The SailGP team taught young sailors about wing foiling.
Learning new ways to use the wind
By WILL SHEELINE
wsheeline@liherald.com
Young sailors from Oyster Bay and New York City took to the Long Island Sound this week as Sail Grand Prix returned to the area for its Inspire Wing Foiling Clinic at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, introducing participants to one of the fastest-growing disciplines in sailing.
Hosted in partnership with local organizations including Oakcliff Sailing and the WaterFront Center, the clinic gave 12- to 18-year-old sailors an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of wing foiling through hands-on training on land and in the water.
The clinic is part of SailGP’s global Inspire program, which focuses on youth and women’s development through sailing education and innovation-based learning.
“SailGP Inspire exists so we can get the next generation of athletes out on the water and excited about the sport,” Laura Hampton, youth and women’s development manager for SailGP, said. “So far, with our global partner Mubadala, we have been able to engage over 37,000 young people in our programming through innovation-led learning and on-water experiences.”
SailGP, an international racing league featuring high-speed foiling catamarans competing in nation-versus-nation events, returned to Oyster Bay for the second consecutive year as part of its New York race week programming.
Hampton explained that Oyster Bay’s water conditions and established sailing community make it an ideal location for the clinic. “The conditions here are really incredible for wing foiling for teaching, and they’re the closest to New York City,” she said. “It’s a really nice community that really gets around the water, and there’s a real history of it.”
Participants included local sailors as well as students from Rocking the Boat, a Bronx-based youth development organization focused on boatbuilding and maritime education.
Wing foiling combines an inflatable handheld wing with a hydrofoil-equipped board that lifts riders above the surface of the water. The sport has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years because of its portability and accessibility compared with traditional sailing.
“What’s really incredible about it is it’s the most accessible point of foiling,” Hampton said. “Anyone can buy this gear and kind of get out there and get learning, and it takes away those
At 99, WWII vet looks back
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
Lou Laurino has watched America evolve from the depths of the Great Depression through World War II, the Cold War and now the nation’s approaching 250th anniversary.
The 99-year-old Bayville resident, World War II Navy veteran and retired surrogate court judge sees the semiquincentennial not only as a celebration of the country’s founding, but as a reflection of the sacrifices, discipline and civic responsibility that shaped generations of Americans, including his own.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement for a young nation,” Laurino said.
Born in Astoria, Queens — on Jan. 2, 1927, according to his birth certificate, though he says he was actually born several days earlier, on Dec. 28, 1926 — Laurino grew up in a working-class Italian immigrant household during the Depression. His father, Donato Laurino, had served in the Italian Army during World War I, and spent 15 months as a prisoner of war after being captured by German forces.
His father, Laurino recalled, strongly encouraged him and his older broth -
er to join the Navy if America ever entered another war.
He vividly remembers hearing news of the attack on Pearl Harbor as a 14-yearold after leaving a Queens movie theater with his younger brother. “We sat down to have an ice cream soda, and the young man behind the counter said, ‘We’re at war,’” Laurino recounted. “We asked, ‘Where’s Pearl Harbor?’ He said Hawaii.”
At the time, Laurino was attending Stuyvesant High School, in Manhattan. He was also while in high school working roughly 30 hours a week, as he had since age 9, delivering bread throughout Astoria for 50 cents a day. The bread truck driver, a former Stuyvesant student named Pete, taught Laurino algebra, trigonometry and French while they made deliveries.
“He introduced me to reading books,” Laurino said, “and the first book that I ever read was ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.’”
Determined to finish high school before being drafted, Laurino attended summer classes to complete the Regents exams necessary for graduation. He ultimately passed them all, and enlisted in the Navy in December
ConTinued on PaGe 7
Courtesy SailGP
What comes next for L.V. with Superintendent Kristen Turnow
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
Locust Valley Central School District Superintendent Kristen Turnow said district officials are already reviewing potential cuts and communication strategies ahead of the June 16 revote after residents rejected the proposed 2026-27 budget.
In an interview on May 22, Turnow discussed the district’s outreach efforts, the possible effects of a contingency budget and the difficult decisions the Board of Education may face in the coming weeks.
“We’re all just working to see what are the areas and present it to the school board early next week,” Turnow said. “Ultimately they will make the decision.”
The district’s proposed budget carried a 2.1 percent tax levy increase, one of the lowest among neighboring districts, according to Turnow.
Turnow said the administration made a significant effort this year to improve transparency and public engagement, including livestreaming presentations and creating a centralized budget webpage.
Despite these efforts, the budget vote failed by 765 to 850 votes.
Turnow said the district also worked with public relations firms, including Ark, to improve outreach and launch the “Falcons Fly Together” slogan cam -
paign.
While district officials have not yet finalized possible reductions, Turnow said administrators are reviewing every area of the budget.
“There’s only two decisions to make,” she said. “Do you leave the budget alone and you present the same budget, or do you look at a couple of more items and try to lower it a little bit more.”
If the budget fails again, the district would be required to adopt a contingency budget with a zero percent tax levy increase.
According to district figures, that would require cutting $1,892,547 from the proposed spending plan.
“That’s shutting down,” Turnow said of the prospect of a contingency budget.
“The thought of not being able to see our children play on our fields after school really upsets me.”
Turnow said contingency rules imposed by New York state would affect far more than classroom programs.
“Some of the items in the contingency budget from the state of New York truly hurt a community,” she said. “It’s not just a one little piece.”
Among the possible impacts are restrictions on community use of school grounds and facilities, including turf fields used by local sports organizations. She said outside groups such as soccer, baseball and lacrosse leagues rely heavily on district facilities.
Other programs potentially affected
include continuing education courses, summer recreation, summer academic support programs and the district’s EMT certification program.
Turnow also said equipment purchases and expansion projects could be eliminated, including new Mac computers and equipment for the district’s film program, updated gym equipment and a new piano for the music department.
“These will be areas that, unfortunately, those wish lists won’t happen,”
BELMONT PARK VILLAGE
she said.
The superintendent emphasized that academics would remain the district’s first priority during any reduction process.
“We really look at the academics,” Turnow said. “You try to preserve anything and everything that you possibly can.”
Still, she acknowledged cuts could eventually affect extracurricular opportunities, transportation and club participation.
“We run clubs with only 10 children,” she said. “Well, we might have to raise that, say, to 15.”
Late buses for after-school activities could also face reductions.
Despite the uncertainty, Turnow stressed that the district remains financially stable.
She noted that all five district labor contracts were either settled or near completion, reducing uncertainty about potential negotiations during the budget process.
Turnow also pointed to broader economic pressures, including inflation and declining enrollment, as challenges facing school districts across Long Island.
Still, Turnow expressed optimism that more residents will participate in the June revote.
“I think when they do (vote),” Turnow added, “it’ll be certainly in favor of the children of the Locust Valley School District.”
off the Cross Island Parkway, shop designer fashion finds from Coach, lululemon, Valentino, and more, at up to 65% off every day.
Herald file photo
Kristen Turnow of Locust Valley schools.
Oyster Bay holds annual Memorial Day parade
Despite the cloudy skies, Oyster Bay turned out to honor the men and women of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
While other communities across Long Island rescheduled their parades or moved inside, Oyster Bay first responders, veterans, elected officials and residents braved the foul weather to pay their respects to those who died to keep the United States a free country.
–Will Sheeline
Photos courtesy Rob Brusca
Firetrucks from Atlantic Steamer Fire Company and other stations filled the streets of Oyster Bay.
Various police cars, firetrucks and ambulances drove through the hamlet for the parade.
Members of East Norwich Volunteer Fire Company Number 1 marched in the parade alongside other first responders.
The crowds gathered to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military.
Local organizations, such as the Ladies Auxilliary of the Italian American Citizen’s Club of Oyster Bay, also participated.
ON THE ROAD WITH A TAKEOUT QUEEN
Traditional vs. Nontraditional Takeout
The best part of picking up takeout for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day is a “meal” can be defined as anything that will fill me up. So, if I stop in a café at 10 a.m. and my taste buds make a beeline for the lamb kebabs, oatmeal and cupcakes, they can become a perfectly acceptable breakfast. Yes, it would be a nontraditional meal, but who cares? Are you a traditional takeout person, a nontraditional takeout person, or somewhere in between? Check out the new “meals” I enjoyed around town this month to determine your “to go” category.
Elite Pastries (671 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head)
94 School Street, Glen Cove · (516) 674-3007 ext. 118 · email resume Silvana@Regencyglencove.com Visit our website to learn more about the Regency www.theRegencyatgGlenCove.com
Subtitled “The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half”, this book reflects the natural progression of our desire to increase our lifespan (the number of our years), to increasing our healthspan (the number of our healthy years), to increasing our joyspan (the number of our joyful years). The author defines joy as an inner feeling of well-being or contentment, as opposed to happiness, which comes and goes, often according to external circumstances.
Burnight writes, “To thrive in old age means to live a fulfilling, purposeful, and satisfying life despite the challenges of aging. It involves maximizing physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, social connections, and a sense of meaning. Thriving doesn’t mean being free of all health problems or challenges, rather, it emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find joy and value in life.”
