Students at Smith Street Elementary School enjoyed a day of outdoor fun and friendly competition during Field Day on June 3, as the entire school took a break from classroom routines for activities organized by physical education teacher Freddy Vidal. Above, secondgrader Ashawny Davis, 8, took aim at a target to dunk thirdgrade special education teacher Stephanie Stephenson in the dunk tank. At right, secondgraders Jayden Monterreal, 8, and Anthony Garcia, 7, raced across the field carrying a hula hoop during Hula Hoop Pass, a team-building game. Story and more photos, Page 10.
Library pursues long-sought expansion site
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
For years, leaders at the Uniondale Public Library on Uniondale Avenue have pursued the same goal: securing enough space to build a larger facility that can better serve the community’s growing needs.
Much of that effort has centered on property adjacent to the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility on Jerusalem Avenue, which library officials have identified as the most viable location for a future library. But each time it seemed progress was being made, changes in leadership at Nassau University Medical Center forced discussions to start over again.
ing for so we can move forward with any plans to get a new library,” Deborah Mabry, president of the library’s board of trustees, said at its June 17 monthly meeting. “We know it will take a while, but we need a piece of land to put it on.”
W e still have a goal of getting that plot of land that we’re looking for so we can move forward with any plans to get a new library
DeBoRAh MABRY Uniondale Public Library board president
The Holly Patterson facility, in Uniondale, is operated by the Nassau Health Care Corporation, the public entity that also oversees Nassau University Medical Center.
“We still have a goal of getting that plot of land that we’re look-
Now, library officials are hoping another transition at the top of the East Meadow hospital system will finally create a path forward. The access for students is beneficial for Turtle Hook Middle School on Jerusalem Avenue being the closest school to Holly Patterson.
The library’s board of trustees said at its June meeting that it expects to meet with new leadership at NUMC, in its continuing efforts to secure land for a new library building.
“We met with legislator (Olena) Nicks,” Mabry said. “She said give us some time and then we’ll be meeting with the new CEO of the (hospital) board.” Nicks said in a statement on
Continued on page 5
Stu Goldman/Herald photos
Juneteenth brings school community together
Dozens of Uniondale residents, most of the school district gathered at Uniondale High School on June 13 to celebrate Juneteenth early for the Uniondale High School PTA’s annual Juneteenth celebration, an event that combined cultural performances, vendors and community fellowship.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free — more than two years after President Abra-
ham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The day is recognized as the nation’s oldest celebration of the end of slavery and became a federal holiday in 2021.
Hosted by the Uniondale High School PTA, the celebration featured live entertainment by Uniondale students at California Avenue School, , food vendors and activities highlighting African American history, culture and achievements.
— Stacy Driks
Local vendor displayed and sold Juneteenththemed T-shirts during the Uniondale High School PTA’s Juneteenth celebration on June 20, offering attendees apparel honoring the holiday’s history and significance.
Deliah Roberts/Herald photos
Stephanie Conde, left, Mia Harvey, Ashly Fuentes, all of Uniondale High School serve as one of the vendors for Mia’s lemonade
Uniondale High School Principal, Shawn Federico Brown with Assistant Principal Janine Bradley supported the Juneteenth event by changing their suits for cultural attire.
‘Soccer In The Park’ for FIFA World Cup
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Hundreds of soccer fans gathered at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park on June 19 for Soccer In The Park, a community watch party hosted by The Island FC in partnership with Nassau County.
The event featured a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Australia, drawing families, youth soccer players and fans of all ages to one of the county’s most popular outdoor venues. Attendees spread out across the theater grounds with lawn chairs and blankets while enjoying concessions, giveaways and family-friendly activities before and during the match.
“Nassau County is proud to partner with The Island FC to bring this exciting event to Eisenhower Park,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said of the event. “FIFA World Cup 26 is the biggest sporting event in the world, and Soccer In The Park is a great opportunity for residents and families to come together, celebrate the game, and enjoy a worldclass community experience right here in Nassau County.”
The gathering served as the first official community activation for The Island FC, Long Island’s MLS NEXT Pro club, as it continues preparations for its inaugural professional season.
