They’re No. 1
Chamber fair was full of holiday cheer
By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
The Seaford Chamber of Commerce hosted its second consecutive indoor holiday fair at Memorare Caterers in Seaford on Nov. 16, displaying a full line of unique items sold by dozens of vendors.
“Last year, we did it indoors,” Margaret Grub, the chamber’s president, said. “It was such a hit, so we did it again this year.”
right after or right before Covid with an outdoor event at the train station. This is our fifth one.”
Seaford High School’s Brian Hennessy, right, and Carmelo Riccobono celebrated the Vikings’ 21-7 upset victory over Plainedge in last Friday’s Nassau Conference IV football championship game at Hofstra University. Story, more photos, Page 6. I t’s a win-win situation for both. It’s a day out for small business, and it’s a day out for the community.
League forum dissects 2025 election
Residents explore local GOP victories, national Democratic gains
By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
The League of Women Voters of East Nassau hosted a forum at the Levittown Public Library, attended by more than a dozen residents, to analyze local and national results from the 2025 elections.
Barbara Epstein, co-president of the nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals to participate in democratic activities, opened the Nov. 19 forum by focusing on local races. She highlighted the continued success of Republican candidates in countywide elections. Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman
secured another term as Nassau County executive, defeating his Democratic challenger, Seth Koslow, 54 percent to 46 percent. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly was also elected to another term, defeating Democrat Nicole Aloise, 55 percent to 44 percent.
County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, another Republican, won re-election, besting Democrat Wayne Wink 55 percent to 45 percent in a race centered on fiscal oversight and government efficiency. Republican County Clerk Maureen O’Connell held on to her seat as well, defeating Democrat Joylette Williams 57 percent to 43 percent.
Epstein also discussed results in the Town of
The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., was attended by hundreds of residents and featured one-of-a-kind holiday items, as well as music, food and photos with Santa Claus. A box was set up outside to collect food items for Seaford High School’s Student Council food drive. It was the chamber’s fifth annual fair, but the second consecutive one held indoors.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the chamber was formed with the purpose of encouraging and promoting high ethical and moral business practices for the commercial, civil and social improvement of Seaford. The group comprises business professionals who volunteer their time, energy and resources to support the community.
DoNNa JEBaIlY
Vice president, Seaford Chamber of Commerce
“The feedback was terrific,” Grub said of the indoor fair. “The vendors like it because it’s a lot warmer indoors than outdoors, and it’s better for us. We can do it a little bit longer.”
“I created the holiday fair,” Donna Jebaily, the chamber’s vice president and the fair’s organizer, said. “This is our second year at the Memorare. We originally were doing it
Grub and Jebaily agreed that moving the event indoors has several benefits. “Indoors, you can take your time,” Grub said. “You can walk around. The kids get to sit with Santa and talk with him.”
Memorare Caterers, a banquet hall and event venue on
Continued on page 20
Joey Romaniello/Herald
One of Long Island’s Top Audiologists Dr. Thomas Recher, Au.D.
League community discussion looks at past, future
Hempstead, where John Ferretti, a Republican who was appointed supervisor in August following Don Clavin’s resignation, was elected to a full term. He defeated Democrat Joe Scianablo 53 percent to 47 percent. Epstein noted the closeness of the race compared to others. “It was relatively and numerically speaking, a closer race than a lot of the other races from numbers only,” she said.
She also pointed out that for the first time in 54 years, the City Council in Long Beach is entirely Republican. Incumbent Councilman Michael Reinhart, Tracey Johnson, and George Ennis defeated Democrats Roy Lester, an incumbent, as well as Peggy Butts and Lillian Mosley. In contrast, Epstein highlighted the victories of Democrats Danielle Fugazy Scagliola, John Frank Zozzaro and John Perrone in Glen Cove, resulting in a split council with three Democrats and three Republicans.
“Cities and towns are totally different entities,” Epstein said. “They function unto themselves, basically—particularly the cities.”
She also noted that the Republican supermajority in the Nassau County Legislature was reduced. “There is no super majority that exists,” she said, referring to the new 11–8 Republican majority. “When you have a super majority, that makes it possible for them to basically control everything that goes on when it comes to the budget and funding.”
Barbara epstein, co-president of the nonpartisan, grass-roots nonprofit, led the over-hour-long discussion of the results of the nov. 4 elections.
Other results included races in the Town of North Hempstead and Suffolk County. In Suffolk, District Attorney Ray Tierney earned a second term, running unopposed. Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. also ran unopposed to earn a third term.
Following Epstein’s Suffolk summary, several attendees questioned why certain races, such as sheriff and district attorney, featured no opposition. “Maybe they feel there’s no point because they’re not going to win,” asked Grace Felicetti, a member of the league.
Dania Smith, another league member, focused on turnout. “Very few of them (Democrats) came out to vote,” said Smith, a Levittown resident. “Do you think it’s because they’re giving in to the Republican machinery that’s been running things?”
According to the Nassau County Board of Elections, 32 percent of registered Democrats voted in county races this election cycle, compared with 27 percent in 2021. Forty percent of registered Republicans voted four years ago; that number dipped slightly to 39 percent this year. Roughly 20 percent of voters unaffiliated with a political party—known as “blanks”—cast ballots, with many of them leaning Republican in Nassau.
While Democrats struggled locally, they found success on the national stage. In New York City, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, to become the city’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor—and the youngest in more than a century. Mollie Schwaber, the league’s co-president, observed that Mamdani’s candidacy became a talking point in Nassau campaigns.
“It provoked fear in people in Nassau County,” she said. “They’re afraid of a socialist, and afraid of the policies that might leak into Nassau County.”
Cheryl Hobbes, a Westbury resident who worked as a poll worker, said she saw that anxiety firsthand. “We actually had a couple come in who looked at the ballot and said, well, where’s Mamdani?” she said.
Epstein also cited two Democratic victories in gubernatorial races. In New Jersey, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill defeated former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli to become the state’s governor. And in Virginia, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger beat Lt. Gov. Winsome EarleSears to become the commonwealth’s first female governor.
As attendees compared Democratic national gains with local defeats, theories emerged. “There just wasn’t the visibility of who the Democratic candidates were,” Hobbes said of the local races.
Mehri Fryzel, a Garden City resident and member of the League of Women Voters of Central Nassau, suggested Democrats lacked organizing power. “They (Republicans) say, you don’t have enough people coming out. I suspect they get on the phones and they call people, and they pick them up. I’ve yet to see any Democrat come to any polling place I’ve been at to do anything slightly similar.”
Meetings like this are part of the league’s mission to foster civic engagement and deepen public understanding of elections and policy. To learn more, visit LWVEastNassau.org.
Serving Our Community with:
• Funerals that are dignified, personalized and affordable
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Luke Feeney/Herald photos
more than a dozen residents attended an election analysis forum at the Levittown public Library hosted by the League of Women Voters of east nassau.
Town waives adoption fees for shelter pets
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
With the holiday season underway, Hempstead town officials are hoping residents will open their hearts and homes to a four-legged friend.
As part of its annual “Home for the Holidays” adoption initiative, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter is waiving all adoption fees from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4. The program, now expanded through a new partnership with the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, includes a free $50 Milleridge gift card for every family that adopts a pet.
“We are thankful to the Milleridge Inn for supporting this adoption initiative,” Town Supervisor John Ferretti said at a festive launch event on Nov. 20. “Few things are more uplifting than the joy of adopting a pet, and I encourage families to take advantage of this great opportunity — and then celebrate the season with a holiday meal at the festive Milleridge Inn.”
