Courtesy the Office of Senator Steve Rhoads
Project Thank A Cop founders Maegan and Andy Fox,center right, were joined by State Sen. Steve Rhoads, sixth from left, local officials and community members at the organization’s lemonade stand fundraiser outside Uniquely Yours in Seaford last Saturday. The group’s events raise money to support law enforcement officers, first responders and their families.
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
What began as a simple snack basket for police officers during the height of the pandemic has grown into a nationwide nonprofit with a mission of supporting first responders and strengthening ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
That mission was on display in Seaford last Saturday, when Project Thank A Cop hosted a lemonade stand fundraiser outside Uniquely Yours Boutique, drawing residents together to raise money for programs that benefit police officers, first responders and their families.
The event, hosted by the nonprofit with support from State Sen. Steve Rhoads and his wife, Linda, owner of Uniquely Yours, gave neighbors an opportunity to meet officers, make donations and learn more about the organization’s work.
For Project Thank A Cop co-founder Andy Fox, the fundraiser reflects the organization’s belief that meaningful connections
often begin with simple acts of kindness.
“We wanted to do something social that would bring kids in touch with police officers,” Fox said. “It was really started as a way to get the community closer through this fundraising event.”
Fox and his wife, Maegan, founded Project Thank A Cop in 2020 after seeing police officers face growing hostility during the pandemic and nationwide protests. The couple learned that some officers responding to demonstrations struggled to find places where they could safely stop for food or even take a break.
Maegan Fox assembled a basket filled with snacks, drinks and other refreshments and delivered it to a police precinct in Brooklyn. After sharing the gesture on social media, donations poured in.
“It took off so fast that we realized that with all of the monetary donations and the food donations, we actually needed to open up a 501(c)(3) just to account for the amount of money that was coming in,” Fox said.
Today, the organization operates from an
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
The steady clack of mahjong tiles echoed through the social hall at Congregation Beth Tikvah on a recent Thursday afternoon as laughter bounced from table to table. The temple, on the Wantagh side of the Wantagh-Seaford border, hosted around 80 players — some longtime regulars, others learning the game for the first time — gathered not just to compete, but to catch up with friends and make new ones.
While mahjong has experienced a nationwide resurgence in recent years, fueled in part by social media, colorful game sets and a renewed interest in screen-free hobbies, the nearly century-old tradition has long had a home in Jewish communities. At Beth Tikvah, it has become a weekly ritual centered on connection.
there when you’re done playing mahjong, but while you’re playing, you’re laughing, you’re talking, you’re interacting.”
Shumsey has been playing the game since she was 13, when she learned from the mothers at her family’s beach club, who taught their daughters while they played.
“I went to school, I went to college, I got married, I had children,” she recalled. “But it was always there.”
S he’ll tell me mahjong saved her life and gave her a new chapter
LINDA
SHUMSEY
Mahjong host, Beth Tikvah
After retiring as a guidance counselor 18 years ago, Shumsey began teaching mahjong, and eventually started a weekly program at her former synagogue. When she joined Beth Tikvah seven years ago, she brought the program with her.
“It’s cheaper than therapy,” said Linda Shumsey, 75, of Bellmore, drawing laughs from players nearby. “Seriously. Your problems are still going to be
Today, 70 to 90 people fill the synagogue each Thursday, depending on the weather. Shumsey also teaches beginner mahjong and canasta classes, and she says demand has only grown.
“I’ve had to add a lot more beginner classes,” she said.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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“People are looking for community. It’s a wonderful icebreaker.”
Looking around the room, Shumsey pointed to tables of players who once arrived as strangers. “A lot of these people did not know each other until they started playing,” she said. “Now they’ve exchanged phone numbers. They’ll ask each other, ‘Are you coming next week?’ They’ve formed friendships they never had before.”
The weekly games have even introduced some players to synagogue life. “Three people recently told us they’re thinking about joining the temple,” Shumsey said. “They’ve been coming here for a couple of years through mahjong, and now they’re planning to come to services.”
Although many Thursday players are retired, Shumsey says she has noticed growing interest among younger people, even if work schedules prevent them from attending afternoon games.
For Kathleen Colletti, 60, of Dix Hills, learning mahjong became part of a new chapter after retirement. “My group of friends are workout friends,” Colletti said. “We used to do triathlons together. But as we’re getting a little bit older, we realized it’s important to exercise our minds as well as our bodies.”
Her friends, who live across Long Island, found Beth Tikvah to be a convenient meeting place after seeing an advertisement for lessons. “We learned so quickly,” Colletti said. “The first time we came, we were already able to play a game.”
She believes the game’s growing popularity comes down to its simplicity. “It’s fun,” she said. “People think it’s for old people, but it’s not. It’s important to be social and go out and do things.”
For Diana Kaplan-Spickler, 49, of Baldwin, mahjong had long been part of her family’s history. “My grandmother played in the bungalow colonies in the Catskills,” Kaplan-Spickler said. “I always wanted to learn.”
She retired last year after serving as a detective in the New York City Police
Department, including 16 years investigating domestic violence cases. Now she spends some of her time playing mahjong.
“What I love about the game is the socialization,” Kaplan-Spickler said. “I’ve developed friendships with women I play with every week.”
She also enjoys the mental challenge. “You’re constantly looking at what everyone else is doing,” she explained. “You’re thinking ahead, paying attention, figuring out what hands people might be building. I think it strengthens your cognitive abilities.”
Majong originated in China before arriving in the United States in the 1920s. It became especially popular within American Jewish communities through synagogue groups, neighborhood clubs and in the Catskills, where generations of families embraced the game as both recreation and a social tradition.
Today, players say those traditions continue while they welcome newcomers.
Wantagh resident Gold Kanner, 95,
always had a game whenever she wanted one.”
Although Kanner stepped away from the game for a time while raising her family, she eventually returned. “I like the sociability,” she said. “I like the camaraderie, and I like the people here.”
Winning, she added, isn’t what keeps her coming back. “For someone my age, it’s very important to keep my head going,” Kanner said. “It’s important to get out and be with people.”
For Shumsey, that has always been the greatest reward of teaching.
One of her former students, Sadie Migden, learned mahjong at age 90, after becoming a widow. Now 103, Migden still plays once a week in her California nursing home. Shumsey flew out to visit her for her 101st and 103rd birthdays.
“She’ll tell me mahjong saved her life and gave her a new chapter,” Shumsey said.
first learned the game from her mother more than 80 years ago. “My mother was very smart,” Kanner said with a smile. “She taught each of her three daughters to play mahjong, so she
It’s a sentiment reflected throughout the room each Thursday afternoon, where the click of tiles has become less about keeping score than about friendships that continue to grow.
An official rule book comes out every year to keep hands fresh.
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Herald is preparing a special commemorative section that will remember those we lost, honor those who served and examine the lasting impact of that day on our communities.
We want to hear your story.
Were you a commuter, teacher, student, first responder, health care worker, member of the clergy or resident who saw the events of that day unfold? Did you lose a loved one on Sept. 11, or in the years that followed because of illnesses linked to the toxins at ground zero? Were you a child who grew up without a parent, or are you someone whose life and career were inspired by the courage and sacrifice of that day?
Our reporters are also looking to tell the stories behind the local memorials, annual remembrance ceremonies, scholarship funds, charitable organizations and volunteer efforts that commemorate Sept. 11.