“This is about more than watching a soccer match — it’s about bringing Long Islanders together around the beautiful game,” Travis Lamprecht, The Island FC’s president of business operations, said. “Long Island has an incredible soccer culture and deep passion for the sport at every level. We’re proud to partner with Nassau County on our first community event and create an experience that feels welcoming, energetic and truly representative of this community.”
The Island FC is expected to launch its MLS NEXT Pro team in 2027 as part of its effort to create a pathway from youth soccer to the professional ranks.
Friends from Queens and Brooklyn, Oliver Antreassian, 3, and Gian Luca Manta, 4, had a blast kicking soccer balls around during the World Cup watch party.
Organizers said the watch party reflected the club’s broader mission of connecting with communities across Long Island through soccer and shared experiences.
The event comes as interest in soccer continues to grow throughout the region, fueled in part by the World Cup. Fans gathered throughout the afternoon to cheer on Team USA and celebrate the global game in a festive, family-oriented atmosphere.
During the match, the U.S. defeated Australia 2-0, off an own goal forced by Folarin Balogun and a header from the 21-year-old Alex Freeman. The win allowed the U.S. to secure the top seed in their preliminary group and advance to the Round of 32. The team will play one more group stage game against Türkiye on June 25. Their first knockout game will be on July 1 against a yet-to-bedetermined opponent.
Tim Baker/Herald Fans flocked to Eisenhower Park for a World Cup watch party hosted by The Island FC in partnership with Nassau County. Among those attending were families from East Meadow and Westbury, including Alex Machare, Jeanette Garcia, Michele Machare, Rosemary Garcia, Lauren Jara, Julian Jara and Olivia Jara.
Kaiden Olio, 3, from Levittown, was dressed patriotically.
Luke Martins, 8, of Westbury, practiced his skills while dribbling through a large, inflatable soccer ball, set up for youngsters to enjoy.
Olivia Jara, 6, from Westbury, also put his skills to test on the pitch.
Courtesy Optimum
Linda Anderson, center, founder of Special Treasures Childcare, was recognized with a $5,000 L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant. Her business provides childcare services and recently expanded into a standalone center with capacity for up to 68 children.
$5K grant gives new local childcare center a head start
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Long Island’s small-business community gathered June 16 at Optimum’s Bethpage headquarters for the third annual Small Business Summit, where Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation honored 40 recipients of the L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grants, including Uniondale-based Special Treasures Childcare.
Each recipient received a $5,000 grant through the program, known as “Lifting Our Community Businesses Across Long Island.” The initiative supports businesses with 10 or fewer employees across Nassau and Suffolk counties and aims to provide entrepreneurs with funding, networking opportunities and access to business resources.
Jay Guy, vice president and general manager of Optimum New York, said supporting small businesses strengthens local communities and the regional economy.
“Small businesses play such an essential part in the strength of the local community and the economy,” Guy said.
“$5,000 goes a long way, especially when you think about having to pay rent, a portfolio of customers and people rolling into the business,” he added. “It will definitely help business thrive and succeed.”
Among this year’s recipients was Special Treasures Childcare, which recently opened a childcare center in Uniondale, sharing a building with Grace Cathedral International on Jerusalem Avenue.
Founder Linda Anderson, of West Hempstead, plans to use the funding to invest in equipment, educational materials and program enhancements as the center establishes itself in its new location.
“Special Treasures Childcare is honored to receive this grant, which comes at a pivotal time as we establish our new childcare center in Uniondale,” Anderson said in an email. “Opening a new childcare center requires significant investment, and grants such as this play a critical role in helping small business owners create safe, nurturing, and enriching environments where
Traditional line dancing meets Caribbean culture
children can learn and thrive.”
The center recently expanded from a home-based program in West Hempstead to a standalone facility in Uniondale. According to Optimum Business officials, the expansion will allow the center to serve up to 68 children.
Anderson said quality childcare supports working families and helps strengthen the local economy.
“Our employers in the region can’t attract or retain their workforce if there isn’t safe, affordable and quality childcare available,” said Stacey Sikes, president and chief executive officer of the Long Island Association. “We’re very proud to be able to support a business that is starting their journey. We need more childcare options on Long Island.”
