially Black authors — are deemed questionable without any evidence. In years past, books such as Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” and Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” were banned, until successful lawsuits returned them to library shelves.

On Long Island, there are 120 public libraries and 125 public school districts with 656 schools. Public libraries are governed by boards of trustees and funded by fundraising, tax revenue and government grants. They are essential to high-quality schooling and are vital community resources, especially in

rural and low-income regions.

According to one national report, “the American library . . . is a barometer of where we currently stand as a society when it comes to access to knowledge and information.” Libraries host listings of employment opportunities, provide health care bulletins, are sources of election information, make textbooks available for free, lend audio books for the hearing-impaired, offer citizenship classes, and open their rooms for community gatherings.

It seems that increasing numbers of people question the expertise of librarians, just as they question the expertise of doctors and scientists. None of these professions is infallible, of course. What sets them apart is that they are honorbound by professional codes of ethics, and change their conclusions when new evidence is uncovered. For the librarian, this means curating as well as collecting and storing sources of information, whether on discs, in the cloud or in books.

The Swedish designer Josef Frank said, “The world is a book, and the person who stays at home reads only one page.” The librarian is our travel guide to new vistas through books, and libraries are our vehicles. We should treat them with care.

Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author, with Drew Bogner, of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate.”

Balanced energy policies will keep our lights on

PHIL ANDREWS

or too many families and small businesses in New York, high energy bills have become a serious threat to their stability and success. But that burden is not shared equally. A recent study by Binghamton University found that Black and brown households spend a disproportionate share of their income on average utility expenses. That same pressure is felt by the restaurants, retailers and other small businesses that anchor our communities, for whom higher bills mean tighter margins and fewer dollars to reinvest in jobs and growth. Rising costs hit our communities twice — once at the kitchen table, and again on Main Street.

Our elected leaders, however, have the opportunity to reorient the state’s energy policies to lower bills and protect our communities. To keep families

Rfinancially stable and local businesses thriving, policymakers must support a multi-pronged energy strategy to reduce overall costs, lessen disparities and foster a more reliable grid. If energy affordability and equity are left unaddressed, high costs will continue to threaten household budgets and the survival of the very enterprises that drive opportunity in our neighborhoods. The ripple effects are enormous. When families are forced to spend more on basic energy needs, they have less to spend in local shops, less to save for education and less to invest in their future. When small businesses face higher utility bills, they are forced to cut back on hiring, scale down expansion — or in some cases, shut their doors altogether.

existing inequities. For Long Island, that could mean more families in financial distress and more businesses shutting down.

enewable sources are vital to our future, but they can’t meet the demand alone.

As someone who has dedicated his career to bolstering our local economy, I have great concern about the longterm impact of sky-high utility bills. If households are squeezed and small businesses cannot survive, job creation stalls, local wealth declines and entire communities lose ground. Lawmakers must take this seriously.

impose the steepest costs on those least able to afford them.

For Long Island’s business community, the stakes could not be higher. Rising energy bills risk driving entrepreneurs away and weakening our competitiveness. For families, the burden threatens financial stability and quality of life. For both, the wrong policies could deepen historical disparities.

There is no question that New York must do its part to advance sustainability, but the avenues we take to pursue that mission matter. We need a path forward that considers all factors before making decisions that could limit energy resources and further drive up costs.

This is why energy policy cannot be treated as one-size-fits-all. Communities differ in infrastructure, housing stock and business needs. Policies that ignore those differences risk driving up costs, reducing reliability and exacerbating

That means pursuing a balanced energy strategy — one that lowers costs and ensures reliability while advancing toward a greener future. Renewable energy is vital to our future, and requires sustained investments. But renewables alone cannot meet demand without driving costs higher. Natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar and emerging technologies all play important roles in powering New York. Phasing out reliable sources prematurely would destabilize the system and

The Empire State has always risen to meet big challenges. By adopting a balanced energy strategy that values every resource, invests in innovation and never loses sight of affordability, we can do so again — and set a national example in the process.

Phil Andrews is president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, New York state’s largest African American chamber. He is also a member of the Long Island Power Authority’s Community Advisory Board.

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Long Island’s creative spark deserves investment

long Island is known for its beaches, its vineyards and its suburban sprawl. But a new report reminds us of something too often overlooked: The arts are one of the region’s most powerful economic engines.

HERALD

According to the Center for an Urban Future, jobs in arts and culture on Long Island grew by a stunning 21.6 percent between 2014 and 2024. That’s five times faster than the region’s overall economy. The number of independent artists nearly doubled during the same period, fueling downtown revitalization, driving tourism and supporting small businesses. From muralists in Patchogue to theater productions in Huntington, creativity is reshaping the Island’s identity, and its bottom line.

And yet, just as this growth is transforming local communities, warning signs are flashing. The same report shows that the average arts worker on Long Island earns just $46,500 annually — barely half the regional average income. The number of performing-arts jobs remains more than 13 percent below pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the costs of housing and living have skyrocketed, with housing prices alone climbing more than 60 percent in the past decade.