Ferretti was also joined by Trip, Petey and Indy–three festivally dressed up dogs who were treated to a special holiday meal at the Milleridge Inn. In addition to having their adoption fees waived, all adopted animals will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped at no cost. Standard state licensing fees still apply.
Milleridge Inn owner and president Butch Yamali, who described himself as an animal lover, said the collaboration was a natural fit. “Every dog and cat at the Town’s shelter deserves to spend the holidays with a family,” Yamali said. “We’re happy to support adopters by offering a complimentary holiday dinner gift certificate to anyone who welcomes a pet into their home during this program.”
For the launch, the Milleridge team set up a special pet-friendly banquet, with veterinarian-approved Thanksgiving dishes prepared by the chef and served by waitstaff.
Town officials at the announcement included Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilmen Dennis Dunne,
Tom Muscarella and Chris Schneider, Councilwomen Missy Miller and Laura Ryder, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll.
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter is a Wantagh-based municipal shelter that provides care, shelter and adoption services for lost, abandoned or neglected homeless pets in the Town of Hempstead. The shelter offers services like adoption and fostering.
“This holiday season is shaping up to be the most heartwarming yet,” Ferretti said. “When you’re looking to bring home a new companion, always adopt — don’t shop.”
Ferretti was joined by Trip, Petey and Indy — three holiday-ready pups treated to a special Thanksgiving meal
Photos Courtesy Town of Hempstead
Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti announces that the town’s animal shelter will waive all adoption fees through Jan. 4 as part of the “Home for the Holidays” campaign.
Families who adopt a pet during the campaign also receive a free $50 gift card to the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, a new partner in the program.
at the Milleridge Inn.
Petey, dressed as a Thanksgiving turkey, enjoyed his holiday feast during the adoption event kickoff.
Protecting Your Future
Elder Law Estate Planning Misconceptions
One of the most common and devastating misconceptions about elder law estate planning is that it is too late to save money from nursing home costs. On the contrary, there are crisis planning tools that may save substantial assets from being spent on nursing home costs, even after the client has already entered the nursing home. Almost always, if there are assets left, much can be saved. There are only three ways to pay for nursing home costs – your own assets, long-term care insurance (owned by less than five percent of the population), or Medicaid provided by the government.
Many people know about the “five-year look-back period” and assume nothing can be done without advance planning. The five-year look-back rule means that if you gave any gifts away within the last five years, when asking for Medicaid to pay for nursing home costs, the gift amount creates a penalty period, which results in a period of ineligibility for Medicaid coverage.
Despite the five-year look-back, New York
law allows people to protect assets from nursing home costs, even without pre-planning. For single applicants, you may be able to save about half of the assets through the “gift and loan” strategy. For married couples, where one spouse needs a nursing home, “spousal refusal” may protect substantial amounts of assets for the spouse at home. These techniques are discussed in detail at trustlaw. com, under “Practice Areas”, then “Medicaid Strategies”.
The five-year look-back rule does not affect eligibility of Medicaid home care, also known as “community” Medicaid. Currently, an applicant may transfer their assets out of their name and still qualify for home care in the next month.
Many assets, such as retirement accounts, rental properties and even the family home in certain cases, are exempt from Medicaid. The bottom line is that if someone you love is in failing health, the sooner you consult an elder law attorney the more you will likely be able to save assets.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
Thanksgiving Message
A Thanksgiving message of gratitude, hope
As the crisp autumn air settles over Long Island and the trees blaze with hues of gold, amber, and crimson, we are reminded that every season brings its own beauty and renewal. The turning leaves whisper a simple truth: life’s constant change is itself a blessing.
Thanksgiving is a moment to pause, breathe, and remember how much good surrounds us. It is not only about the feast on our tables, but about the fullness of our hearts. From the laughter of family gatherings to the quiet gratitude for health, freedom, and opportunity, we are all connected by the same simple miracle: the gift of being alive and able to love.
thanks. Let it be a call to action. Reach out to a neighbor, visit someone who is alone, share a meal, offer a smile. Gratitude becomes complete only when it flows outward, when it turns into generosity and care.
Since 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has floated through the streets of New York, filling the sky with color and imagination. Each balloon, each marching band, each cheer reminds us of the joy we can create when we come together. Even the presidential turkey pardon, a lighthearted tradition, reflects something deeper: compassion, mercy, and the power of kindness in public life.
Let this holiday be more than a day of
In these uncertain times, when the world can feel divided and weary, Thanksgiving gives us a sacred opportunity to remember what truly matters: love over hate, hope over fear, unity over division. The heart that is grateful sees abundance everywhere.
As you gather with family and friends, take a moment to count your blessings, not only the big ones but the small, quiet ones too: the sunrise, the laughter of children, the kindness of strangers, the promise of tomorrow. May this Thanksgiving fill your homes with warmth, your hearts with peace, and your lives with joy. And may we carry that spirit forward every day, in every season, with every act of kindness. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Rabbi Moshe Weisblum is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Wantagh.
We gather together elevate the Conversation
Before my mother passed, she spent every Thanksgiving with us from early in the morning wit us. From her buttered roll and coffee in the morning to a small slice of apple pie and tea in the evening. These were the days filled with food and conversation, where our kids shared teenage slang, and we replayed weddings we’d just attended—like the one we arrived two hours early for, bracing for “pre-Thanksgiving” Throgs Neck Bridge traffic that never came. But one moment still lingers. One year, my mother asked us to go around the table and say what we were
thankful for. I gave some forgettable answer—just wasn’t feeling it. I’ve wanted a do-over ever since. I found it at the Thanksgiving Interfaith service Nov. 23 at Saint Frances De Chantal in Wantagh. Twelve faith communities came together to sing, pray and reflect. It reminded me that our humble tables are where gratitude begins—and where it should continue. Mom, you were right. Thanksgiving shouldn’t last a day. Gratitude, and giving, should last all year.
A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a marketing executive and instructor at FIT.
Moshe WeisbluM
Seaford stuns Plainedge to win county title
By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com
To win a county championship, the Seaford football team needed to exorcise some demons.
On Halloween, the Vikings suffered their lone loss of the season to a scary good Plainedge team at their intimidating home stadium.
In a true team effort, Seaford put the memories of that defeat to bed by defeating the Red Devils, 21-7, to capture the Nassau Conference IV title at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium Friday night.
“We went out and we put our ghosts behind us,” Seaford head coach Mike McHugh said. “We knew we could win the game. We went out, we played our game, executed our game plan, and the rest is history.”
Seaford (10-1) advances to take on Bayport-Blue Point in the Long Island Class IV championship game this Saturday at Stony Brook University at 4:30 p.m.
“We were all locked in, dialed in to the game plan,” Seaford quarterback Michael Spinella said. “Going into this, we were 0-3 against them the past two years, and we lost here [to Plainedge in the semifinals last year] on a Hail Mary, so we knew we had to get our get back, and what a great way to do it, in the Nassau County chip.”
In the 35-0 loss in Week 8, Dylan Fella led the way for Plainedge, rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. The Red Devils averaged 42.5 points per game and McHugh knew slowing down that high-octane offense was going to be difficult.
Defensive coordinator Matt Moody put a plan in place to try and stop Fella. The senior rushed for 104 yards on 21 carries, limited to a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that accounted for the Red Devils’ only points.
Junior Brian Falk led Seaford’s defensive charge with 11 tackles, Thomas Miranda had nine tackles, Jack Rosen had a sack and two tackles for losses, and Matthew Kind added a pair of tackles for losses.
While Falk has been lauded as the Vikings’ offensive star, No. 2 Seaford shared the wealth en route to a 12th county championship in school history.