More than 300 businesses applied for this year’s grants, according to the Long Island Association. Applicants were evaluated based on factors including community impact, innovation and plans for growth.
Sikes said many applicants who received the grant, returned from last year and were turned down. This year they have strengthened their applications by refining their plans or demonstrating how their business evolved by viewing the businesses who won.
Since launching the grant program in 2024, Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation have awarded more than $500,000 to 90 Long Island businesses. With this year’s recipients included, the program will have supported 130 businesses overall.
All applicants receive a complimentary six-month membership to the Long Island Association, while grant recipients receive a one-year membership that includes access to networking events, business resources and educational opportunities.
Sikes noted that businesses with fewer than 10 employees represent 80 percent of all businesses on Long Island and play a major role in supporting downtowns and local economies.
Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation expect to announce two $20,000 grand prize winners later this summer.
Community members gathered outside the Uniondale Public Library on June 20 to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month and Black Music History through an afternoon of line dancing.
While line dancing is traditionally associated with Western country music, however, it was adapted across different cultures. Caribbean communities have embraced the dance form, creating routines set to energetic musical genres such as reggae, soca, calypso and dancehall.
Participants of all ages learned dance steps, enjoyed music and came together to honor the rich cultural traditions and contributions of Caribbean communities. The event encouraged community engagement while highlighting the lasting influence of music and dance on cultural expression.
The celebration continues Saturday with the library’s fifth annual Caribbean Heritage Black Music History Celebration Concert. Families are invited to
enjoy a live performance by Twyla Joi & Jamila Band, whose music highlighted the cultural traditions and musical contributions of Caribbean and Black communities. The concert serves as a continuation of the day’s festivities, bringing residents together through music, culture and community celebration.
— Stacy Driks
Kevin Lopez, a Hempstead resident originally from Santiago, Dominican Republic, celebrated Caribbean American Heritage with the Uniondale library.
Steven Sachs/Herald photos
Michelle Jenkins led participants in a line-dancing session. Community members of all ages joined in the activity, which highlighted the role of music and dance in Caribbean cultures.
NUMC leadership changes could bring stability
Monday that the A. Holly Patterson campus would address persistent flooding issues at the current library location. The aging infrastructure has caused a number of disruptions in recent years. Last year, the facility was closed for roughly two months while roof repairs were completed. A basement flood forced the closure of the library’s theater in 2024, ending a long-running concert series that has since been relocated to the library’s café.
“As a former Uniondale library trustee, I am committed to support its growth as a 21st century educational and cultural hub,” she said, “maximizing opportunities for my neighbors to benefit from this outstanding public resource.”
State Sen. Siela Bynoe, who represents Uniondale, spoke with the library board to determine exactly which property trustees were eyeing. She visited the site, saying the “property that was closer to the roadway where Turtle Hook and the recreational center could benefit from.” She added that the property was appraised at $1 million, and the NUMC board is interested in the idea of the proposed library.
The library board said it isn’t seeking space within the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility itself, but rather a parcel of land on the surrounding Nassau Health Care Corporation campus that could accommodate a new library building.
“The plans keep changing,” Mabry added. “You have the discussion and you get some good feedback. But then it’s all gone and you have to start all over again.”
The efforts to secure more space for the library come amid significant changes at the public hospital system.
Last year, New York state assumed oversight of NUMC and its governing body, the Nassau Health Care Corporation, through provisions included in the 2025-26 state budget.
The move shifted control of the financially troubled hospital from Nassau County to the state and restructured the corporation’s board to include 11 members, most of whom are appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Earlier this month, Hochul appointed Richard Kessel, former chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, to serve as chairman of the Nassau Health
Our experienced and certified Pre K teachers are passionate about providing the best care and education for your child
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The Uniondale Public Library Board of Trustees is continuing efforts to secure land for a larger facility, arguing that the current building on Uniondale Avenue no longer meets the community’s long-term needs.
Care Corporation board.
Library officials said they hope the latest leadership changes will provide stability and allow longdelayed discussions about the property near A. Holly Patterson to resume.