Research shows that those who thrive late in life:
Grow: They continue to explore and expand
Connect: They put time into new and existing relationships
Adapt: They adjust to changing and challenging circumstances
Give: They share themselves
As a Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Dr. Burnight was struck by the radical difference in how people experienced their own aging process. “For some it is a frustrating, degrading, painful trajectory of ever-increasing decline. For others, there is visible delight, spirituality, and joy in occupying their eighth, ninth, and tenth decades.”
The thieves of joy are (1) comparison with others (2) frustration with health and mobility limitations (3) feeling like you are a burden (4) feeling heartbroken over the loss of a loved one, and (5) feeling defeated as if your best days are behind you. Nevertheless, she says, “Like the sun, joy is always there. But when it’s hidden by clouds, we mistakenly say it’s gone. Joy is resilient and can break through the clouds because it’s an innate part of the human experience.”
“One might say that following this doctor’s prescription will increase your “joyspan” and decrease your “oyspan”!
I ordered the honey glazed king salmon with my usual request: make it “ridiculously well done.” The chef magically created a juicy version. Broccolini and lentil vinaigrette complemented the salmon’s chili glaze perfectly. For dessert, the Banana Bourbon Tiramisu was a masterpiece.
Ocean (333 Bayville Ave., Bayville)
I found a way to create a somewhat nontraditional meal in this new bakery that includes a host of authentic Greek specialties. When you enter this charming café with eight tables, you’ll be surrounded by shelves filled with everything from slices of triple-decker carrot cake to mini cream puffs to chocolate mousse cheesecake to a wonderland of cookies. Other shelves are filled with traditional Greek baked goods such as baklava, tsoureki and galaktoboureko. I ordered the fresh-outof-the-oven spinach pie as my first course. For dessert, I munched on toasted coconut macaron cookies. The filling tasted like a creamy, elegant version of marshmallow fluff. What a wonderful surprise.
Griffin (1512 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn)
It’s a pleasure eating a meal in this new, chic restaurant where contemporary twists on American classics dance on the menu. Entrees that include roasted organic chicken with apricot glaze, salads with Manchego, a premium pork schnitzel with chicory-arugula salad, and baked macaroni with spicy vodka and burrata, are all sprinkled with unexpected flavors that raise them to the “OMG, this is amazing” level.
This stunning indoor/outdoor waterfront restaurant has reopened for the season. I ordered the new coconut crusted tofu dish with soba noodles, vegetables and miso broth. The tofu wore a light, toasted coconut overcoat which was a perfect date with the noodles. The new salmon with soba noodles is equally delicious. This season, a different type of flat bread is offered daily. The day I was there, a duck confit flat bread was the chef’s choice.
The Sunset Club At Tappen Beach (494 Prospect Ave., Sea Cliff)
This fun, beachy, classy café is open for the season. Last summer’s raw bar, shareables, tacos, salads, handhelds and entrees are back. I wait all winter for the return of the grain bowl (ancient grain blend, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, red onion, lemon herb vinaigrette). I topped mine with chicken and it was enough for two traditional meals.
AMC Movie Theatre (5 School St., Glen Cove)
My most satisfying, nontraditional meal was in the movie theatre. The big news is you can purchase mini jars of popcorn seasonings (ranch, white cheddar, kettle corn or chili lime). I bought a bucket of popcorn, sprinkled it with white cheddar, and sipped Coke Zero. It was a perfect dinner as I watched “The Sheep Detectives.”
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oyster bay
C athi t urow
By WILL SHEELINE
things to know american revolution
Foreign Founding Fathers
wsheeline@liherald.com
The Founding Fathers and revolutionaries who built the United States and defeated the British Empire came from all backgrounds and walks of life. Several of them even traveled thousands of miles, on horseback and by ship, to a country that was not theirs to support the cause of freedom. While Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, is the most famous of the foreign Founding Fathers, plenty of other men from around the world risked their lives and fought in the Revolution. Here are three of their stories:
Casimir Pulaski – the Father of the American Cavalry
Born in Warsaw, then part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, in 1745, Casimir Pulaski was a nobleman and already a revolutionary before Lexington and Concord, having fought against Russian imperialism.
After the confederation’s failure he went into exile, living in poverty in France, until the Marquis de Lafayette and Benjamin Franklin recruited Pulaski to join the Revolution in 1777. Once in America, Pulaski became an invaluable asset as a cavalryman, saving the life of George Washington himself at the Battle of the Brandywine. He reformed the cavalry and created Pulaski’s Legion, a mixed cavalry and infantry force.
Pulaski died in 1779, wounded leading a cavalry charge during the Siege of Savannah.
Locust Valley Library
JUNE PROGRAMS
For more information visit us at: www.locustvalleylibrary.org
Join The Summer Reading Program
For Adults, Teens and Children Program runs from June 29 - July 31 Visit our website for more details.
Create and Express
Wednesday, June 3 at 6 PM
Relax, create art and talk about resilience with Cassandra Stoffers, from CEC Health Care.
Senior Wellness & Management Programs
Wednesdays at 1 PM
June 3: Hypertension Program
June 24: Nutrition Program
Urgent Way Care Team reps will give a 15 minute presentation followed by health screenings and take home wellness gifts.
Broadway on a Budget: Online
Tuesday, June 9 at 7 PM
Presented by Brain Stoll. Explore all things of Broadway, including the history of the Broadway Playbill and why many theatergoers collect these keepsakes. He’ll share money-saving tips for seeing Broadway shows for under $60 a ticket.
Tea Sampling & Demonstration
Paint-and-Sip Summer Addition with Aisha
Tuesday, June 16 at 7 PM Ice Tea-Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea.
Book to Film: Read it, Watch It, Talk About It
Tuesday, June 16 at 1 PM
Book available at the main circ desk
Blade Runner by Philip L. Dick 1 hour, 57 minutes - Rated R.
Friedrich Wilhem von Steuben –the fake baron who saved the army
The man who Continental troops would know as Baron von Steuben (his actual title was Freiherr, or “free lord”) was born to minor nobility in the German city of Magdeburg, then part of the Kingdom of Prussia, in 1730. The son of a professional soldier, von Steuben joined the Prussian Army at age 17, then considered the best army in Europe.
He arrived in America during the disastrous winter at Valley Forge, where, as inspector general of the army, he restored discipline and creating the first military drill guide in American history. He also reduced corruption and graft, and served the remainder of the war as Washington’s chief of staff. After the war he settled in New Jersey and upstate New York.
ONGOING PROGRAMS
ART EXHIBIT
KASTURIE MILLER
UPCYCLED WEARABLE MASTERPIECES
RECEPTION: SATURDAY, JUNE 6 FROM 2-4 PM
POETRY EXCHANGE GROUP
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 AT 11 AM ALL ARE WELCOME TO LISTEN AND SHARE!
MATINEE THURSDAYS AT 1 PM JUNE 4
MOVIE: BANDITS
2 HR, 3 MIN - RATED PG-13 JUNE 18
MOVIE: THE GAME 2 HR, 9 MIN - RATED R
MONDAY MAVENS BOOKCLUB JUNE 8 AT 7 PM THE LAST SPIRITS OF MANHATTAN BY JOHN MCDERMOTT ALL WELCOME
CASUAL BOOKS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 THE END OF THE AFFAIR BY GRAHAM GREENE
Tadeusz Kosciuszko – the man who built West Point
Tadeusz Koscsiuszko was born in 1746 to the lower tiers of Polish nobility. After studying at the premier military school in the country, he was forced to flee Poland-Lithuania after a failed elopement. Joining the American war effort in 1776, Kosciuszko quickly became invaluable. Trained in European scientific theory and advanced mathematics, the Polish soldier’s knowledge was instrumental in selecting the ground for the Battle of Saratoga.
During the remainder of the war, Kosciuszko was the chief engineer and designer for Fort West Point, a defensive structure that was so pivotal to American defenses that Benedict Arnold planned to sell the fort’s designs to the British as part of his betrayal.
Former judge reflects on service in the Pacific, and
1945, at age 18. “I knew that there was an obligation to meet the need of the country,” he said. “I had no difficulty, no hesitation, no attempt to avoid going into the service.”
After boot camp and additional training at Great Lakes Naval Station, near Chicago, Laurino became a motor machinist’s mate, and was assigned to a small Navy tugboat operating in the Pacific Theater. He served in Guam, Okinawa and Hawaii during the final months of World War II.
The tugboat, manned by roughly 40 sailors and five officers, hauled construction equipment for Navy Seabees — the United States Naval Construction Force— throughout the Pacific. Laurino recalled that the vessel moved so slowly that Japanese forces “wouldn’t waste a torpedo on something so small.”
Still, danger remained constant. “Every night,” he remembered, “we would have the kamikaze planes coming around.”
He was on the boat when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The announcement, Laurino said, stunned service members, many of whom didn’t even know what an atomic bomb was. “No one really understood the science,” he recalled.
After the war, Laurino was hospitalized — in Pearl Harbor, as it happened — after losing 50 pounds from chronic seasickness and exposure to diesel fumes aboard the tugboat. Then he came home, determined to continue his education. Using benefits from the GI Bill, he attended Brooklyn Law School, where he earned his degree, and eventually built a legal and political career in Queens. He served as Queens County surrogate
from 1971 to 1985 — handling legal matters involving adoptions, guardianships, estates and wills — and proudly described refusing campaign contributions in order to preserve his independence.
