HERALD SEAFORD
Seaford honors new and retiring educators
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
More than two dozen Seaford School District administrators, teachers and support staff celebrated career milestones on June 2. The Board of Education meeting began with the annual retirement and tenure celebration.
“It is my thrill and honor to recognize the retirees who have done so much for our district,” Superintendent Adele Pecora said, “and also our future Vikings forever who are getting tenure.”
Collectively, the retiring
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Bill would allow Wantagh Warriors to keep nickname
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
A bill that would exempt the Wantagh School District from New York state’s Native American mascot ban has moved forward in the Senate, giving proponents renewed hope that the Warriors identity could be preserved.
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, whose district includes Wantagh and Seaford, said the legislation recognizes what he describes as Wantagh’s unique historical connection to the name that has represented the community and its schools for decades.
The bill would excuse Want-
agh from a state mandate requiring schools to cease using Native American mascots, logos, imagery or team names.
The measure recently moved from the Senate’s Education Committee to its Investigations and Government Operations Committee, one of the final steps before it could reach the Senate floor for a vote. If the State Legislature passes the bill, Gov. Kathy Hochul could then sign it into law.
“We’re in the last two weeks of session,” Rhoads said. “What I’ve encouraged residents to do is to reach out to Senator [Jessica] Scarcella-Spanton and Senate leadership to get this onto a
committee agenda and bring it to the floor so that we can get this piece of legislation passed.”
The State Education Department’s mascot mandate, adopted in 2023, requires districts to comply with the ban or risk losing state aid. Wantagh, whose teams have long competed as the Warriors, has challenged the regulation through state and federal litigation while also seeking legislative relief.
Earlier this year, the district received a one-year extension from the state, allowing it to continue using the Warriors name through June 30, 2027. In a Feb. 10 letter to the community, members of the Wantagh Board of
Education said they remained committed to preserving the Warrior identity while continuing legal challenges in both state and federal court.
“We understand how deeply the Warrior identity is woven into the fabric of the Wantagh community,” board members said in the letter. “Your ongoing support and input have been the driving force behind our efforts.”
Rhoads argued that Wantagh’s circumstances differ from those of other districts because the community itself was named after a historical figure.
According to Rhoads, Chief Wantagh was the Grand Sachem of the Montaukett tribe, signing a 1657 land compact with early
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Courtesy Seaford School District
Seaford’s newly tenured educators were recognized for the career milestone at a Board of Education meeting on June 2.
Celebrating careers in Seaford schools
educators have dedicated hundreds of years of service to Seaford’s children, with an individual high of 38 years. Each honoree was presented with a crystal apple to symbolize the full arc of their professional journey. A performance of “Dancing Through Life” by the chorus, under the direction of Yvonne Bendzlowicz, was a tribute to the retirees.
This year’s retiring staff members are David Ammirata, John Berry, Maura Coghlan, Maureen Dolan, Lisa Gagliano, Margaret Girimonte, Daniel Hayden, Carin Hoy, Dr. Andrea Kantor, Thomas Lively, Frank Maniscalco, AnnMarie Motisi, Anjana Mukerjea, James O’Connell and Lauren Thompsen.
The tenure recipients included 11 educators who have successfully completed their probationary periods. Each received a green crystal apple that represents growth, strength and the Seaford Viking spirit. The newly tenured educators are Seaford Harbor Elementary School Principal Jennifer Bisulca and teachers and pupil personnel services staff Krista Ancona, Alexander Becker, Shannon Digney, Alexandra Drago, Marissa Greenberg, Meghan Harrington, Laura Heller, Mayra Myers, Carly Spadafora and Caitlyn Wigand.
Sheena Jacob, assistant superinten -
Board of Education trustees recognized their first ex officio student trustee, Seaford
of the school year on June 2.
dent for human resources and instructional support, noted that this annual event is a chance to celebrate extraordinary individuals whose dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment have made an impact on the lives of students. The district gets to publicly
recognize the accomplishments and service of outstanding administrators, teachers and staff members who continually inspire excellence within Seaford schools.
The school board also recognized its first ex officio student member. Seaford
BELMONT PARK VILLAGE
High School senior Matthew Kind attended his last meeting and gave his final report on behalf of the student body. He was presented with a plaque, Seaford Vikings gear and a University of Richmond pennant to celebrate his future school.
Just off the Cross Island Parkway, shop designer fashion finds from Coach, lululemon, Valentino, and more, at up to 65% off every day.
Dine at award-winning restaurants, stroll through pedestrian-only streets, and turn a quick trip into a day’s escape.