That plan was clear on Seaford’s statement 12-play, 65-yard opening drive in which Spinella (12-for-22, 165 yards, 2 touchdowns) went 7-of-8, connecting with wide receivers Mark Villeck and Peter Barone as well as Falk, who capped the 4:06 drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Vikings in front, 7-0.
It was the first points the top-seeded Red Devils had conceded in the postseason.
“We worked on that drive all week,” McHugh said. “The boys were dialed in. We knew what we were going to do. We knew they would load the box against Falk, just like everyone else did all year. … It really set the tone for the game, and I think it kind of put them on their heels, fighting to get back.”
The Vikings made it 14-0 on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Spinella to Brian Hennessy with 8:56 left in the second quarter and went into halftime with a
21-0 lead when the duo connected on a 25-yard touchdown on the final play of the first half.
“This team isn’t about one player, which I think a lot of people think it’s about,” McHugh said. “This team’s about a team. Every guy on that field is a weapon, is a threat. And I think that’s what really made us what we are. They believed in each other.”
The game marked the end of an era at Plainedge, with head coach Rob Shaver stepping aside after 30 years at the helm. He had a career record of 210-87-1, leading the Red Devils to six county championships and two Long Island titles.
“The wins and losses mean nothing compared to the relationships I am blessed to have throughout my time there. The Plainedge community, I owe a debt of gratitude to,” Shaver said.
“They provided a wonderful place for my family and son to grow up,” he added. “They also gave me an opportunity by providing such support for me to try to help parents a little, by using the game of football and the sport of wres-
tling to teach vital life lessons. … Plainedge is a special place. It’s not a town, it’s a family.”
Joey Romaniello/Herald photos
Seaford took down Plainedge last Friday, 21-7, for the Nassau Conference IV championship.
Quarterback Michael Spinella was one of many stars for the Vikings.
Rejection of NCC leader sparks opposition
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Nassau Community College’s board of trustees and local leaders expressed strong opposition after State University of New York trustees formally rejected the nomination of Maria Conzatti as the college’s next president. The unanimous 12-0 vote on Nov. 14 — the first of its kind in SUNY history — has heightened tensions over governance, autonomy and college leadership.
“SUNY does not comment on personnel issues,” a spokesperson told the Herald. “Community colleges are essential engines of student success and upward mobility, and SUNY is committed to excellent leadership for all of our campuses.”
Jerry Kornbluth, NCC’s vice president of community and governmental relations, called the decision “extremely upsetting,” citing Conzatti’s accomplishments during her tenure. Under her leadership, Kornbluth said, the college eliminated $14 million in debt and increased enrollment by 3 to 7 percent annually. As previously reported in the Herald, NCC also secured full eight-year accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
“Here you have a president who has done everything possible to move the college forward, implementing all the things SUNY would want her to do,”
Kornbluth said. “The board and most of the faculty are fully behind her.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman also criticized SUNY’s decision. “Once again, SUNY has taken local control away from the suburbs by refusing to confirm the duly selected president, Maria Conzatti, put forth by the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees,” Blakeman stated in a news release.
“This is a slap in the face to every local board in New York State. Maria has done an excellent job educating our students and increasing enrollment at our college.”
NCC has been without a permanent president since 2022, and Conzatti has led the college since January of that year, despite SUNY guidelines recommending that temporary appointments last no more than six months. In the spring of 2023, the NCC board gave her an “iron-clad” five-year contract, extending through Dec. 31, 2028, which remains in effect.
Despite the SUNY vote, NCC Trustee Elliot Conway confirmed the board’s full support for Conzatti.
“I find it an upside-down world where the leader of the college with the highest enrollment increase is deemed unacceptable by the SUNY board,” Conway said.
In June, SUNY trustees began implementing a rule that would limit interim appointments of an administrator-in-
charge to one year, effectively blocking Conzatti from continuing in her role. Conway has voiced concerns about what he calls state overreach into local governance.
Speaking at a SUNY listening session in August, Conway said, “SUNY’s proposed rule, giving the chancellor final say over presidential appointments, salaries and contracts, is unnecessary overreach. Centralizing control would harm responsiveness, equity and the partnership that makes our programs succeed.”
At the session, Conway highlighted Conzatti’s contributions, including balancing budgets, adding vocational programs and improving campus civility. He also noted that Nassau County contributes more funding to the college than the state, asserting that local trustees should retain oversight.
“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” Conway said, calling for SUNY to confirm Conzatti as president.
The dispute unfolds amid a long-running, bitter conflict with the faculty union, which has opposed Conzatti’s leadership, citing department consolidations and other governance changes.
Maria Conzatti has been leading Nassau Community College in an interim capacity since January 2022.
“The Board of Trustees’ decision is a responsible and necessary step toward restoring stability and confidence in Nassau Community College leadership,” Melinda Person, president of New York State United Teachers, said in a statement. “Visionary, sustainable leadership cannot be built on prolonged interim arrangements.”
SUNY has sent a letter to NCC regarding a new presidential search, and a SUNY representative will work with the campus on the process.
Independent pharmacies warn of collapse
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Howard Jacobson sat in his car outside a Long Island rehab center, holding a box of medication that cost him more than he would be reimbursed to dispense it. The longtime pharmacist, who owns Rockville Centre Pharmacy and West Hempstead Pharmacy, said that moments like this have become routine in an industry he once believed had room for sustainable community care.
For Jacobson, a pharmacist for nearly four decades, the crisis is no longer abstract. It is existential.
Independent pharmacists across New York describe the same pattern: reimbursement rates from pharmacy benefit managers — the middlemen known as PBMs — frequently fall below the cost of the drugs they dispense. PBMs negotiate prices on behalf of insurance plans, adjudicate claims and determine how much pharmacies get paid. But with three companies controlling nearly 90 percent of the national market, pharmacists say they have little leverage.
“They pay me what they want,” Jacobson said. “Many times now they’re paying us below my cost of the medication.”
Jacobson said that as a result, he has cut hours, trimmed staff and subsidized losses out of his own pocket.
On some drugs, he said, the reimbursement rates defy logic. “Yesterday I
did a prescription for 46 cents,” he said. State lawmakers, backed by hundreds of pharmacists, are now pushing the Patient Access to Pharmacy Act, which would establish minimum reimbursement standards for commercial insurance plans and increase oversight of PBMs. Legislators say it mirrors a costplus model that New York’s Medicaid program implemented in 2023, and that independent pharmacies credit with stabilizing state spending.
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said she had heard the same warnings from
pharmacists in her district for years. “They really have limited incomes, like our seniors,” Griffin said, referring to the patients who rely most heavily on local pharmacies. “Getting the drugs at a cheaper price is really important.”
Griffin is co-sponsoring the bill, which has more than 80 supporters in the Assembly. Pharmacy closures, she said — including dozens on Long Island — have already strained communities that depend on them for guidance, delivery and everyday care. “It’s nice when your pharmacist knows you,” she said.
The bill would set a minimum reimbursement rate tied to the cost of acquiring and dispensing medication, and impose transparency requirements on PBMs and restrict practices that critics say steer patients toward PBMowned mail-order pharmacies or chains.
At a rally last week outside Rockville Centre Pharmacy, Jacobson warned lawmakers plainly: “No business can afford to operate at a loss.”
“We’re offered one-sided contracts, and it’s take it or leave it,” he added. “If you leave it, then not only are you telling your patients you don’t care about them, you’re leaving a network.”
Critics of the bill — including some insurers, employer groups and PBMs — argue that mandating reimbursement floors could increase premiums, reduce negotiating flexibility and drive up pharmaceutical spending. They warn that cost-plus models can weaken market competition, and could ultimately shift financial burdens onto employers and consumers.