We are interested in how Long Island has changed over the past 25 years, from emergency preparedness and public safety to the lasting health effects experienced by first responders and survivors.
If you have a personal story, photos or memories, or know someone whose experience should be shared, we would be honored to hear from you. Your story can help preserve an important chapter
The Herald is looking for your stories.
Above, former Rep. Peter King reflected on the courage of first responders at Seaford’s remembrance last year.
of our communities’ history for future generations.
Contact the Herald by emailing jbessen@liherald.com or jvallone@liherald. com with 9/11 Story in the subject line. Include your name, hometown, phone number and a brief description of your experience. A Herald reporter will follow up with you.
Together, we can ensure that these stories are never forgotten.
–Jeffrey Bessen
Two overriding questions govern your choices in an elder law estate plan. First, what will happen to your assets when you pass away? Second, what will happen to your assets if you need long-term care? A comprehensive plan covers both issues. You must protect assets from going to long-term care costs so that the assets may transfer to your beneficiaries instead.
Plan A, and the best protection from long-term care costs, is long-term care insurance. Factors to consider include the daily benefit amount and an inflation rider that keeps pace with the increasing cost of nursing homes. Long-term care insurance also pays for home health aides, which allows you to “age in place,” rather than go to a facility.
If you don’t have, or cannot get, longterm care insurance, Plan B is the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT). Assets that have been in the MAPT for a minimum of five years are protected from nursing home costs and immediately for home care, for
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Residents will have a chance to watch one of the year’s most anticipated celestial events from Jones Beach State Park next month, as the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation keeps several Long Island parks open overnight for viewing the Perseids meteor shower.
which there is currently no waiting period.
Consider the use of trusts, as opposed to wills, to avoid probate, a court proceeding that occurs when you die with assets in your name alone. It is also much easier to contest a will than a trust. If you are disinheriting a child, it makes sense to use a trust to avoid potential litigation. Generally, trusts save time and money in settling your estate.
You may want to leave your assets to your children in their own Inheritance Protection Trusts, rather than as outright distributions. These trusts protect the inheritance from your children’s divorces, and, when the child passes away, the inheritance goes to your grandchildren, not to your son-in-law or daughter-in-law.
To sum up, an elder law estate plan (1) protects assets from the costs of long-term care, (2) passes assets to your heirs, with the least amount of taxes and legal fees possible, and (3) keeps assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren, and (4) protects the inheritance from your children’s divorces.
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The viewing event is scheduled for the night of Wednesday, Aug. 12, continuing into the predawn hours of Thursday, Aug. 13. At Jones Beach, visitors should head to the West End 2 west parking lot, which will remain open specifically for the event. Jones Beach’s open beachfront setting has long made it a popular destination for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts.
There will be no admission fee, and the state’s usual stargazing permit requirement will be waived for the evening. Visitors are asked to remain near their vehicles while watching the meteor shower.
The Perseids, one of the brightest and most active annual meteor showers, are expected to produce numerous meteors streaking across the night sky. The event occurs each August as Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
State Parks officials recommend arriving prepared for a comfortable evening outdoors by dressing for cooler nighttime temperatures, bringing insect repellent and using a reclining lawn chair for the best viewing experience. Binoculars are not necessary, as the meteors are best seen with the naked eye. Observers are encouraged to look toward the northeastern sky with expansive, unobstructed views of the meteor shower.
Jones Beach is one of six Long Island state parks participating in the overnight viewing program. Other participating parks include Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, Montauk Point State Park, Wildwood State Park in Wading River, Orient Beach State Park and Hallock State Park Preserve in Riverhead.
office in Merrick, has a social media following approaching 20,000 and helps law enforcement agencies and first responders across the country.
The lemonade stand has evolved along with the organization. What started at the Fox family’s Wantagh home now rotates among volunteer hosts, who offer their homes or businesses as gathering places where children can meet officers, explore police vehicles and K-9 units and thank them for their service.
The Seaford event was cut short by rain, but roughly 30 people attended during its first hour and a half.
Money raised helps cover the nonprofit’s operating expenses, with most proceeds supporting programs that assist officers and first responders facing personal hardships. Fox said the organization is currently helping the family of an officer whose infant is hospitalized by providing meals for medical staff and taking the parents out to dinner during the child’s extended stay.
Funds also support Project Thank A Cop’s annual Shop With a Cop program, which allows as many as 250 children facing financial, medical or personal hardships to shop for holiday gifts alongside police officers. After purchasing gifts for themselves, each child also selects toys that are later donated to children spending the holidays in local
hospitals.
Among the organization’s proudest moments, Fox recalled helping the family of slain New York City Police Department Officer Jonathan Diller after his death in 2024. Project Thank A Cop collected monetary donations and supplies, ultimately helping coordinate thousands of dollars in support for Diller’s widow and young son.
He also remembers a smaller moment that reinforced the group’s mission.
During one Shop With a Cop event, a child purchased a Bluey toy to be donated to a hospital. Weeks later, Fox learned that the toy had been given to the child of one of his son’s friends during a hospital stay.
“They said it changed the whole dynamic of his hospital stay,” Fox recalled.
Fox believes those moments demonstrate that the organization’s work extends beyond supporting police officers.
“What keeps us motivated is the reactions from the officers and the first responders,” he said. “We’ve seen officers break down and cry because we’ve delivered a meal after something tragic. We’ve also seen kids who were afraid to say hello to an officer at the beginning of the day laughing and smiling with them by the end. When people tell us, ‘You don’t know how much I needed
Project Thank A Cop supporters outside Uniquely Yours, in Seaford, during the nonprofit’s lemonade stand fundraiser, which helps fund programs benefiting police officers, first responders and their families.
that,’ it reminds us that what we’re doing is working.”
Rhoads, who has supported Project Thank A Cop since its inception, praised the organization’s efforts and the community members who participated in the fundraiser.
“The incredible community support
for this event speaks volumes about the respect and gratitude our residents have for our local law enforcement officers,” he said. “By coming together in support of Project Thank A Cop, we’re sending a clear message that we appreciate the sacrifices our officers and their families make every day.”
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Long Island Ducks pitching staff has a much different look for the second half of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball season.
Both ace Trevor Bauer and standout closer Ramon Santos had their contracts purchased by Mexican League franchises, leaving Long Island without its most accomplished and impressive arms but not without optimism.
“We’re very happy for Trevor and Ramon,” Ducks manager Lew Ford said. “They were great for us and earned new opportunities. But we’re doing a lot of good things here. We led the league in homers and ERA in the first half, so we feel pretty good about where we’re at.”
Bauer became not only the face of the Ducks (37-26 in first half for second place in the North Division, including 21-12 at home) but the entire Atlantic League in his abbreviated stint. The former MLB star posted a 5-1 record with a 2.36 ERA and 66 strikeouts to just seven walks in 42 innings of work across seven starts.
“I want to thank the Long Island Ducks organization for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team,” said Bauer, who rejoined his 2024 club, Diablos Rojos, June 22. “I’d also like to thank my teammates, the coaching staff, the clubhouse staff, and everyone behind the scenes who made my time here so enjoyable,” he added. “The support from the fans and the Long Island community has been truly special. We had sold-out crowds at home, packed stadiums on the road, and fans traveling from all over the Northeast just to come watch me pitch.”
Highlighting his stay on Long Island, Bauer fired a no-hitter April 26 at Lancaster and followed with a franchise record 15 strikeouts in a May 12 outing versus Gastonia.
