Oyster Bay Herald 06-11-2026

A baymen now stands guard over Oyster Bay Harbor

By JUlIA cAPItEllI jcapitelli@liherald.com

Baymen, elected officials, law enforcement officers and Town of Oyster Bay residents gathered last week for the unveiling of a statue dedicated to the town’s shellfishermen at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. The Baymen’s Heritage Association first presented the design for a sculpture to the town board in 2022. The bronze statue depicts a baymen pulling shellfish aboard his boat, pole pointed toward the sky.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino was joined by Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, Nassau County Legislators Delia

DeRiggi-Whitton and Samantha Goetz, and Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck for the June 3 dedication.

Baymen, named for the bays brimming with shellfish that attracted settlers to the region beginning in the 17th century, have played a large role in Oyster Bay’s history. In recent decades, overfishing, which has resulted in a precipitous decline in the population of oysters and clams in local waters, in combination with the difficulty of the job, has had a similar effect on the ranks of baymen.

John Kennedy, of Bayville, vice president of the Baymen’s Heritage Association, who Continued on page 6

Bayville meets its candidates for mayor

By WIll SHEElINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Candidates for Bayville mayor and village trustee shared their priorities for the village at a Meet the Candidates night, a week after the village was the focus of national media coverage when it was announced that no one was running for mayor. That led to the ad hoc event on Tuesday, at which a handful of residents, responding to the news, announced their willingness to serve as write-in candidates for mayor.

The event, hosted by the Bayville Chamber of Commerce at the Crescent Beach Club, gave residents a chance to hear from the unique slate of candidates ahead of next Tuesday’s election.

If

The forum opened with John Taylor, a former village trustee who had declared his candidacy for mayor less than two days earlier, announcing that he was withdrawing from consideration.

Taylor, who owned an advertising agency before he retired, explained that family circumstances had forced him to step aside: His wife had been hospitalized with complications from surgery, and was being transferred to another facility in Manhattan that evening for more intensive care.

I am written in, yes, I will accept the position for a short period of time . . . so that candidates can file petitions and campaign properly.

StEVE MINIcozzI

mayor, Bayville

“I love my work — I love my wife more,” Taylor said. “She needs me in a way that the village can’t compete, so tonight I’m withdrawing my name from consideration as a write-in candidate.”

Taylor endorsed current Mayor Steve Minicozzi as yet another write-in candidate, although Minicozzi was not among the declared candidates.

Three trustee seats are on the ballot this year in addition to the mayoralty. Four candidates are running for trustee, including two writein candidates. They and the remaining mayoral candidates, Continued on page 7

Julia Capitelli/Herald

the Baymen’s Memorial Monument was unveiled June 3 at theodore Roosevelt Memorial park.

United States veterans, active service members and American Legion commanders were honored.

Veterans, students come together at L.V.H.S.

By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com

United States veterans and active service members, American Legion commanders and Locust Valley Central School District students and staff came together for a ceremony to honor the country’s semi quincentennial anniversary. Each veteran had the opportunity to address Locust Valley High School seniors, offering advice and inspiration.

Each year, Locust Valley High School holds a ceremony to honor veterans and graduating students. During the event, veterans present seniors with American flags as a symbol of the responsibility that comes with service to one’s community. This year, the event also encompassed celebrating 250 years of the United States.

“For two and a half centuries,” said Mike LoGerfo, coordinator of English and social studies, “the ‘American Experiment’ has succeeded not by accident, but because ordinary people decided that “We the People” was a verb, not just a noun.” Works that play a significant role in United States history, such as the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, were read throughout the ceremony. The high school orchestra and band each performed, and the high school chorus led the national anthem.

Multiple students acted as leaders throughout the ceremony, introducing speakers, including veterans and active service members. One student read the Gettysburg Address while the performed.

Among the ceremony’s speakers was United States Army Lt. Colonel Terrance Thorgramson. He read an

Dr. Khwaja Siddique, local primary care physician and flight surgeon in the United States Air Force, served as keynote speaker.

excerpt from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. Afterward, he thanked event organizers and administrators before addressing students directly.

“Education is the foundation of a democracy,” Thorgramson said. “So, for the graduating class here, this is just the beginning of learning.”

Dr. Khwaja Siddique, a local primary care physician and flight surgeon in the United States Air Force, was the event’s keynote speaker. In his speech, he discussed the work of previous generations creating schools, communities, businesses and opportunities. He said that now, it is the next generation’s turn.

“It can be as simple as helping a neighbor,” Siddique said, “mentoring a young student, volunteering in your community, serving your community.”

Julia Capitelli/Herald photos

Seniors at Locust Valley High School had the opportunity to speak with veterans and active service members at the ceremony.

The Gettysburg Address was read aloud and paired with an orchestra performance.

Locust Valley High School seniors were presented with American flags as a symbol of the responsibility to serve one’s community.

News brief

Ride to End Cancer returns to Oyster Bay

The Town of Oyster Bay has once again partnered with Empire State Ride Long Island to host the Ride to End Cancer, Long Island’s largest charitable cycling fundraiser to benefit cancer research, scheduled for Saturday. The event features four course lengths for riders of all ages and ability. All routes will begin on Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay, by the historic Oyster Bay Post Office.

For those who can’t cycle but wish to attend and support the event, downtown Oyster Bay will also host a Health & Wellness Fair, hosted in partnership with the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce – as local businesses will line the streets with food, live music and fun activities for families. Those interested in learning more or signing up to ride and raise funds for the event, should visit ESRLongIsland.com.

Former NIFA chair assumes leadership of public hospital

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Richard Kessel, chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, has been tapped by Gov. Kathy Hochul to be the next chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, the public benefit corporation that oversees Nassau University Medical Center, in East Meadow, and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility, in Uniondale.

A regional leader for decades, Kessel, of Merrick, is known for his expertise on energy and consumer issues and has an extensive background in public service. He previously served as chairman of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency and as chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority. Kessel, 76, has a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a master’s from Columbia University.

“Richard Kessel brings decades of leadership experience in government, public policy and complex organizations,” Hochul said of Monday’s appointment in a statement emailed to the Herald. “His proven record of public service, commitment to Long Island and ability to navigate challenging issues make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the board as NHCC continues its mission of providing high-quality care to the communities we serve.”

Kessel’s appointment to the NHCC board means he will step down from NIFA. His position there will be filled by Moshin Meghji, a current NIFA board member.

The finance authority, another public benefit corporation, monitors and oversees Nassau County’s finances. It assumed direct financial oversight of

Leadership change at NHCC

New chairman: Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Richard Kessel, chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, to lead the Nassau Health Care Corporation.

Leadership change: Kessel succeeds Stuart Rabinowitz, who stepped down in March after leading NHCC since June 2025.

NUMC in 2020, a move that was met with heavy opposition from previous hospital leadership. As part of the state’s takeover last year, it mandated that NHCC conduct a comprehensive study outlining the long-term viability of NUMC. The study is to be submitted to NIFA by Dec. 1.

The NHCC chair’s position has been vacant since March, when former Chairman Stuart Rabinowitz stepped down. Rabinowitz had served in the role since June 2025, after being appointed by Hochul when state officials assumed leadership of the public hospital and its governing body.

Rabinowitz’s departure came during a turbulent period for NUMC. Following a public battle between the hospital’s former leadership and the state, New York assumed oversight of the hospital under provisions included in the 2025-26 state budget. The board was restructured to include 11 members, most of whom were appointed by Hochul.

When Rabinowitz stepped down, Hochul thanked him for his service, saying he “stepped up when Nassau University Medical Center desperately needed steady, serious leadership.” She added that “his focus on accountability and fiscal management has helped put this critical safety-net hospital on the road to recovery.”

RiCHARD KEssEL

Kiwanis bike challenge celebrates 30 years

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

For three decades, cyclists have gathered at Harry Tappen Beach, in Sea Cliff to ride the winding roads of Long Island’s North Shore while raising money for children in need.

The Nassau Bicycle Challenge will celebrate its 30th anniversary on June 28, bringing riders of all ages and skill levels together for a community event that has raised more than $325,000 for children’s charities since its founding in 1997. Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club of North Shore Foundation, a nonprofit that supports programs including the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, the Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation, Kamp Kiwanis, Nosh Delivers and other youth-focused initiatives.

The ride began as a personal mission for Thomas DeStio, a Sea Cliff resident and longtime Kiwanis member. His son, Tommy, was born prematurely in1996 with serious health complications, and spent time in the critical care unit at what is now the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center in New Hyde Park.

“He was very premature, and the kid was really in bad shape,” DeStio recalled. “The only way I could come up with something to help was to create the bike ride.”

An avid long-distance cyclist who had taken part in endurance rides across the

country, DeStio saw an opportunity to combine his passion for the sport with a desire to give back.

“I kind of put two and two together,” he said. “Kiwanis was a communityminded organization, and they gave me a tool to possibly put together a bike ride to raise money to give to the hospital.”

Today, 36-year-old Tommy DeStio is a successful marketing executive, a husband and a father-to-be. His journey from medically fragile infant to thriving adult remains a source of inspiration for his father, and for the event he created.

TKle said that many participants return year after year, drawn by the event’s welcoming atmosphere and charitable mission. “We’ve had riders that have come, if not all of the 29 years, then very many of those years,” she said. “They would be upset to see it go. So we have a lot of loyal riders who continue to come back year after year.”

here’s great fun and enjoyment. It’s a very festive atmosphere

The ride, formerly known as the Nassau-to-Suffolk Bicycle Challenge, now focuses exclusively on Nassau County. Riders can choose between a 25-mile route or a more demanding one that’s 10 miles longer. Both begin at the Harry Tappen Beach Boat Basin and wind through some of Long Island’s most scenic North Shore communities, including Locust Valley and Bayville, offering waterfront views and the Gold Coast’s rolling landscapes.