CVS Caremark, the PBM owned by CVS Health, did not respond to a request for comment.
Griffin said she sees the legislation as part of a broader effort to protect not just small businesses, but a key piece of the state’s health care infrastructure.
“I am really at my wits’ end on how to keep my business going,” Jacobson said. “I don’t want to concede defeat.”
Courtesy Office Judy Griffin
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin joined dozens of pharmacists at Rockville Centre Pharmacy on Nov. 18 to urge fellow lawmakers to pass the Patient Access to Pharmacy Act.
HERALD SchoolS
Eighth graders tackle hands-free robotics
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Seaford Middle School students are building more than just robots, they’re building coding skills that stretch beyond the classroom.
Eighth graders recently completed a robotics challenge that required them to write code directing their VEX IQ robots to pick up and move cubes all without remote controls. The handsfree task tested their ability to rely solely on programming to complete a complex series of movements. The challenge is part of the school’s STEM robotics course, a yearlong elective offered to students who want to go beyond the core technology curriculum.
According to technology teacher Gregory Broas, students spent the early part of the year learning basic engineering and coding through kit-built robots and simple driving tasks. The cube challenge marked their first attempt at autonomous motion, using a visual programming language based on Python.
To complete the task, students added mechanical claws to their robots, wrote precise instructions using VEXcode Blocks, and tested their work on a course designed to simulate real-world tasks. The next assignment will add a layer of difficulty, requiring robots to identify and retrieve only cubes of a specific color.
The elective builds on a district-wide computer science foundation. All sixth graders take computer science every other day
throughout the year, following New York state’s middle-level standards. Seventh graders continue with daily classes for one quarter. Seaford also offers additional electives, including Project Lead the Way’s “Computer Science for Innovators and Makers” in sixth grade, and the robotics-based course for eighth graders. The middle school robotics program is part of a broader district-wide effort to expand hands-on STEM education and prepare students for more advanced coursework in the future.
Courtesy Seaford School District photos Callen Dennehy, left, and Kyle Kistinger watch as their robot successfully grabs and moves a cube during a recent autonomous coding challenge at Seaford Middle School.
Charley Doering, left, and Emma Bremen observe the results of their robot’s programming during Seaford Middle School’s robotics cube challenge.
Arvin Thiara programs his robot using VEXcode Blocks, a visual language based on Python.
Joey Carini, left, and James Kofod make adjustments to their robot’s design during class.
HolidayDining Guide and
Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle
FEIERDUN
Adjustable Dumbbells
Unwrap happiness
The holiday season is the ideal moment to discover thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. And with so many options just a click away, a little planning can go a long way toward easing the stress of the season.
From clever tech gadgets and cozy home comforts to fun finds for fitness fans, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. Here are some top picks to help make your holiday shopping simpler — and a lot more joyful.
Electronics
Amazon Echo Dot
We love the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) because it packs vibrant sound and smarter voice control into a compact, stylish device that fits seamlessly into any room. It’s the perfect gift for tech‑savvy friends or anyone looking to upgrade their daily routine — with hands‑free control, smart home compatibility and the reliable convenience of Alexa at their side.
Price: $49.99
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic
Sleek, durable and smart, the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic delivers 24/7 insights with sleek, jewelry‑like design. The Zirconia ceramic finish is tough, stylish and built to last. Plus, with features like 5‑8 days of battery life and advanced 24/7
tracking across sleep, readiness and activity, it’s a strong pick for someone who takes wellness seriously but wants something elegant on their finger.
Price: $499
Polaroid Now
3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle
The Polaroid Now turns everyday moments into instant, tangible keepsakes — no editing required. Its dual‑lens autofocus, self‑timer and double‑exposure modes make it perfect for creative fun, while the body crafted from 40 percent recycled materials blends nostalgia with thoughtful, modern design.
Price: $159.99
Health and Fitness
FEIERDUN
Adjustable Dumbbells
This set stands out by delivering a full‑home gym solution in one package — convertible between dumbbells, a barbell and kettlebells — so you can tackle full‑body workouts without clutter. With its durable build, non‑slip grips and solid safety features, it offers serious value for those who want to get in shape from the comfort of their own home.
Price $129.99
HOKA Running Shoes
The HOKA Clifton is a standout
Top picks for everyone on your list
choice for both men and women, offering plush cushioning and smooth transitions with every step. Its lightweight build and premium comfort make it ideal for someone who loves walking, running or just being on their feet for long hours.
Price: $155
LZYVOO Pocket Leggings
A gift that blends style and function; these leggings with pockets make a practical and stylish gift for anyone on the go. High‑waisted for comfort and support, with deep side pockets for phones, keys or cards, these soft, stretchy leggings easily transition from workouts to running errands — perfect for staying cozy and active this season.
Price: $39.99
Home and Kitchen
Ninja Air Fryer
A must have for any home chef, the Ninja Air Fryer offers a 6.5‑quart capacity and six versatile cooking functions, including air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate. Plus a Max Crisp mode is for perfectly crispy results with minimal oil. Its non stick, dishwasher‑safe basket and crisper plate make cleanup a breeze, turning everyday meals into convenient, healthier delights — perfect for gifting this season!
Price: $179.99
Aura Carver HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame
The Aura Digital Photo Frame is a standout gift for anyone looking to showcase cherished memories in a modern, effortless way. It offers unlimited photo and video cloud storage (no subscription required), making it simple to send moments from afar directly to the frame — ideal for families who want to stay connected.
Price: $149
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Make Hanukkah special
Many jokes have been shared about the complexity of growing up Jewish surrounded by Christian friends and the overwhelming influence of Christmas come the month of December. Seemingly everywhere you look buildings, stores and homes are decked out in lights and decorations. But Christmas celebrants are not the only ones with reason to be festive this time of year, when Hanukkah is also cause for celebration.
In fact, because the basis of the holiday is rededication to the faith, it very well may be an instrumental celebration for families who may need to find their way back to the roots of their beliefs.
Hanukkah’s festive atmosphere derives almost entirely from home ritual and customs and is dominated by light as a metaphor for spiritual freedom. This is emphasized by special holiday songs, games and foods. While the holiday is steeped in tradition, there are many ways you can add a creative spin to your family’s festivities.
Light: One of the major tenets of Hanukkah is how light can shine and lead a person through dark periods. This is typically exemplified by the lighting of the menorah, which is prominently placed in windows or other visible areas of celebrants’ homes.
This season spend time with someone who may be dealing with an illness or the loss of a loved one. You may be the light that inspires this person each day. Give candles to friends and family members to symbolize the light that will shine in the future.
Oil: Another component of Hanukkah celebrations is the focus on how a one-day supply of oil somehow lasted eight days during the rededication of the temple’s menorah. Many ways to include oil in celebrations exist. Some people like to get creative in the kitchen, serving fried foods and desserts.
Think about giving gifts of oil, such as fragrant essential oils that can be used in potpourri or in the bath or shower. Working alongside their parents, children can see how a wick drenched in oil can serve as an efficient lighting source and decorate the home with these homemade oil lamps.
Bring light out of darkness: There are many ways to make this year’s Hanukkah a real “Festival of Light.” As Rabbi Arthur Waskow writes in his book,“Seasons of Joy,”“Hanukkah is the moment when light is born from darkness, hope from despair.”
Historically, this was reflected in the unlikely victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks, in the oil that brought light for eight days instead of one, and in the very act of lighting candles during the darkest time of the year.