“Trevor exceeded every expectation during his time with the Ducks,” team president Michael Pfaff said. “From his dominance on the mound to his commitment to fans and support of our organization, he made a tremendous impact both on and off the field.”
Five days after Bauer’s departure, Santos was signed by Saraperos de Saltillo. Santos appeared in 18 games this season, totaling an Atlantic League best nine saves with 0.95 ERA and 42 strikeouts across 19 innings.
Ford said Rafael Kelly, who starred in late innings for Hagerstown last season, will take over the closer’s role. The starting rotation is young and talented with Ryan Cardona, Tanner Jacobson, Michael Dominguez and Julian Minaya. In just the third start of his professional career July 3, Jacobson got the second half started with a buzz by tak-
ing a no-hitter into the ninth inning of an 8-0 victory over Hagerstown.
The Ducks had a league-best 4.82 ERA in the first half and a run differential of plus-117.
The offense blasted 96 homers, also tops in the league, led by 16 from Jacob Robson and 11 apiece from Jorge Bonafacio and Marcus Chiu. Those three along with Gavin Collins all drove in at least 40 runs in the first half as well. Alsander Womack banged out 75 hits after ranking third in the Atlantic League in 2025 with Charleston.
“This is my fourth season in independent ball and every year whatever team I’ve been on has lost good players,” said Robson, a first-year member of the organization who reached the majors in 2021 with the Detroit Tigers. “We have a great clubhouse here and I feel we have
a lot more in the tank,” he added.”
Ford is also counting on the return of key position players Chris Roller, who leads off, and Anthony Garcia from the injured list to make a difference in the second half as the Ducks chase a playoff berth.
The Ducks set a franchise record July 12 with a dozen stolen bases in a 4-3 win over Charleston. Long Island won eight of its first 11 games to begin the season’s second half on a heater.
“I’m always confident,” Ford said. “We’ve got a good team and we’re here to win.”
Animal lovers can test their luck while helping homeless pets when Posh Pets Rescue hosts its Summer Bingo Blast fundraiser on Saturday, July 25, at Levittown Hall in Hicksville.
The event is chaired by longtime Baldwin resident Mary Brancato, who hopes to see plenty of neighbors come out to support the nonprofit rescue organization.
“I am a longtime Baldwin resident, and I am chairing this event for a wonderful rescue,” Brancato said. “Support from Baldwin means the world to me.”
Doors open at 5 p.m., with bingo beginning at 6 p.m. at Levittown Hall, 201 Levit town Parkway. Tickets are $40 and include eight games of bingo, coffee, tea and des sert. Organizers said tickets must be pur chased in advance and will not be sold at the door.
In addition to bingo, the evening will feature raffle baskets, a 50/50 drawing, a wine pull, door prizes and jackpot prizes. Brancato said the raffle offerings include themed baskets for college students, fathers and children.
“This isn’t your grandma’s bingo,” she wrote in a social media post. “Our raffle baskets are epic.”
Venmo at @poshpetsrescue, with “Bingo” included in the payment note. Questions can be directed to maryposhpets@gmail. com.
— Allyson Ferrari
Animal lovers can test their luck while helping homeless pets when Posh Pets Rescue hosts its Summer Bingo Blast fundraiser on Saturday, July 25, at Levittown Hall in Hicksville.
All proceeds will benefit Posh Pets Rescue and help cover veterinary care for animals in the organization’s care. The Long Island-based nonprofit rescues abandoned, neglected and homeless cats and dogs, providing medical treatment, foster homes and adoption services.
“Every dollar we make goes directly to veterinary care for the animals in our care,” Brancato wrote. “It’s a great way to spend a summer evening and help animals.”
Tickets can be purchased through
sThe Seaford Public Library is seeking a community member interested in serving on its Board of Trustees following the retirement of trustee Catherine DiPietro, effective July 13.
The board plans to appoint a qualified resident to fill the vacant seat until the next annual election, when the remaining portion of the unexpired term will be placed before voters.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, residents of the library community for at least 30 days and eligible to register for or vote in a library election.
Interested residents can submit a resume and letter of interest to Library Director Frank McKenna at the Seaford Public Library, 2234 Jackson Ave., Seaford, NY 11783, or by email at seaforddirector@nassaulibrary.org. Applications are due by Friday, Sept. 18.
— Hunter Fenollol
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
The New York Power Authority and New York Transco, co-developers of Propel NY Energy, have finalized the proposed routing of their planned underground transmission lines and hired contractors for pre-construction activities. Residents in affected areas continue to oppose the roughly 90-mile project set to run across Nassau County into Westchester.
July 17 was the deadline for parties to file public comments with the New York State Public Service Commission for or against the project. The PSC must issue a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need and approve Environmental Management and Construction Plans before construction can begin.
According to Marykate Guilfoyle, strategic communications manager at Transco, adjustments in routing were made based on technical analysis, stakeholder input and evaluation of alternatives.
The Daly Boulevard culvert crossing, in Oceanside, was adjusted to “reduce schedule and construction risk,” Guilfoyle said. A segment in the Town of Hempstead was refined to “avoid conflicts” with the Hempstead Fire Department and to use wider roadways to mitigate traffic.
One segment in Glen Head was adjusted to “eliminate a complex trenchless Long Island Rail Road crossing.” Another altered the Glen Head Road-to-Glen Cove Avenue-to-Kissam Lane segment, addressing a
tory submissions.
“These expert contractors are a valuable addition to further the development of detailed construction plans,” Transco President Joris Veldhoven said in a news release. “Their proven expertise on complex projects and strong track records and relationships in the project communities will result in thorough plans for the upcoming construction phase.”
“Hallen Integrated Construction Services and Hallen Construction are excited to partner with NY Transco and NYPA on construction planning for Propel NY,” Shepard Poole, president and CEO of The Hallen Construction Co. Inc., said in the release. “This
project is highly important and greatly necessary for the region.”
Support for Propel’s joint proposal has come from state agencies, the City of New York, construction firms, trade unions and some residents. Other residents, school districts, municipalities and elected officials, however, have filed comments opposing the project, which was chosen by the New York Independent System Operator in 2023 as a solution to issues like increased demand and severe weather.
“It’s premature to advance Propel, as it lacks both federal and state approval,” said Christine Panzeca, a Glen Head resident and a lead opponent of the project. “This is especially concerning, given that NYISO is aware that the project is not cost-effective and was specifically advised not to pursue it. In addition, more than 70 percent of the parties have not signed the joint proposal, citing significant unresolved deficiencies in issues affecting health, safety, environmental integrity, route selection, and procedural fairness.”
The Potomac Economics Market Monitoring Unit wrote in a 2023 report that “if the NYISO determines that it must or should select a project, we recommend that it reconsider its recommendation of T051 since it does not appear to be the most cost-effective project.” T051 refers to Propel.
Other parties who have submitted comments in opposition include environmental groups; U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi; Nassau County Legislators Delia DeRiggiWhitton and Patrick Mullaney; the North Shore, Roslyn and Syosset school districts; the Village of Sea Cliff; and Supervisors John Ferretti, Joseph Saladino and Jennifer DeSena, of the towns of Hempstead, Oyster Bay and North Hempstead, respectively.
Additional reporting by Will Sheeline.
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
After more than a year of planning, one of Nassau County’s best-known property tax law firms has officially entered a new era.