Courtesy Seaford School District
High senior Matthew Kind, who gave his last report
Miss Wantagh 2025 leaves lasting legacy
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
As the Miss Wantagh pageant prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary this month, Miss Wantagh 2025 Isabella Simon has created a lasting addition to the community — an American flag retirement mailbox at the Wantagh Preservation Society.
The mailbox, unveiled on June 7 at the Wantagh Preservation Society on Wantagh Avenue, gives residents a place to deposit worn or damaged American flags so they can be properly retired. The project, which Simon developed during her year-long reign, was inspired by her love of history, her respect for veterans and her desire to educate residents about the proper way to dispose of American flags.
“I’m a very big history person,” Simon, 16, said. “I love veterans and our country, and I thought it was a great idea, because people in Wantagh don’t really know how a flag properly gets retired. Some people don’t even know there’s a flag mailbox at the American Legion.”
The project comes as Wantagh prepares to celebrate two major milestones this year: the 70th Miss Wantagh, on June 30, and the nation’s 250th anniversary next month.
Unlike traditional beauty pageants, Miss Wantagh focuses on academics, leadership and community service. As it has in the past, this year’s event will encourage young women to become active contributors to the community.
“I wasn’t going to do it at first because I thought it was a beauty pageant,” Simon recalled. “Then, once I learned more about it, I learned it was based on community service.”
She joined the junior court in seventh grade, later advanced to the senior court and eventually became the youngest winner in pageant history, at age 15, when she was crowned before her sophomore year of high school. Simon now attends Kellenberg Memorial High School, and remains active in community service through her school’s Christian service clubs.
She knew from the start what her service project would be. As a Wantagh 3105 girl scout, Simon took part in flag retirement ceremonies. She wanted to create a permanent educational resource that would continue serving residents long after her reign ended.
Over the course of nearly a year, she worked with the Wantagh Preservation Society, American Legion Post 1273 and community supporters to bring the project to life.
She purchased a mailbox online and customized it. She painted it beige with blue accents to match the colors of the society’s historic museum building, and added an American flag design and commemorative plaque explaining the project.
“It actually matches pretty perfect,” she said.
The American Legion agreed to assist with oversight of the project and to help ensure that the flags Simon collects are properly retired.
For Simon, the mailbox is about more than simply providing a drop-off location. “I think some people don’t know the proper ways to retire a flag,” she said. “There is a respectful way to retire it.
Learning the proper ways and then spreading that to the youth, especially, is a very good thing, because I think the youth is the future of the country.”
A QR code on the mailbox directs residents to educational materials explaining proper flag retirement procedures, extending the project’s reach beyond the annual retirement ceremonies Simon hopes will continue for years to come.
Thomas Watson, a trustee of the preservation society, said the organization viewed the project as a valuable community resource and educational opportunity.
“People now have another place to drop off their American flags that are either ripped or faded,” Watson said. “I think it’s an educational thing. You’re not supposed to just throw it in the garbage.”
Because the mailbox is permanently installed on the museum property, Watson said the society carefully considered its placement and design before approving the project.
“The museum is still the museum,” he said. “This is just a community project that doesn’t overwhelm the historic building.” Watson noted that the mailbox is expected to remain in place indefinite-
ly, provided it continues to be maintained and monitored.
For residents who use it, he hopes the experience carries a sense of responsibility. “I think they’ll have a certain pride that they’re doing the right thing,” he said.
The project also aligns with a broader effort by local organizations to commemorate America’s semiquincentennial through educational and historical initiatives. “There is more happening because of the 250th anniversary,” Watson said. “This was just one of them.”
For Simon, the most rewarding aspect of the project is knowing it will continue benefiting the community long after her tenure as Miss Wantagh concludes on July 4. “My plan is to continue the ceremony even after my reign ends,” she said. “I think it’s very important.” She continues to work towards earning the prestigious Gold Girl Scout Award.
As the pageant prepares to crown its 70th titleholder next month, Simon hopes her project serves as a reminder of what the program is ultimately about. “It means a lot to me to be able to do this,” she said. “I’m hoping I can educate not only the youth, but adults, too.”