ChRIS S AlMON president, Kiwanis Club of North Shore

“It’s not a race,” Leslie Kle, treasurer of North Shore Kiwanis and one of the event organizers, said. “We have all levels of riders. It’s all fun.”

Organizing the ride is a months-long effort. Planning begins in February, with permit applications, followed by sponsorship outreach, publicity campaigns and route preparation. Volunteers distribute fliers to bicycle shops, post signs throughout the area and coordinate food, refreshments and rider support.

The event includes rest stops in Bayville and Locust Valley stocked with water, sports drinks, fruit and snacks. Organizers also provide cue sheets, digital maps and extensive route markings to ensure that riders stay on course.

“One of the things that we kind of pride ourselves on is we have every turn marked on the ride,” Kle said. “When they come back, many of them say it’s the best-marked ride that they’re ever on.”

More than 20 volunteers help manage

Get Ready to Ride…

30th ANNUAL KIWANIS BICYCLE CHALLENGE

registration, staff rest stops and support riders throughout the day. Family members and members of North Shore Kiwanis’s Young Professionals group also pitch in.

“We cheer every rider when they come in, and we celebrate them and congratulate them,” Kle said. “We have raffles. We try to make it a little bit more of a party atmosphere.”

Kiwanis President Chris Salmon said the challenge has become known for its camaraderie as much as its fundraising. “Rain or shine, a lot of people attend,” Salmon said. “There’s great fun and enjoyment. It’s a very festive atmosphere.”

Salmon emphasized that every dollar raised supports charitable causes. The club foundation also funds programs such as Klothes 4 Kids, which provides back-to-school clothing for children in need, scholarships; community food assistance efforts; and support for local families facing hardships.

For DeStio, the ride’s longevity is proof that a simple idea can have a lasting impact. “It takes months to put that together,” he said. “But everything led to helping out the hospital. This was a way we could give back.”

Online registration is $50 through June 23, with walk-in registration available on the day of the ride for $60. Additional information is available at n2nbc.org.

Monument pays tribute to shellfishermen

died at age 88 on May 19— two weeks before the statue was unveiled — had been integral to the project, dedicating much of his time to fundraising. Kennedy’s son, Michael, a bayman for two decades, died on the job in May 2020, and his death set the monument project in motion, with other baymen looking for a way to honor his memory. Both Kennedys were honored at the unveiling ceremony.

“Everyone said the same thing,” Saladino said of John Kennedy. “We’re all feeling, oh, my gosh, what a wonderful, dear friend, what a leader, what an incredible human being.”

The statue, named the Baymen’s Memorial Monument, stands overlooking the harbor where many local shellfishermen have made their living. It is intended to honor those who have died on the water, and to help preserve their legacy.

“We know that this monument will forever honor the baymen, will forever honor our culture, will forever honor Bayville and Oyster Bay,” Saladino said.

Bthrough the sculpture became a “mission” after they shared their experiences with him. He expressed admiration for their perseverance and their desire to preserve their way of life.

“The way they expressed it to me,” Buccacio said, “it was just impossible for me to ignore, and [I] just completely, 110 percent push[ed] all my emotions into this story.”

eing a bayman is more than an occupation. It is a tradition, a heritage, and a deep connection to the waters that define our communities.

Sculptor Jeff Buccacio created the monument. He told the crowd that he was inspired by his relationships with local baymen, and by Billy Joel’s “The Downeaster ‘Alexa.’” The song, which Buccacio described as “haunting,” focuses on a Long Island fisherman who is no longer able to make a living at the job. Its lyrics are etched on a plaque at the base of the statue.

BoB Harrington Trustee, Baymen’s Heritage Association

Buccacio said that telling the baymen’s story

Bob Harrington, trustee of the heritage association, who has fished on Long Island’s waters for more than 60 years, said that local baymen have helped shape the region’s character. Their work, he added, continues to support area families, and preserves the legacy of generations of baymen who came before them.

“Being a bayman is more than an occupation,” Harrington said. “It is a tradition, a heritage, and a deep connection to the waters that define our communities.”

Harrington acknowledged John Kennedy’s work, saying that his vision and determination brought the monument to fruition. He also thanked the association, volunteers and donors. “Today we celebrate not only this remarkable statue,” Harrington said, “but also the history, traditions and the people it represents.”

Kennedy’s widow, Carol Kennedy, thanked the town and donors, and announced next steps for the association: to strengthen relationships with Friends of the Bay, the Waterfront Center, the Long Island Maritime Museum and local schools to develop a program to educate the community and preserve baymen’s tradition.

“The monument is truly a tribute to all baymen,” Kennedy said, “their skill, perseverance and tradition.”

Michael DelGuidice, a Long Island singer-songwriter and a member of Joel’s band, performed “The Downeaster ‘Alexa’” to close the ceremony. Joel had made a large donation to the project.

To learn more about the association and its work, visit BaymensHeritage.org.

Disruptive Spark founder helps businesses navigate AI

In a fast-moving business world, Susan Gatti believes most leaders are asking the wrong questions when planning for AI investment.

Instead of adopting the latest tools, the Disruptive Spark® founder says companies should begin clarity, mindset and trust.

“We want to be the voice in your head, guiding you toward factual decisions,” Gatti said during a recent interview. “Being good stewards of your reputation, your company and the people who work for you, that’s what matters.”

Gatti is a Long Island-based business advisor, speaker and founder of Disruptive Spark®, a boutique performance consultancy that works with growth-minded leaders and mid-sized businesses. Drawing on decades of leadership experience, she helps organizations navigate change, improve operational performance and embrace emerging technology without losing sight of company culture or human connection.

As businesses feel mounting pressure to adopt artificial intelligence and automation tools, Gatti said many executives are operating from fear messages.

“Leaders are being told, ‘Do something with AI or we’ll be left behind,’” she explained. “That pressure to be relevant,

mixed with the reality that many organizations don’t yet know what needs to be done, leads to uncertainty that causes indecision.”

That’s where Disruptive Spark® steps in.

Rather than pushing businesses toward expensive technology, Gatti focuses first on identifying the problem a company is trying to solve, then following a proven decision model to help business leaders make smarter decisions.

According to Gatti, most companies struggle with three operational pain points: inefficient repetitive tasks,

customer service friction and concerns around security and financial risk.

AI can help solve those issues if leaders approach implementation strategically.

Market challenges are putting pressure on local companies to operate more efficiently, while protecting their relationships and reputation. “Every dollar counts right now,” Gatti said.

“AI tools that allow businesses to go deeper with the client base they already have are more valuable than constantly chasing new customers.”

Disruptive Spark® helps companies navigate transformation. Gatti believes

resistance is a big reason large-scale technology initiatives fail.

Early in her career, she recognized the problem was often less about the technology and more about how organizations communicated and prepared for change.

Disruptive Spark® now works with organizations to reduce resistance by building readiness campaigns before implementation begins. The company offers leader education, communication strategies, readiness assessments and coping practices that empower teams to feel calmer, more comfortable and more engaged during transitions.

“We found that when people understood the value for them personally, adoption rates skyrocketed,” Gatti explained.

One service Disruptive Spark® offers is helping organizations establish ethical AI standards and clear communication policies.

“I would double down very quickly on creating AI ethics and standards,” Gatti said. “Everybody is experimenting with AI, whether the company has sanctioned it or not.”

By creating guardrails, businesses can

Julia Capitelli/Herald

Carol Kennedy, whose son michael’s death inspired the monument thanked the town and donors for their support of the project.

Former trustee drops out of mayoral race

all of whom had announced their candidacy in the past two weeks, took part in the forum.

Natalie Murray, a write-in candidate for trustee and secretary to the Town of Oyster Bay comptroller, highlighted her government experience and long family ties to Bayville.

“I love this town,” Murray, 48, said. “Out of all the places that I’ve lived, it’s my favorite.”

Her work experience, she said, includes managing office operations, overseeing internship programs and working in medical billing and private business management.

Another write-in trustee candidate for trustee, Michael Genova, a banking executive, emphasized fiscal responsibility, public service and preserving the village’s character.

“Everyone in this room has something in common,” Genova said. “We love Bayville. We care about Bayville. We want to protect Bayville.”

Genova said that his financial management experience and municipal banking background would serve him well as a trustee.

Incumbent Trustee Anne Walsh, 62, who is seeking re-election, pointed to her decades of experience in insurance claims management and her four years of work on the village board. Among the initiatives she cited was the implemen-

tation of a July Fourth curfew in response to complaints from residents.

“I feel that I’ve been able to listen to residents,” Walsh said, “and help them with any questions that they might have.”

Walsh also read a statement on behalf of Trustee Aimee DiBartolomeo, 54, who was unable to attend because of her daughter’s graduation. DiBartolomeo’s statement highlighted her work on fiscal management, transparency and community events.

The five remaining mayoral candidates took up the bulk of the evening, introducing themselves, answering two prepared questions, and taking turns answering questions from the crowd.

Brian Tedaldi, 50, a lifelong Bayville resident and a limousine business owner, said he wanted to revitalize the village while preserving its character. Tedaldi identified road maintenance, economic revitalization and youth behavior issues as priorities. He also contended that private roads could be improved through large-scale paving efforts and grant funding.