Maidenbaum & Sternberg LLP has been renamed Maidenbaum & Madmon LLP, recognizing Managing Partner Amy Madmon’s leadership while reaffirming the firm’s commitment to the clients it has served for decades.
The change became official this month after paperwork was filed with New York state. Firm leaders emphasized that while the name is changing, the attorneys, staff and client-focused approach remain the same.
“It’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time,” Madmon said. “...We’re excited to officially move forward, but we also want our clients to know that their team is still their team.”
Madmon joined the firm in 2006, after spending two summers as a legal intern. She became managing partner six years ago, and oversees day-to-day operations for a staff of nearly 60 employees while helping guide tens of thousands of Nassau County homeowners through the property tax grievance process each year.
Madmon has spearheaded major technological improvements, including electronic client enrollment, online cli-
ent portals and modernized internal operations. She also developed a streamlined transition program for homebuyers and sellers that helps ensure that property tax savings are properly allocated during real estate transactions.
The firm’s founder, Shalom Maidenbaum, said the name change simply reflects the leadership role Madmon has already been fulfilling. “She’s been responsible for the transition, the growth, our entry into the digital age
and even the A.I. age,” Maidenbaum said. “Now it’s time to put her name on the banner.”
He stressed that the firm wants existing clients to feel reassured that the transition will be seamless. “Amy has already been running operations for the past several years,” Maidenbaum said. “We want our clients to know that nothing is changing in terms of the quality of representation they receive.”
Much of the planning over the past year focused on ensuring that clients
would understand that the firm’s attorneys and staff remain in place. As part of the transition, longtime Partner Ilyse Gellar Sternberg will remain actively involved with clients, particularly those in the firm’s commercial tax practice, while gradually transitioning internal leadership responsibilities.
“We wanted to make very clear that she’s still part of the firm,” Maidenbaum said of Gellar Sternberg. “She’s still working with clients every day.”
The firm, which has earned a reputation as a leader in Nassau County property tax reduction, has also been at the forefront of taxpayer advocacy through several significant legal victories protecting homeowners’ rights to challenge property tax assessments.
“Our goal is continuing to elevate the status quo,” Madmon said. “Our clients come first, and they should feel comfortable knowing the same attorneys, the same staff and the same commitment to service are here.”
For Maidenbaum, adding Madmon’s name to the firm’s masthead recognizes not only her two decades of dedication but also the future of the business.
“I sleep well at night knowing Amy is at the helm,” he said. “She is a consummate professional who will continue our tradition of aggressively representing taxpayers while maintaining the personal touch our clients have always expected.”
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, left, joins representatives from Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips’ office during the Senior Health Expo and Resource Fair at Levittown Hall. The event brought together local organizations and government agencies to provide seniors with information on health care, benefits, financial safety and other services.
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
After a successful inaugural event last year, State Sen. Steve Rhoads will once again bring together local organizations, health care providers and community resources for seniors and their families at his second annual Senior Health Expo and Resource Fair.
The free event will take place Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Levittown Hall, located at 201 Levittown Parkway in Hicksville. The expo will provide attendees with access to information and services designed to help older adults live healthier, safer and more independent lives.
The event will feature health screenings, veterans’ services, Medicare and benefits assistance, wellness programs, housing and transportation resources and other support services. Representatives from local organizations will be available to answer questions and connect residents with programs available in their communities.
Last year’s inaugural expo welcomed more than 250 seniors and featured more than 30 resource tables covering topics including veterans’ services, Medicare assistance, home care grants and wellness programs. Attendees also participated in presentations on scam prevention and estate planning.
Rhoads said the event reflects his continued effort to make important resources more accessible to older residents and their families.
“It was wonderful to see so many of our seniors take advantage of the resources and information available at last year’s Expo,” Rhoads said. “Ensuring our seniors have access to the support they need—and deserve—will always be one of my top priorities.”
This year’s event will expand on the
resources offered in 2025 with additional activities focused on wellness, education and social connection. Attendees can participate in a tai chi class, attend an estate planning seminar and enjoy a game corner featuring activities such as cornhole, Jenga and trivia. The expo will also include music throughout the day.
Organizers said the event is designed not only to provide information but also create an opportunity for seniors to connect with others and learn about services available to them.
Residents interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP to Rhoads’ district office by Friday, July 24 at (516) 882-0630. The Senior Health Expo and Resource Fair will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Levittown Hall.
State Sen. Steve Rhoads speaks with an attendee during his annual Senior Health Expo and Resource Fair at Levittown Hall. The free event connected older adults with health care providers, government agencies and community organizations offering resources and support.
Courtesy Ab Roher
Students at Congregation Beth Tikvah gather on stage during the synagogue’s annual Religious School Moving Up Ceremony, where they were recognized for completing another year of Jewish learning and advancing to the next level of Hebrew school before the Family Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service.
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Congregation Beth Tikvah recently celebrated its annual Religious School Moving Up Ceremony, honoring the accomplishments of its Hebrew School students before the start of the Family Musical Kabbalat Shabbat service. Students received certificates recognizing the successful completion of another year of Jewish learning, Hebrew studies, and personal growth. Surrounded by parents, grandparents, and friends, the children celebrated an important milestone as they advanced to the next level of their Jewish education. Their enthusiasm and pride reflected not only what they had learned throughout the year but also the strong sense of community and Jewish
identity they continue to develop at Congregation Beth Tikvah.
Following the ceremony, the congregation joined together for a Family Musical Kabbalat Shabbat filled with spirited Hebrew and English melodies. Students helped lead the service, creating an atmosphere of warmth, celebration, and inspiration that brought generations together in song and prayer.
As one school year comes to a successful close, Congregation Beth Tikvah is already looking forward to welcoming students for the coming year. According to the synagogue, tuition-free enrollment is available for eligible new students. Families interested in learning more about the program can contact the synagogue office at (516) 785-2445 for additional information.
News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com
New York Islanders fans can design the team’s 2027-28 third jersey in a first-ever fan contest.
The New York Islanders are giving fans the chance to make franchise history by designing the team’s official third jersey for the 2027-28 season.
The club announced the launch of what it called the first fan-driven third jersey design contest in National Hockey League history, allowing supporters to submit original concepts that could become an official on-ice uniform.
Beginning immediately, fans can
access a digital jersey design tool that includes the team’s historic logos and patches, official Islanders fonts and a wide selection of colors. The interactive platform uses a “paint-by-number” format designed to ensure submissions comply with NHL jersey specifications while allowing participants to personalize their entries.
Designers can also include notes explaining custom features or unique ideas they would like the Islanders to consider.
Submissions will be accepted through July 24.
Meet
Take
Enjoy
Hear from experts during 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.
After the submission period closes, a committee of Islanders representatives will review all entries and select five finalists. Those designs will be posted online for a public fan vote in early August.
The winning design will become the Islanders’ official third jersey for the 2027-28 season. The winning designer will also receive a team-signed version of the jersey and tickets to a 2027-28 Islanders game to see the uniform make its on-ice debut.
“Islanders fans are among the most passionate in all of sports, and their emotional investment is the heartbeat of this franchise,” Kelly Cheeseman, the Islanders’ president of business operations and UBS Arena, said in a statement. “With this contest, we are breaking down traditional boundaries and inviting Isles Nation directly into the design room to do something that has never been done before in our league. Our Third Jersey will truly belong to the fans, born from their passion and chosen by their voice.”
The Islanders have made the online jersey creator available through the team’s website, where fans can access the design platform and submission instructions.