“I wanted the freedom to make unbiased decisions,” Laurino said. “Not being beholden to contributors allowed me to serve the public impartially and effectively.”
Laurino and his wife, Rose, who died last year, met as teenagers in Astoria. They had children, and eventually settled permanently in Bayville after decades of spending summers there with their growing family.
He sees both promise and concern in the nation’s future, Laurino said. He worries about political hostility and declining civic discipline, but remains optimistic about the country’s resilience.
“We don’t have to have similarity and sameness in thinking,” he said. “We’re never going to agree on policy, but that doesn’t mean we have to attack each other in the manner that it’s being done.”
Laurino added that he believes civic participation remains central to the American identity, and credits generations of immigrants, workers and veterans for building the nation he has watched bloom.
“It all progressed from immigration,” he said. “The remarkable part of having immigrants … coming here and working and developing, growing and going into business and achieving this success, and raising families who get the education necessary to achieve the success is remarkable.”
Despite the political and social divisions he sees today, Laurino said he remains hopeful. “I think we still have a strong future,” he said.
Herald file photo
Lou Lourino served in the Navy during World War II.
Israeli Elite hockey comes to UBS arena
With late third-period rally, Jerusalem Capitals capture Challenge Cup, defeating HC Tel Aviv 6-5
By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
No matter who scored, fans throughout UBS Arena jumped to their feet, waving Israeli flags, proudly cheering on competitors from the Israeli Elite Hockey League last week during the Challenge Cup championship between the Jerusalem Capitals and HC Tel Aviv. In a thrilling game, the Capitals mounted a late comeback to win 6-5.
The Challenge Cup, originally scheduled for February but postponed because of a blizzard, finally brought the two teams together on the ice in Elmont for a hard-fought game.
The atmosphere inside the arena on May 17 felt like more than just a hockey game. Families packed the stands dressed in blue and red, and there was loud chanting and spirited flag-waving throughout the crowd, creating a strong sense of pride and unity among fans celebrating both the sport and Israeli culture.
“It’s nice when you get to see support a lot for Jews and the country,” said spectator Hillel Kober, who was rooting for HC Tel Aviv.
Brooklyn resident David Silverberman said the game provided a comforting atmosphere amid a culture of rising antisemitism. “It’s a good game,” he said.” It’s very competitive scoring, but not too much. The fans are into it. It’s an exciting day, and you know, if you’re Jewish, there’s so much antisemitism going on right now, it feels very comfortable to be here. It’s nice to see the families too.”
The IEHL, founded in 2020 and approaching its sixth season this summer, was founded by Marc Brunengraber, a former goaltender for the Israeli national team. Brunengraber said the league was created not only to develop hockey talent in Israel, but also to highlight another side of the country.
“The goal is to raise Israel from the world championship Division II level to Division I,” Brunengraber said. He added that the league aims to positively represent Israel beyond the conflict-focused narratives that often dominate coverage of the country, emphasizing that its citizens continue to live everyday lives as ordinary people.
The championship game was intense from start to finish, marked by heavy physical play, shifting momentum and a UBS Arena crowd that fed off every moment of drama. Tel Aviv controlled play for much of the first two periods, keeping Jerusalem players on their heels and forcing them to fight just to stay within reach heading into the third.
Capitals player Nathanel Peretz described the surreal feeling of stepping onto the ice at UBS Arena.
“There’s kids growing up dreaming of this moment, and you’re seeing Jerusalem against Tel Aviv, and a bunch of Jewish people just playing the sport they love,” he said.
Peretz admitted that the locker room atmosphere was tense after the second period with Jerusalem trailing by two goals. “It’s the second year that we [were down by] two goals going into the third,” he said. “We trusted our coaches, we trusted our captain, we trusted our players, and we got out there in the third.”
Late in the third period, the Capitals suddenly took over. Two goals came just seconds apart, and suddenly Tel Aviv was scrambling to keep up. The energy in the arena flipped instantly as fans rose to their feet, and the game intensified dramatically in the final minutes.
Capitals head coach Craig Brunengraber said the team had to manage intense emotions to complete the comeback. “You have a lot of strong personalities,” he said. “At the end of the day, we won the game, and that’s the hardest part about being a coach.”
He also praised Peretz’s performance, saying, “Peretz is all heart and soul. He shows the world he can do this on a world stage.”
Despite the loss, Tel Aviv captain Mike Gennello reflected on the broader meaning of the game. “Guys can get on the ice and it can be an absolute war out there, and then we get off and it’s all smiles,” he said.
As Jerusalem celebrated its comeback victory on the ice, fans throughout the arena remained standing, waving Israeli flags, giving the scene a powerful sense of pride in their country — and the game of hockey.
HC Tel Aviv’s Johnny Lazarus controlled the puck, with Jerusalem’s Zach Sprung on his heels.
Erik Lee/Herald photos
The Jerusalem Capitals and goaltender Yonatan Reisinger pulled out a win over HC Tel Aviv on May 17 at UBS Arena.
HC Tel Aviv’s Zach Freeman, right, collided with Jerusalem’s Jeremy Sprung.
Oyster Bay High School students win big at the BASH Awards
Oyster Bay High School’s student broadcasting team returned home from the Broadcast Alliance for Senior High Awards with two firstplace victories. Beyond competing, OBHS was also selected as the host school for the event, with Bay News Now anchors Noah Kingsley and James Ortiz writing and emceeing the ceremony.
The team, composed of students from the high school’s TV Production class, stuffed hundreds of swag bags for attendees and led the firstever live BASH pre-show broadcast, alongside students from BellmoreMerrick and Harborfields High Schools. Oyster Bay’s students operated the pre-show from a pop-up control room, anchored the broadcast and filled behind-the-scenes roles.
The awards ceremony was held at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse and aired on the official BASH YouTube page. OBHS’s students served as ushers, helping seat more than 800 peers from nearly 60 schools across Long Island and New York City. Senior Scarlett Fredrickson and sophomore Sienna Stewart served as presenters in the Best Live Sports Broadcast category.
a statement after the event. “From hosting the main event to networking with industry professionals and bringing home two major first-place titles, our students and their teacher, Alex Dollin, demonstrated incredible dedication and creativity. I am immensely proud of their hard work and this well-deserved recognition.”
Notable attendees included Oyster Bay graduate and former TV production student Grace Curry, who returned for her second year as a BASH Ambassador, a program that invites graduates back to assist at the event. Industry professionals in the audience included Pat Stahl, Chantee Lans and Chris Kirchner of WABC-TV and Marian Porges of the NBC Universal News Group.
“Our Bay News Now crew truly
BNN anchor James Ortiz took first place in Best School News Package for his story about a student who suffered a medical emergency at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School and was saved by the quick actions of school staff. The entire BNN team also earned first place in Best Overall Long Broadcast for their second quarterly newscast.
took over the venue at this year’s BASH Ceremony, showcasing the very best of what Oyster Bay High School has to offer,” wrote Erica Giglio Pac, Oyster Bay’s Director of Fine, Performing and Media Arts., in
“I’m so proud of our Oyster Bay students who continually challenge themselves to work harder and create meaningful stories in new ways,” said TV production and media teacher Alex Dollin. “They more than rose to the challenge of hosting the BASH Awards this year and really worked together as a team to put together an impressive live pre-show. I hope that is something we can continue to expand upon next year.”
Will Sheeline
Courtesy Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District Members of Bay News Now got to enjoy the awards show after taking two first-place wins.
Sail Grand Prix’s Inspire Wing Foiling Clinic returns to hamlet
barriers of entry of needing to be a member of a club and somewhere to store your boat.”
According to Hampton, the same hydrofoil technology used in the clinic’s beginner boards is also used in SailGP’s professional F50 race boats, which can reach speeds of over 60 mph in competition.
“When people think of sailing, they think of kind of a slow, white boat out on the horizon,” Hampton said. “This is fast, exciting, and it’s really bringing on this new level to the sport.”
Clinic participants first learned basic wing handling on shore before moving onto the water for towing exercises designed to teach them balance and foiling techniques safely.
Brian Reilly, sailing director at the Seawanhaka club and a coach for the program, said the clinic focuses on introducing students to both wing handling and hydro foiling fundamentals.
“We’re going to basically show all the kids who come the equipment that we have,” Reilly said. “They’ll get a chance to hold them and feel the wing catch in the wind and giving them the pull.”
Reilly said that instructors use tow foiling behind boats to help students isolate specific skills before combining them into full wing foiling. Wing foiling, he added, has helped rekindle his own passion for sailing.
“What foiling, and what wing foiling, has allowed me to do is get out on the water whenever I get a chance with very little barrier for me to go do it,” Reilly said. “It’s really reminded me how much I love sailing.”
Dawn Riley, executive director of Oakcliff Sailing, said that the sport’s rapid growth is tied to its simplicity. She added that the clinic offered different levels of participation depending on experience.
“It’s gotten super popular in the past two years,” Riley said. “It’s a new thing, and it’s much easier to travel with.”
Over several days, the program hosted a number of groups of up to 20 students, from Oyster Bay High School as well as local sailing programs.