Current President and chief executive Thomas Stokes took the position on the board in October, where he met with Bynoe. Bynoe claimed that Stokes was in full support of the plan.
“It’s hopeful that this time there will be some stability,” Mabry said.
The library has explored the possibility of leasing or acquiring
property on the NUMC campus for roughly five years. Trustees have repeatedly said the area near A. Holly Patterson is the only viable location south of Hempstead Turnpike with enough space to accommodate a new library.
The current library building, which spans roughly 31,000 square feet, no longer meets the community’s needs, trustees said, adding that they have explored other options over the years but have been unable to identify another suitable location.
“I’ve been living here close to 20 years, and I can’t remember anything over there,” Mabry said
about the property adjacent to A. Holly Patterson. “And we know that there is not another parcel of land anywhere in Uniondale, probably on this side or the south side of the Hempstead Turnpike, that will yield us enough space for a new library.
“We continue to maintain this building as best that we can,” she added. “The stuff in here is pretty old. (The) boiler here is probably made from original stuff, probably encased in concrete.”
The library secured a grant to fund roof replacement work last spring and some additional funding for infrastructure improvements, including elevator upgrades.
Still, trustees said the building’s underlying issues remain.
Mabry stressed that much of the equipment in the building is antiquated and costing a lot of money to maintain.
As of press time, officials from NUMC, the Nassau Health Care Corporation returned calls for comment. Officials have not yet announced a timeline for renewed discussions with hospital leaders.
Have an opinion about the library’s’ relocation plan? Send a letter to sdriks@liherald.com
Long Island tops NYC in All-Star Classic
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
New York City just complete its best possession of the 2nd Annual National Football Foundation’s All-Star Football Classic, driving 60 yards on 11 plays following a takeaway to cut Long Island’s lead to four points with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter.
However, it didn’t take long for momentum to swing back in favor of Long Island.
Thirteen seconds, to be exact.
Mount Sinai’s Dontae Spadaro took the ensuing kickoff in stride and blazed down the sideline 73 yards for a touchdown to extend Long Island’s advantage to two scores and it held on for a 21-13 victory before a crowd of 1,500 at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium June 17.
“It meant a lot to me to score that touchdown and help our team win,” Spadaro said. “It’s pretty emotional.”
Long Island won last year’s inaugural All-Star Classic, 33-15, as the senior showcase game made its return for the first time since the Boomer Esiasion Foundation’s Empire Challenge completed a fantastic 24-year run in 2019.
The new version, with a special touch featuring some of college football’s most renowned rivalries (Long Island wore Notre Dame uniforms; New York City wore USC), also honors Esiason, a former East Islip High School and NFL star quarterback, with the game’s MVP trophy named in his honor.
East Islip’s Jovan Bonilla was named MVP. He had a tremendous night leading a Long Island defense that allowed only one touchdown —Eagle Academy quarterback Aaron Smith’s 20-yard run up the middle that brought NYC within 14-10 before Spadaro’s special teams heroics. Bonilla batted down a pass on the opening play of the second quarter to hold NYC to a field goal and racked up 8 tackles.
“It was a great experience,” Bonilla said. “Our defense was relentless the whole game. The energy was high and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Long Island’s first scoring drive answered the first of two Jake Borrowes (Monsignor Farrell) field goals. Quarterback Simmon Blisset (Northport) directed a 10-play, 57-yard drive capped by his 6-yard touchdown pass on a backfield screen to Huntington’s Yasir Jones. It was 7-3 after kicker Justin Jones’ (Chaminade) first of three successful extra points.
Carle Place’s Ryan Leary kept the drive alive, hauling down a 16-yard pass from Blisset on fourth-and-8 from Long Island’s 45. Jones added a 22-yard reception.
“There was so much talent on the field,” said Leary, who had three recep-
William Floyd’s Ja’Quan Thomas, right, had a 23-yard touchdown
tions for 43 yards. “One thing that struck me was the size of the linemen. It was a lot of fun and great to be targeted.”
Long Island led 14-3 at halftime following an impressive 89-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 23-yard scoring strike from Miller Place quarterback Shane Kiernan to William Floyd running back Ja’Quan Thomas.