“In my campaign, I said, ‘Make Bayville great again,’” Tedaldi said. “I want to make Bayville great again, to bring that back.”

Emily Harrison, an Army veteran and business executive who has lived in Bayville for four years, said she was focused on transparent government and

long-term planning.

“You deserve leadership that is transparent, accountable,” Harrison, 35, said, “and entirely focused on delivering results.”

Morris Ware Jr., 47, who has lived in Bayville for nine years and is a sanitation union vice president in the Town of Hempstead, pointed to his experience in local government and labor leadership.

“What I do every day is service 3,000 members in our group, and I’m responsible for about 800 of them,” Ware said. “I handle problems, I deal with government, I get things done.”

Former Trustee and Deputy Mayor Reina Bologna stressed her experience in village government and school administration. Bologna, 76, a former assistant superintendent of schools, said that maintaining Bayville’s quality of life and improving the appearance of village gateways would be priorities.

“I’m afraid of a write-in vote,” she added. “I’m afraid that the village is not going to be in safe hands.”

Kevin Casey, 42, a paralegal and former legislative director for the Suffolk County Legislature, focused on infrastructure, public safety and economic development. Casey proposed repaving private roads, pursuing additional grant funding, increasing film production revenue and exploring a policing agreement with neighboring villages.

“I will not raise taxes my first term

Will Sheeline/Herald John taylor, a former village trustee, announced at the meet the Candidates event that he was dropping out of the race for mayor to care for his wife.

in office,” Casey said. “End of story.”

Residents had questions for the candidates on a range of topics — and Bayville Arts Council Chair Philip Pecorino asked Minicozzi whether he would serve if elected with write-in votes.

“If I am written in, yes,” the mayor said. “I will accept the position for a short period of time in order to give the village a chance to hold a special election so that candidates can file petitions and campaign properly.”

The June 16 election will take place at the Bayville Fire Company Firehouse, at 258 Bayville Ave., from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Reworld celebrates Long Island environmental leaders

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Herald Community Media and Reworld partnered to celebrate Long Island’s leading environmental advocates and innovators during the Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, held May 14 at the Heritage Club at Bethpage.

The event recognized individuals and organizations making significant contributions to environmental sustainability while also honoring student leaders working to protect Long Island’s natural resources.

“Nothing unites Long Islanders more than our natural environment, from beaches and bays to wetlands and parks — these treasures are our fountain of life, beauty and resources,” said Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications. “Tonight, we gather to honor environmental champions who are working tirelessly to protect

Long Island’s natural ecosystem for future generations. Their efforts are challenging but vitally important and we thank them for their unwavering dedication.”

The ceremony, emceed by comedian Tom Kelley, also featured awards for four Student Champions for Sustainability and a total of $7,500 in student sustainability initiative prizes.

Adel Omrani, president of Reworld’s East Region, highlighted the company’s role in transforming waste into energy.

“You don’t think of waste when you put it at the curb, and you usually don’t think about disposal, but there’s a lot of processes that goes into that,” he said. “We generate electricity out of that and recycle metals. Just for Long Island, for example, we power 100,000 homes just from processing this waste and using it as fuel.”

Omrani said collaboration among environmental leaders remains essential.

“It’s a very big part of what we do as a community,” he said.

Reworld Market Area Director James Regan stressed the importance of sustainable waste management on Long Island.

“For Long Island, an issue like sustainable waste management is extremely important given how populated it is and how limited resources are,” he said. “Reworld, for us, has a focus to continue to partner with all

these great champions of sustainability to ensure we have sustainable waste management for decades to come.”

New York State Senator Siela Bynoe spoke during the dinner portion of the event.

“I have really had the environment in mind as I’ve been in my various roles in government,” she said.

Bynoe’s life experiences motivated her to pursue environmental advocacy, witnessing increased cancer rates due to local contamination in the Caribbean and disproportionate harm done to marginalized communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I set off on a path to make sure that we can conserve water, make sure we have clean water, and make sure that we are doing what we can to ensure that we sustain this community, this county and this state (so) that we have a bright future,” she said.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, a longtime environmental advocate, discussed his commitment to protecting Long Island’s future.

“I’m very concerned about the direction we’re going as a state and as an island, and I’m looking to change that direction by doing a number of things,” he said.

Romaine cited efforts to improve municipal waste management, expand solar energy infrastructure and advance environmentally friendly policies.

“I could have retired long ago, but there are things that I want to accomplish,” he said. “We need to see change.”

Among the evening’s featured speakers was sports broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason, who reflected on his connection to the Great South Bay.

“When I was a kid, between the ages of 14 and 17, I spent a lot of my summers on the Great South Bay — I was a clammer,” he said. “It was great, but there were areas of the Great South Bay that we couldn’t clam in because it was considered polluted... It took many years for it to turn around and to start going back the other way, and it’s one of the things I’m most proud about.”

Esiason praised young environmental advocates being recognized at the event.

“I’m very, very proud of them, and very proud of what they’re trying to do for the beaches of the Great South Bay,” he said.

Girl Scouts Emma Klein and Zoe Lazarus, of Savyille High School, Roslyn High sophomore Charles Metzger and Hauppauge High se-

nior Matias Kalaitzis were all winners of the Student Champions for Sustainability Award. The four were recognized for their civic service, from cleanups to awareness efforts. National Grid Ventures, the main natural gas utility for over 600,000 residential and business customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties; Tritec, primarily known for mixeduse developments, transit-oriented communities and commercial property management across Long Island; and UBS Arena, the home of the New York Islanders, were all recognized with team awards.

As the presenting sponsor, Reworld continues to support environmental progress across Long Island. The company operates facilities in Westbury, West Babylon, East Northport and Ronkonkoma, processing two-thirds of Long Island’s waste, recycling thousands of tons of metals and generating electricity for local homes while helping reduce landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information about Reworld and its initiatives that support various community empowerment and environmental programs fostering positive change locally and globally, visit ReworldWaste.com. To view more pictures, visit RichnerLive.com.

Tim Baker/Herald

The Sustainability Awards powered by Reworld brought together leaders, innovators, and advocates committed to building a more sustainable future for Long Island

P hotos by Tim Baker and Melissa Baptiste/Herald

Sponsors for the night (back, from left) included Ricardo Salce, Bobby Green, Rudy Winkler, Rob Balbierz, James Regan, Bill Murphy, David Sharp, Adel Omrani, Maureen Early, Ed Sandkuhl, Matt Augi, Brian Aerne and (front, from left) Kamrun Haque, Vickey Ardounis, and Rehan Simonia from the team at Reworld.

Honoree Suffolk County Executive, Edward P. Romaine with special guest, former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason.

Honoree State Senator Siela Bynoe, District 6.

College Student Champion Honoree Vienna De Lombaerde, who attends Hofstra University.

The duo team honorees for the Student Champion Award: Sayville High School 9th graders Emma Klein, left, and Zoe Lazarus.

Student Champion honorees: Roslyn High School 10th grader Charles Metzger, left, and Hauppauge High School graduating senior Matias Kalaitzis with special guest Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders.

National Grid Ventures’ honor team included Kamona Ayres, left, Robert Wittmer, Tom Garry, Alanna Russo, and Retha Fernandez.

Tianna D’Italia, left, Michael Sciortino, Mike Santeramo, Joe Giarraputo, Caroline Shipps, and Erin Nourijanian of UBS Arena’s honoree team.

Michael O’Leary, left, Robert Kent, Shannon Coughlan, Jim Coughlan, Jimmy Coughlan, and Chris Kelly of TRITEC Real Estate Company’s honoree team.

A special thank you to Adel Omrani, President of Reworld East Region, whose vision and leadership helped bring this inspiring celebration of sustainability to life.

Kicking off the summer at Feast of St. Anthony

By Ella GardnEr Intern

Hundreds of families and friends gathered on Centre Island Beach in Bayville to celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony with St. Gertrude’s Roman Catholic Church at Newton Show’s carnival. Attendees enjoyed rides, food trucks and stands, live music, and a raffle.

Centre Island Beach served as the event’s venue, providing a close view of the harbor and cool summer nights. Local volunteers from St. Gertrude’s worked together to ensure the fair ran smoothly and kick off the start of the summer.

Ella Gardner/Herald photos

Attendees experienced walking through the fair in the breezy summer weather.

Hundreds of fairgoers from across Long Island made their way to Centre Island Beach for the annual event.

Families enjoyed rides, games, and food trucks throughout the weekend.

Local volunteers like Carolyn Collins, left, and Fiona Posilisco helped make fresh treats like zeppoles that were a hit amongst crowds.

Centre Island offered attendees a scenic view of the harbor, just a few feet from the fair. The event was organized by St. Gertrude’s Roman Catholic Church.

LIRR expands service for golf’s U.S. Open

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

The 126th U.S. Open Championship, which begins next week, is being played at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club — known as one of the “cathedrals” of golf — for the first time since 2018.

Eric Steimer, senior director of U.S. Championships at the United States Golf Association, said the USGA’s transportation strategy is intended to reduce congestion around the site while providing multiple travel options for fans attending the tournament.

The plan, developed in collaboration with the Long Island Rail Road, Suffolk County and New York state officials, will be in effect from June 15, three days before the tournament starts, until June 21, the day it ends.

Steimer said that the 15-person team that planned transportation operations recognized early that travel logistics would be one of the event’s biggest challenges. “Any time we’re out here in eastern Long Island at Shinnecock Hills, transportation is a challenge,” Steimer said. “We’re doing a lot of different things to really try to mitigate that.”