The math doesn’t add up. We are asking artists to do the impossible: generate enormous economic and cultural value for the region while surviving on wages that barely cover rent.

The problem isn’t talent or ambition. It’s support — or rather, the lack of it. Despite being home to 14.7 percent of New York state’s population, Long Island receives just 2.8 percent of grants

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awarded by the state’s Council on the Arts. Less than 1 percent of federal National Endowment for the Arts funding in New York finds its way here.

And while state economic development councils are investing more than ever in arts projects statewide, only 3.1 percent of Long Island’s recent allocation went to the creative sector.

This chronic underinvestment has created what researchers call a “negative feedback loop.” Because the region has historically been overlooked, its institutions lack the resources to compete effectively for competitive funding, which in turn reinforces low funding rates. It’s a cycle that limits growth and puts Long Island’s creative vitality at risk.

The solutions are clear, and the payoff could be enormous. The Center for an Urban Future’s recommendations should be a wake-up call to policymakers.

Among them: dedicating 1 percent of county budgets to arts programming and operations, expanding the state arts budget, and creating a Long Island Grant Academy to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to win state and federal support.

The report also suggests converting underused commercial properties into cultural spaces, integrating the arts into tourism planning, and even embedding artists directly into government initiatives, as upstate Erie County has done successfully.

These aren’t fringe ideas. They’re pragmatic strategies to sustain a sector that has already proven itself indispensable. Arts and culture are not luxuries to be funded only in good times. They are infra-

But Mamdani is giving people hope, Jerry

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s column in last week’s issue, “There are many reasons not to embrace Mamdani”: Nassau residents’ concern over Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, is curious, as we have no vote on the matter. Perhaps we sense the specter in our basement.

There are, I think, two reasons people embrace Mamdani — desperation and hope. Consider the central issues: housing, homelessness and “affordability,” increasingly enmeshed and worsening to the point of crisis. That’s desperation.

Housing, specifically urban housing, has been in decline since Ronald Reagan was president. Successive New York state and New York City administrations have failed to address the problem, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s and Mayor Eric Adams’s. Curtis Sliwa has no plan. They all focus on the flip side of housing, speaking of “involuntary commitments” to “treatment” in facilities that don’t exist.

That totally ignores the tens of thousands of shelter-living students who need no treatment beyond a stable home

structure — just as essential to the region’s economic vitality and community well-being as roads, schools and hospitals.

Consider the ripple effects: thriving downtowns anchored by galleries and theaters. Restaurants and shops boosted by performance-goers and festival crowds. Tourists are drawn to more than just beaches and wineries, while young families choose to stay because their communities feel vibrant and alive. At a time when many Long Island towns struggle with empty storefronts and affordability crises, creativity has been a rare and steady growth engine.

To jeopardize this progress through neglect would be shortsighted. As Jonathan Bowles, the center’s executive director, put it: “Unless county leaders and the state step up, Long Island risks losing the very creativity that is powering its success.”

Leaders in Nassau and Suffolk counties must recognize that a modest investment today could safeguard the region’s cultural and economic future. Allocating just 1 percent of county budgets to the arts —around $80 million annually — would not only stabilize existing organizations but also unlock additional state and federal dollars. That kind of leverage is how Long Island can finally get its fair share.

The arts have already proven what they can do for Long Island. The question now is whether Long Island will do right by the arts. If we want downtowns that hum with life, economies that diversify and communities that feel worth staying in, then investing in creativity is not optional. It’s essential.

Building a better Island Park, one project at a time

it has been a fantastic year in the Village of Island Park — a time of growth, resilience and community spirit. From infrastructure upgrades to unforgettable summer events, our village has continued its remarkable renaissance. As mayor, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and the direction we’re heading together.

MiCHAEL McGinTY

This summer, the village truly came alive.

Masone Beach hosted some of our most successful summer concerts in recent memory, with residents and visitors enjoying music, sunshine and a strong sense of togetherness. Our beach season was one of the best in years, culminating in a signature tradition: the Labor Day fireworks celebration. This year’s event was among the most well-attended ever. Residents filled the beach, dancing to live music and enjoying a dazzling display over the bay — a fitting finale to a summer to remember.

September brought moments of reflection, as we gathered for our 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. It was a beautiful and moving tribute to those we lost, and

a testament to Island Park’s enduring strength and unity.

We also took meaningful steps to protect the safety and integrity of our village. On June 26, the village board unanimously passed Local Law 4 of 2025 — a moratorium banning battery energy storage system facilities in Island Park. This pause allows us to conduct a thorough review of the potential hazards these projects pose.

Let me be clear: Island Park is not a testing ground for dangerous energy experiments. The safety of our residents will always be my top priority. With the full support of the board of trustees, we are committed to using every tool available to protect our environment, safety and quality of life.