It was back to a one-possession game with 6:18 remaining in the fourth quarter after Borrowes nailed a 24-yard field goal. New York City got the ball back with 3:22 left, but East Islip’s PJ Gannon’s interception sealed the outcome.
“The kids were class acts for weeks, became a team and really showed up and played for each other,” said longtime Wantagh coach Keith Sachs, who along with Garden City’s Dave Ettinger, Roosevelt’s Joe Vito, Massapequa’s Kevin Shippos, St. Anthony’s Joe Minucci, Ward Melville’s Chris Boltrek, Cold Spring Harbor’s John Mendreski, Bayport’s Mike Zafonte, East Islip’s Sal Ciampi, Smithtown West’s Craig Perrino, West Islip’s Steve Fasciani was part of a Long Island staff led by Sayville’s Rob Hoss.
Carle Place’s Ryan Leary, right, had three receptions for 43 yards.
Derrick Dingle/Herald photos
reception in Long Island’s 21-13 victory.
Knicks parade draws huge, celebratory crowd
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
New York City held a ticker-tape parade celebrating the Knicks’ NBA championship win over the San Antonio Spurs last week — the Knicks’ first title since their 1973 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lower Manhattan was packed on June 18, with paradegoers clamoring for space along the route up Broadway from Battery Park to City Hall. Each Knicks player had his own float, atop which he and a group of team staff celebrated.
Star center Karl-Anthony Towns had a special guest on his float: Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who gave a speech congratulating the team at a ceremony at City Hall after the parade, where the team was presented with keys to the city.
Mamdani told the crowd that the oddsmakers had given the Spurs a 99.6 percent chance of winning Game 4 of the championship series. “A 99.6 percent chance of tying up the series 2-2 …,” the mayor said. “But there is one thing that the pundits don’t get about this city: It is in that .4 percent that we go to work.
“It’s in that .4 percent that the Knicks do what New Yorkers have always done when we are told that something is impossible,” Mamdani added. “We find a way. We win.”
Actor Timothée Chalamet, film director and Knicks superfan Spike Lee, and rapper Fat Joe were also on floats with the Knicks players.
According to city officials, the parade attracted a crowd of over 2 million, but when the estimates of the number who didn’t make it into the viewing area are included, the approximate totals were much larger. Among those in both categories were a number of Long Islanders, who took the LIRR into the city to support the team’s historic win.
Brothers Bryan and Christian Rosado, of Long Beach, made it into Manhat-
tan by 6 a.m., but that wasn’t early enough for them to get a good view of the parade. But they said they appreciated the experience nonetheless.
“I’d love to say we stayed to watch the whole thing, but we really weren’t going to see much,” Bryan Rosado said. “It might have felt like hell on earth, but it was worth celebrating the Garden becoming Eden again.”
“The parade was an unorganized mess — it was so chaotic,” his brother said. “I still think being with so many other New Yorkers, laughing, chanting and celebrating, made it worth it.” The unity Christian described spread through the streets, and many Knicks fans were wearing Yankees and Mets caps as well.
Jacquelle Lainez, of Freeport, managed to get a better view than the Rosados. Her plans were also altered by how early paradegoers began gathering in
Lower Manhattan. “My friend I was supposed to go with said her phone fell off her nightstand, lost power and died before her alarm could go off,” Lainez said. “I waited for her from 4 to 5:30 a.m., but after that I just went. It’s her loss.”
The unity was palpable on Church Street, parallel to the parade route. Fans who couldn’t get a view of the parade flooded the street, climbing on sanitation trucks, crowding subway entrances and climbing lampposts. Chants of “Knicks in 5!” “Let’s go Knicks!” and “Jalen Brunson” rang out regularly.
Even after the parade, Lower Manhattan was still full of Knicks fans buying shirts from street vendors, getting much-needed drinks at delis, and congratulating one another as if all were members of the team. New Yorkers’ connection to the Knicks was clearly as strong as it has been in decades.
Guard Josh Hart, who, like each of the players, had a float of his own, looked comfortably well-equipped.
J Goy/Herald photos
Some of the estimated 2 million people — not counting the crowded side streets — who attended the Knicks’ championship parade in Lower Manhattan on June 18.