Visit IslesJerseyBuilder.com to get started.
Founded in 1972, the Islanders have won four Stanley Cup championships and recorded 19 consecutive playoff series victories during their dynasty years in the early 1980s. The franchise has had eight players, two general managers and one coach inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The team plays its home games at UBS Arena in Elmont.
Beyond hockey, the Islanders Children’s Foundation has supported charitable initiatives benefiting children through fundraising efforts led by players, staff, fans and community partners. The organization’s official retail store, Isles Lab, offers team merchandise and exclusive collaborations both inside UBS Arena and online.
By Abbey Salvemini
In a genre built on authenticity, Carolyn Miller is the real deal. She’s carved her own path into country music, proving that heart, hustle and a powerful story transcends geography. Her sound fuses the honesty of country storytelling with the hooks and polish of mainstream pop, drawing in fans from Nashville to the Northeast and everywhere in between.
For those unfamiliar with Miller, it’s time to get to know the Massapequa native. She perfoms during Huntington Summer Arts Festival at Heckscher Park on Saturday, with her full band, just weeks before the release of her new self-titled EP. She’s steadling expanded her national following while working between Long Island and Nashville.
Miller’s journey into music began early. A former professional child actress, she worked in TV, film and theater; graduating from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music with a degree in Musical Theatre. But it was country music that gave her the space to tell her own story. With a voice made for big moments and a pen sharp enough to turn lived experience into lyric, she’s quickly established herself as one of the genre’s rising stars.
Appearing as part of this year’s Huntington Summer Arts Festival is about more than just a concert performance for Miller.
“I want it to just feel like a perfect summer night on the Island,” she says. “I hope families and kids pack a cooler, a picnic, bring lawn chairs and blankets. Kids [can] come dance in front of the stage, friends run into each other and reconnect. Everyone just enjoys a great night of live music together.”
“I think there’s something special about the free community concerts because they just bring together people of all ages,” she adds. “If people leave smiling and singing one of the songs in their heads on the drive home and just feeling a little more connected than when they arrived, then we’ve done our job.”
Her energetic, heartfelt shows paired with her down-to-earth, girl-next-door personality make her instantly relatable to audiences, especially suburban women navigating the beautiful chaos of love, motherhood and modern life.
After taking last year off to become a mother, Carolyn — now mom to a two year-old daughter — is stepping boldly into a new era. Her latest single “Fighting For You” (released May 2025) marks the first in a six-song series that chronicles this next chapter of her life. Balancing vulnerability and strength, it’s a reflection of the grit, grace, and growth that define her story today.
Saturday’s “hometown” performance, her second
festival appearance, is a notable stop on her journey.
“Long Island’s always been home,” she reflects. “Career-wise, it’s taken me all over the country, but Long Island is where I’m raising my family and where my husband, my daughter and I live. I’m going to have all my family, lifelong friends and people who’ve been following my career for years and even people who have just only recently discovered my music online. Those moments you don’t take for granted and make all the hard work worth it.”
Saturday’s audience will be treated to an early look at Miller’s upcoming EP, a deeply personal collection of songs that marks her next creative chapter.
Saturday, July 25, 8-9 p.m.
• Huntington Summer Arts Festival, Chapin Rainbow Stage, Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington
• Visit huntingtonarts.org for more
“The EP is actually going to be self-titled because I just feel like it’s the most honest representation of who I am today. It’s not just who I am as an artist, but also as a wife and a mom and a songwriter.”
Her background in theater brings an added layer of energy and storytelling to this and every performance.
“I love mixing big sing-along moments and then having stories behind the songs and then some more emotional moments along the way. I like to think of it as just a production.”
Despite spending much of her professional life in Nashville, her musical identity has been shaped by her local roots.
“We didn’t really grow up with country music on Long Island. I always joke that if you don’t like country music, you’ll probably like mine, and if you do like country music, then you’ll hopefully like it too.”
As an independent artist, Miller has developd a following of more than 175,000 across social media while overseeing much of her own marketing and creative direction, between here and Nashville. Over the past year she’es performed at CMA Fest, and has shared the stage with the likes of Carrie Underwood, Lee Brice, Sam Hunt, Ashley McBryde, and Dustin Lynch.
Whether she’s behind a mic, on a stage, or in a writing room, Miller is redefining what it means to be a country artist in 2026: grounded, fearless and fully herself. As she prepares to return to Huntington, Miller urges concertgoers, whether longtime fans or first-time listeners, to simply enjoy an evening together.
“It’s free. It’s outdoors, family-friendly. Whether you’ve followed my music for years or you’re just discovering it now, we’d love to have you.”
Led Zeppelin fans, rejoice! Get The Led Out returns with “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” two electrifying nights of classic rock, running through June 28. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of Led Zeppelin and brought their music to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians, intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before! Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-creates songs, in all their depth and glory, with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. Hailed for their powerful tribute to what many consider the greatest rock band of all time, the band always delivers Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
The singer-songwriter brings her powerful storytelling and unmistakable voice to the stage in support of her latest album “Crown of Roses.” A two-time Grammy winner and Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement honoree, Patty Griffin has spent more than two decades crafting emotionally resonant songs that blend folk, Americana and blues. She’s been praised for her ability to create vivid emotional portraits through music. Known for songs that linger long after the final note, Griffin continues to captivate audiences with intimate performances that celebrate both life’s hardships and its quiet moments of hope. She is joined by special guest Lucy Wainwright Roche.
Saturday, July 25, 8 p.m. $91, $79, $67. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes rising country and rock singer-songwriter Lanie Gardner, best known for her viral cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and her sophomore album, Faded Polaroids. Country sensation Brooke Moriber also performs.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to country-western. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
ZBTB returns to Eisenhower Park, with Guys With Guitars. Not only does ZBTB capture the sound and creativity of the Zac Brown Band but they bring a similar atmosphere of family to their shows while engaging the audience in a way that is all their own. In concert, the Zac Brown Band is well known for their renditions of a diverse set of covers, and ZBTB follows suit. With classics like “Enter Sandman” and “Ants Marching”, as well as, modern hits like “Baba O’Riley” and “Devil Went Down to Georgia” regularly in their set, there’s something for everyone.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Comprising a group of exceptionally talented musicians and die-hard Foreigner fans, Double Vision has perfected the art of bringing to life the unforgettable hits that have defined generations. From “I Want to Know What Love Is” to “Cold as Ice,” their renditions are a harmonious blend of passion, precision, and nostalgic energy. Drawing inspiration from Foreigner’s unmistakable sound and stage presence, Double Vision delivers a performance that pays homage to the band’s legacy while infusing their own charisma and enthusiasm. Their commitment to authenticity is matched only by their unwavering dedication to creating an electrifying experience for their audiences. With an impressive catalog of classics at their fingertips, Double Vision transports everyone to an era when arena rock ruled and Foreigner reigned supreme. Each concert is a testament to their musical prowess, transporting fans to a time when anthems were born and memories were made. Double Vision delivers the highest level of integrity and technical prowess to bring you all the hits from the band that you’ve come to love. With their recent signing to Frontiers Music the band has achieved a milestone as one of the first tribute to secure a record deal. Honoring Foreigner and its audience, they offer a show second to none.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
The Bad Guys are struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do “one last job” by an all-female squad of criminals.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: Movie begins at dusk
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
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
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Seasonal Sprouts offers is a LEGO-themed adventure for young explorers. Children (ages 4–10) embark on a guided outdoor tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. Everyone discovers the wonders of nature in a fun and hands-on way. After the tour, kids can unleash their creativity in a LEGO free-play area. $22 per adult, $20 ages 62+, $12 child. Registration required.