Creative ways to celebrate
Before lighting candles, try taking your family on a night walk. Go outside together and feel how dark it is. Even if you’re in the city, the month of December has a special darkness to it. Then come in from the cold and light the menorah. Feel the contrast between the darkness outside and the light inside.
Eight thoughtful nights: With every candle comes a chance to gather around the menorah and talk about Hanukkah’s lesson. With some planning, a different topic could be discussed each night. Whether it’s the environment, antisemitism, tzedakah, or freedom, Hanukkah delivers eight invitations for learning.
Twenty-five: Bring attention to the number 25, which is significant when celebrating Hanukkah. The word Hanukkah can be divided into two: Chanu, meaning “they rested,” and Kah, which is the numerical value of 25. On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Maccabees rested from their battle with the Greeks and triumphantly marched into the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Make 25 a part of celebrations by inviting 25 people to celebrate with you or ask children to make murals with 25 different adornments.
Charitable giving: Of course, everyone loves to receive gifts, but let’s not forget the satisfaction of giving them. Who hasn’t gotten joy from seeing someone’s face light up when a gift strikes just the right chord? Giving feels good. Beyond our family and friends, Hanukkah can also be a vehicle for giving to those in
need.
Gift-giving is now a component of Hanukkah celebrations, but it wasn’t always. Greater importance was once placed on the lighting of candles to publicize the miracle and evangelize the faith. Some impoverished people could not afford candles, and these people would go door-to-door for candle funds, or “gelt,” to be able to purchase candles and kiddush wine.
Some families prefer to give money rather than gifts to keep with the tradition of Hanukkah gelt. However, families also can incorporate charitable giving in their celebrations as a way to reinforce the customs of giving to the poor.
Rituals and tradition bring families together during the Festival of Lights.
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STEPPING OUT
‘Nutcracker’ sweets
Decades of holiday magic with Leggz Ltd. Dance
‘
By Abbey Salvemini
Tis the season: Those Sugar Plum Fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination come alive once again on local stages. Sacred Heart Academy started it all off recently with its student-run production, now the holiday classic is thrust into the spotlight throughout December.
Rockville Centre-based Leggz Ballet, with Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, brings sparkle to the Madison Theatre stage as ‘Nutcracker’ season dances on. This year’s production is especially meaningful for the studio’s founder Joan Hope MacNaughton, her staff and students: Leggz celebrates 30 years bringing this beloved classic to life. With MacNaughton’s artistic direction and choreography, accompanied as always by the beloved South Shore Symphony Orchestra, the theater is filled with the wonder of the delightful ballet that showcases Tchaikovsky’s mesmerizing score. You might say it’s one of the most memorable holiday soundtracks ever composed.
With over four decades leading Leggz, the 30-year milestone is both deeply personal and artistically meaningful for MacNaughton.
• Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.: Dec. 6, 5 p.m.; Dec. 7, 4 p.m.
• Tickets are $35-$65; available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or call the box office at (516) 323-4444
• Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
“Something that was a dream many, many years ago to have my own Nutcracker came true,” she says. MacNaughton reflects on how the production has grown in scale, professionalism and reach since its first performance, then on the South Side High School stage in Rockville Centre.
“From the costumes to all the dancers, it evolved dramatically. It started with dancers from my studio doing the solo parts. Then, I brought in professionals from the dance world to fill the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy, Dewdrop and Snow Queen.”
Dancers from renowned companies — including Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, also Broadway — are now integral to the production.
MacNaughton — who danced professionally prior
Mark Tremonti
Sings Frank Sinatra ‘Christmas Special’
From redefining rock to reimagining Sinatra, Grammy-winning musician Mark Tremonti, backed by members of Frank Sinatra’s original orchestra, brings his timeless swing and holiday spirit to the Paramount. The lights go down. Familiar horns pipe up from a world-class orchestra as piano twinkles like the jackpot lights on a winning slot machine. Then, the voice kicks in. It has all of the smoky splendor those first few notes hinted at, but it ain’t Ol’ Blue Eyes. In a tailored suit with microphone in hand, it’s Mark Tremonti. The multiplatinum musician sounds just as at home paying homage to the catalog of Frank Sinatra as he does fronting Tremonti or shredding his soul out as the guitarist for Alter Bridge and Creed. Tremonti’s influence on rock music is undeniable. Now, witness a new side of his artistry as he pays heartfelt tribute to the legendary Frank Sinatra.
to opening her studio — attributes their interest in joining her production to her both network and her artistic standards.
“I have a lot of friends who are dancers in Manhattan, so I reached out to them for professional roles,” she says.
Yet, the heart of the show remains the young dancers, who include talented kids residing in Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Baldwin, among other communities. A cast of over 50 young dancers in all, from throughout the metro area, join the guest dancers in this dynamic staging.
“It doesn’t matter what school they come from,” MacNaughton emphasizes. “They all really love dance and know what a quality production is like.”
Performing alongside the South Shore Symphony adds another layer of magic. The orchestra, MacNaughton explains, elevates the performance for both dancers and the audience, adding a unique energy and richness that recorded tracks can’t match.
“There’s nothing more exciting for a dancer than performing with live music. Watching the musicians play is a treat, you’re getting both the dance and the music.”
Her goal is that kids in the audience or who step onto the stage for the first time will continue to find inspiration in “The Nutcracker.” Keeping the beauty of dance alive is what’s behind MacNaughton’s decades of running her studio and producing the show each year.
Among the newest generation of dancers is 7-year-old Emma Lavas, of Rockville Centre, who’s making her first appearance in the ballet, continuing a family tradition. Her mom, Meg Guido, danced in the very first Leggz production, continuing for 12 years. Recalling the thrill of being on stage, she’s delighted, of course, that her daughter is now stepping into that role.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to see her dancing and smiling,” Guido says.
“She teaches me a lot of moves,” Lavas says, about her mother, as she carries forth with the family legacy.
Another Rockville Centre dancer, 14-year-old Analiese Cartier shares: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this each year.”
For 15-year-old Paige McDaid, who also lives in Rockville Centre, the show has been as much about friendship as dancing.
“I’ve built some of my life-long friends and I’m so grateful for them.”
She wants audiences, whether returning or seeing it for the first time, to feel that same magic she experiences onstage.
“It’s such a beautiful performance, and we put so much effort into it,” McDaid adds, enthusiastically.
Celebrating three decades of Nutcracker, Leggz Ltd. has filled the Madison Theatre with music, movement and holiday spirit. From the youngest dancers to world-class professionals bringing the choreography to life, the production captures the essence of the season. It explains why this timeless performance continues to draw everyone back each year.
Saturday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. $108.75, $86.50, $71.25, $59.75, $54.25, $43.75.The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Just ‘Wild About Harry’ redux
Everyone has another chance to go “Wild About Harry” when over 30 of Long Island’s top musicians and songwriters gather for another concert in tribute to the beloved Harry Chapin. Groove along to 18 acts — including concert organizer Stuart Markus and his trio Gathering Time — that perform Chapin classics including “Taxi” and “Cat’s in the Cradle,” plus many lesser hits and fan favorites like “Mr. Tanner.” The concert is concsdered a “Birthday Bash,” as Chapin would have turned 83 on Dec. 7. As they’ve done for the past 20 years, participating artists are encouraged to put their own interpretations on his songs. Long Island music “royalty” is turning out in force to support this most worthy cause. All revenues above production costs will be donated to Long Island Cares, the food bank Chapin founded. Long Island Cares will also be collecting non-perishable food donations.
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. Minimum $20 suggested donation per ticket. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Courtesy Leggz Ltd.
The Snow Queen (Ella Titus, Miami City Ballet) and Snow King (Mauricio Vera Nunez, National Ballet Of Cuba) begin Clara’s Dream.