Knicks Captain Jalen Brunson in the foreground as the confetti fell.
Actor and Knicks superfan Timothée Chalamet joined in the championship parade festivities.
Propel NY project continues permit process
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
The Propel NY Energy project, the installation of nearly 90 miles of underground transmission lines across a number of counties in New York state, is continuing the process of securing permits from the state. Representatives of New York Power Authority and NY Transco, the partners on the project, have provided an update on its progress and outlined the next steps.
Developers are required to secure a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need from the state Public Service Commission. Propel has not yet received that certificate, but Transco Project Director Steve Hatchard said the team is aiming to receive it by summer’s end.
Construction on the $3.2 billion project is slated to begin later this year and expected to last four years, with completion anticipated in May 2030. Crews are expected to progress 50 to 150 feet per day.
The new transmission lines would augment existing lines. In 2023, the New York State Independent System Operator chose the project as a solution to problems like increased demand on the state’s power grid and its vulnerability in severe weather.
A NYISO report from June 9 highlighted the challenges of aging infrastructure. “This report made it clear
that modernizing and expanding our transmission network is essential for long-term reliability,” Tia Santoro, NYPA’s senior director of government and community affairs, said, “especially in the downstate region.”
New York has 11,000 miles of transmission lines, including 241 miles of underground 345-kilovolt lines similar to those proposed for the Propel project.
The new transmission lines would not be built to carry energy generated by any one source. The energy that flows on the lines would be determined by NYISO.
A joint proposal — an agreement among Propel, state agencies and other parties that determines site, environmental impact and construction requirements to which the project must adhere — was filed with the Public Service Commission in April. The next step is the creation of a series of Environmental Management and Construction Plans, which must demonstrate compliance with the parameters established in the joint proposal. They will be opened for public comment before they are reviewed by the PSC. Hatchard said that if there is feedback that needs to be incorporated into the plans, they will be amended and a new public comment period will open.
Other components of the plans include descriptions of construction methods, emergency response proce -
dures and the responsibilities of contractors, inspectors and environmental monitors.
“The purpose of the environmental monitors,” Hatchard explained, “is to be a third-party set of eyes out there that is ultimately responsibility to the regulators from an environmental compliance perspective.”
There are five proposed phases of Environment Management and Construction Plans, each dealing with a different aspect or location of the project. Pre-filings have already been submitted for the first two phases.
“We have started to receive some
The Propel NY Energy project will span several downstate counties.
comments back on the E.M. and C.P. Phase One,” Hatchard said, “and we are looking forward to the comments back for Phase Two as well.”
The plans are scheduled to be filed for public comment this summer, and Hatchard said the team is planning for approvals to begin in the fall. Construction is slated to start late this year on part of the project in New Rochelle, in Westchester County, followed by work in the Town of Oyster Bay.
Hatchard said that during construction, residents can receive information through the mail, text messages and updates from the Propel NY Energy app.
Herald file photo
Students swap notebooks for a day of fun
By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Students at Smith Street Elementary School traded classrooms for relay races, obstacle courses and a dunk tank during the school’s second annual Field Day, an end-of-year tradition designed to celebrate teamwork and create lasting memories before summer break.
Held on the school’s grounds on June 3, Field Day brought together students from every grade level for a day of outdoor activities, games, music food and friendly competition.
Physical education teacher Freddy Vidal, organized the event, said Field Day is one of the highlights of the school year.
“It’s been a tradition here,” Vidal said. “It’s my second year here, so they’ve always had it, but when I came to Smith Street, I wanted to take some of my ideas and add my own, too.”
Vidal is familiar with Field Day events at schools as this was his second year helping organize the outdoor event at Smith Street. However, his experience traces back before coming to Uniondale, he taught in Westbury and drew on ideas from previous events while helping continue Smith Street’s longstanding tradition.
“It’s basically a gym all day for them, they’re all excited for it,” Vidal said. “They’re outside no schoolwork, for them it’s the best day.”
About a month before Field Day, he began preparing students for the activities while emphasizing sportsmanship, teamwork and positive behavior.