As it did eight years ago, the LIRR’s Montauk Branch will provide transportation to and from the tournament. A temporary station will be constructed in Tuckahoe, across from Shinnecock Hills, on the south side of County Road

39, adjacent to Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus. A temporary pedestrian bridge will span the roadway.

From June 15 to 17, the LIRR plans to operate 10 inbound trains and dozens of outbound trains, more than double the service it provided in 2018. During the championship rounds, June 18 to 21, 12 inbound trains and 13 outbound trains are scheduled to operate.

“The Long Island Rail Road is ready,” its president, Rob Free, stated in a news release. “Avoid the traffic and use our

exceptionally reliable service to and from Shinnecock Hills for all the golf action. Extra staff will also be on hand at Southampton to help customers throughout the championship for a great customer experience.”

Steimer explained that this year’s transportation differs from 2018 because satellite parking operations have moved from Gabreski Airport to Calverton Executive Airpark.

“We will have complimentary parking and complimentary shuttle buses to and from the championship,” Steimer

said. “Anyone that looks at Calverton on a map is going to see that it’s pretty far away from Shinnecock Hills, but at the same time it is very accessible for anyone that’s coming from points west or coming along the Long Island Expressway.”

For residents of Southampton, Sag Harbor, Easthampton and neighboring communities, Steimer recommended using a rideshare program operating from Stony Brook Southampton’s campus.

Hamton Jitney will operate shuttle service for spectators traveling from Montauk, Amagansett, Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, Water Mill and Southampton. Pickups and drop-offs will be located near Admission Gate 2 on the Stony Brook campus.

Fans traveling from New York City will have the option of using Blade helicopter service from June 18 to 21, with return flights scheduled each evening after play ends.

Steimer urged commuters not to arrange drop-offs on County Road 39, and said there would be increased police presence at intersections around the golf course.

“This is a plan that’s been carefully articulated with local experts to be able to implement this plan,” he said. “Now is the time to bring it to life.”

For more information on train service, go to MTA.INFO/document/209406.

USGA/Fred Vuich

With the 126th U.S. Open set to tee off at Shinnecock Hills, the USGA and transportation companies like the LIRR announced travel plans for the tournament.

Reading comics while getting a prescription

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

At first glance, Bayville Pharmacy & Comics looks much like any of the old independent drugstores that have served Long Island communities for decades. But tucked among the shelves is a growing collection of comic books and graphic novels that owner Michael Hancock says has supported the business while bringing new customers through the door.

Hancock, who purchased the pharmacy six years ago, said the idea grew out of both necessity and a lifelong love of comics. Since insurance companies take the majority of the money from prescriptions, according to Hancock, pharmacies rely on their other items to make a profit.

A lifelong comic book fan, Hancock said he got the idea to add comics to the store’s selection, and the response has been better than he had hoped.

Unlike a traditional comic book store, Bayville Pharmacy attracts customers who may not be actively seeking comics but discover them while shopping for other items or picking up prescriptions.

Hancock moved to Bayville about 14 years ago and began working at the pharmacy after a chance introduction. A friend brought him to meet then-owner Bill Trampel. The arrangement eventually led to Hancock purchasing the business from Bill and Georgia Trampel when they decided to sell six years ago.

A pharmacist since graduating college in 1993, Hancock spent much of his career working for Pathmark and other pharmacies before becoming a business owner. While he oversees prescriptions and pharmacy operations, he credited his business partner John Joyce with handling much of the accounting and financial side of the operation.

fully reviews weekly releases, researching writers, artists and reader interest before deciding what to stock.

“You look at absolutely everything;” Hancock said. “You look at the writer, the artist, the type of comic.”

The pharmacy is also beginning to expand into manga, a category customers frequently request, although Hancock added that he needs to do more research into the genre.

Additional shelves now feature comic book supplies, including protective bags, boards and storage boxes. Hancock hopes to continue expanding the selection with more books and novels.

For Brian McKeon, Hancock’s son-in-law and an employee at the pharmacy since 2020, the comic section has changed customer interactions.

Before comics arrived, he said, many customers followed predictable routines centered on picking up medications and leaving. Customers who previously had little reason to linger now stop to browse and share stories about the comics they enjoyed growing up.

“It is interesting the amount of people that… are like, ‘I used to read comic books all the time, I collected them for the longest time,’” McKeon said. “And you’re like, I would not have assumed that of you.”

Heralds win three awards from Press Club of L.I.

By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com

Herald Community Media captured three awards at the annual Press Club of Long Island Media Awards and Long Island Journalism Hall of Fame induction dinner on June 4.

Oceanside/Island Park Herald reporter Abigail Grieco won the James Murphy Cub Reporter of the Year award, given to “emerging journalists who show strong early promise in the field.” Journalists who have worked full-time for fewer than 18 months are eligible. Grieco was an intern with the Herald in 2023, and began working full-time in October 2025.

Deputy Managing Editor Jordan Vallone and previous senior reporter

“I would not have the store without him,” Hancock said.

The comic section reflects Hancock’s personal history with the medium. He said he learned to read through comic books and still owns every comic he purchased as a child.

“They appealed to me,” Hancock said, “and I actually remember as a kid my teacher saying I had a good vocabulary, and I attribute it to comics, definitely.”

His pharmacy’s collection includes current superhero titles, graphic novels and trade paperbacks. He care-

McKeon, who moved to Bayville in 2019, said comic books first captured his attention through films and franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars. Today, he helps customers navigate the growing selection, although he often defers to Hancock’s expertise.

“He’s a thesaurus when it comes to it,” McKeon said.

For Hancock, he said he sees comics as a way to encourage reading and bring people together. He described a visiting librarian’s to the comics.

“She loved seeing it,” Hancock said. “Anything to make somebody read.”

BELMONT PARK VILLAGE

STEPS FROM

Mohammad Fariq shared a second-place award in the transportation category for the story “Southern State: a road still stuck in the past,” which was part of the Herald’s 2025 series on the Southern State Parkway.

“A compelling and well-structured piece that effectively examines the longstanding dangers of the Southern State Parkway,” judges wrote. “The article succeeds in connecting historical design flaws with present-day traffic realities, clearly explaining how outdated infrastructure continues to contribute to accidents.

“Particularly strong is the integration of data, expert references, and concrete examples, such as low overpass collisions and hazardous curve segments,” the judges added. “The writing remains clear and accessible while addressing a complex safety issue. Overall, a thoughtful and informative investigation with clear public relevance and lasting value.”

Photographer Erik H. Lee earned a third-place award for a photo of the Wantagh High School baseball game.

“These awards reflect our commitment to strong local journalism and to telling the stories that matter most to Long Island communities,” Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications, said. “We are especially proud to see our emerging reporters, experienced editors and talented photographers recognized for work that informs the public and has a lasting impact.”

Four veterans of Long Island journalism were inducted into the PCLI’s Hall of Fame: Photojournalist Michael DelGiudice, radio reporter Sophia Hall, former Newsday editor Anthony E. Insolia, and Shirley E. Perelman, who covered many major stories for Newsday, from the Long Island garbage barge to the trial of O.J. Simpson.

For more information on the press club, go to PCLI.org.

Will Sheeline/Herald

Michael Hancock, left, the pharmacy’s co-owner, runs the store with staff like his son-in-law Brian McKeon.

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

‘Good times never seemed so good…’ Neil Diamond’s tunes are always in style

By Karen Bloom

For those who can’t get enough of Neil Diamond, perhaps the next best thing to seeing him perform, is when Robert Neary takes on legendary singer-songwriter’s persona.

The multi-hyphenate performer brings his acclaimed show, ”So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience,” to Tilles Center, on Sunday, featuring his band and a special “hometown” guest performance. The East Meadow High School Chamber Choir concludes the concert with a six-song finale, under the direction of Chorus Director Samantha Schick. The collaboration is especially meaningful, as Neary is an alumnus of East Meadow High School, and the production’s trumpet player, Stephen Engle, formerly served as head of the music department at the school.

The stage, TV and film star has created an acclaimed tribute experience. The show celebrates the timeless songs and storytelling of Neil Diamond, with the beloved hits from Diamond’s extensive catalogincluding “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “America, ,” and many more. Known for his remarkable vocals, Neary has earned praise for delivering a heartfelt and high-energy tribute to one of America’s most iconic entertainers. The concert was also filmed as a documentary feature that is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, where it continues to receive rave reviews from audiences nationwide.

With decades in the entertainment industry, Neary has starred in three Broadway lead roles and appeared in more than 60 major television and film guest-starring roles. He has also built a worldwide social media following of more than half a million fans. Neary created “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” in 2019 and, alongside New York-based band The Mystic, developed the show into the nationwide hit it is today. The production continues to sell out venues across the United States and is now set to expand internationally.

“I’ve always been a fan,” says Neary, of Diamond. “I even learned how to play the piano to Hello Again and knew I could emulate his voice since high school. I was an actor for 40 years, but in 2018, the business for me, started to slow down. After hearing he was

• Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m.

• Tickets available at tillescenter.org or ticketmaster.com or (516) 299-3100

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

retiring due to Parkinson’s, I set out to create the best Neil Diamond tribute I could.”

And audiences certainly agree.

“We always hope that for the two hours they come to our show, they [audiences] are able to forget about the craziness going on in the world, and relive the happy moments with the Neil Diamond’s iconic music. People relate to his music and so many favorites bring so many people back to those beautiful days,” Neary continues.

Part of the show’s enduring appeal is Neary’s commitment to honoring Diamond’s catalog while keeping the performance dynamic and engaging for both new and returning audiences.