The Snowflake Corps dazzle in the intricate Waltz of the Snowflakes, the grand finale of Act I.
Tim Baker/Herald Evelyn Strouse and Paige McDaid in rehearsal.
things to know seaford Boe meeting
Board appoints new HR chief, club approvals, music boost
The Seaford Board of Education addressed a range of topics at its Nov. 19 meeting, from a key administrative hire to expanded student activities. The board unanimously approved the appointment of a new assistant superintendent, introduced several new clubs and field trips, and accepted a donation to support the district’s music program. Trustees also voted on contracts with special education providers and considered policy changes regarding facility use and purchasing. Here are three takeaways from the meeting
Luke Feeney
n A new hire joins the district’s leadership ranks
The Board of Education appointed Christine Baratta as the new Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Professional Learning. Baratta is a familiar face in Seaford, having previously served as principal of Seaford High School before taking a district-level role in curriculum. Board members noted her depth of experience and leadership within the community. The appointment reflects the district’s ongoing focus on supporting staff development and long-term retention. Baratta’s new role also includes overseeing recruitment, mentoring, and professional learning plans. She begins immediately. Her position replaces a vacancy created by a recent administrative restructuring, part of the district’s broader effort to streamline central office functions.
n Seaford’s music program receives a donation boost
The board accepted a $2,500 donation from the Seaford High School Music Boosters to support the district’s music department. The funds are earmarked for new equipment and potential performance opportunities. Superintendent Tony Cardamone thanked the boosters for their continued support, calling the group “instrumental” in strengthening the district’s fine arts programming. Several board members also praised recent student performances, including the high school marching band and jazz ensemble. The donation aligns with broader efforts to enrich extracurricular offerings districtwide. Officials also noted that the booster group is planning additional fundraisers this winter to help cover future student travel and instrument upgrades.
n New clubs and field trips approved across grade levels
The board gave the green light to several new extracurricular proposals, including a high school pickleball club and a middle school environmental science club. Field trips were also approved for both academic enrichment and competition, including a DECA regional event and a Model Congress trip to Washington, D.C. Administrators said the new offerings are student-driven and reflect growing interest in leadership, STEM, and wellness-focused activities. Board members emphasized the importance of clubs in developing social and civic skills. The extracurricular additions are part of the district’s ongoing goal to expand student opportunities beyond the classroom.
Several unique items sold at chamber event
Jackson Avenue in Seaford, has been hosting a variety of special occasions for more than 60 years. The hall offers a cost-effective alternative for parties, weddings, and other celebrations, specializing in providing a single event at a time.
Forty-eight vendors, selling all different types of unique items such as candles, soaps, creams and ornaments, crowded the hall for the holiday fair. Grub added that “once we figured out how to put the vendors along the perimeter and then inside the rest of the room this year, it worked like a charm.”
One of the vendors was Mike Ervolino, owner of Mjedesigns, a Seafordbased business that creates custom laser-engraved and designed products like ornaments, cutting boards and decorative pieces. Ervolino, who just completed his second year at the fair, said he “definitely would” participate in the holiday fair again.
He added that while “a lot of foot traffic” was present, the event was “definitely well organized.” He also praised how the fair increased awareness for local businesses in the area.
“The social media presence is good. It’s advertised well,” he said, explaining that he believes the fair makes “the community stronger and gets everybody involved.”
Ervolino added that he felt like shop-
LEGAL NOTICE
pers were spending less this time compared to previous years. “The economy is hurting a little bit,” he said. “I don’t think people are spending as much as the last few years.”
Jebaily acknowledged that while
Public Notices
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS TRUST, SERIES 2006-AF2, Plaintiff - againstPATTI SCIVOLETTI, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 21, 2023. 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 18th day of December, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Seaford, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 2404 Mattituck Avenue, Seaford, (Town of Hempstead) NY 11783. (SBL#: 65-83-394-397)
Approximate amount of lien $1,155,679.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 004107/2016. Dominic A. Villoni, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218
Dated: October 29, 2025
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in
addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 156838
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 12/03/2025 at 9:30
A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
617/25. SEAFORDJanet A. Weiss, Variance, construct addition lower than base flood elevation attached to dwelling., N/s Bayview St., 133’ W/o Riverside Ave.,
a/k/a 3675 Bayview St. 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. 156923
some people just show up to socialize and may not spend as much, she felt that the event fared well overall and residents spent on a similar level to previous holiday fairs.
“They browse, they schmooze, they talk to people,” she said. “Then you have your shoppers that are lined up at the door, and they’re on a mission. So I feel it evens out in the end.”
Jebaily and Grub each had high praise for the dozens of vendors who attended the fair to peddle their wares.
“There were a lot of handmade items, and we did get a lot of compliments that day,” Jebaily said. “People are looking for one-of-a-kind items, and that’s one of
the reasons they come to the markets.” Grub complimented the variety of holiday-based gifts that the fair offered to shoppers, such as unique Christmasthemed dolls, Hanukkah, and Thanksgiving decorations . “They do Christmas, they do Hanukkah, they do Thanksgiving items,” she said. “It encompasses everything for the rest of the year.”
“We like to see our community come together,” Jebaily said. “It’s a win-win situation for both. It’s a day out for small business, and it’s a day out for the community.”
To learn more about the chamber, visit SeafordChamberofCommerce.com.
Photos courtesy Donna Jebaily
Hundreds of people attended the second consecutive Seaford Chamber of Commerce’s indoor holiday fair on nov. 16.
Help Wanted
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Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour.
For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
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Busy Print Shop in Garden City
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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 fromo $16.50 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 $34,320 + 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 $34,320 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
One of Long Beach’s earliest homes, this gracious 1806 Colonial combines historic elegance with modern luxury, blending its original charm with significant 2009 upgrades including a new roof, plumbing, electric, windows, heating, and beautifully refinished interiors. This 5–6 bedroom, 5.5-bath
Some strange suggestions from the Building Department
Q. I went to my Building Department, because, as you suggested, I should get an idea from them as to what to do and how to go about it. After discussing the problems I would have to overcome, they suggested certain people, drafting services, and also told me that if I use an architect, I should only use the ones they suggest, because others might not be “acceptable” to them. I thought this was kind of strange. Should they do that, and is that acceptable practice?
A. That is not only strange, but also illegal. Putting limits on who provides a state-licensed professional service is, at the very least, a restriction-oftrade issue that I am sure would turn into a legal matter if the jurisdiction you live in ever tried to enforce the practice. Maybe you could finance your project by going through that process, getting hassled for the reasons you describe, and then suing the individuals and department that created the scenario. Of course, you would have to show hard evidence, such as documents and/or recordings of this kind of exchange. Or you could just go along with them, if you feel comfortable with the racket they’re running.
Lately I have seen more situations like this occurring, and it’s disheartening, as a professional, but many officials have commented, over the years, that certain architects only like to handle, or are only capable of handling, the “small stuff.” Clearly they don’t recognize the situation created by their own jurisdictions, where you’re required to have an architect’s or engineer’s professional seal on the submitted drawings when applying for a permit. Instead they encourage people to get an unlicensed person to prepare plans, and then that unlicensed individual gets a retired professional who could use the extra money to just sign and seal.
Even worse than that is the problem created during the pandemic, when an electronic seal was issued by the state to architects and engineers, creating the opportunity to just electronically float a seal onto plans, with or without the licensed professional’s permission.
It seems that people have forgotten what that seal represents. Not only does it represent a level of trained expertise — it also represents safety. Protection of public safety was once the paramount objective of local governments. And aside from the skirting of enforcement of licensed professionalism, safety is still important, but money, favoritism and territorial behavior make you wonder what you’re really dealing with.