Students rotated through a variety of stations, including relay races, beach ball challenges, hula hoop activities and a popular dunk tank that drew long lines throughout the day.
Rising sixth grader, Olivia Grant along with Evita Joseph, Brielle Sanchez, Kayden Jenkins and Josephine Mejia Pelico, some attending Turtle Hook Middle School in the fall said the dunk tank was their favorite attraction.
“This day shows that it’s almost summer, where we get to be outside instead of what I like to call trapped,” Grant said with a laugh. “Basically, inside and we can be free, we can run around and have fun.”
Tamel Johnson said he enjoyed spending time outside with friends and participating in activities that aren’t part of a typical school day.
Students pointed to several activities that required teamwork, included, cornhole a beach ball relay and a hula hoop challenge in which classmates stood in a circle holding hands while working together to move a hula hoop around the group without letting go.
By the end of the day, students of all grades had a tug-a-war contest, where each team consisted of a class to see who will pull the hardest.
For Vidal, the biggest goal is creating memories students will carry with them long after elementary school.
“Today is just a fun time and (creating) memories, next year or maybe when they’re in high school they’re going to think to themselves or tell their classmates and say ‘hey remember we played this one game that we were competing against each other’” Vidal said.
Vidal said the event also helps build school culture, noting that former students sometimes return to visit and support the school community.
As the school year winds down, many fifth graders said they will miss the annual tradition when they move on to middle school next fall, but the memories of one last Field Day at Smith Street are likely to stay with them for years to come.
Stu Goldman/Herald photos
Smith Street Elementary School Principal Elaine DeBono and physical education teacher and Field Day supervisor Freddy Vidal watched as students participated in activities involving activities and friendly competition.
Second grade students representing the Gray Team with their teacher Meghan O’Neill. There were gray and white teams to help organize students for activities and competitions.
First grader, Emily Velasquez, 7, kicked a soccer ball around the Smith Street elementary School field.
Pre-K students played the activity, ‘playground parachute’, this was one of the many activity’s students participated in.
Third grader student, Ariah Duran, 9 attempted a flip to show excitement of playing outside with friends.
Yoel Ramirez, 5, balances an object on a spoon while walking across the field.
LIA panel urges bipartisan cooperation
Rahm Emmanuel and Kevin McCarthy take part in spirited political discussion
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
The Long Island Association hosted its Centennial Spring Luncheon wit Rahm Emmanuel, former White House chief of staff for President Barack Obama, former mayor of Chicago and the 31st United States ambassador to Japan, and Kevin McCarthy, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, were guest speakers on the June 15 panel with LIA President and CEO Stacey Sikes.
Sikes, Emmanuel and McCarthy discussed the American political climate and the standing of the Democratic and Republican parties. They spoke about how each party can improve itself, work toward collaboration, and “reach across the aisle” rather than stoke further division.
Sikes asked McCarthy about President Trump’s potential influence over the upcoming midterm elections, and how that influence is more prominent than most previous presidents. “He controls the party — he can make you win or lose by an endorsement alone,” McCarthy said. “He governs differently. Most presidents want to do everything through the House and Senate, but he’s happy doing executive orders.”
Emmanuel and McCarthy were asked
about how the suburban vote could swing the midterms, particularly on Long Island.
“Democrats control urban elections and seats; Republicans control rural,” Emmanuel said. “The battleground will be in the suburban districts. That has been the truth for the last 20 and 30 years.”
“I’d have never been speaker if it wasn’t for the guys up in Long Island, and suburbs everywhere else,” McCarthy said. “Democrats have the advantage now, but anything can happen.” Emmanuel decried the negative impact of political division, and how it is a detriment to America’s performance on the global stage. “While
we’re spending all our time, all our energy on redistricting and trying to figure out how to screw each other, China’s doubling their research funding,” he said. “They’re spending money on research in China, and we’re spending primary resources on redistricting. You tell me, which one’s going to get you ahead?”
Sikes asked the panelists about the political brand the Democratic party has built up over the past decade, and what they think Democrats can do to remake that brand. “Across the country, 48 to 49 percent of the country describes themselves as independents,” Emmanuel said. “It’s basically a rejection of both parties.”