Simon gathered with Wantagh Preservation Society and American Legion members. Miss Wantagh 2025 Isabella Simon was joined by elected officials, including Town Councilman Chris Schneider, Legislator Michael Giangregorio and Sen. Steve Rhoads
Michael Monahan/Herald photos
Miss Wantagh 2025, Isabella Simon, unveils her new American Flag reitrement box at the Wantagh Preservation Society on June 7
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The Morning We Stop Living on Autopilot
There is a strange moment many people experience without speaking about it out loud. It often happens early in the morning. You wake up, check your phone, move through the familiar routine, answer messages, drive the same roads, and somewhere quietly beneath all of it, a thought appears: when did life start feeling so automatic?
Not terrible. Not tragic. Just strangely distant.
Over the years, I have spoken with people from many walks of life: young adults uncertain about their future, parents overwhelmed by responsibility, retirees wondering where the years went, and successful professionals who achieved nearly everything they hoped for and still feel emotionally unsettled. What surprises many of them is that their problem is often not failure. It is disconnection.
slowing down. Real suffering exists. Real anxiety exists. Real hardship exists. But many people are carrying an additional exhaustion created by never fully arriving inside their own lives.
There is a reason so many people feel emotional clarity late at night or during moments of silence. Those are often the only moments when the noise finally stops long enough for deeper questions to surface. Am I living the life I truly want? What matters most to me now? What kind of person am I becoming?
Modern life keeps people constantly occupied but rarely fully present. Our culture rewards speed, productivity, and constant stimulation. Attention fragments into hundreds of small pieces every day. Many people no longer experience silence long enough to hear themselves think clearly. And slowly, something important disappears. We stop noticing ordinary moments: a conversation with a child, a quiet dinner, sunlight through a kitchen window. These moments seem small while they are happening. Years later, they often become the moments we remember most.
One of the great mistakes of modern life is assuming that meaning always arrives dramatically. Most of the time it does not. Meaning usually enters quietly. It hides inside attention.
Not every problem can be solved by
These questions are not signs that something is wrong with you. They are signs that part of you is still awake.
Many people spend years waiting for life to begin later. Later, once work calms down. Later, once children grow older. But life does not wait quietly in the background while we prepare to start living it. Life is happening now.
The older I become, the more convinced I am that many people are not searching for extraordinary lives. They are searching for lives that feel real again. That reality begins returning when attention returns. Looking someone in the eye when they speak. Putting the phone away during dinner. Being fully present for one sincere conversation.
The world changes very quickly now. But human beings still need the same things they always needed: meaning, connection, truth, presence, and love. Wake up tomorrow morning and notice that your life is already here. Not later. Not someday. Now.
Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum, PhD is the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Wantagh
Rabbi Moshe P. WeisbluM
School district hopes to keep Warriors name
settlers that helped resolve territorial disputes and facilitated settlement throughout much of what is now Wantagh, Seaford and neighboring communities.
“Wantagh’s unique circumstance is the fact that the town was named after not just a person or a tribe,” Rhoads said. “It was named after an actual individual.”
The area’s original name was Jerusalem, later becoming known as Ridgewood before residents selected the name Wantagh in 1891 when a new post office was established and another Ridgewood already existed in Queens.
When Wantagh High School opened in 1956, Rhoads said, school leaders chose the Warriors name to honor that local history.
The district has also incorporated that history into its educational programs. Rhoads recalled that students learned about Chief Wantagh and the Montaukett people as part of the district’s seventh-grade curriculum.
“The district actually put in, as part of their seventhgrade curriculum, an entire section on the local history of Wantagh, including teaching about Chief Wantagh and the Montaukett Indians,” he said.
While the legislation would exempt Wantagh from the state’s mascot ban entirely, district officials have indicated they may still choose to retire Native American imagery while preserving the Warriors name, Rhoads said.
In recent years, the district has already reduced its use of Native American imagery on new purchases as legal challenges continue. New signage and equipment have generally emphasized the school’s “W” logo rather than traditional mascot imagery.
Rhoads said conversations with representatives of the Montaukett community focused largely on the historical accuracy of mascot imagery rather than objections to the Warriors name itself.
As things stand, the Wantagh district has a year to comply with a state mandate banning Native American mascots.
One concern, he explained, involved whether details in the mascot’s headdress accurately reflected Chief Wantagh and Montaukett traditions.
At the same time, supporters of the exemption argue that forcing a rebrand would impose significant costs on taxpayers. District officials have indicated that the price tag could approach $1 million when accounting for uniforms, athletic fields, gymnasium floors, signage and other materials that would need to be replaced, Rhoads said.
“These are substantial costs,” he said, “which should be put into educating our kids.”
The legislation also arrives amid broader legal questions surrounding the state’s policy. Rhoads noted that the U.S. Department of Education has examined whether singling out Native American mascots while allowing other ethnic or historical group references to exist could raise federal civil rights concerns.