I know so many people who are sincerely trying to enforce public safety in their government jobs, people who are equally disgusted with the ones who make their profession look bad. Defying the public trust or manipulating the public should not be tolerated. Thirty years ago, the state attorney general’s office did an investigation, and concluded that this practice was widespread — but investigators candidly admitted that they did not have the resources to pursue prosecutions, leaving the public to decide. Good luck!
© 2025 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.
Ask The Architect
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Thanksgiving couldn’t come at a better time
The spirit of Thanksgiving is particularly welcome and needed this year. Times are turbulent. Discord appears to be almost everywhere. Prices are still too high. The federal government has just gone through its longest and most bitter shutdown ever, with another one threatened in less than three months.
The political divide continues, as Democrats scored overwhelming victories across the country, while Nassau Republicans, led by County Executive Bruce Blakeman, swept every countywide office and retained control of the county’s three towns and two cities — including Long Beach, where the GOP won every elective office for the first time since 1971. And while Nassau was voting bright red, New York City went deep blue, electing a committed socialist, Zohran Mamdani, as its mayor, promising to upend the city’s political and social structures as we’ve known them.
Ideally in a time of discord and stress, the citizenry turns to sports as an escape, as an island of refuge in a sea
of turmoil. This time, though, no such luck. At least not yet. The Yankees were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, while the Mets, with their astronomically high payroll, didn’t even make it to the postseason, eliminated for the final playoff slot by the unheralded, low-income Cincinnati Reds.
Not even New York sports offer an island of refuge in our current sea of turmoil.
Granted, there was temporary relief for baseball fans, as the World Series confrontation between the Dodgers and Blue Jays provided intense drama right down to the final out of the climactic seventh game. But that moment of escape was soon overtaken by what portends to be Major League Baseball’s biggest and worst gambling scandal since the Black Sox scandal in 1919: Two relief pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians were arrested and charged with colluding with organized crime on “micro bets” — wagers on what type of pitches they would throw. This scandal, like the NBA betting scandal that preceded it just weeks earlier, is expected to expand, because of professional sports’ extensive, and misguided, business dealings with the gaming industry.
Thank God for the arrival of Thanksgiving! Taking time to celebrate the spirit of the holiday, which gives us the opportunity to step back and reflect on
what we should be thankful for, is a true American tradition. As we learned in our early school days, legend has the earliest Thanksgiving being celebrated in 17th-century Colonial times between by the Pilgrims and native Indians in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The national celebration of Thanksgiving in November was proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789. During the darkest days of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln certified the final Thursday of November as the official day for celebrating Thanksgiving. Later, after Americans endured the depths of a Depression and as we got involved in the tragedy of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt reaffirmed the significance of Thanksgiving while officially declaring the fourth Thursday of November to be the day of celebration. These actions by Lincoln and Roosevelt should be guideposts for Americans. Neither the absolute horror raging through our country during the Civil War, nor the economic devastation of the Depression, nor the carnage and suffering of World War II, would prevent Americans in those years from being thankful for, and appreciating, the blessings of living in this great land. Not to minimize our current hard-
ships, but we should take the time to show our thanks for all that we do have. America is not at war. It provides more opportunity for its people than any other country on earth, as demonstrated by the tens of millions of people from all over the world who want to live here.
During my years in Congress, I traveled to many countries, mainly in Europe but also in parts of Asia and North Africa. There was no country that could match America for our ingenuity, industriousness and opportunity for generations of people to move upward and thrive. Often we fail to remember that the United States was the first nation to experiment with democracy since Greece many centuries ago, and how that experiment has worked so successfully.
There are reasons why America has the world’s strongest economy and strongest military. That success results from our commitment not just to free enterprise but to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of opportunity, which allow the human spirit to fully develop and thrive. So let’s enjoy our blessings and give thanks for living in this great land. Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless America.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Weekly newspapers are a great community asset
When you’re a news junkie like me, you reach out for a large variety of sources of information. Finding and digesting the offerings of all these many outlets takes a lot of time, but there is one resource that I constantly rely on: the weekly newspaper.
My love for the weekly goes back as far as when I was a bold 12-year-old who walked into the offices of the Long Island Independent and offered my services as a writer. Rather than usher me out the door, the publisher, the late Paul Jackson, gave me an assignment: to read all of the social announcements and to distill them into a few short paragraphs.
By the time I turned 15, I was a paid employee, enjoying my $10-a-week stipend, and I went on to become the principal reporter for the Independent and
the Long Beach Life. Later, during my years in the Assembly, I kept close working relationships with all of the weekly papers in my district, and assigned a full-time staff member to keep the weekly papers informed about my activities in Albany.
Every Friday, I make it a point to look for the latest news in the Herald. I read about the goings-on in five or six communities and read the opinion pages. I offer these details because many residents of our region don’t always take advantage of the many items published in their local papers that are genuinely of interest.
of our schools.
N ational news is great, but I learn the important stuff from the weeklies.
While I have the greatest respect for the mass media, I learn from the weeklies about local athletes who may someday wind up on the national sports pages. Today’s high school track star could eventually become a member of an Olympic team. People complain a lot about high taxes, but if they read their local paper, they would know that 60 percent of their tax bill is for the operation
I like to stay in touch with old friends, and sometimes I find out that they have experienced some great family events thanks to my weekly paper. I also frequently learn that some potential countywide political battle has its roots in an action taken by a village or another municipal entity. So many people would be surprised to learn how much they can find out about local politics by subscribing to a weekly.
On a more somber note, I learn from weeklies that someone I met and liked has died. Too often we learn about family tragedies weeks and months after they occur, and realize that if we’d checked out a weekly paper, we would have known much sooner to reach out to the bereaved family.
When I meet some young man or woman who has decided to run for public office, one of the first things I tell them is not to ignore their weekly newspaper, and to make an effort to meet with its editors so they know about their
candidacy. And I don’t restrict my advice just to budding candidates. I frequently advise federal and state officeholders to keep in touch with their weeklies.
A few years ago, a large group of weekly newspaper owners and editors converged on Albany in an effort to change how state laws govern those local weeklies. Not surprisingly, they were welcomed by members from both sides of the aisle who had learned well and understood the power of those news outlets. If you want to do the right thing, subscribe to your local paper. (If you’re reading this, I’d like to think you already have.) And if you’re a local business owner, think about buying an ad. I’ve been fortunate enough to be an unpaid columnist for the Herald for over 20 years, and I’ve wanted to write this tribute to weekly papers for the longest time. They need your support, and like any business that serves the community, they also merit your help in keeping them as a great asset.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
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This Saturday, shop local
eld each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving — Nov. 29 this year — Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to shift their attention from big-box and giant online retailers to the locally owned businesses that are the backbone of our neighborhoods. These local businesses create jobs, spark innovation and keep more dollars circulating in the local economy, strengthening the very places we call home.
Founded by American Express in 2010 and embraced by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Saturday has grown into a nationwide tradition. It’s nestled between the commercial frenzy of Black Friday and the digital deals of Cyber Monday, and it’s crucial that all of us make a concerted effort to shop at our favorite corner store or buy a gift card for our beloved neighborhood restaurant.
The impact of Small Business Saturday, of course, reaches far beyond economics. When people support a local bookstore, bakery, boutique or service provider, they’re investing in relationships and affirming the value of personal connection — the friendly wave from a shop owner who knows your name, the sense of pride in discovering a one-of-akind product crafted nearby, the feeling of belonging that comes from familiar streets buzzing with activity. These are experiences you simply can’t replicate
letters
Mamdani is on to something, Republicans
To the Editor:
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s electoral appeal, centered on his affordability agenda, has prompted some of his opponents to start emphasizing this issue. Republican State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick is among those proposing actions to rein in New York’s cost of living in her Herald commentary last week, “The cost of living is driving families out of New York.”