Participants said the experience gave them an entirely new perspective on sailing.
“My first experience of wingfoiling was
Wing foiling is a new type of sailing that has grown in popularity over the past few years.
at The Waterfront Centre, when SailGP Inspire with Mubadala came last season and we got to try wingfoiling, which was so fun,” Olivia Silvestrini wrote on Wednesday.
“Today I was finally able to stand up and hold my position for a few minutes and that was the most insane thing ever.”
For participant Julia DeAngelis, the highlight came when she successfully lifted out of the water on the hydrofoil. “My favorite moment was getting up on the foil and feeling stable,” she said. “It felt like I was flying.”
Hampton said that SailGP plans to continue returning to Oyster Bay as the New York event becomes a regular stop on the league’s international calendar. “We are stoked to be back in Oyster Bay for the second iteration of our wingfoiling clinics, giving young people the chance to get out on the water and experience what it is like to fly on foils,” she wrote in a statement.
“Inspiring future generations remains a central focus of our Global Championship and how we can use our platform to inspire meaningful change beyond our racing.”
Courtesy SailGP
Young sailors from Oakcliff Sailing, in Oyster Bay, as well as neighboring programs on Long Island and in the Bronx, took part in the event.
Young sailors got to test their skills on the water..
THE GREAT BOOK GuRu
Maternal mayhem
Dear Great Book Guru,
We were at a rehearsal for Fred Stroppel’s upcoming “Twisted Shorts” at Sea Cliff Arts Council when someone brought up a new book about a family of revolutionaries and how they fared over the generations. Sounded interesting!
Fan of Twisted Shorts
Dear Fan of Twisted Shorts, “The Hill” by Harriet Clark is her first novel and in many ways autobiographical.
Hill is the name she gives to the prison, and the novel opens with Suzanna - the daughter – being taken for her weekly prison visit by her grandfather.
Clark’s mother was a member of the Weathermen and when Harriet was ten months old, her mother was the getaway driver in a bank heist gone wrong and two policemen and a security guard were killed. She was sentenced to life in prison and Harriet visited her for forty years.
When he dies, she continues on her own because her grandmother – her mother’s motherrefuses to see or write to her daughter. Throughout, Suzanna is bewildered by her emotions - she loves her mother and feels loved but knows there are families devastated by her mother’s deeds. So, how can she herself forgive or by proxy be forgiven.
ANN DIPIETRO
As we go through the years with Suzanna, we see that her bewilderment and grief continue to grow. The novel captures the beauty and brutality that she experiences because of a decision made long ago and still - to this day - beyond her understanding. A painful read but highly recommended.
The story mirrors all this but focuses and fictionalizes the relationships she has with both her mother and those around her - friends and family. The
Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.
NEws BRiEf
Town recognizes Women of Distinction
The Town of Oyster Bay hosted the 2026 Women of Distinction Ceremony to recognize exceptional women who have significantly given back to their communities. This year’s ceremony recognized 12 honorees who live and work throughout the Town of Oyster Bay.
“These extraordinary women all have outstanding qualities and have truly made our town a better place,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino wrote in a statement. “Together with my colleagues on the town board, we salute these outstanding residents for giving back to the charities, our hometown and the neighbors they love so much.”
“All of our honorees have gone above and beyond in their communities,” Town Councilwoman Laura Maier, who also serves on the Women of Distinction Committee, wrote in the same statement. “These women have an inspiring story to tell, and while their backgrounds are different they all have one thing in common – they don’t do what they do looking for accolades. All our honorees should take pride in their great achievements as they are true role models in their various fields and communities.”
Some of the 2026 Honorees include:
Lorraine Dammes Quirk of Oyster Bay
As a nurse practitioner, Quirk shows unwavering support for family and community and a commitment to helping those most in need. Outside of her demanding career, Quirk has made it a
tradition to travel each summer to a remote mountain community in Jamaica to provide medical care to severely underserved families.
Bette Blankfein of Glen Head
Blankfein has been making a difference in her community for decades, first as an elementary school special education teacher in the North Shore School District, and then in her retirement as the founder of an English language learning program for adults at the Gold Coast Public Library. She initiated and organized the ‘Learning Together’ program, pairing residents with volunteer tutors.
Dorothy Roberts of Jericho
Roberts has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to mentoring young professionals and students in the community through her volunteer role as president of the Long Island Hospitality Association. As a leader in the hospitality and tourism industry, she also works diligently to promote small businesses and the history of Oyster Bay and its significance to Long Island. Also honored were Mary Ann Marriott of Syosset, Treasa Kalliath, Edq. of Jericho, Lisa Fiebert of Massapequa, Kelly Palfi of Massapequa, Alyssa Guidice of Hicksville, Mary KoslapPetraco of Massapequa Park, Gaetina Hodnett of Massapequa, Katherine Brenton of Bethpage and Jill Seplowitz of Plainview.
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
Sunday, June 7th
FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS AND BLESSID UNION OF SOULS
Thursday, June 11th - 6:00pm
Senior Afternoon Concert featuring Amber Ferrari and Debra Toscano
Thursday, June 18th
Juneteenth Celebration – Earth Wind & Fire Tribute by D’votion, Gospel Choir and DRIFT featuring members of TAUK and MJT
Friday, June 19th - 3:00pm
FIFA World Cup Watch Party USA vs. Australia
Monday, June 22nd - 6:00pm
Senior Afternoon Concert
The Chiclettes and Vinnie Medugno
Friday, June 26th
The Allmost Brothers BandAllman Brothers Tribute, Sons of Skynyrd –Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute
Saturday, June 27th
FREESTYLE MEETS SALSA –featuring BRENDA K. STARR, TITO PUENTE JR., TKA/K7, JOEY CRUZ, LA SONORA 495 AND FOREVER FREESTYLE BAND
Sunday, June 28th
REGGAE NIGHT WITH INNER CIRCLE, WAYNE WONDER AND IRIEspect
Thursday, July 2nd – 5:30pm
TD PRESENTS CELEBRATE AMERICA FIREWORKS & DRONE SHOW with Live Music By: Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock
Friday, July 3rd
Fireworks Rain Date
Thursday, July 9th
Oldies Night with E’stefano DiSanto, Johnny Farina, Bobby Wilson, Vito Picone & The Elegants and The Brooklyn Bridge
Saturday, July 11th
Disco Unlimited
Thursday, July 16th
Harry Chapin Day – Corey Rieman and The Dilemma Band with Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel Tribute
Saturday, July 18th
Simply Stapleton –Chris Stapleton Tribute
Sunday, July 19th - 6:00pm
Last Exit – Pearl Jam Tribute Foo For All – Foo Fighters Tribute
Thursday, July 23rd
LANIE GARDNER & BROOKE MORIBER
Friday, July 24th
ZBTB – Zac Brown Band Tribute and Guys with Guitars
Saturday, July 25th - 6:30pm
JEFFERSON STARSHIP, ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION, FIREFALL AND PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE
Sunday, July 26th - 4:00pm
Family Day On The Lake, featuring Beauty and The Beat, Princesses and wide-ranging entertainment for children and families
Thursday, July 30th
3 Decades Rewind
Rock Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s
Friday, July 31st
Half Step – Grateful Dead Tribute
Saturday, August 1st
SALUTE TO VETERANS with Desert Highway – Eagles Tribute and American Bombshell
Sunday, August 2nd
Lovesong – 80s New Wave Tribute
Thursday, August 6th
THE OUTLAWS
Friday, August 7th
COLE SWINDELL
Saturday, August 8th
Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway
Monday, August 10th - 6:00pm
Senior Afternoon Concert
Gerry Ferretti and the Mutant Kings and Jenna Esposito
Thursday, August 13th
Neil Diamond Tribute
Friday, August 14th
Swingtime Big Band
Saturday, August 15th
MIDTOWN MEN
ORIGINAL CAST OF JERSEY BOYS
Thursday, August 20th
Let’s Sing Taylor – Taylor Swift Tribute
Friday, August 21st
LOUD LUXURY with OPENING BY DJS CAFFEINE ACADEMY, DJ DENNIS THE MENACE AND JUST JOE
Sunday, August 23rd
WORLD RENOWNED PUERTO RICAN SALSA ORCHESTRA
Thursday, August 27th
Long Island’s American Idols featuring Constantine Maroulis, Kevin Covais and Robbie Rosen with Special Guests
Friday, August 28th
Dancing Dream – ABBA Tribute
Monday, August 31st FLO RIDA
Tuesday, September 1st ZZ TOP
Thursday, September 3rd
THE LORDS OF 52ND STREET
Friday, September 4th LOS LOBOS
Saturday, September 5th
Streetfighter – Rolling Stones Tribute, Who’s Next – The Who Tribute
Chrysta Thomas is first Oyster Bay student to attend Regeneron
Oyster Bay Middle/High School junior Chrysta Thomas made history earlier this May when she became the first Oyster Bay student ever to attend the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. There she competed for more than $7 million in awards and scholarships alongside 1,700 of the top young scientists from around the world.
Chrysta’s journey to ISEF began in March, when her project, “Shaped by Signals: Leveraging Breast Cancer Nuclear Morphology to Elucidate Regulatory Pathways as Therapeutic Targets,” earned first place in the highly competitive Biomedical and Health Sciences category at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair. Her research identifies a molecular mechanism underlying abnormal cell growth in breast cancer and points to biological signals that could lead to more targeted, effective treatments.