For now, however, the future of the Warriors name remains uncertain.
Luke Feeney/Herald
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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, Roslyn High School sophomore Charles Metzger and Hauppauge High senior Matias Ka-
laitzis 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.
Photos by 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.
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.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Suffolk County Executive, Edward P. Romaine with special guest, former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Maxine Montello, New York Marine Rescue Center executive director.
Each honoree was presented with a crystal award commemorating their outstanding commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Tim Baker/Herald
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.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Guests enjoyed freshly shucked oysters by Keena Boyle of Tall Mutha Shucka during the cocktail hour.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree State Senator Siela Bynoe, District 6.
Baptiste/Herald College Student Champion Honoree Vienna De Lombaerde, who attends Hofstra University.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald The duo team honorees for the Student Champion Award: Sayville High School 9th graders Emma Klein, left, and Zoe Lazarus.
Baptiste/Herald Honoree Cynthia Seibold, founder and executive director of Balloon Mission, Inc.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Derek Betts, Nassau County Soil and Water District Manager, left, with Conservation District Lead Community Relations Specialist Maureen Early and Reworld. Market Area Director James Regan.
Honoree Robyn Silvestri, executive director of Save the Great South Bay.
Baptiste/Herald Honoree Devon Giordano, Long Island Conservancy executive director.
Honoree Julie Tighe, president of New York League of Conservation Voters
Honoree Corey Humphrey, C.P.E.S.C, District Manager for Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Melissa
Melissa
Melissa Baptiste/Herald
Melissa Baptiste/Herald
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Marty Bellew, president of Islip Resource Recovery Agency.
Melissa
Melissa Baptiste/Herald
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Eileen Minogue, Book Fairies executive director.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Honoree Nick Krupski, solid waste coordinator for Southold Town Department of Solid Waste.
Tim Baker/Herald
Melissa Baptiste/Herald 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.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald National Grid Ventures’ honor team included Kamona Ayres, left, Robert Wittmer, Tom Garry, Alanna Russo, and Retha Fernandez.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Tianna D’Italia, left, Michael Sciortino, Mike Santeramo, Joe Giarraputo, Caroline Shipps, and Erin Nourijanian of UBS Arena’s honoree team.
Melissa Baptiste/Herald Michael O’Leary, left, Robert Kent, Shannon Coughlan, Jim Coughlan, Jimmy Coughlan, and Chris Kelly of Tritec Real Estate Company’s honoree team.
To celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of
members and elected officials, dedicated a time
Wantagh buries time capsule for America’s 300th
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
The United States is about to celebrate its 250th birthday, and the Wantagh School District is already thinking ahead to the nation’s tricentennial. On June 4, students and staff buried a time capsule at the high school-middle school complex, to be opened in 50 years.
Over the last few weeks, students in social studies classes from grades 6-12 were invited to write reflections based on one of several prompts. They could write about life as a Wantagh student now, the day-to-day of a typical teenager in America or their curiosities about the future. Nearly 1,500 reflections filled four large tubes that are now buried in a hole between two trees near the picnic tables. The Daughters of the American Revolution Jerusalem Chapter included an American Flag pin and State Sen. Steve Rhoads, a Wantagh graduate, provided a copy of the Declaration of Independence. The hole was dug by members of the buildings and grounds staff.
The ceremony included remarks from Director of Humanities Julie Rosslee, Nassau County Legislator and Wantagh graduate Kayla Knight and a representative from Senator Rhoads’ office. Nearly 20 middle school and high school students took turns filling in the hole with dirt, as well as administrators, teachers and guests. The selected students included winners of the Daughters of the American Revolution annual essay contest, a district Memorial Day essay contest and high school Key Club members.
“As we put these capsules to rest, let us remember that America is a continuing story,” Ms. Rosslee said. “Each generation adds its own chapter. May these student voices inspire those who open the capsule in 2076 to keep building a better nation – one rooted in hope, responsibility and liberty.”
Ms. Rosslee added that a stone will soon be added to the site so future generations of Wantagh students and staff will know to unearth the time capsule in a half-century.
the time capsule is filled with student writing.
Middle school student Lexi Davis, joined by Director of Humanities Julie Rosslee, add the first dirt to the hole. Director of Humanities Julie Rosslee, center, explained that
Courtesy Wantagh School District
the United States, students, teachers and administrators from Wantagh Middle School and high school, along with community
capsule on June 4 to be opened in 2076.