Feast, hosted by Sacred Heart Church, and the Greek Festival, hosted by Panaghia Greek Orthodox Church. These vibrant gatherings were joyful celebrations of faith, culture and community spirit.

A nd for good reason: We’re looking ahead to the village’s 100th anniversary.

And of course, our focus on infrastructure remains as strong as ever. We’ve made critical improvements aimed at long-term resilience, including replacing tidal flex valves throughout the village to reduce flooding, reinforcing the shoreline on Jackson Place with upgraded gabions, and modernizing our emergency management facility at the Fire Department to support our first responders.

across the village after upgrades. This work will begin soon, and we’ll continue providing updates via our Facebook page and the village website.

We’re also working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and other government partners to address longstanding challenges like mitigation efforts at Little Beach. These investments are part of our broader strategy to protect and prepare Island Park for the future.

As we look ahead to the village’s 100th anniversary, we have a unique opportunity not just to celebrate our past, but also to shape our future. A future in which our children and grandchildren can live, work and raise families in a village that is safer, stronger and more vibrant than ever.

Our revitalization efforts extended beyond village borders. I am proud to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Veterans Village, planned for the former Long Beach Motor Inn site on Austin Boulevard. While technically outside our village lines, this site is a gateway to Island Park. Its transformation from a longstanding nuisance into a place that honors our heroes will benefit the entire community.

Island Park also celebrated beloved traditions, including the San Gennaro

LETTErs

address. The candidates speak of police and clearing the streets, but not of where this refuse would go. Cuomo’s plan is, again, only poetry in future tense while the desperation is now. A “rent freeze” is not “moderate,” but “moderate” has failed. The point is to keep people in their homes, now.

“Socialism” has worked well for the wealthy — maybe it should work a little for the poor as well. For all the obvious obstacles of Mamdani’s proposals, he alone names the problem, addresses its immediacy, acknowledges its multiple entwined factors and sees the human families entangled in those larger forces. That’s where the hope comes from, reflected in votes. It is a hope readily transferable to any other willing leader, but if hope comes only in Muslim garb …

BRIAN KELLy Rockville Centre

It’s Democrats who are threatening our democracy

To the Editor:

Re Randi Kreiss’s column in the Sept. 25-Oct. 1 issue, “Is our democracy suffering growing pains”: The United States is approaching the 250th anniversary of this political experiment. Kreiss’s op-ed attempted to place the blame on MAGA for the decline in our country, and I respectfully dis-

agree.

We’ve partnered with other levels of government to repave Long Beach Road and install a much-needed senior crosswalk at the Island Park Senior Building, increasing both safety and accessibility. The senior citizens’ parking lot was also repaved, making visits more convenient and secure for older residents.

One of our most impactful achievements this year came through persistent advocacy with National Grid. Rather than allowing patchwork repairs after utility work, we reached a significant agreement: National Grid will now repave entire streets, curb to curb,

■ Standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has always been a mainstay of our country, until people on the left attempted to turn any display of national pride into a signal of racism.

■ Many on the left applauded the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was simply engaging young college students in active, respectful debate.

■ Not knowing who was running our country as Joe Biden was in mental decline was a huge threat to our democracy. Who used the autopen? Who issued the pardons? Who ran our country?

■ The Democrats wrote the book on using the Department of Justice to go after political opponents, and now have the nerve to complain when it is used against them. They weaponized the FBI to arrest political opponents like Gen. Michael Flynn, Peter Navarro, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and Paul Manafort, to name a few. Now the Republicans have indicted Jim Comey as the tip of the spear, with many more to follow. Thank you, Democrats, for paving the way.

■ Arresting a former president for the first time in our nation’s history and attempting to incarcerate and bankrupt him is more proof that Democrats are more of a threat to our democracy.

■ If they gain control of both chambers of

Mark your calendars: our Halloween Beach Bash and Winter Wonderland holiday celebration are just around the corner, promising more moments of joy and togetherness. From ice skating and the tree lighting to cherished traditions new and old, the spirit of Island Park continues to shine bright.

This year was one of growth, pride and progress. I’m honored to serve as your mayor, and I invite you to join me as we continue this journey. The renaissance of our village is just getting started, and the best is yet to come.

Michael G. McGinty is mayor of Island Park.

FrAMEwork by Tim Baker

Congress, we can look forward to making Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., states, packing the Supreme Court, and reopening our borders. Another B.S. impeachment will follow. Sounds undemocratic to me.

■ I could go on, but I will only add one more thing. I challenge you to put on a red “Make America Great Again” hat and walk the streets of Manhattan — especially the Upper

West Side — and report back on your First Amendment right of freedom of speech and expression. To all the people on the hard left, if you want to see the real threat to democracy, simply look in the mirror. I enjoy the fact that President Trump lives rent free in the heads of the liberal left. God bless America.

Yup, these pages are magical: at the Magic at Coney Show at Temple Beth Am — Merrick

TOM O’CONNOR North Bellmore