Chrysta traveled to ISEF with her science research teacher, Dan Moy, held May 9–15 at the Phoenix Convention Center. There she set up her booth, practiced with her teacher, and met with nine judges across two four-hour judging blocks.
The NYSSEF delegation also took an excursion to a ranch outside Phoenix, where students chose from horseback riding, ATV rides through the desert and skeet shooting, which Chrysta participated in. The group also tried their hand at axe throwing and archery and explored the desert landscape between preparation for judging.
Back at the convention center, students attended sessions on the future of artificial intelligence led by David Holz, who founded Midjourney and is an ISEF alumnus himself. Students also had the opportunity to network with Regeneron representatives and fellow competitors from around the world. Public Day brought Phoenix-area schools through the convention
Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District Chrysta Thomas attended the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the first Oyster Bay-East Norwich student ever to qualify for the competition.
center doors to meet the finalists and Chrysta had the chance to share her breast cancer research with visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
While Chrysta did not place in the Grand Awards, she presented original research to professional scientists, engineers and mathematicians from around the world and she did it as a junior in high school, the first Oyster Bay student to ever reach this stage.
ISEF alumni have gone on to earn some of the most distinguished honors in science and engineering, including the National Medal of Science, MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and membership in the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering. Learn more about Chrysta’s research and hear her speak about it at: isef.net/project/bmed063-pathwaysregulate-nuclei-size-in-breast-cancer
Courtesy
Oyster Bay High School junior Chrysta Thomas got to teach about her breast cancer research to visitors of all ages.
things to know about pride month
Pride Month shines a spotlight on community and inclusion
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & WILL SHEELINE
Every June, Pride Month brings communities together to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity, history and advocacy through parades, educational events, performances and community gatherings. In Oyster Bay and across Long Island, the month also serves as an opportunity to promote visibility, inclusion and support for LGBTQ+ residents.
Looking back on Pride Month’s roots to Stonewall
The origins of Pride Month dates back to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. On morning of June 28, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. At the time, raids targeting LGBTQ+ gathering places were common, but this encounter sparked resistance from patrons and neighborhood residents, leading to several days of protests in the surrounding streets.
The demonstrations became a defining moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. In the months that followed, advocacy groups formed across the country, and on the first anniversary of Stonewall, activists organized what is considered the nation’s first Pride march.
Pride Month highlights celebration, awareness
and support
Although Pride Month is often associated with parades and celebrations, it also highlights the history of LGBTQ+ advocacy and the ongoing push for equality, visibility and acceptance. Advocacy efforts over the years have contributed to expanded legal protections, workplace protections and the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015. Pride Month also serves as a time to recognize the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals have faced and the continued efforts toward inclusion and equal treatment. Throughout June, schools, libraries, businesses and local organizations frequently host educational programs, performances, panel discussions and community events designed to promote awareness and support.
Local Pride Month events and outreach
There are a number of Pride events across Long Island, including the Planting Pride: Revolutions on the Runway on June 6. The event is an evening honoring both Pride and America’s semiquincentenial with a panel discussion with the author and illustrator of the graphic novel “Washington’s Gay General” about Baron von Steuben.
The evening will also feature a historical reenactement of Baron von Steuben himself, and culminates with a drag performance celebrating modern revolutions in culture and identity hosted by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Thorgy Thor and featuring Long Island performers. For more information and how to register, visit PlantingFields.org.
Offshore wind, solar and storage power New York’s next chapter
New York’s energy debate is often framed as a question of transition. But for many experts, environmental advocates and utility officials, the more immediate issue is one of necessity. Electric demand is rising, infrastructure is aging and customers are grappling with utility costs, all while the state works to reduce pollution and prepare for future growth.
The fastest way to add more power to the grid is through renewable energy paired with battery storage. Offshore wind, solar power and battery energy storage have become central to the conversation because they can diversify the grid, provide stable sources of energy and reduce environmental impact.
The New York Independent System Operator has predicted energy demand will increase by 65% by 2040, putting pressure on an already strained electric system that still relies heavily on aging
fossil-fuel infrastructure.
“Our electricity needs are increasing,” said Doug Schmid, environmental science professor at Nassau Community College and executive committee member of the Sierra Club Long Island Group. “The New York State plan for our energy future is counting on 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy. We need it.”
Renewable energy advocates also point to the environmental and public health benefits tied to reducing combustion emissions.
“The wind blows, the turbines turn, and energy is produced,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “The air quality is not impacted.”
Esposito said communities are
already experiencing the effects of climate change through rising seas, heavier rainfall and coastal damage, concerns that directly affect Long Island’s economy, tourism industry and shoreline infrastructure. Insurance costs in flood-prone areas are also becoming a growing issue. Though renewable energy projects have faced opposition and misinformation campaigns funded by fossil-fuel interests, advocates say offshore wind, solar and battery storage together offer a practical path toward meeting future energy demand, improving affordability, creating jobs and reducing emissions.
Photo taken by a fisherman of a whale at an offshore wind farm near Long Island.
Photo credit: Captain Paul Eidman
of the Herald
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
AGENDA:
x273
STEPPING OUT
Nature, brick by brick
Wild wonders in LEGO form at Old Westbury Gardens
By Christie Leigh Babirad
Art, nature and imagination come together this summer at Old Westbury Gardens with the arrival of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO Bricks, an outdoor exhibition that transforms familiar scenes from the natural world into larger-than-life works of art.
Now on display through Sept. 7, the exhibit features 17 larger-than-life intricate sculptures crafted entirely from LEGO bricks, many inspired by the landscapes, wildlife and beauty found throughout the historic gardens. Blending creativity with environmental themes, the installation invites visitors of all ages to experience the grounds in a fresh and unexpected way.
For Maura Brush, president and CEO of Old Westbury Gardens, bringing the exhibition here has been especially rewarding after years of planning and anticipation.
“We’re really excited to be hosting this exhibit,” Brush says, explaining that whenever she and her team choose a temporary exhibit, they strive for the display to blend with the grounds — and this does exactly that.
“When you see the exhibit and you see the sculptures it really fits so beautifully within the landscape,” she continues. “Old Westbury Gardens is home to foxes, butterflies and hummingbirds, and to see these exaggerated, large-scale sculptures in the landscape, it feels like it fits pretty beautifully.”
All of the displays are tucked into natural places throughout the garden areas where visitors might see these creatures and flora naturally. Each includes is a sign that indicates how many bricks were used, how many hours it took the artist to make each one and facts about the creature or flora.
Angela and Martin Pavlovic attended the preview opening with their 5-year-old son Niko who was excited to see the hummingbird and gave rave reviews for the wheel barrel made completely out of LEGOs.
“I like the wheel barrel,” Niko enthused. “It’s a 10 out of 10.”
Anne Caminiti, who attended with her daughters Nina and Mia, noted their eagerness to see the exhibit as her eldest daughter loves LEGOs.
South Shore Symphony
“I’m excited to see this display in one of our favorite places and see how many LEGOs it took to make each one,” Caminiti says, adding that she appreciates how many great family programs are offered at Old Westbury Gardens.
Ashley Friel, spokesperson for Imagine, which manages the exhibit, explains that Sean Kenney, who has been involved with Imagine for over 10 years now, is an artist who likes to invoke a sense of whimsy and fun for the whole family.
• Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects open daily, except for Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., through Sept. 7
• 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• For more information and program/events schedule visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
“Nature Connects is a super inspiring show and really about how the beauty of nature is interconnected in the same way that LEGO bricks are,” Friel says.
She added that she is eager to hear visitors’ reactions to the sculptures and hopes the exhibit encourages guests to see the natural world through a new and more imaginative lens.
The fun does not stop with the sculptures. Throughout the Nature Connects’ duration, Old Westbury Gardens will host a series of LEGOthemed events and programs designed to inspire creativity and bring together visitors of all ages.
Laura Erwin, education manager, explained that the exhibit will be complemented by a variety of special events, including Family Nights and the Seasonal Sprouts program, held on select Wednesdays from July 1 through Sept. 2. Created for children ages 4 through 10, Seasonal Sprouts combines exploration and creativity through guided outdoor tours of the exhibit followed by hands-on activity in a LEGO free-play space.
“There are a lot of fun events coming up and the Family Nights are going to be big,” Erwin says.
Another preview visitor, Claudine Krause, stopped by with her son Tatum, who she said loves LEGOs and goes to all the master LEGO events and has been following Sean Kenney’s work.
“There’s a lot you can learn through LEGOs and they have a lot of great events for children here,” Krause says.
Adults can also join in the creativity when Bricks and Brews returns on Aug. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The adults-only evening pairs art and socializing, beginning with a guided tour of the exhibition and continuing at the Barn at Orchard Hill, where guests will build with official LEGO Botanical Daisies kits while enjoying refreshments in a relaxed setting.