“I went right to his 50th anniversary hits album and compared each song to the success of each one and chart history. We now touch on 28 of them in a full show. We do various medleys that are able to incorporate more songs and with the fabulous multimedia, it really brings the songs to life. I also go into the audience for Sweet Caroline and high five and hug on as many people as I can,” Neary adds.

Over the years, the production has evolved into a full-scale theatrical concert experience.

“I set out to do exactly what it has become. So having it all continue to fall into place, has been all part of the plan. We continue to evolve in our production. Its started with eight members on stage and 22 songs. We now have amazing background singers, a violinist and a full multimedia presentation that is amazing. We also have included a full overture highlighting Neil’s career through the decades.”

His band, The Mystic, certainly adds to the experience.

“I am beyond blessed to have this amazing band,” Neary says, enthusiastically. “I met them playing at a huge Halloween party and asked if they would like to join me in this venture and they said, yes. To have this band and the comradery that they possess, having been together for 30 years, is just icing on the cake. We have such a great time on stage as well as touring together and it shows. Countless accolades say how amazingly tight the band is and that we all look like we are having fun.”

One could say that that that this performance’s special closing is the icing on the cake for Neary.

“I’m incredibly proud to return home and share this experience with students from East Meadow High School. Music education played such an important role in my life, and having these talented young performers join us for the finale makes this performance especially meaningful. It’s going to be a really memorable afternoon,” he continues.

“I’ve always wanted to add a choir, and with this Tilles show, being as big as it is, I figured now’s the time to make it happen. My best friend from junior high Stephen Engle, suggested them and I I immediately said, “Of course!”

Neary, who now resides in Melville after leaving East Meadow all those years ago to pursue his dreams in L.A., is delighted to be back on his home turf, especially reconnecting with his high school.

“It feels wonderful. So humbling and so blessed to be back where I was when my career was only a dream away. The first time we played Eisenhower Park, was very emotional and now to play the Tilles Center with the EMHS choir, on such a grander scale, is even more unbelievable.”

Robert Neary enthusiastically gets his audiences involved in this celebration of the singersongwriter’s enduring catalog of hits.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Contemporary swing revival band

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy visits the Paramount ready to cut loose. Since their formation in the early ‘90s in Ventura, Calif., they’ve toured virtually nonstop, performing on average over 150 shows a year, and produced a sizable catalog of recorded music. Early on, during their legendary residency at the Derby nightclub in Los Angeles, they reminded the world, in the midst of the grunge era no less, that it was still cool to swing. The band, co-founded by singer Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, was at the forefront of the swing revival of that time, blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and Dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy — famously named after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins — has appeared in concert venues across the world, sold millions of records, and had their music appear in movies and television shows. The band continues to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music and bring joy to audiences around the world.

Saturday, June 13, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Conversations in art

Nassau County Museum of Art hosts an engaging conversation with curator and collections expert Lauren Brincat, whose work and expertise helped shape the current exhibition “250 Years of Art on Long Island.” Brincat, Chief Curator and Director of Collections at Preservation Long Island — a key lending partner to the exhibit — offers an in-depth exploration of the show’s themes, giving visitors a closer look at the wide-ranging artworks and historical objects on view. Her talk illuminates how the exhibit brings together painting and decorative arts to trace the evolution of Long Island’s artistic identity across the centuries. She also discusses the collaborative research and curatorial process behind the exhibition, highlighting how artists, collectors and communities have contributed to shaping and preserving the region’s visual legacy.

Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. Register at nassaumuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337.

Photos courtesy Robert Neary

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

JUN

11

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

JUN

14

Locust Valley Art Walk

The Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce invites all to its annual Art Walk. Stroll the sidewalks of Locust Valley and view a variety of pieces by local artists. Rin date is June 28.

• Where: Birch Hill Road, Locust Valley

• Time: Noon

• Contact: LocustValleyChamberOfCommerce. com

Conversations in art

Nassau County welcomes all to talk with Lauren Brincat, Chief Curator and Director of Collections at Preservation Long Island, which lent many works to our 250 Years of Art on Long Island exhibition. Lauren will offer an in-depth look at the exhibition, highlighting the remarkable range of artworks and artifacts that tell the story of Long Island’s artistic heritage. She explores how artists, collectors, and communities have shaped the region’s visual culture over two and a half centuries, sharing insights into the research, curation, and preservation that bring these stories to life. Limited seating; registration required. $20 $15 seniors, $10 students (members free.)

JUN

Daniel Tosh’s: My First Farewell Tour

JUN

23

Book

Signing: From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel

First responder and local author Rob Weisberg visits Gold Coast Forum to discuss and sign his book “From the Grey Tunnel to the Green Tunnel.” Books provided by Theodore’s Books. Register on Theodore’s Books website.

• Where: 111 South St., Oyster Bay

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: theodoresbooks.com or call (516) 636-5550

JUN 28

Kiwanis

Bicycle Challenge

Get ready for an evening of sharp observations and quick-fire punchlines that are Daniel Tosh’s signature irreverent style when he brings My First Farewell tour to The Paramount stage. Acclaimed for his quick wit and deadpan delivery, he’s built a devoted following through both stand-up and television. After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in marketing, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy full-time. His career gained national attention following a standout appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2001, leading to appearances on programs including Comedy Central Presents, Premium Blend and The Tonight Show. Tosh became a household name as the creator and host of Tosh.0, the long-running Comedy Central hit that paired viral internet videos with his trademark commentary and satirical take on pop culture. The series became one of the network’s most successful and enduring comedy programs, helping cement Tosh’s reputation as one of stand-up’s most recognizable voices. Expect an energetic set filled with new material, unexpected twists and the unapologetic humor that has defined Tosh’s career.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

Ice House Jams

Enjoy live music — free with park admission — at Sands Point Preserve’s new outdoor gathering space in the woods behind Castle Gould: the Ice House! Curated by Homebrew Music, these sessions bring the best local artists to the cozy pond-side spot for select Sundays all spring and summer. Relax on lounge furniture, explore the trails and let the music set the mood. Weather permitting.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: Noon-3 p.m.; also July 12, July 19, July 26

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901

JUN

Town board meets

The Oyster Bay Town Board holds its next public meeting at Town Hall North. Residents are encouraged to attend.

• Where: 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 624-6380

Book signing: Social Animals

Camille Perri discusses and signs her book “Social Animals” at the Gold Coast Forum. Books provided by Theodore’s Books. The event is free to attend. Register on the Theodore’s Books website.

• Where: 111 South St., Oyster Bay

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: theodoresbooks.com or call (516) 636-5550

JUN

17

Creative Spirits: Gold Coast Glamour & French Design Visit Planting Fields Arboretum program with Winterthur Museum’s Associate Curator of Art and Visual Culture Kendra Kearis. Explore how the elite women on the North Shore shaped domestic environments through adopting French revival styles. $35 per person. Register on the Planting Fields website.

• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

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

• Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

JUN

19

Nature Detectives & Story Makers

Sands Point Preserve welcomes kids in grades K-5 to participate in an early summer adventure. Young authors and artists can explore the preserve like detectives to uncover nature’s hidden clues tucked away along the vibrant trails and bustling habitats. After gathering inspiration from the wild, transform discoveries into curious, magical tales and bring their stories to life with a hands-on, nature-inspired art project. It’s the perfect way to kick off the bright, creative energy of summer. $80 per child. Registration required.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 570-2185.

JUN

Sunset Harbor Tour aboard the Sloop Christeen

Join Raynham Hall Museum for a voyage aboard the Christeen to hear tales of Oyster Bay’s past. Learn about the region’s maritime history. $100, $75 members.

• Where: 1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 5:45 p.m

• Contact: (516) 922-6808

Ride in support of others. The 30th Anniversary Nassau Bicycle Challenge (formerly Nassau to Suffolk Bicycle Challenge) supports the work of the Kiwanis Club of North Shore Foundation. It supports charities such as Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation, Kamp Kiwanis, NOSH, Boys and Girls Club and charities aligned with those of Kiwanis International “Serving the Children of the World,” including Kiwanis’ signature programs of Klothes 4 Kids. The beautiful ride through the Gold Coast features picturesque vistas and and idyllic waterfront settings. Choose from a 25-mile loop with 1,060 feet of vertical climb or the more challenging 35-mile ride. Routes are clearly marked and ride is equipped with a rest stop. Snacks and water provided. Sponsorships also available. Online registration ends June 23, but walk-ins are welcome. Online registration is $50, day of is $60.

• Where: Starting at Harry Tappen Beach, Sea Cliff

• Time: Staggered starts, 8 a.m. or 8:30 a.m., rain or shine

• Contact: n2nbc.org

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.

HERALD SchoolS

Oyster Bay students rock out with Mark Wood

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District’s music department traded concert blacks and classical scores for electric energy, thundering riffs and a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration with rock royalty.

Mark Wood, a Juilliardtrained virtuoso, Emmy Award-winning composer and founding member of the multiplatinum Trans-Siberian Orchestra, brought his celebrated educational program, “Electrify Your Symphony,” to the district on May 28 as part of its 25th-anniversary tour. A pioneer of the international electric violin movement, Wood has shared stages with Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Kanye West and Celine Dion. He spent the day working sideby-side with the district’s orchestra students, from fourth grade through 10th grade.

Before the main event, Wood led an series of grade-level

masterclasses, providing every orchestra student in the program with hands-on instruction. Fourth graders worked with Wood in a dedicated session, followed by fifth and sixth graders, then the district’s seventh through tenth grade string players.