JUL 25
Tunes in the park
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes a lively lineup of Jefferson Starship with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall and Pure Prairie League.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-Quincenten-EAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, thispartywill be happeningthroughout the whole monthof July. Come to think of it,Idid hearsomething about a birthday fortheUnited States of America as well. Hmm... mustbeacoincidence! I’llbe throwing a paradethrough LICM’s galleriesand acelebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!”Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 29
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Kick off the week with an evening of classic rock as Victims of Rock presents its “Spirit of ‘76” show as part of Wantagh Public Library’s Summer Concert Series. The band performs party rock favorites from the ‘70s, ‘80s and beyond during an outdoor concert celebrating American music. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the free community performance.
• Where: Parking Lot, , 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh
• Time: 6:30-8 p.m.,
• Contact: wantaghlibrary.org
Dig into prehistoric fun at the Seaford Public Library during “Fossil Funhouse,” an interactive family program featuring a cast of goofy dinosaur puppets, funny fossils and plenty of laughs. Children will discover the answers to silly dinosaur riddles while enjoying an entertaining show designed to spark imagination and curiosity about the
prehistoric world. The program will be held outdoors under a tent. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or towels for seating.
• Where: Side Parking Lot, 2234 Jackson Ave., Seaford
• Time: 10:15-11:15 a.m.
• Contact: seafordlibrary.org
It’s time to play with clay at Long Island Children’s Museum. The Squish Studio is a week-long experience where kids dive deep into the world of clay. Make your mark on a collaborative creature sculpture, experiment with techniques and tools and create your own unique creation to bring home or add to the clay gallery. This is a drop-in program, free with admission.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., through July 31
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
JUL
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park.
See “Bad Guys 2,”the 2025 sequel to the animated crime comedy caper, loosely based on the children’s book series.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-noon and 2-3 p.m., also Aug. 5
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
JUL
30
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
Having an event?
Items on te 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
Compilred by Herald Staff
Angel Santiago Massapequa Park
The
My
Sclafani Rockville Centre
Tim Baker/Herald
Celeste Gullo
Glen Cove
Has to be Prybil beach, underrated and over looked. It’s great for kids and purely beautiful all seasons, from sunrise to sunset. I have tons of videos of it. I go all the time.
Roksana Amid/Herald
Margie Luciano
Hempstead
Tim Baker/Herald
By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Hundreds of children at Wantagh Park Summer Camp had the opportunity to meet the men and women who help keep Nassau County safe during the third annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
State Sen. Steve Rhoads teamed up with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Police Department for the event, which gave about 400 campers an up-close look at the work performed by local law enforcement officers.
The event featured demonstrations and conversations with members of several specialized units within the Nassau County Police Department, including the K-9 Unit, Marine Bureau, Bureau of Special Operations, Emergency Services Unit, Mounted Unit, Motorcycle Platoon and officers from the 7th Precinct.
Throughout the day, officers showed campers their specialized equipment, explained their responsibilities and answered questions about their roles in the community. Organizers said the event was designed to create positive interactions between young
LEGAL NOTICE
residents and law enforcement while helping children better understand the work officers do each day.
“Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to meet the dedicated officers who serve and protect our neighborhoods every day,” Rhoads said. “By giving children the chance to interact with these incredible men and women, we strengthen trust, foster understanding, and inspire respect for those who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe.”
Rhoads thanked Blakeman and the Nassau County Police Department for helping organize the event and recognized the officers who participated.
The annual program is part of Rhoads’ continued efforts to highlight community engagement and recognize the contributions of local law enforcement. The event also provides campers with the chance to learn about the different roles and responsibilities within the police department.
Officers from across the department spent the day connecting with campers, demonstrating their skills and showing the importance of teamwork and public service.
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CMALT
REMIC SERIES
2007-A7-REMIC PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES
2007-A7, Plaintiffagainst - CAROL KOENIG, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on May 19, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 11th day of August, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Seaford, Town of Hempstead, County of
Nassau and State of New York.
Premises known as 2575 Peconic Avenue, Seaford, NY 11783.
(SBL#: 63-208-113,114 and 115)
Approximate amount of lien $669,471.16 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 601616/2019. Brian J. Carmody, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618
Tel. 585/760-8218
Dated: June 1, 2026
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while
tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 161036
To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
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 Christine L. Sayago Individually and as surviving spouse of Richard A. Sayago, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 4, 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 August 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 3941 Arthur Avenue North, Seaford, NY 11783 AKA 3941 North Arthur Avenue, Seaford, NY 11783 AKA 3941 Arthur Avenue, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Wantagh, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 52 Block 461 Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $365,111.63 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #618080/2024. James A. Pascarella, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24-003047 90224 161162
ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer
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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
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
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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
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Breathtaking .47
Q. We received a letter several weeks ago about yet another expense for our home, to add a backflow device because we have a sprinkler. We’re wondering if this is really necessary. We’ve had a sprinkler for 40 years, and have never had a problem. Can you explain why we need this, and what will happen if we don’t put one in? We got estimates that it could be $750 to $1,000. Is this somehow related to legionnaires’ disease?
A. Yes, you are now required to have a backflow device on your home water line, especially for the sprinkler connection. This became a safeguard, debated for many years, as a reaction to backsiphoning of plumbing lines when there were pressure changes.
The backflow prevention device is a one-way water valve that allows water to flow from the public water main into your home or sprinkler system, but not back into the public water supply. Pressure changes in the line can happen for several reasons, including flushing of public water pipes, which you are notified about, because people report the discoloration of their water from time to time. It can also happen when a fire hydrant is being used or when there’s a water main break.
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Any which way it happens, this is a real issue, even if you’ve never noticed it over the past 40 years. You wouldn’t necessarily be the consumer of the contaminants that flowed from your sprinkler line back into the public water supply, but let’s face it, sprinkler heads are exposed to animal waste, pesticides, fertilizers, soil, bacteria and standing water on a regular basis, and you wouldn’t want to drink any of these potentially sickening substances. You’d probably wonder what made you sick, but never connect the dots back to your drinking or cooking water.
I remember the uproar over seat belts in the 1960s, when we were first asked to wear those cumbersome and restrictive devices. Before that, we kids had the freedom to roam from window to window for a better view, to avoid the boredom of long family road trips or grocery store errands. Then seat belts became law. People were defiant, and some even survived accidents without seatbelts. We’ve now had two generations of youngsters who were strapped in like they were astronauts in a rocket sled, and it seems pretty standard now.
The time will come when the contaminants in our water lines will be avoided and we won’t give it another thought. As for legionnaires’ disease, there is little connection between the two. Legionnaires’ disease is mainly caused by stagnant water in a breeding ground of a dark holding tank, in temperatures between 77 and 113 degrees. Those old water tanks, sitting on top of buildings, feeding the drinking and domestic water through buildings by gravity, became perfect for bacterial growth.
Unless you have a well pump sprinkle your lawn, you must add the device — or possibly be fined and forced to do it anyway. 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.
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It’s the hottest time of year on Long Island, and high temperatures mean high water use. From June through September, demand for water surges, driven largely by lawn irrigation and outdoor use. Long Islanders love green lawns, but they come at a cost that many residents don’t fully see: added strain on our water infrastructure and increased stress on Long Island’s sole-source aquifer, the only source of drinking water for nearly 3 million people.