The beloved orchestra, under direction of Adam Glaser, returns to St. Agnes Cathedral for its annual spring concert, joined by St. Agnes combined choirs, directed by Michael Bower. The inspiring program showcases beloved masterworks, including Mozart’s Regina Coeli, and Bach’s Mass in B Minor: Dona Nobis and Beethoven’s Christ on the Mount of Olives: Hallelujah.The evening culminates with Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9, the groundbreaking 1824 masterpiece that transformed symphonic music by introducing a chorus in its final movement and giving voice to Friedrich Schiller’s enduring “Ode to Joy,” a celebration of unity and shared humanity. More than 65 musicians and approximately 75 vocalists join acclaimed soloists soprano Risa Renae Harman, mezzosoprano Elizabeth Sarian, tenor Eric Finbarr Carey, and baritone Scott Lefurgy. Admission is free, with donations requested.
Friday, May 29, 7:30 pm. 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre. Visit sssymphony.org for more.
The blues-rock guitarist-singersongwriter has built a reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of his generation. Blending electric blues, rock, soul, R&B, and hints of hip-hop, Clark’s sound is both rooted in tradition and boldly modern. His guitar tone often recalls legends like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but his songwriting, socially aware lyrics, and willingness to experiment make him stand out as a contemporary artist. On stage, he is known for extended solos, dynamic arrangements, and emotionally charged vocals that move from soft falsetto to gritty growls, making every concert feel unforgettable. Anyone who has listened to a Gary Clark Jr. album or watched the four-time Grammy Award winner perform live knows that he’s a gifted multiinstrumentalist, songwriter and performer.
Wednesday, June 3, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Gary Clark Jr.
Right photo courtesy Imagine/ other photos Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald Detailed
Westbury Gardens landscape,
bricks.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
On Exhibit
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art joins in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Its landmark exhibition explores how Long Island has reflected and shaped the story of American art. From Revolutionary-era portraiture and folk art to nineteenth-century landscapes, Impressionism, and the bold innovations of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, the exhibition highlights how every major art movement found expression here. From Brooklyn to Montauk, Long Island’s natural beauty, coastal light, and close connection to New York City inspired generations of artists and gave rise to thriving art colonies and postwar creative communities. Featuring paintings, decorative arts, and historical objects displayed together in immersive settings, the exhibit celebrates the region’s enduring influence and its rich artistic legacy. On view through July 12.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
MAY
30
Tunes with Steven Rodriguez
The Audrey Kitchen and Bar invites all to an evening of live music with local musician Steven Rodriguez.
• Where: 30 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: theaudreyob.com or call (631) 358-3522
Tour of the LIRR Oyster Bay Branch
The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum invites all to join LIRR historian and author Dave Morrison as he guides a tour throughout historic stations on the branch. The tour ends at Oyster Bay Railroad Museum. $50 per person, including tour bus, tote bag, guide book, and historic map.
• Where: Mineola LIRR, Front St. and Mineola Blvd.
• Time: 8:30 a.m.
• Contact: obrm.org or call (516) 558-7036
Notes In Nature: String Quartets
Visit Planting Fields for the next concert in the “Notes in Nature” series. Celebrate the coming of summer under the open sky at the Main House’s Cloister Garden with a captivating evening of string quartets inspired by nature and romance. Experience the vocal and
David Lee Roth
JUN
JUN
5
First Fridays: Secrets of the Synoptic Garden
Step into one of the most unique gardens in the region with Arboretum Director and expert horticulturist Vincent Simeone when Planting Fields First Fridays series continues. The Synoptic Garden comes to life, an extraordinary living collection planted in the 1960s and arranged alphabetically from A to Z by scientific name. As you explore, you’ll discover a curated “best of” selection of ornamental trees and shrubs that thrive on Long Island and throughout the greater New York area. This tour offers expert insight, seasonal highlights, and inspiration you can bring back to your own landscape. $25 per person. Registration required.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 10-11 a.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
Bingo Fundraiser
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
Get ready to jump! Diamond Dave is back! The iconic, high-flying frontman of Van Halen is bringing his legendary swagger and a massive arsenal of rock anthems to the Paramount stage. Fans can expect a high-octane night packed with timeless hits like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” This tour marks a massive return for the rock legend, who officially ended a five-year hiatus from the stage last May with a triumphant, headlinemaking debut at the M3 Rock Festival. Far from a stripped-down nostalgic act, Roth is backing up his signature showmanship with a powerhouse new eight-piece band to perfectly replicates those massive, classic Van Halen harmonies. Between the fresh musical muscle and Roth’s undiminished, charismatic stage presence, this promises to be an unforgettable night of nostalgia and high-energy rock ‘n’ roll. If you’re looking for a night of pure, unadulterated arena-rock energy right in our own backyard, this is the ticket of the season.
virtuosic Long Island Chamber Music collective set against the picturesque backdrop of Planting Fields. $45 per person in advance, $50 at the door if seats are available. Includes a complimentary glass of wine.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
Art in the Park
Enjoy the fresh spring air at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach. Local artists, craftspeople, photographers, food artisans and others display and sell hand-crafted goods.
• Where: 63 Larrabee Ave., Oyster Bay
• Time: Noon
• Contact: capa@oysterbay-ny. gov or call (516) 797-7925
Grooves with OMF Last Chance Band
Bayville Village Arts Council hosts Alan Tebaldi and the OMF Last Chance Band. Bring your own snacks and beverages. Admission is free, and doors open at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: 88 Bayville Ave., Bayville
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: bvac11709@gmail.com or call (917) 880-6618
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create with kids at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. $20, $10 child; members free.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Noon-3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org
JUN
1
Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser
Join The Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay for its fifth annual Stepping out for Seniors walk-a-thon. Participants can walk anytime anywhere over the course of these teams solo or with a fundraising team. The “kickoff” event will be on June 1 at The Life Enrichment Center featuring a walk through Oyster Bay and a free lunch for those registered.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Registration required.
• Where: 45 East Main St., Oyster Bay
• Time: 9 a.m., through June 5
• Contact: lifeenrichmentcenteroysterbay. org or call (516) 922-1770
JUN
4
Monthly
meditation
Sands Point Preserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for an evening of nature-based mindfulness and meditation with Hildur Palsdottir, first Thursday monthly. Classes are held in the beautiful rooms of the Preserve’s mansions, or in the Hempstead House Garden when weather permits. Explore techniques specifically aimed at stress reduction. Hildur adapts ancient Buddhist teachings to modern applications for calming the mind. In addition to facilitating these monthly groups, Hildur offers support with establishing a home meditation practice. No feeling is final. $17 per class.
• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
• Time: 6-7 p.m.
• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901
Learning Tree Nursery School holds a bingo fundraiser at the Oyster Bay Fire Department. The evening includes raffles, blind bags and more. Bring your own food and drinks.
• Where: 188 South St., Oyster Bay
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: thelearningtreeob@ gmail.com or call (516) 922-5999
JUN
6
Planting Pride: Revolutions
on the Runway Join Planting Fields Foundation for an evening honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event features a cocktail hour, a historical reenactment, an author conversation, a book signing and a drag performance. Attendees must be 18 or older. Registration required.
• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
• Time: 5 p.m.
• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
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.
Glen Cove comes out in support for Memorial Day Parade
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Hundreds of residents gathered in downtown Glen Cove on Monday as the city honored the nation’s fallen service members during its annual Memorial Day ceremony and parade. The remembrance ceremony was held before the parade began, with speakers paying tribute to those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces and
emphasizing the importance of honoring their sacrifice and preserving their legacy. Following the ceremony, the parade route began at Cottage Row and Forest Avenue and proceeded through downtown Glen Cove, with veterans, local elected officials, first responders, school groups, marching bands and community organizations marching alongside American flags as spectators lined the sidewalks and applauded throughout the morning.
Public Notices
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the offices to be filled at the next General Election of the Incorporated Village of Laurel Hollow, to be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from noon to 9:00 pm at Village Hall, 1492 Laurel Hollow Road, and the terms thereof are as follows:
AVISO SE DICE POR LA PRESENTE que las oficinas que se llenarán en las próximas Elecciones Generales del Pueblo Incorporado de Laurel Hollow, que se llevarán a cabo el martes 16 de junio de 2026 desde el mediodía hasta las 9:00 p.m. en Village Hall, 1492 Laurel Hollow Road, y sus términos son los siguientes:
TRUSTEE
Jeffrey C. Miritello
19 Overlook Drive, Two Years Laurel Hollow, NY
TRUSTEE
Kevin Jusko
300 Laurel Lane Two Years
Laurel Hollow, NY,
TRUSTEE
Nancy Ellen Jones
103 Cherry Lane, Two Years Laurel Hollow, NY
Fideicomisario
Jeffrey C. Miritello
19 Overlook Drive, Dos años
Laurel Hollow, NY
Fideicomisario
Kevin Jusko
300 Laurel Lane, Dos años
Laurel Hollow, NY
Fideicomisario
Nancy Ellen Jones
103 Cherry Lane, Dos años Laurel Hollow, NY
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE TRUSTEES
Cathryn Hillmann
Clerk-Treasurer
Dated: May 22, 2026
160458
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU.
EMIGRANT BANK, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER WITH EMIGRANT SAVINGS BANK LONG ISLAND, Plaintiff against SEYMOUR COHEN, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 1, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public
auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 16, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Brookville, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, known and designated as SBL#
17,9,173. Said premises known as 11 EVANS DRIVE, GLEN HEAD a/k/a 11 EVANS DRIVE, BROOKVILLE, NY 11545
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 610162/2023.