Some of her suggestions make sense and, if adopted, might make Long Island living marginally more affordable. But CanzoneriFitzpatrick offers only Band-Aids for the hemorrhaging housing crisis that forces young families to look elsewhere for starter homes. As a professed capitalist, the senator should understand that a grossly inadequate supply of housing cannot meet demand, thus causing prices to spiral ever upward. The solution is obvious: build thousands of new homes.
with anonymous online transactions.
Small Business Saturday reminds us that thriving communities don’t happen by accident — they grow through intentional support and shared commitment. By shopping local, we help build vibrant neighborhoods where businesses and residents lift one another up, strengthening the community fabric, one small shop at a time.
Small businesses account for a significant portion of job creation across the country, and on Long Island they are essential to the economic ecosystem. When shoppers choose small over large, more money stays in the community. Studies show that when you shop at a small, locally owned business, more of your money stays here on Long Island — supporting infrastructure, schools and friends, and even reducing your tax burden. For every $100 spent at a small business, about $67 stays in the community. At a large chain, only about $43 does.
But most importantly, small businesses help define the identity of a place. Neighborhoods with bustling local shops tend to have stronger social ties, safer streets and greater civic engagement. Choosing to support a local business is choosing to support a stronger, more connected community.
Participating in Small Business Saturday is simple and enjoyable. Consumers explore local shops, take part in spe-
cial promotions, share their experiences on social media and leave positive reviews of their favorite spots. Spot a great bargain? Tell a friend! These small actions have big ripple effects, helping local entrepreneurs gain visibility, attract new customers and employ local workers.
Business owners can prepare for Small Business Saturday by using free marketing materials provided by the SBA and American Express, such as fliers, posters and social media graphics. Local governments, chambers of commerce and community groups also do their part by organizing events, hosting holiday markets, and creating interactive maps to guide residents to participating businesses. Many of the best local businesses and deals can be found right here, on the pages of the Herald, or at LIHerald.com.
This Saturday, Long Islanders have the opportunity to demonstrate what makes our communities so special: We show up for our neighbors and they show up for us. Our local small businesses are the ones donating to school fundraisers, sponsoring youth sports teams, hosting community events, providing teenagers with summer jobs, and paying taxes that help keep our local downtowns alive.
So shop local, Long Island — because when small businesses thrive, we all prosper.
opinions Trump’s wrecking ballroom
imagine: You co-own a lovely 233-year-old home, furnished with heirlooms, with property and gardens admired by all. You and your co-owners love this house. In keeping with longstanding tradition, you allow an employee and his family, selected by the majority of your group, to live in it. The terms are that the tenants may live in the house rent-free as long as they welcome visitors, bar criminals from the property and, when the rental period is over, vacate the premises.
nothing, you have in effect given him permission to demolish the home, discard its contents and history and thumb his nose in contempt at the people who are letting him live there.
You know where this is heading.
A few months after moving in, however, the latest tenant, without permission or consultation, demolishes one-fifth of the house and hires contractors to build an addition that will be used for his private parties. He tells the contractors not to worry; the house really belongs to him. And he tells you and your co-owners that when the time comes for him to move out, he may simply decide to stay.
You are in a bind. If you object, some will see you as being overly critical of a bold and adventurous man. If you say
To be fair, Donald Trump is not the first president to make dramatic modifications to the White House. In 1902, Theodore Roosevelt built what is now called the West Wing to accommodate a rapidly growing executive staff and to create separation between the workspace and the Roosevelt family’s private quarters.
Wealthy patrons are treating the renovation as an open invitation to buy influence.
In 1942, Franklin Roosevelt authorized the construction of the East Wing. The government’s day-to-day operations had expanded exponentially during World War II. There was a need for more space for larger international conferences. The East Wing also had offices for the first lady’s staff, areas for public events, and a shelter for wartime security.
By 1948, the 156-year old White House was in need of significant repairs. Wooden beams were rotting and the entire infrastructure needed updating. President Harry Truman called for steel beams, concrete, mod-
letters
But Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick has nothing to say about the extreme nimbyism that makes it so difficult to build housing anywhere in Nassau County. It’s particularly egregious that right-wing politicians have succeeded in blocking transit-oriented developments. Building housing near Long Island Rail Road stations would help make Long Island more affordable without worsening traffic congestion.
Republicans should adopt a variation on a mantra favored by their leader: “Build, baby, build!”
KEvIN J KELLEY
Atlantic Beach
Trump’s ‘outrageous’ commutation of Santos
To the Editor:
Re Jerry Kremer’s column in the Oct. 30-Nov. 5 issue, “Presidents make mistakes, but this one was a doozy”: What
message was being sent to hardworking, honest people when President Trump excused former Rep. George Santos from serving a seven-year prison term after only three months? Santos was proven to be a liar, a cheat, a thief — a dishonest individual who harmed and deceived many people by falsifying everything he touched.
How do we know that he didn’t fabricate the conditions of his prison stay, inasmuch as he is a pro at making up stories? It appears that Trump commuted his sentence due to his being a good Republican supporting Trump.
In my eyes, Santos’s crimes are worse than those of a bank robber. His deceit is now being forgiven, and will Trump, in his generosity, assume the more than $300,000 in restitution that Santos is liable for? It is ludicrous that the president of the U.S. takes his time from government affairs to release an admitted criminal back into society. Outrageous indeed.
GRACE SEARBY Oyster Bay
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Send letters to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com
ern wiring and plumbing. The renovations were not without controversy. When builders installed the “Truman Balcony,” some objected to the $16,000 price tag (around $215,000 today); others argued that it wasn’t a good look to add a private terrace to the world’s most public house. But every president since then has enjoyed using the balcony for relaxation and for greeting people gathered on the South Lawn.
Back to the present. Trump recently authorized the demolition of the East Wing. He wanted a ballroom that could hold 650 people; the price would be around $200 million.
Then he announced that the new space would be “slightly larger” — 90,000 square feet, to accommodate 900 guests, at a cost in excess of $300 million.
Trump has often said that for major events, he wants a permanent, grand space similar in size and style to his Mar-a-Lago ballroom. His guests, Trump says, will pay “a lot of money” for the privilege of gathering in “my beautiful ballroom.”
Protests have come from Republicans and Democrats who question both the stated exclusivity of the new space and its exorbitant cost at a time when people
are losing health insurance, food-assistance programs and general buying power. Trump has responded that he doesn’t need anyone’s permission to change one of the world’s most historically significant national monuments.
Asked whether he intends to name the ballroom after himself, Trump has replied that he hasn’t “really thought about it.” About the price, he has said repeatedly, “I’ll pay for it myself.” But the fact is, he won’t. Wealthy patrons have already stepped in to cover the cost, treating the renovation as an open invitation to buy influence.
Trump has always called himself a builder. But builders strengthen foundations; they don’t bulldoze symbols of public life to erect shrines to themselves. He seems to have no interest in building on the past to create something lasting for others; instead he is building over it, as if erasure were the surest form of legacy. The question isn’t how to undo the demolition work, but how long Americans can afford to pretend that it doesn’t matter. The Trump ballroom will open, the guests will arrive and the message will be that the People’s House has less and less room for the people who own it.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
FrameWork by Tim Baker
michael blitz
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Bring Heart Home This Holiday Season
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