Long Island has no alternative water supply. We rely entirely on a vast but finite underground aquifer system that must meet all residential, commercial and public needs. That makes water conservation not just a seasonal suggestion, but a long-term necessity.
The latest findings from the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection underscore the urgency of the issue. According to LICAP’s 2025 State of the Aquifer report, groundwater levels have shown troubling declines in recent years, particularly following periods of below-average rainfall. As hydro-
logic conditions fluctuate, especially during dry spells, increased pumping to meet peak summer demand puts additional pressure on the aquifer. This is just as much an infrastructure challenge as it is an environmental concern. Every gallon of water that must be pumped, treated and delivered requires energy and infrastructure capacity. During the summer, water providers must operate at peak levels to keep up with demand. That accelerates wear and tear on pumps, wells, treatment systems and water mains, increasing maintenance costs and, ultimately, costs for ratepayers. Simply put, excessive water use today leads to higher costs tomorrow.
Actions taken by residents each day collectively have a profound impact.
ful difference. Following odd/even watering schedules helps distribute demand more evenly. Avoiding irrigation between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. reduces waste due to evaporation. Even skipping watering after rainfall can save thousands of gallons per household over the course of a season.
Conservation plays a significant role in mitigating all of these risks. Reducing unnecessary water use — particularly irrigation — can significantly ease the burden on both the aquifer and water providers’ infrastructure. Studies continue to show that lawns only require about one inch of water per week to remain healthy. Yet many residential irrigation systems run far more frequently than necessary, often during the hottest parts of the day, when much of that water is lost to evaporation. Simple changes can make a meaning-
Technology also plays an important role. Smart irrigation controllers, which adjust watering schedules based on realtime weather conditions, are among the most effective tools available, ensuring that landscapes receive only the water they need, helping homeowners save money while supporting broader conservation goals. They ultimately pay for themselves, often within only a couple of years. Some Long Island water providers have rebate programs for residents who make the switch to smart controllers, making them even more cost-effective.
As highlighted in the State of the Aquifer report, conservation works hand in hand with other efforts such as water reuse, source water protection and advanced monitoring to ensure the sustainability of our groundwater resources. These strategies are essential to maintaining the reliability of our water supply in the face of growing demand,
ever-evolving drinking water regulations and changing climate conditions. It’s also important to recognize that conservation is about more than quantity. Reducing excessive pumping helps maintain natural groundwater levels, which in turn supports streamflow and protects wetlands. It limits the risk of saltwater intrusion, which poses a significant threat to Long Island’s coastal communities. These environmental benefits are critical to preserving Long Island’s ecosystems and quality of life.
The responsibility of protecting our aquifer belongs to all of us. Water providers are investing heavily in infrastructure and treatment technologies and planning efforts to safeguard this resource. But they can’t do it alone. Actions taken by residents each day collectively have a profound impact.
This summer, we urge all Long Islanders to be mindful of their water use. Small changes, when adopted by millions of people, can yield significant results. By conserving water, we not only protect a vital natural resource, but also strengthen our infrastructure, stabilize costs and ensure that future generations of Long Islanders will have access to clean, reliable drinking water.
On Long Island, water isn’t just a utility. It is our lifeline, and we all need to do our part to protect it.
Brendan Warner is chairman of the Long Island Water Conference.
For generations, the American dream has represented something tangible: the ability to build a stable life through hard work. But for millions in the United States who are burdened by student debt, the dream remains just that: a dream. Nowhere is that more evident than on Long Island, where the average resident carries more than $35,000 in student loan debt and the median home price has surpassed $750,000.
According to the Pew Research Center, one in four Americans under 40 has student debt. Between high interest rates and wages that haven’t kept pace with the cost of living, many borrowers spend decades trying to pay off an education that was supposed to create opportunity, not limit it.
ages 25 and 34 have left the region over the past eight years. Student debt and housing costs are inseparable drivers of that exodus.
Student debt makes the American dream unattainable, or, at best, greatly deferred. Gallup reports that 71 percent of student borrowers delay major life milestones — homeownership, parenthood, starting a business, retirement — because of their debt. On Long Island, those delays have a geographic consequence: 22 percent of residents between
Recent federal policy changes are deepening the problem. The elimination of the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan will push millions into significantly higher monthly payments, a serious hardship for families already stretched thin. For many, even a modest increase in monthly loan obligations can push financial stability out of reach. The answer is not to discourage higher education. A college degree remains one of the strongest predictors of lifetime earnings, and Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce projects that nearly 72 percent of jobs will require some form of postsecondary education by 2031. Low entry-level wages and high monthly loan payments, however, mean that too many Americans will face decades of financial strain.
We can’t keep asking young adults to choose between building a career and building a life.
That trade-off reshapes the labor market in ways that affect us all. Gallup
reports that 51 percent of employees with student debt are seeking new employment, and more than half of job seekers say their loan obligations significantly influence which offers they’ll accept. New graduates feel compelled to chase the highest-paying jobs rather than the professions they’re best suited to, creating workforce shortages in the fields our communities need most.
For Long Island employers, student debt is both a challenge and an opportunity. One of the few constructive developments in federal legislation is the permanent extension of tax-free employer contributions to employee student loans. Employers can contribute up to $5,250 annually toward an employee’s student debt with no federal tax burden for either party. Employers of all sizes can implement this support quickly and cost-effectively, strengthening recruitment, retention, and the financial well-being of their workforce.
New York is positioned to build on that progress. Paidly, a platform that empowers employers, borrowers, students and their families to make education affordable, has been working with state legislators to allow tax-free payroll
deductions for student loans and education savings plans. Combined with the existing federal benefit, New Yorkers could direct up to $8,750 annually in taxadvantaged student loan relief — a real and immediate impact for borrowers trying to pay down debt, save for a home or simply stay on Long Island. These solutions are practical, affordable and achievable. Being highly educated and highly skilled should not come with a lifetime sentence of debt. And the 22-year-old who graduates from Hofstra or Stony Brook or Nassau Community College should be able to imagine a future here instead of being forced to leave the moment the loans come due. New York has an opportunity to lead the nation in supporting our workers. By expanding taxadvantaged student loan assistance to the state level and encouraging employers to become part of the solution, we can restore financial stability for working families and make the American dream attainable for Long Islanders.
John Scully is the CEO of Paidly, and Samantha Park is the platform’s content specialist.
Phone: (516) 569-4000
Summer is a season many of us look forward to. Families head out on vacation, schools close for the year, community calendars lighten and many of the charitable drives and volunteer activities that fill the rest of the year take a brief pause.
Illness, accidents and medical emergencies, however, never take a vacation.
Every day, hospitals across Long Island and around the country rely on a steady supply of donated blood to care for trauma victims, cancer patients, premature infants, people undergoing surgery and those living with chronic blood disorders. When blood is needed, there is no time to wait for donors to come forward. The blood must already be on the shelves.
That’s why the emergency blood shortage announced by the American Red Cross should concern every one of us. The Red Cross reports that blood donations have fallen sharply since the end of May. That is not a problem that can be solved overnight.
Blood products have a limited shelf life. Red blood cells can be stored for only about six weeks, while platelets, which are critical for cancer patients and others undergoing treatment, last only a few days. A constant stream of volunteer donors is necessary simply to keep pace with everyday medical needs.