PAUL L. MELI, ESQ., Referee Terenzi & Confusione P.C. Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 401 Franklin Avenue, Suite 304, Garden City, NY 11530 {* OYSTER BAY*} 160140
To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE
TREASURER’S NOTICE Notice is hereby given that I, Tracy L. Lynch, Treasurer of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York, have received the 2026/2027 tax roll of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville for the collection of the Village real estate taxes therein levied. I designate the Village office, 24 Wolver Hollow Road, in said Village, where I will receive taxes from June 1, 2026 through and including July 1, 2026 in the following manner:
U.S. MAIL
Inc. Village of Upper Brookville 24 Wolver Hollow Road Glen Head, NY 11545
Taxes may be paid to me during said period without penalty. All taxes for which payment has not been received by me and remain unpaid after July 1, 2026 shall have added an additional five percent (5%)
interest for the month of July, and for each month and fraction thereafter, an additional interest payment, which shall be computed at the maximum percentage rate permitted, pursuant to the Real Property Tax Law, until said taxes and accrued interest are paid in full.
Tracy L. Lynch Village Clerk/Treasurer Inc. Village of Upper Brookville
Dated: May 22, 2026 May 29, 2026 160248
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Sale
Supreme Court: Nassau County Point 62 LLC v Carol Gordon et al. Defts Index 605518/2022 Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale filed and entered September 12, 2023 I will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr. Mineola NY 11501 on June 30, 2026 at 2:00 pm premises known as School District 306 a/k/a BA-6, Section 66, Block 124, Lot 61, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York Sold subject to the terms of sale and filed judgment of foreclosure. Bank Checks Only, must be payable to the Referee for 25% of Bid Price, No Cash Accepted. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Covid-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health and safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Ronald J Ferraro, Esq., Referee 160441
Joanne Yee/ Herald photos Howard Stillwagon, commander of the Glen Cove VFW, marched alongside his dog, Cruiser, during the Glen Cove Memorial Day Parade on Monday honoring the nation’s fallen service members.
Members of the Glen Cove Police Department lined up before the start of the Glen Cove Memorial Day Parade on Monday.
Members of Glen Cove Junior Soccer League marched in the Glen Cove Memorial Day Parade on Monday.
Members of Team EVA — which stands for Every Veteran Appreciated — march through downtown Glen Cove during the city’s annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, honoring the sacrifices of military veterans and fallen service members.
NOTICE
NOTICE
OF LAUREL HOLLOW
LOBG1 0529
opinions
Let’s take our daughters outside
Ask a girl in Elmont, Freeport or Hempstead what she did last weekend, and chances are her answer would sound a lot like that of girls across Long Island. She spent time scrolling on her phone. Maybe on social media. Maybe texting friends. Maybe watching a show. What she likely wasn’t doing was exploring the outdoors, or simply lying in the grass and watching the sky. June is National Great Outdoors Month, and as CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, I want to say something plainly: Girls need to spend more time outside, unplugged and reconnecting with the world around them.
The good news is we already have the solution, one that has been working for more than a century. According to the Outdoor Foundation, participation in outdoor recreation among girls ages 13 to 17 has fallen to roughly 50 percent. Research published in the Journal of American College Health confirms that screen time is a significant predictor of
higher anxiety, depression and stress in young people, while time spent outdoors predicts lower rates of stress and depression. Nature is good for girls, and the absence of it is doing harm.
TWhat makes this urgent is that girls are disproportionately affected. Studies show that girls spend less time outdoors than boys, and that the drop-off accelerates sharply in early adolescence — the years when confidence, identity and resilience are being forged. At a time when we’re already grappling with a youth mental health crisis, this is a trend we can’t afford to ignore.
them become leaders.
Nassau County Communities are home to thousands of girls who deserve every opportunity to experience the outdoors. Many of them face real barriers, including fewer green spaces, limited transportation and tighter family budgets. The idea of sending a daughter to sleep-away camp in the Hamptons can feel like a luxury that belongs to someone else’s life.
here they can discover what they’re made of without the Wi-Fi.
Outdoor experiences don’t just reduce anxiety. They actively build the skills girls need to lead. The Girl Scout Research Institute has found that girls who regularly spend time outdoors are better problem solvers, more likely to seek out challenges and stronger environmental stewards. They develop leadership skills, forge deeper friendships and report greater happiness overall.
For girls from lower-income communities, access to the outdoors is even more transformative. Research shows that they are significantly more likely to credit outdoor experiences with helping
Every girl, regardless of Zip code, family income or whether she has ever seen a tent stake, deserves the chance to discover what she’s made of when the Wi-Fi is gone and there are stars overhead.
Across acres of woods, trails and private beachfront, girls spend summers canoeing, swimming, building fires, sleeping under the stars, and doing something that is increasingly rare in young people’s lives: being fully, completely present.
The girls I see during the school year undergo a transformation at camp. They become — dare I say — wild and free. They are independent, curious and brave. The girl who was nervous about sleeping away from home discovers she can navigate a trail. The girl who
thought she was “not outdoorsy” finds herself paddling a canoe across open water and realizing she loves it. These are moments that shape who a girl believes she can be, and that belief follows her home.
Every girl should have the chance to get outside in a meaningful, supported, joyful way. Not just girls whose families can easily absorb the cost of summer camp. Not just girls who already love hiking or have spent weekends on trails. Every girl, including the one in Elmont who has never left Nassau County, the one in Hempstead who thinks camping sounds miserable, the one in Valley Stream who just needs someone to hand her a canoe paddle and say, “You’ve got this.”
Heading into summer, I’m asking Long Island families, school leaders, community organizations and businesses to join us in making the outdoors accessible to every girl in Nassau County. Because the research is clear, the need is urgent and the girls are ready.
The girl who builds a fire, sleeps in a tent and wakes up to birdsong instead of notifications isn’t just having a fun summer adventure. She’s becoming a leader for Long Island, for our communities, for the future. Those leaders start here.
Rande Bynum is CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County.
Bill Bleyer knows Long Island history like few others
“Long Island Naval History in Wartime” was the title of a recent presentation by Bill Bleyer, the author of “Long Island and the Sea,” from which much of his talk was drawn. It is among seven books written by Bleyer published by The History Press. For 33 years, Bleyer was an award-winning Newsday reporter with a specialty in history and maritime issues. He has a deep personal involvement in the marine world, literally — as a diver. Indeed, in his talk earlier this month he told of diving to and exploring several boats sunk in waters off Long Island. Also, on the surface of area waters he has long operated a sailboat.
Bleyer, of Bayville, is a former president of the Press Club of Long Island. His gave his talk at the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum. It came as the museum features a number of events tied to the nation’s semiquincentennial. Bleyer will be back
at the museum on June 28, speaking on “Long Island in the American Revolution.”
He started his most recent talk by relating the first naval battle in Long Island history, which was also the first amphibious landing of troops in U.S. history. The British, Bleyer said, were using Gardiners Bay, and taking provisions from lands around it. So, George Washington, commander and chief of the Continental Army, ordered a landing of troops on Plum Island to remove livestock that otherwise would be taken by the British.
Tschooner, removing most of those on board but leaving four, including a free African American, William Tillman, the steward. They told Tillman they would sell him as a slave for $1,000 or more when they reached Charleston, S.C.
he naval battles fought off our shores? Sunken ships? He knows about them.
Bleyer detailed the subsequent Meigs Raid, also called the Battle of Sag Harbor, in which, in 1777, Continental soldiers, under the command of Lt. Col. Jonathan Meigs, a veteran of Bunker Hill, journeyed from Connecticut and attacked a British outpost in Sag Harbor.
During the Civil War, the Confederacy deployed “commerce raiders” to prey on Union shipping — including off Long Island. Bleyer spoke of the Confederate ship Jefferson Davis snaring the schooner S.J. Waring in 1861, southeast of the Island. The southerners, he said, put a five-man crew of their own on the
Subsequently, Bleyer related, Tillman led the recapture of the vessel, grabbing a hatchet on the boat and killing the Confederate captain and two officers with it. The ship went on to New York and, Bleyer said, Tillman’s actions and the recapture were celebrated throughout the North at a time when the Union had few victories to celebrate.
It was on Long Island in the late 19th century, Bleyer said, that submarines, and torpedoes that could be fired from them, were developed. He told of how submarine builder John P. Holland worked in New Suffolk, which became America’s first submarine base. Meanwhile, to the south, the E.W. Bliss Company was experimenting with torpedoes in Noyac Bay, off Sag Harbor.
During World War I, the only sinking of a U.S. capital, or main, warship by the enemy happened eight miles off Fire Island, Bleyer said. The vessel was the
USS San Diego, a cruiser that ran into a mine laid by a German U-boat.
Bleyer noted how, during World War II, there was an “unorthodox” U.S. wartime move: the formation of the Picket Patrol. With the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard short on warships and intense German U-boat activity in the region, a fleet of civilian sailboats, longer than 50 feet, were used. The absence of engines allowed them to patrol silently without detection by U-boats. They were painted battleship gray, and crewed by Coast Guard Reserve members who were connected by radio to military forces.