The masterclasses culminated in a student concert. The fifth and sixth grade orchestra gave performances of “Yellow Submarine” and “Arizona Sun.” Then the seventh through 10th grade string orchestra took the stage for a driving set featuring Journey’s “Any Way You Want It” and “Wood’s Bolero.” The concert reached its crescendo with a full-ensemble finale: every student took the stage together to perform Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” with Mark Wood himself playing alongside them.

–Will Sheeline

Courtesy Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District Oyster Bay-East Norwich music students performed with Mark Wood of Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Sale

Supreme Court: Nassau County Point 62 LLC v Carol Gordon et al. Defts Index

June 11, 2026 —

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

LEGAL NOTICE

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA Y REVOTACIÓN

PRESUPUESTARIA DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR

CENTRAL DE LOCUST VALLEY

LOCUST VALLEY, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

SE EMITE UN AVISO DE QUE se celebrará una audiencia pública de los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley, condado de Nassau, Locust Valley, Nueva York, en el Auditorio de la Escuela

Secundaria/Escuela Secundaria Locust Valley, 99 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, Nueva York, el 8 de junio de 2026 a las 19:00 horas para la transacción de negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, incluyendo los siguientes elementos: 1. Presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada (presupuesto propuesto) sobre la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para el año fiscal 2026-2027.

Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL de que dicha Re-Votación Presupuestaria se celebrará el martes 16 de junio de 2026, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. en los tres (3) distritos electorales, descritos a continuación, momento en el que las urnas estarán abiertas a votación mediante máquina de votación sobre el siguiente punto: 1. Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorizar que la parte requerida se recaude, mediante impuestos, sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito.

Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL de que cualquier residente del distrito podrá obtener una copia del estado de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para financiar el presupuesto del distrito escolar (el presupuesto propuesto para 2026-2027) por parte de cualquier residente del distrito entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. a partir del 2 de junio de 2026, excepto sábados, domingos o festivos en la Oficina del Distrito, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, Nueva York y en cada escuela del Distrito.

Y SE DA MÁS AVISO de que, conforme al Capítulo 258 de las Leyes de 2008, se añadió la Sección 495 a la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmobiliaria y exige que el Distrito Escolar adjunte a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cuánto está exento de impuestos el valor total tasado en el registro final de evaluación utilizado en el proceso presupuestario, listará todos los tipos de exención concedidos identificados por autoridad legal y mostrará: (a) el impacto acumulativo de cada tipo de exención expresado ya sea como una cantidad en dólares de valor impuesto o como un porcentaje del valor catastral total sobre la Roll; (b) la cantidad acumulada que se espera recibir de los beneficiarios de cada tipo de exención como pagos en lugar de

impuestos u otros pagos por servicios municipales; y (c) el impacto acumulativo de todas las exenciones concedidas. El informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para los avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web gestionado por el Distrito.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que el registro personal de votantes es obligatorio conforme a la Ley de Educación. Si un votante se ha registrado hasta ahora y ha votado en una reunión anual o especial de distrito en los últimos cuatro (4) años naturales, es elegible para votar en esta revotación presupuestaria. Además, cualquier persona registrada en la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau bajo las disposiciones de la Ley Electoral tendrá derecho a votar sin necesidad de registro adicional. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse.

Y SE DA UN AVISO

ADICIONAL, el registro se realizará con el fin de registrar a todos los votantes cualificados del Distrito conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación hasta el 11 de junio de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. en todos los días regulares en los que la oficina del Secretario del Distrito esté en funcionamiento. El registro así preparado se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito y estará abierto para su inspección por cualquier votante cualificado del Distrito a partir del jueves 11 de junio de 2026, entre las 9:00 y las 16:00 horas entre semana, y cada día anterior al día fijado para la reelección presupuestaria, excepto los domingos, y los sábados solo con cita preestablecida, y en el/los colegio electoral el día de la reelección presupuestaria.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que no estén actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes cualificados en el Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley solicitando y enviando una solicitud de registro al Secretario

del Distrito en persona, por correo postal a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, por correo electrónico a aldunne@locustvalleys chools.org, o por fax al (516) 277-5098. La solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 2 de junio de 2026 para poder emitir una papeleta para la ReVotación Presupuestaria de 2026.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL que aquellos votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Locust Valley podrán solicitar personalmente al Secretario del Distrito una solicitud de voto militar, por correo postal a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, por correo electrónico a aldunne@locustvalleys chools.org, o enviar un fax al (516) 277-5098. En dicha solicitud, el votante militar puede indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Un votante militar debe devolver la solicitud original de la papeleta militar por correo o en persona a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito. Para que un votante militar reciba una papeleta militar, una solicitud válida debe recibirse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 2 de junio de 2026. Las solicitudes de papeleta militar recibidas conforme a lo anterior se tramitarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de papeleta no militar conforme a la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. La solicitud de la papeleta militar puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la papeleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico.

Y SE DA MÁS AVISO: la papeleta militar original de un votante militar debe ser devuelto por correo o

en persona a la oficina del Secretario del Distrito en 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560. Las papeletas militares deberán ser consultadas si el Secretario del Distrito las recibe antes del cierre de las urnas el 16 de junio de 2026 mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o una avalación fechada de recepción por parte de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibida no más tarde de las 17:00 horas del 16 de junio de 2026 y firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determina no posterior al día anterior a la reelección presupuestaria.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que, conforme a la §2014 de la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York, la Junta de Registro se reunirá el martes 16 de junio de 2026, entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 9:00 p.m. en cada uno de los tres (3) distritos electorales separados para preparar el Registro del Distrito Escolar que se utilizará en la Re-Votación Presupuestaria que se celebrará en 2026, y cualquier reunión especial de distrito que pueda celebrarse después de la preparación de dicho Registro, momento en el que cualquier persona pueda tener su nombre inscrito en dicho Registro, siempre que se conozca o demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en la elección escolar para la que dicho Registro esté preparado, o cualquier reunión especial de distrito celebrada después del 16 de junio de 2026.

Y SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que las solicitudes de papeletas por correo y por correo anticipado deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete (7) días antes de la revotación presupuestaria si la papeleta debe enviarse al votante, o el día antes de la revotación presupuestaria, si la papeleta debe ser entregada personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna para una papeleta por

correo anticipado o por correo por correo, el Secretario del Distrito enviará la papeleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud como máximo seis (6) días antes de la votación. Las papeletas de voto por correo y anticipadas deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del martes 16 de junio de 2026. Una lista de personas a las que se emitan papeletas por correo anticipado y por correo anticipado estará disponible para su inspección en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 11 de junio de 2026, entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m. los días laborables previos al día fijado para las elecciones anuales y el 19 de mayo de 2026. El día estaba marcado para las elecciones. Cualquier votante cualificado podrá, tras examinar dicha lista, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las cualificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dicha lista, exponiendo las razones de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación por escrito será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o por un representante de la Junta de Educación a los inspectores de elección en la fecha de la revotación presupuestaria. No se puede impugnar porque el votante debió haber votado por correo.

DISTRITOS ELECTORALES ESCOLARES Y SE DA MÁS AVISO de que se han establecido Distritos Electorales en el Distrito Escolar. Los límites de los distritos electorales, adoptados por resolución de la Junta de Educación, y el lugar en cada distrito electoral para votar serán los siguientes: Distrito Electoral de Bayville Bayville Intermediate School, 50 Mountain Avenue, Bayville (descripción del distrito electoral: antiguo Distrito Escolar Union Free nº 6, Pueblo de Oyster Bay, Nueva York)

Distrito electoral de Brookville: Salón Comunitario de la Iglesia Reformada de Brookville, 2 Brookville Road, Brookville (descripción del distrito electoral: antiguo

Distrito Escolar Libre de Union nº 3, Pueblo de Oyster Bay, Nueva York)

Distrito Electoral de Locust Valley Escuela Primaria Ann MacArthur, 100 Ryefield Road, Locust Valley (descripción del distrito electoral: antiguo Distrito Escolar Libre de Unión Nº 4, Pueblo de Oyster Bay, Nueva York) Fecha: 1 de junio de 2026

Por orden de la JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DE LA DISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE LOCUST VALLEY

Alison Dunne, secretaria del distrito 160515

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND BUDGET RE-VOTE OF THE LOCUST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

LOCUST VALLEY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Locust Valley Central School District, Nassau County, Locust Valley, New York will be held in the Auditorium of the Locust Valley Middle School/High School, 99 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, New York on June 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. for the transaction of business as authorized by Education Law, including the following items:

1. To present to the voters a detailed statement (proposed budget) of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said Budget Re-Vote will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the three (3) Election Districts, described below, at which time the polls will be open to vote by voting machine upon the following item: 1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the

School District’s budget (the 2026-2027 proposed budget) may be obtained by any resident of the District between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. beginning June 2, 2026, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays at the District Office, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, New York and at each school house in the District.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Chapter 258 of the Laws of 2008, Section 495 was added to the Real Property Tax Law, and requires the School District to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required pursuant to Education Law. If a voter has heretofore registered and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this budget re-vote. In addition, anyone registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections under the provisions of the Election Law shall be entitled to vote without further registration. All other persons who wish to vote must register.