NEWS BRIEF
Congregation Beth Tikvah honorees recognized
Congregation Beth Tikvah honorees David Kamlet, left, and Corey Grantis, center, are joined by Rabbi Moshe Weisblum at the New York Metropolitan Region Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs awards ceremony on May 17.
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 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.
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
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.
STEPPING OUT
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
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.
‘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.
retiring due to Parkinson’s, set out to create the best Neil Diamond tribute I could.”
And audiences certainly agree.
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.
• Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m.
• Tickets available at tillescenter.org or ticketmaster.com or (516) 299-3100
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.
• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
“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. also go into the audience for Sweet Caroline and high five and hug on as many people as 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.
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.
Conversations in art
“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.
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 could emulate his voice since high school. was an actor for 40 years, but in 2018, the business for me, started to slow down. After hearing he was
“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 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 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.”
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
Robert Neary enthusiastically gets his audiences involved in this celebration of the singer-
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.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
JUN
11
David Lerner Associates Police Appreciation Run
Runners hit the pavement in Eisenhower Park, demonstrating appreciation for local police.
• Where: Field 2, Eisenhower Park
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: Events.EliteFeats. com/26appreciation
JUN
12
Family theater
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” for its final weekend.
With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon since you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, the show is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also June 13-14
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
JUN
13
Summer Freestyle Kickoff
Get ready for a highenergy night of nonstop party vibes as DJ Frankie Cutlass takes over Mulcahy’s, joined by guest DJ C4. Expect a powerful mix of hip-hop, throwbacks, open-format hits, and club anthems designed to keep the dance floor packed all night. From classic crowd favorites to modern party bangers, this is a no-slow-moments kind of night. Bring your crew, turn the volume up, and don’t miss one of the hottest DJ nights of the summer.
• Where: 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Doors open 8 p.m., concert 9 p.m.
• Contact: mulcahyslongisland.com or (516) 783-7500
Rhythm, Roots and Art
Families can participate in African American Music Appreciation Month at Long Island Children’s Museum by exploring the powerful sounds and rhythms that have shaped music history.
JUN
Daniel Tosh’s: My First Farewell Tour
which continues on select evenings continuing in July (2, 16, and 30), and August (13, 27).
• Where: Railroad Avenue and Wantagh Avenue, just north of the LIRR station, Wantagh
• Time: 5 p.m.
• Contact: Wantagh Chamber of Commerce at (516) 679-0100
Game time
Play Mah Jongg and Canasta every Thursday at Congregation Beth Tikvah. Snacks and drinks are provided. $5 contribution.
• Where: 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Contact: mahjonggCBT@ yahoo.com or (516) 785-2445
Stargazers
Join members of the Astronomical Society of Long Island for a nighttime skywatching session at Old Westbury Gardens. Gates open 30 minutes before observing begins. Free with admission.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m.
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.
Together sample a variety of songs from influential African American artist and genres and turn the sounds into art at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: Noon-2 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Cooking Demo
JUN
15
Spice up your summer menu with a flavorful cooking demonstration and tasting event at Wantagh Public Library. Chef Brian will share his awardwinning recipe for Barbecued Pina Colada Shrimp, along with grilled pineapple salsa and a firecracker trifle dessert. Participants will have the opportunity to watch the preparation process, learn cooking tips and techniques, and sample each dish during the program. Guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages to enjoy during the program. Registration required with a $5 fee.
• Where: 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 2-3:30 p.m.
• Contact: wantaghlibrary.org
JUN
16
Harmonize with Long Island Harmonizers
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like — join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
JUN
17
Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah
Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments every Wednesday and Thursday.
• Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays, 7:15-10 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 221-2370
JUN
18
Thursday Night Live
Thursday Night Live returns to Wantagh with an evening of live entertainment, local vendors, family activities, and community fun. The popular outdoor event series transforms the downtown area into a lively gathering space featuring live music performances, bounce houses, food and dessert trucks, shopping opportunities, and activities for all ages. Residents and visitors alike are invited to enjoy a festive summer atmosphere while supporting local businesses and vendors. It’s part of the 2026 Thursday Night Live summer schedule,
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 8:15-10 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
Juneteenth Celebration
Eisenhower Summer Concert Series continues with an Earth Wind & Fire Tribute by D’votion, a Gospel Choir and DRIFT featuring members of TAUK and MJT.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
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.
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.
x273
A winning day for fun and friendship at Forest Lake
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
The music was pumping, the smiles were wide and the energy was contagious at field day at Forest Lake Elementary School in the Wantagh School District on June 1. The traditional end-of-year celebration brought together students, staff and families for athletic competitions and a dance party.