Unlike many products hospitals use, blood can’t be manufactured in a laboratory. It can’t be ordered from a factory or
To the Editor:
Re Peter King’s op-ed in last week’s issue, “America must not abdicate its leadership”: King is so right in his assessment. While I’m no expert on foreign affairs, I do think I have a unique perspective on the topic he addresses.
You see, my mother was born and raised in Germany, and was 16 when World War II broke out. My father’s parents were born in Germany, but in 1923 they moved to the United States for the very reason King points out: the Treaty of Versailles left Germany impoverished with little hope. So my father grew up here in New York, but as fate had it, my grandparents decided to move back to Germany in the late 1930s, because Germany was once again a prosperous country.
When the war broke out, my father was drafted into the German army
substituted with another medicine. Every pint comes from a volunteer willing to spend less than an hour giving something that costs nothing but can mean everything to someone else.
It is one of the rare opportunities for an ordinary person to directly save a life.
Most blood donors never meet the people they help. Yet each donation has the potential to help a number of patients. A single donation can help save as many as three lives.
It’s easy to assume that someone else will donate — that someone younger, healthier or with more free time will answer the call. But maintaining an adequate blood supply depends on thousands of people making that same small commitment throughout the year, because the demand for blood remains constant.
If anything, summer brings additional challenges. Increased travel can mean more motor vehicle accidents. Outdoor recreation can result in serious injuries. Construction projects continue. Hospitals remain busy. Every one of those situations depends on blood being available.
Long Island residents and the business community have always demonstrated their generosity during times of crisis. For those who have donated before, now is an excellent time to schedule another appointment if they are eligible. For first-time donors, there may be some uncertainty, but the process is safe,
carefully supervised and generally takes about an hour from registration to refreshments afterward. Most donors say the experience is easier than they expected, and leave knowing they have made a meaningful difference.
Donors of all eight blood types — A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O- — are needed to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. While some blood types are used more frequently than others, every donation strengthens the system that hospitals depend on daily.
This isn’t simply about responding to an emergency declaration. It’s about recognizing that each of us may someday depend on the generosity of someone we’ve never met. Few people expect to need a blood transfusion until an accident, illness or unexpected surgery changes everything in an instant.
When that day comes, no family should have to wonder whether enough blood is available.
Make an appointment to donate blood. The Red Cross collects nationwide, but does not have facilities on Long Island, where New York Blood Centers and other agencies and organizations help meet the need. To learn where to donate, go to AABB.org, the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, to find an AABB-accredited donation facility.
A single hour you spend giving blood today could mean the difference between life and death for someone in need.
I won’t stand by while our utility rates continue to climb
Our neighbors across Nassau County tell me they simply cannot keep up with the rising costs on Long Island. The seemingly unending price increases for basic needs, like groceries, gas, health care and insurance, are forcing more hardworking families to decide what they can afford and what they must go without.
Keeping the lights on and the water running is nonnegotiable, however, leaving families at the mercy of utility bills that creep upward month after month with little warning or reason.
Long Islanders pay among the highest utility rates in the nation, and the cost of power has risen 20 percent since January. This has pushed the cost of living even higher, and made it more difficult to get by. Inconsistent and partisan energy policies, repeated price hikes by utility companies and cuts to assistance programs have sent utility bills soaring. I’m doing everything I can in Congress to lower these costs.
The Republican leadership in Washington still has not done enough to
bring them down or take on the private utility companies that are driving up costs. There must be greater guardrails on these companies, which have collectively requested $50 billion in rate increases nationwide since 2025 to pad their profits. We’re seeing this firsthand in Nassau County, with Liberty Water’s latest proposed rate increases. That’s why I’ve demanded answers from Liberty Water on its repeated requests to increase rates, because no one should have to pay $20 to $30 more per month just to have water in their home.
The Republican leadership in D.C. still hasn’t done enough to bring them down.
about the administration’s plans to address rising electricity costs, and asked why it proposed additional cuts to vital federal support. Reports show that elderly, disabled and low-income Long Islanders are struggling to pay their energy bills. Nearly 1,000 more PSEG customers saw their power shut off in April due to overdue bills, compared with last year.
Enhancement natural-gas pipeline project, which is critical for delivering more affordable, reliable energy to Long Island. New York state generates roughly half of its electricity from natural gas, and with this added source of energy, Long Island households that convert from fuel oil to natural-gas heating could save upward of $1,500 a year.
To ensure that Washington is focused on tackling this problem, I helped launch the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus, a coalition committed to holding utility companies accountable for prioritizing profits over their consumers. I am also co-leading the Stop the Rate Hikes Act to prevent utility providers from increasing rates more than once a year. Working families are already struggling to make ends meet, and demanding frequent rate increases is unacceptable.
Holding private utility companies accountable is only part of the battle.
At a recent hearing, I questioned the U.S. energy secretary, Chris Wright,
the Luftwaffe, as it turns out. It wasn’t until I was in college that he revealed this aspect of his life to me. He had always said he was an American soldier, which was believable, as he had no accent growing up in New York. And we lived in Queens, with many Jewish neighbors, and, understandably, he didn’t want this aspect of his past to get out to the neighbors.
So, the question I would always ask my parents was, how could a great country like Germany allow Nazism to happen? They would offer several reasons, including that in the beginning, most Germans thought Hitler was someone who would implode and eventually go away. And by the time they realized that he wasn’t going anywhere, it was too late. Besides, they were just trying to live their lives and recover from the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles.
But the reason that can’t be ignored was appeasement — King’s central argument in his essay. Like it or not, the U.S. needs to maintain its global leadership as a deterrent to regimes whose goal it is to expand their borders against the will of all other nations. I’m troubled by the administration’s seeming lack of knowledge or respect for history, and how it somehow repeats itself.
I wish members of Congress would speak out more on this topic, and follow King’s advice publicly. While I agree that Europe must increase its defense spending, we need to maintain our role as “global policeman,” because no other country, in my opinion, has the credibility and military muscle to take on this role. Vladimir Putin is not someone who can be trusted. Why we have let him get this far is a reminder that appeasement does not work with evil minds.
WILLIAM FUESSLER Wantagh
I questioned the administration’s proposal to cut funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps lowincome households reduce energy bills by about 20 percent annually in New York. In Congress I’m pushing for full funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which has provided critical assistance for more than 40 years to the most vulnerable in our communities. These programs are lifelines for many to afford their utilities, and I’ll continue fighting to preserve them.
Finally, we can’t expect to bring utility prices down with partisan politics or a one-size-fits-all approach. This moment requires us to deliver bipartisan, all-of-the-above energy solutions, and I urged Wright to work with me to do just that. When we spoke, I expressed my support for the Northeast Supply
FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker
We must give local communities the ability to modernize and diversify their energy sources as we explore potentially cost-effective solutions. This way, we are never dependent on any single energy source. Part of the solution is projects like the NESE pipeline, which will reliably deliver affordable natural gas that we depend on to power and heat our homes, while supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs.
People across Nassau County tell me they desperately need relief as they stretch their paychecks further to cover mounting bills. They should never have to think about when and how long they keep their lights on, heat their homes or run their faucets for fear of paying hundreds more a month. That’s why I won’t stop fighting to hold utility companies accountable, preserve vital assistance programs, diversify our energy solutions and lower utility bills for every household on Long Island.
Laura A. Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.
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