AND FURTHER NOTICE

Public Notices

IS HEREBY GIVEN, registration shall be conducted for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law through June 11, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on all regular days during which the office of the District Clerk is in operation. The register so prepared will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Thursday, June 11, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the budget re-vote, except Sunday, and on Saturday by pre-arranged appointment only, and at the polling place(s) on the day of the budget re-vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE

IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Locust Valley Central School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, by mail to Office of the District Clerk, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, by email to aldunne@locustvalleys chools.org, or fax sent to (516) 277-5098. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 2, 2026 in order to be issued a ballot for the 2026 Budget Re-Vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE

IS HEREBY GIVEN, those military voters who are qualified voters of the Locust Valley Central School District, may request an application for a

military ballot from the District Clerk in person, by mail to Office of the District Clerk, 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560, by email to aldunne@locustvalleys chools.org, or fax sent to (516) 277-5098. In such request, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application by mail, fax or email. A military voter must return the original military ballot application by mail or in person to the Office of the District Clerk. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 2, 2026 Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a nonmilitary ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax or email.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 22 Horse Hollow Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on June 16, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on June 16, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the budget re-vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE

IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at each of the three (3) separate election districts to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the Budget Re-Vote to be held in 2026, and any special district meetings that may be held after the preparation of said Register, at which time any person may have their name placed on such Register provided they are known or prove to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared, or any special district meeting held after June 16, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the budget re-vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the budget-revote, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent.

Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote.

Absentee and early ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. A list of persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots are issued will be available for inspection in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, June11, 2026, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 19, 2026, the

day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such list, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on the date of the budget re-vote. A challenge may not be made on the basis that the voter should have voted by absentee ballot.

SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICTS AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Election Districts have been established in the School District. The boundaries of the Election Districts, as adopted by resolution of the Board of Education, and the place in each election district for voting shall be as follows:

Bayville Election District

Bayville Intermediate School, 50 Mountain Avenue, Bayville (description of election district: former Union Free School District No. 6, Town of Oyster Bay, New York)

Brookville Election District:

Community Hall of the Brookville Reformed Church, 2 Brookville Road, Brookville (description of election district: former Union Free School District No. 3, Town of Oyster Bay, New York)

Locust Valley Election District

Ann MacArthur Primary School, 100 Ryefield Road, Locust Valley (description of election district: former Union Free School District No. 4, Town of Oyster Bay, New York)

Dated: June 1, 2026

By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE LOCUST VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Alison Dunne, District Clerk 160513

Das Biergarten has six additional TVs throughout the restaurant and at the bar.

The outside bar at Cabana has the largest TV at the establishment. There are also six other TVs inside.

READ THEM

Some of Long Island’s best World Cup venues

By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com

June 11 marks the beginning of the World Cup. Two bars have committed to providing the best World Cup watching experience on Long Island.

The Cabana in Long Beach’s West End, and Das Biergarten, nine blocks down in East Atlantic Beach, each have large TVs as well as TVs throughout their establishments, all of which will play World Cup matches.

“We plan on having all the games on, they’re mostly afternoon games,” Bob Johnson, owner of the Cabana, said. “We also had World Cup games on in 2022, but there’s much more excitement this year because it’s happening in the U.S., we wanted to use that opportunity.”

Johnson also explained that there would be World Cup themed drink specials, bucket deals for beers and seltzers, and brunch deals for early games. He also teased a ‘best dressed soccer fan’ deal with a free drink reward. The Cabana has a stage in its outside seating area as well, so there will also be live music during some of the games.

Although Cabana and Das Biergarten are rival businesses by proximity,

their owners are friends. “Drew [Andrew Hetzler] has always been a great friend, even though he’d tell you we’re the music spot and he’s the real World Cup place,” Johnson joked. Andrew Hetlzer, owner of Das Biergarten, embraces his restaurant’s title as the ‘real’ World Cup watching venue. “We’ll be hosting every game,” he said. “Especially big events for the U.S., Germany, and Mexico.”

Hetzler said he would be advertising for the World Cup games on all Das Biergarten’s social media, including its Instagram and Facebook. “I’ll be running my ads in English, German, and Spanish, just for fun,” he said. “I want to target all of our friends in the Latin community in the Long Beach area as well.”

Das Biergarten will have food and drink specials not dissimilar to Cabana, including a ‘2-liter boot of beer.’

Hetzler’s restaurant has been hosting World Cup games as well as EuroCup games since 2018. “We opened in 2014, but it was right after the World Cup, and that was the one that Germany won too, so we just missed out on it,” Hetzler said. “We’ve gotten big crowds every year since then, though.”

Noah Peretz/Herald photos

How $1 becomes $1.60 on L.I.: the multiplier effect

Most Long Islanders have a pretty good feel for the local economy, with housing demand up, unemployment down and new businesses replacing older ones. What many people don’t see is how all of those activities are connected.

thing much larger than many residents realize. Nassau and Suffolk counties together generate approximately $256 billion in economic activity annually. If Long Island were a state, its economy would rank roughly 23rd in the nation.

While those numbers are impressive, the more interesting story is how that economic activity is created.

A new apartment building isn’t just a construction project. A restaurant isn’t simply a place to grab dinner. A law firm does more than provide legal advice. Each of these businesses creates economic activity that extends well beyond its front door, generating jobs, income and spending throughout the region.

Economists call this the multiplier effect, and it impacts Long Islanders every day. Our economy is often discussed in terms of individual industries — health care, education, construction, technology, hospitality, retail, professional services. Yet one of the reasons the economy has remained resilient through economic cycles is that no single industry dominates it. Instead, thousands of businesses of varying sizes create a diverse and interconnected economic ecosystem. That diversity helps explain why Long Island’s economy has grown into some-

our economy is powered by thousands of interconnected decisions we make every day.

Consider a neighborhood bagel shop. When a customer purchases breakfast, the economic impact doesn’t stop at the cash register. The bakery purchases flour, cream cheese, utilities, equipment, insurance, accounting services and transportation. Employees spend their wages at local stores, restaurants and service providers. The original dollars continue to circulate through the economy, creating value long after the first transaction takes place.

This process happens every day, in every corner of Long Island.

Over the past year, the LIA Research Institute has been examining these relationships through input-output analysis, a methodology used to measure the direct, indirect and induced impacts of businesses and institutions. The findings reinforce something many business owners already know from experience: local spending creates local prosperity.

Take a hypothetical Long Island law firm generating $1 million in annual

Drevenue. The direct activity supports attorneys, staff and business operations. But the firm’s impact extends to office suppliers, maintenance providers, technology vendors and numerous other businesses. When those secondary effects are included, the original $1 million generates roughly $1.6 million in total economic output throughout the region.

The multiplier effect becomes even more visible with large-scale investments. Consider the construction of a multifamily housing development. Before a single family moves in, the project generates significant economic activity through construction workers, architects, engineers, legal professionals, material suppliers, trucking companies, and dozens of supporting industries.

Our analysis of a hypothetical $100 million apartment development found that the project could support more than 600 jobs and create roughly $166 million in total economic output. This is in addition to the benefit of adding to our region’s housing stock to address the high demand and low inventory, which pushes up prices.

That’s why discussions of economic development should never focus solely on the initial investment. The broader impact often tells a much larger story. For example, the LIA Research Institute

estimated that the 2025 Ryder Cup generated roughly $160 million in economic activity, not simply because spectators attended the tournament, but because visitors stayed in hotels, dined in restaurants and utilized transportation services. The ripple effects spread through our communities, strengthening the broader economy.

Long Island’s economy is powered by thousands of interconnected decisions made every day by entrepreneurs, workers, consumers, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and investors. From a neighborhood bagel shop to new construction, from a local law firm to an international sporting event, economic activity rarely stops where it starts. Every transaction creates additional opportunities that ripple across our region.

The next time you buy a bagel, hire an attorney, dine at a local restaurant or drive past a construction site, remember that you are seeing the multiplier effect in action.

On Long Island, dollars we spend at local businesses become wages for workers, revenue for suppliers and opportunities for families across our region. That’s how $1 becomes $1.60 — and why the strength of our economy depends on the success of the businesses and institutions that keep that cycle moving forward.

Steven Kent is chief economist of the Long Island Association and an associate professor of economics and finance at Molloy University in Rockville Centre.

Let’s see, what have I forgotten?

id you forget something today?

Maybe you misplaced your keys, or couldn’t find your wallet or your handbag. Perhaps you didn’t remember to pick up your cellphone from the table in the restaurant, and had the horrifying realization that you left it somewhere — as I recently did.

Moments like these happen to everyone, especially as we get older. But those common shared experiences help fuel a very common fallacy: that memory impairment is a natural part of aging.

Yes, memory lapses can occur more frequently with increasing age, but there is a major difference between occasional forgetfulness, which is normal, and memory loss, which is not.

Dispelling misconceptions about the supposed inevitability of memory loss as we age is essential. Memory loss isn’t a foregone conclusion; it is caused by a

medical condition. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, is a progressive degenerative brain disorder, not an ordinary part of aging. Assuming that symptoms of memory loss are simply the result of getting older discourages many people from getting checked, which can have serious health consequences.

MVitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, depression, urinary tract infections and stress are just some of the conditions that can cause memory loss symptoms. The side effects of medication can also impact memory. All of these are treatable, if not correctable, but not without seeing a health care professional about your symptoms.

any of the conditions that cause memory loss are treatable, if not

ous can be difficult. A good rule of thumb is to watch for problems that are persistent, worsen over time and interfere with daily life. Not remembering where you parked your car every now and then is normal, but not remembering what kind of car it is can be a warning sign of a larger problem.

correctable.

That’s why everyone should get routine memory screenings. They are an important early-detection tool that can help uncover a potential cognitive problem sooner for those experiencing symptoms. For those who are not, screenings are equally valuable, because they provide a baseline that people can monitor over time.

itself is not a diagnosis, but it can indicate whether someone should see a physician for a more comprehensive evaluation of potential cognitive impairment.