There were multiple stations across the field with various relay races and yard games. A DJ booth kept the energy high throughout the day. There were also a pair of assemblies with players from the Harlem Wizards. Students were split between the black and gold teams, and all field day shirts featured this year’s theme, “Together We Grow, Forever We Learn.”
About 30 students from Wantagh High School, including members of the Physical Education Leaders club and the boys varsity lacrosse team, helped coordinate the activities at each station. For fifth graders celebrating their final field day, they signed each other’s shirts and played a game of endless kickball with their parents.
Forest Lake Elementary School’s Field Day on June 1 featured numerous relay races as well as student volunteers from Wantagh High School.
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 06/24/2026 at 9:30
A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
322/26. - 327/26. SEAFORD - Marina, LLC & The Spot Restaurant, Inc., d/b/a Parkside Café, Renewal of grants: Use premises to maintain conversion of fishing station to restaurant in Res. “C” District; Use premises for outdoor dining; Variances of side yard, rear yard, use part of premises to maintain
addition to building for garage, storage & workshop (converted from boat house); Use part of premises for boat storage; Variance in off-street parking & insufficient back-up space; Permission to park in front yards setbacks on Adler Ct., Adler Pl. & Sands La., N/E cor. Adler Ct. & Sands La., a/k/a 2479 Adler Ct. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
This notice is only for new cases in Seaford within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
160653
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. Bank National Association, not in its Individual Capacity but Solely as Trustee for the RMTP Trust, Series 2019-C, Plaintiff AGAINST David Hoskin
A/K/A David A. Hoskin; Ann Hoskin A/K/A Anna C. Hoskin; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 22, 2020, an Order to Extend Time to Set Sale and Amend Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 25, 2022, and an Order to Appoint Substitute Referee to Conduct Sale and Extend Time to Sale entered May 5, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee
will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 1967 Russell Court, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Seaford, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 57 Block: 06001 Lot: 63 and 64. Approximate amount of judgment $606,487.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614367/2018. Jjais Forde, Esq., Referee McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC 420 Lexington Avenue-Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 21-03542NY 90123 160619
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
NEWS BRIEFS
Motorcyclist seriously injured in Seaford crash
A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash involving an SUV in Seaford on June 5, according to Nassau County police.
Detectives said a 64-year-old man operating a 2007 Harley-Davidson was involved in a collision with a 2023 Toyota RAV4 driven by an 81-year-old woman on Merrick Road near Neptune Avenue at
about 4:45 p.m.
The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Police said the driver of the Toyota remained at the scene and was not injured.
The investigation is ongoing.
— Hunter Fenollo
Fifth graders first steps into middle school
Seaford Middle School student leaders welcomed the next generation with open arms on May 29, as fifth graders from the neighboring Manor Elementary School stopped by for a visit.
Fifth graders gathered in the cafeteria for a brief presentation with guidance counselors Sarah Busch and Jack Scaldaferri. They reviewed a typical sixth grade schedule, talked about the exploratory courses and introduced the support systems available for students. Ms. Busch explained that Seaford’s sixth grade program is designed to help them acclimate to the secondary level.
Eighth graders from the National Junior Honor Society then led small groups of fifth graders on tours of the building. They visited the gymnasium, library, sixth grade hallway and special area classes. It was a chance for the fifth graders to have meaningful conversations
with older peers who are middle school pros.
“We’re very grateful to our eighth grade student leaders for welcoming the incoming sixth graders, helping them get acquainted with their future school, and setting a good example of a middle school Seaford Scholar,” said Principal Dr. Raphael Morey. “We strive to make the transition as smooth as possible so students come to school in September ready to learn and thrive.”
Fifth graders from Seaford Harbor Elementary School had their visit to the middle school scheduled for June 1. In late August, the incoming sixth graders will also be invited for the summer bridge orientation program, which will give them a chance to meet their teachers and find their lockers.
— Hunter Fenollo
Courtesy Wantagh School District
Forester the mascot greeted fifth graders for their black vs. gold endless kickball event with their parents.
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20
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More about homes close to the water
Q. We’re looking for a house, and have run into a pattern where every house we see has some real problems. We’re wondering, after our home inspector looked at a house recently and found major foundation cracks, how we can figure out what to negotiate for the repairs. The house is on a canal, and also has other additions that have no permits (we checked). How do we go about discussing this with facts, and try to resolve what it will really cost if we buy the house?