Meanwhile, this area became a major center for the construction of landing craft, minesweepers and rescue boats. They were built in Freeport, Greenport, Huntington, Oyster Bay and Port Washington.
“Long Island and the Sea” goes way beyond the Island’s wartime history and is a great read, full of photos, like Bleyer’s excellent talk. He’s on the lecture circuit — he told me he has 68 bookings ahead on subjects he has written about. Catch a talk — and his books.
Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
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City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000
Fax: (516) 569-4942
Web: oysterbay.liherald.com
Water safety starts with vigilance
as summer approaches on Long Island, our communities eagerly embrace the joys of swimming, boating and waterfront leisure. From backyard pools to the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, aquatic activities are woven into our seasonal traditions.
With those pleasures, however, comes a paramount responsibility: ensuring water safety for all.
New York ranks fourth in the nation in drowning deaths. The state now requires all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, to possess a valid boating safety certificate. The requirement, established as part of Brianna’s Law — named in memory of 11-year-old Brianna Lieneck, who lost her life in a 2005 boating accident in the Great South Bay — is intended to make waterways safer.
Boaters can enroll in approved safety courses available in person and online. The BoatUS Foundation offers a free, state-approved online course, and the New York State Parks Adventure License program encourages boaters to add an anchor icon to their driver’s license to indicate completion of the course.
Water safety extends well beyond boats, to backyard and public swimming pools and Long Island’s many miles of beaches. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death
letters
Where is Hempstead’s affordable-housing plan?
To the Editor:
among children.
Suffolk County reported 24 drownings in 2024, a 60 percent increase over the prior year, based on statistics from Stony Brook University. Experts noted what they called an “alarming shift,” with 66 percent of drownings happening in backyard pools rather than open water, driven largely by a post-pandemic surge in pool installations. Nationwide, drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional-injury deaths among children ages 1 to 4.
To reduce the risks:
■ Always supervise children closely when they are in or near water. Avoid distractions, even when lifeguards are present.
■ Install fences with self-latching gates around pools to prevent unsupervised access. State law requires fences to be at least 4 feet high and to fully enclose pools.
■ Teach children to swim, learn yourself if you never have, and understand basic water safety rules.
■ Ensure that supervising adults are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation so they can respond effectively in emergencies.
■ State law requires children under 12 to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets on boats smaller than 21 feet.
Re Joseph Scianablo’s op-ed, “We can’t solve a housing crisis with hypocrisy or politics,” in the May 14-20 issue: Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead town supervisor, clearly stated the issues involved in dealing with the housing crisis. He also delineated steps that need to be taken to solve the problem.
One must wonder, what has the town’s leadership, under Supervisor John Ferretti, been doing about this housing crisis? No cogent plan has been followed to deal with the shortage of housing that’s affordable for young families or seniors wanting to downsize. A predictable pattern has developed, which we have witnessed with the Woodmere Country Club and Inwood/North Hempstead projects: A project is proposed by developers, there is an outcry from community residents who have reasonable concerns, and then there is expensive litigation, paid for with taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. Ferretti and the Town Board should have had a forward-looking housing plan in place. As proposed by candidate Scianablo, stakeholders
Lifejackets accessible to all passengers are essential on any vessel.
■ At public pools and beaches, pay attention to lifeguards, who are trained to identify hazards such as rip currents — fast-moving channels of water that can quickly pull swimmers away from shore.
■ Ask lifeguards about dangerous conditions, and swim only in designated areas. If caught in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to shore until free of the current.
Another major danger is after-hours swimming. When lifeguards are off duty, swimmers who are inexperienced, overconfident or impaired are left unmonitored, and that is when many drownings occur.
Early-season swimmers should also remember that ocean water remains dangerously cold well into late spring. Cold water quickly drains energy and increases the risk of distress, even for strong swimmers.
Water safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re watching children at a pool, enjoying a day at the beach or heading out on a boat, a few simple precautions can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy. Long Island’s waters are meant to be enjoyed, but only if we treat them with the respect they demand.
including developers, union workers and residents must be engaged in planning housing projects for the needs of each unique community.
Instead of blaming Albany, our town
to deal with the housing crisis.
PAMELA KORN Hewlett
opinions The disappearance of embarrassment
somewhere in Washington right now, custom bourbon bottles etched with FBI Director Kash
Patel’s name and title are being distributed as tokens of power and prestige at taxpayer expense. Strange as it sounds, those bottles tell a much larger story about contemporary politics and politicians.
You don’t have to be a political historian to know that democracies have always produced their share of vain, incompetent and corrupt political opportunists. What feels different now is the brazenness — the complete disappearance of embarrassment and restraint among leaders, as well as citizens’ expectations that public officials at least appear to be answerable to the people they serve.
At a moment when millions of Americans are struggling to afford groceries, gasoline, rent, medication and health insurance, our “leaders” parade openly in a spectacle of self-glorification, ideological theater, open self-interest and flat-out contempt. The examples arrive almost daily:
A White House “ballroom” project that began as a supposedly privately
funded $200 million undertaking has steadily ballooned to a taxpayer-supported $1 billion monument to one man’s excesses.
A sitting president and his family are profiting from business ventures made possible only through political power. Airports, cultural institutions, public spaces and even passports are being renamed and revised in ways that elevate and glorify that president.
Patel’s custom bourbon bottles are etched with his name while taxpayers absorb the costs of an increasingly theatrical government culture.
Those personalized bourbon bottles seem sadly emblematic of the moment.
Other cabinet officials and agency heads appear openly hostile to, or ignorant of, the very missions of the departments they oversee.
A secretary of health and human services attacks scientific consensus, vaccine trust and established medical knowledge during a period of growing public health anxiety.
A secretary of defense speaks less like a sober administrator than a cablenews warrior wannabe posturing for cameras and political allies. Presidential social media tirades are aimed at journalists, critics, political opponents and private citizens — many dismissed as “low IQ,” “stupid,” dishonest, even treasonous.
LeTTers
Voters deserve to hear more from the candidates on housing
To the Editor:
Mr. Scianablo is half right. Politics is the only means we have to reconcile civil issues. What is required is the sort of politics Mr. Scianablo describes, where leadership seeks to “rise above the noise” and “tell the truth” to promote “honest conversations” and form “partnerships” that will work toward “thoughtful, community-driven planning.” That would mean a constructive confrontation with some hard words.
Nassau County’s leaders must acknowledge the truth that the housing issue can’t be “solved” at the county level, but progress can be
facilitated. Candidates for leadership must dismiss the noise to center the honest conversations on those few factors and limited partnerships within their purview and jurisdiction. This means devising a thoughtful plan for changes in zoning to encourage density at sites that provide transportation and public services — which will encourage builders and bankers to construct affordable units that make Nassau attractive to buyers, preferably families with children.
There are hard words here, but voters deserve to hear from each candidate some opening position from which they will begin their honest conversation, and what their vision is for a Nassau community plan to ameliorate its portion of the “crisis.”
Meanwhile, we are told every day that all is well, the economy is strong, the war is won, and that public concerns are exaggerated. Republican Sen. Tim Scott proclaimed on Fox Business last month that “You can even feel in our environment how good things are getting. Gas prices continue to come down, which means that your groceries will come down a little bit as well.”
As Scott spoke, gas and grocery prices were rising dramatically in his home state of North Carolina and around the country. Without embarrassment, he invented a picture of America that has no basis in reality.
That same day, on CNBC, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said, “You go back two years ago, we were paying almost $6 a gallon for gasoline.” Two years ago, in mid-2024, the nationwide average price of gasoline was $3.66 per gallon. Without embarrassment, he made up a price easily disproved.
More and more Americans no longer believe what they are being told, because their own lives tell them otherwise. And alongside all of this come the vanity projects, the public self-glorification, the open profiteering, the personalized institutions, the theatrical insults and the endless performances of loyalty and power.
The deeper cultural shift isn’t simply these behaviors themselves, but how little civic alarm they now produce. Why, we should ask, do these officials feel no shame, or even just a little embarrassment? But mostly we don’t ask. Too often we give up on demanding competence, dignity and social awareness in our leaders.
Why? Or maybe the question should be how? How can people who call themselves leaders act with so much contempt toward the people who put them in positions of authority? A healthy republic depends on leaders understanding that public office carries obligations larger than ego, profit, loyalty rituals and selfcelebration. It depends on some continuing sense that, at the very least, public suffering should impose limits on displays of extravagance and self-interest.
Evidently, our leaders feel no such constraints; they feel not one shred of embarrassment about the lies and excesses that have come to characterize them. For many of them, holding office means little more than having permission to engage in public spectacle, branding, self-celebration and acts of contempt in plain sight.
Which may be why those personalized bourbon bottles feel oddly — and sadly — emblematic of the political moment itself.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of interdisciplinary studies at City University of New York.
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Framework by Tim Baker
At Molloy University’s graduation, that’s President James Lentini on guitar — Jones Beach
VIVIAN CONNECTS THE DOTS
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Sea Cliff Office | 329 Glen Cove Avenue, Sea Cliff, NY
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VIVIAN PARISI
Flower pillow, orange couch, portrait of women, cookbooks, green chair. Moved From Moved To