Schedule an appointment for a free memory screening by contacting the Rabinowitz Center at (631) 223-4000. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to get screened. There are no minimum age or insurance prerequisites.

Just as important, if you notice that a loved one, such as a spouse or an aging parent, has become more forgetful, don’t just chalk it up to the fact that they’re growing older. Encourage them to get screened. The AFA Helpline, (866) 2328484, can provide guidance on how to have that sensitive conversation in a constructive and respectful way.

Failing to address these treatable underlying causes of memory loss can cause long-term cognitive decline and brain damage that is irreversible, and also raises the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related illness.

Differentiating between “regular” forgetfulness and something more seri-

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free, confidential memory screenings regularly at its AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Amityville. Screenings are performed one-on-one with a qualified professional, and consist of a series of questions that test memory and other cognitive functions. A screening by

Forgetting something today doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s or are guaranteed to develop it in the future. It does mean you should be proactive, schedule a screening appointment and establish a trackable baseline for your memory. Your brain health is too important to forget about.

Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. is president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

HERALD

WTaking care to the streets

hen communities confront homelessness, the conversation often becomes trapped between competing concerns: public safety, housing costs, mental health, addiction and strained social services. But programs that make a real difference recognize a simple truth: Homelessness is both a humanitarian crisis and a public health crisis.

Addressing it requires more than temporary shelter or emergency interventions. It requires meeting people where they are — literally and figuratively. That is what makes street medicine and community outreach programs such powerful and innovative models.

Instead of waiting for vulnerable people to navigate a complicated health care system, outreach teams bring services directly to them. They visit train stations, commuter lots, wooded encampments, shelters and other places where homeless individuals live and gather.

The approach acknowledges a reality often overlooked in policy discussions: People struggling to survive day to day rarely have the ability to prioritize medical appointments, transportation, paperwork or insurance requirements. For many, simply getting through the next 24 hours is challenge enough.

Long Island’s most recent Point-InTime Count found more than 4,500 unhoused adults and children in Nassau and Suffolk counties, the highest total recorded since 2007.

letters

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Brown are silent on Israel

To the Editor:

In a pair of opinion pieces in the May 28-June 3 issue of the Herald, Assemblyman Ari Brown (“New York’s radical mobs are testing America’s spine”) and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (“Our state must do more to combat antisemitism”) deplored the rise in antisemitism locally, nationally and globally. The two legislators called for stronger measures to protect Jews from harassment and the threat, or actuality, of violence. No New Yorker of goodwill would oppose such protective efforts or deny that hatred of Jews is growing and spreading. It must also be acknowledged that Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities in murdering 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.

But neither Brown nor CanzoneriFitzpatrick offers the slightest criticism

Behind every statistic is a person facing enormous barriers to proper health and stability. Chronic illnesses often go untreated. Mental health conditions worsen without care. Substance-use disorders become more dangerous. Small medical problems can become lifethreatening emergencies.

Traditional systems are often not designed to reach people living in these circumstances. Outreach programs are. What makes these efforts especially effective is their emphasis on trust. Team members may spend significant time with one person, providing medical evaluations, wellness education, supplies, referrals and, perhaps most important, human connection. People who often feel ignored, judged or invisible are treated with dignity and respect.

That trust-building is not a “soft” benefit. It is the foundation of successful intervention. People who trust service providers are more likely to seek treatment, follow medical advice, complete paperwork and engage with housing services. Those relationships can become the bridge that leads someone from instability to recovery and ultimately to permanent housing.

The results of street medicine programs across Long Island and the nation demonstrate the value of this approach. People have been connected to urgent medical care, chronic conditions have been managed before they became emergencies, and individuals have been guid-

ed into stable housing. While the numbers may seem modest compared with the scale of the crisis, they represent something larger: individualized, community-based care that works.

Housing itself is a public health issue. Stable housing improves physical health, mental well-being, medication compliance and overall quality of life. Yet obtaining housing often requires medical evaluations and documentation that many homeless people struggle to access. Outreach teams help bridge that gap.

These programs also serve as a reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone. Job loss, illness, family breakdown, disability or financial hardship can push an individual into crisis. People do not choose homelessness, yet they are often judged as though they did. Compassion alone will not solve homelessness. Neither will enforcement alone. Communities need practical, scalable solutions that combine health care, housing support and human connection. Street medicine and communitybased outreach programs are proving that such solutions exist. As homelessness continues to rise, communities should look closely at these models and invest in expanding them. If society wants to help people move off the streets, it cannot wait for them to come through the door. Sometimes the most effective solution is to bring the door to them.

opinions

The lessons our leaders should take from the LIRR strike

the three-day Long Island Rail Road strike last month did more than disrupt commutes. It highlighted just how interconnected New york City and Long Island truly are.

For 72 hours, the effects rippled across the entire metropolitan region. Workers struggled to get to their jobs. Businesses lost customers and productivity. Restaurants saw cancellations. Meetings were missed. Supply chains slowed.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli estimated that the work stoppage cost as much as $61 million per day in lost economic activity. The losses weren’t confined to any one county or borough. They were shared by all of us, because our regional economy functions as one interconnected system.

As president and CeO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, representing thousands of businesses across Queens, I heard from employers immediately concerned about staffing shortages, delayed deliveries and declining foot traffic. The reason was simple: The workforce connection between Long Island and New york City is enormous. According to Census data, around

240,000 Long Island residents commute into New york City for work, while roughly 310,000 New york City residents work in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Queens alone sends around 95,000 workers into Nassau County and another 28,000 into Suffolk County every day. Queens residents are among the largest workforce pipelines for Long Island employers, particularly in health care, construction, retail, transportation and professional services.

When that flow stops, even briefly, the economic consequences are immediate.

Lexactly why that mindset misses the bigger picture.

ong Island’s economy is deeply dependent on New York City’s, and vice versa.

That reality should also serve as a reminder in a broader political conversation that has become increasingly misguided recently. Too often, some elected officials and commentators have tried to frame Long Island and New york City as competitors, as though economic success on one side of the city line somehow comes at the expense of the other side. It doesn’t.

We saw this dynamic emerge during the pandemic, when some suburban leaders openly encouraged businesses to leave New york City and relocate to Long Island. More recently, some politicians have continued to take rhetorical swipes at the city’s struggles as a way to score political points.

But the LIRR strike demonstrated

Letters

of the Israeli government’s military response to Hamas’s barbarism. And silence on this score is used by bigots to assert — falsely — that all Jews are complicit in the slaughter of Muslims.

Reputable sources, including the Israel Defense Forces, confirm that Israel has killed over 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza in the past two and a half years. That toll is known to include several thousand children and hundreds of humanitarian workers.

In addition, Israel has killed more than 3,000 civilians in Lebanon in the past few months in retaliation for Hezbollah terrorist attacks that have taken the lives of about 100 Israelis.

The relentless, merciless and disproportionate response on Israel’s part has caused support for the Jewish state to plummet in the U.S. and worldwide. Only 37 percent of Americans now view Israel favorably, according to a Pew Research Center poll. Sympathy for Palestinians has risen correspondingly.

Anti-Israel sentiments do sometimes take the form of antisemitism. But most U.S. activists, including the many Jews who denounce the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, cannot be fairly accused of religious or ethnic bigotry.

Influential figures like Brown and Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick are not helping shield Jews by ignoring the causes of Israel’s isolation. They also ought to be pointing out that Israel’s security will not be enhanced through endless warfare that gives rise to new generations of Palestinian militants.

The cycle of hate, death and destruction is certain to continue until Israelis and Palestinians work cooperatively toward a twostate solution.

KevIN J. KeLLey Atlantic Beach

Editors’ note: Ari Brown’s and Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick’s op-eds did not appear in all print editions of the Herald, but can be found at liherald.com.

Long Island’s economy is deeply dependent on New york City’s economic strength, just as the city depends on Long Island. Roughly 150,000 Suffolk County residents work in New york City’s five boroughs, with many commuting into Manhattan and Queens every day. Nassau County’s economic ties are even deeper. Meanwhile, businesses throughout the city rely heavily on Long Island residents as customers, employees and business partners.

Queens and suburban Long Island, in particular, share extraordinarily close economic ties. Queens is home to Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, major health care institutions, construction projects and entertainment destinations that employ thousands of Long Islanders. Long Islanders help staff schools, hospitals, financial firms and transportation systems throughout the city. At the same time, Queens residents support Long Island’s retail centers, restaurants, beaches and small businesses. The relationship is reciprocal by necessity.

That’s why the true competition facing our region isn’t between Queens and Nassau or between Manhattan and Suffolk. The real competition is coming from states aggressively attracting resi-

dents and employers away from New york altogether. Florida. Texas. The Carolinas.

When families leave the metropolitan area because housing costs become unsustainable, Long Island and New york City both lose. When businesses relocate operations out of state, the economic pain is shared throughout the downstate region.

Instead of trying to outcompete one another for headlines or short-term political advantage, regional leaders should be working together to address the challenges we all face: affordability, transportation reliability, housing shortages, public safety and economic competitiveness.

The LIRR strike also reinforced another important truth: Infrastructure matters. Reliable transportation is the backbone of the downstate economy. Millions of people depend on the seamless movement of workers and consumers throughout the region every day. When that system breaks down, even temporarily, it reminds us how fragile — and how interconnected — our economy really is.

In the future Long, Island and New york City will succeed or fail, rise or fall, together. That isn’t political rhetoric. It is an economic reality.

Tom Grech is president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and acting chair of the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency and Local Development Corporation.

Framework by Christina Gerbore