A. I have a sinking feeling about the house, as you described. Some of the homes I have seen in high water tables, next to canals, in what are known as flood plain areas, are expensive and require a lot of engineering work to repair. Unfortunately, time doesn’t heal all wounds, and many people looking in areas adjacent to water don’t realize what they’re looking at.
The history of these close-to-the-water neighborhoods is an interesting study in civil engineering. Most of the areas, especially along shorelines, were previously swampland that was “reclaimed.” This means that tall reeds were often plowed under and covered with sand, dredged to make the adjacent canals deeper and more navigable while shooting the sand with water cannons, in a process called hydro-fill, to stabilize and level out the land for construction of developments. At the time, unfortunately, there wasn’t the same level of scrutiny in issuing permits, and testing from those eras is sometimes questionable. One of the most obvious test reports I have ever seen was one in which every soil boring taken on a single property was written on a chart so that every number on every line was the same. A trained professional would realize that is nearly impossible. I imagine the person just filling in each line with the same ditto information just so they could get past filing the required report.
It’s all too common to see record plans, taken from building departments, showing standard foundation walls with no spread footing, and therefore no piles. Piles are the large, long poles or large helical screws that are jammed down into the earth until they reach a point where they can’t be jammed any farther. If you really love the location, you should hire an experienced engineer or architect, who will need to investigate the old records on file and also look at the foundation conditions.
If it turns out the house has either no underground pile report or a certified pile log, which is not unusual, then the foundation cracking can be caused by the continued settling of the house into the less stable ground. Will the settling stop at some point? Not for a long time — several lifetimes, predictably. There are ways to insert pile supports around the foundation, utilizing brackets and angled piles, to stop the settling. At that point, you need a professional’s plan and a pile company estimate to negotiate. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
Monte
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OPINIONS
What I learned walking in the places history left behind
Like many Jews of my generation, I grew up learning about the Holocaust. I attended religious school, read the books, watched the documentaries, and listened to survivors tell their stories. I understood the facts, the timelines and the staggering death toll. Yet nothing prepared me for what it felt like to stand in the places where that history unfolded.
My wife and I recently took a Jewish Heritage Tour through Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. While the trip included beautiful cities, remarkable architecture, and centuries of European history, what stays with me are the places where absence speaks louder than anything still standing.
Before the tour began, we traveled to Radom, Poland, where my wife’s father lived before World War II. She located the building where her father’s family once lived, which was still there.
As we walked along the cobblestone street, people were going about their daily lives. It was an ordinary neighborhood. Yet not far away, in the city’s his-
torical museum, photos and records documented the destruction of the once thriving Jewish community there.
Before the war, Jews made up roughly one-third of the city’s population. My wife’s grandfather and aunt were murdered by the Nazis. Her father and uncle escaped and survived. I found myself thinking less about history and more about what was missing. The buildings and streets remained, but the people who had filled those streets with life were gone.
That feeling followed me for much of the trip.
Tchambers and crematoria forces you to confront the reality that the statistics represent human beings.
The Holocaust is often discussed in terms of numbers because the scale of the crime was so immense. Six million Jews were murdered. Yet in Auschwitz, those numbers begin to disappear. Instead, you think about parents separated from their children, young people whose futures were stolen, and families that vanished.
hey were reminders of what can happen when prejudice goes unchallenged.
In Warsaw, we walked through the former Warsaw Ghetto. In Prague and Budapest we visited Jewish quarters, synagogues and cemeteries that testified to communities that had flourished for centuries before being devastated. We repeatedly encountered reminders of vibrant Jewish life alongside reminders of how much had been lost.
Nothing, however, compared to Auschwitz and Birkenau.
I had seen photos of the camps throughout my life. But photos cannot convey what it feels like to stand there. Walking through the barracks where prisoners were housed, seeing the conditions in which they lived and the gas
EOne stop that particularly affected me was Terezín, in the Czech Republic. The camp was used by Nazi propagandists to create the illusion that Jews were being treated humanely. Today, drawings and writings by children imprisoned there remain on display. I was struck by the innocence reflected in their artwork and words. Most of those children didn’t survive the war.
As powerful as these experiences were, they felt especially relevant because of what we are living through today. Antisemitism is rising in the United States and across the globe. Jewish institutions increasingly require security measures that would have been unthinkable a generation ago. Jewish students report harassment and intimidation on college campuses. Hate crimes
directed at Jews continue to occur at alarming rates.
The lesson I took away from Eastern Europe is how easily hatred can become normalized when people stop challenging it. The destruction of Europe’s Jewish communities didn’t begin with concentration camps. It began with prejudice, scapegoating and the gradual acceptance of discrimination.
I returned from the trip with a renewed conviction that combating antisemitism cannot be left solely to the Jewish community. Every community has a stake in confronting hatred wherever it appears. History shows that intolerance rarely confines itself to a single target.
The places we visited serve as powerful reminders of what can happen when prejudice goes unchallenged. They also remind us that preserving memory, while essential, isn’t enough. The responsibility that history places on each generation is to apply its lessons in its own time.
Holocaust victims can’t tell their stories. The responsibility to remember them — and to ensure that the hatred that consumed so much of Europe never gains such a foothold again — belongs to all of us.
Arnold Drucker represents Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s deputy minority leader.
St. Joseph Hospital nurses seek a fair contract
very day, registered nurses at Catholic Health/St. Joseph Hospital, in Bethpage, come to work with one purpose: to care for the people of this community when they need us most.
We are there in the moments when families pray for good news. We’re there when patients are frightened, vulnerable or in pain. We’re there at the bedside during long nights, busy days, emergencies, recoveries and everything in between. Nursing is more than a job to us. It is a calling rooted in compassion, skill, advocacy and service.
Today the nurses of St. Joseph are negotiating a new contract with Catholic Health after working without one since March. We want the Long Island community to understand what we’re asking for and why it matters. We’re not asking for anything extraordinary. We’re asking for safe staffing, fair wages and the ability to continue providing the high-quality care our patients deserve.
Safe staffing isn’t just a workplace issue. It is a patient care issue. When there are enough nurses at the bedside, patients receive closer monitoring, faster responses, better communication and more time with the nurses caring for them. Families feel supported. Nurses can do the careful, attentive work that every patient deserves.
CWhen we’re understaffed, nurses step up and do our best to ensure that our patients are safe, comfortable and cared for. We stay focused on the person in the bed, the family in the waiting room and our responsibility as patient advocates. Through blizzards, emergencies, holidays and long shifts, nurses still show up. We leave our families at home to care for yours. We do this not because it’s easy, but because we love this profession and because the health and safety of our patients matter deeply to us.
patient receives the safest care possible.
atholic Health has publicly spoken of investing in facilities and staff.
Fair wages are also part of keeping experienced nurses at the bedside. Long Island is an expensive place to live and work. Nassau County’s overall cost of living runs nearly 50 percent above the national average, with housing costs more than double, according to data from the Council for Community and Economic Research. Competitive wages help hospitals retain skilled nurses who know their patients, their units and their communities. When experienced nurses stay, patients benefit.
most trusted profession in America. In Gallup’s most recent honesty and ethics poll, 75 percent of Americans rated nurses’ honesty and ethical standards as “very high” or “high,” the 25th consecutive year that nurses have led every other profession measured.
That trust is not automatic. It is earned through years of dedication, compassion, clinical judgment and the quiet, steady work nurses do every day.
St. Joseph nurses are proud to serve Bethpage and Long Island. Many of us live here. We raise our families here. We care for our neighbors, our friends and sometimes even our own loved ones within these hospital walls. Now we are asking our community to stand with us.
New York state established safe staffing standards in 2021 with the Clinical Staffing Committee Act, which recognized how important nurse staffing is to patient care. Yet nurses at St. Joseph continue to experience understaffing. Our goal is simple: to make sure every
Catholic Health has reported strong revenue in its recent financial filings, including $3.7 billion in total revenue in 2024, up 7 percent from the prior year, and has publicly spoken of investing in facilities and staff. We believe investing in nurses is one of the most meaningful investments a hospital system can make. Nurses are the people at the bedside, holding hands, catching subtle changes, comforting families, educating patients and advocating when something doesn’t seem right.
For more than two decades, nursing has consistently been ranked as the
Supporting St. Joseph’s nurses means supporting safe patient care. It means supporting the nurses who have continued to show up through understaffing, increasing demands, difficult weather, missed breaks, and some of the most challenging years health care workers have ever faced. We remain committed to our patients, our hospital, and our community. We are simply asking for a fair contract that reflects that same commitment back to us.
Daniel Mills is a registered staff nurse at St. Joseph and the vice president of the New York State Nurses Association.
Seaford
Established 1953 Incorporating
oFFiCe
2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 569-4000
Fax: (516) 569-4942
Web: www.liherald.com
E-mail: seafordeditor@liherald.com
oFFiCiAl neWsPAPer:
Levittown
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