McCarthy agreed, but extended the criticism to the Republican party. “Both parties aren’t solving problems,” he said. “That’s why you’re getting flips in control — that’s why people aren’t believing in the system. I like campaigns about ideas.”
Despite the talk of division and political strife, the conference ended on a positive note when Emmanuel said, “Whatever our experiences are, we both know one thing: We won the lottery ticket of life. This is the greatest country in the world, as long as we don’t turn our back on what makes it the greatest country in the world.”
Courtesy Long Island Association
Kevin McCarthy, left, Stacey Sikes and Rahm Emmanuel discussed elections, political division and ways to improve the country.
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
STEPPING OUT
Extraterrestrial characters are part of the experience. Cosplayers will enchant visitors with a UFO dance party before the 300 drone light show.
A 300-drone light show serves as the day’s finale. The displays are inspired by aviation, space exploration and extraterrestrial lore.
Visitors learn how E.T. travels by creating a comet and launching film-canister rockets powered by dry ice and Alka-Seltzer while exploring the science of propulsion and space travel.
Investigating the ‘unknown’ At the Cradle of Aviation UFO curiosity meets science
By Stacy Driks
Some questions have a way of capturing the imagination no matter how much time passes. Are we alone in the universe? What lies beyond our understanding of the cosmos? For those drawn to such mysteries, the Cradle of Aviation Museum offers an opportunity to explore the unknown through presentations, discussions and stories that examine some of the most intriguing phenomena ever reported.
The museum hosts “UFOlogy: Close Encounters at the Cradle,” on Saturday, a daylong event featuring investigators, astronomers, interactive exhibits and a 300-drone light show. Visitors can examine reports of unidentified aerial phenomena while exploring the curiosity, science and speculation that have fueled interest in the subject for decades.
“We thought it was a good opportunity because there’s been so much in the news and media over the past few years,” says Jen Baxmeyer, the Cradle of Aviation’s executive director. “Everyone’s been talking about it. We said, ‘Let’s use this as an opportunity to talk about some of the science and technology occurring out there and even some of the fun science that goes into investigating these things.’”
Throughout the day, everyone can explore demonstrations involving drones, astronomy and investigative technology. Activities range from comicbook creation and face painting to an alien autopsy — an alien-themed version of the classic game Operation.
Many of the elements Baxmeyer noted, are designed to disguise STEM lessons inside entertaining experiences.
“They’re not going to realize that they’re actually learning science,” she says.
One station demonstrates the physics of buoyancy and air pressure through a hovering UFO-inspired craft, while others allow visitors to experiment with drones and discover how modern aerospace technology works.
The Allmost Brothers
Keep your summer of music rolling along with a killer evening of jams with the Allmost Brothers Band at the iconic Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park. They’re part of a double bill with Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Sons of Skynard. The Almost Brothers headlines at 8:30 p.m. with their rocking vibe. The popular progressive tribute act honors the tradition of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. Working within the framework of ABB’s incredible and vast songbook, The Allmost Brothers inject something new, fresh and exciting into the material. In a matter of words: high level musicianship, authentic improvisational interplay, dedication to the high octane performance, and power that established the original ABB back in 1969, and sustained their 45-year career. Bandmates Sean McGrath and and Dave Filloramo on lead guitars, Joe Wasserman on vocals and keys, Dave Losee and Dan Roth on drums, and Tom Hooker on bass truly consider themselves a band of brothers. They thrives on chemistry and improvisation, bringing a unique fire to the song book of the ABB during every performance.
The event also has a distinctly Long Island flavor. Organizers intentionally selected local experts to participate.
Featured speakers include UFO investigator Ben Hansen, who discusses how researchers draw on fields such as physics, meteorology and mathematics to analyze sightings and videos, including cases from New York City and Connecticut.
Long Island-based researchers the Tedesco Brothers showcase the cameras, sensors and field equipment they use to document and study unusual aerial observations, offering visitors a firsthand look at the technology behind modern UFO investigations.
• Saturday, June 27, noon9:30 p.m.
• Tickets are $25, $20 children, $75 for family four-pack, also $40 for Spaceballs/ UFOlogy combo; available at cradleofaviation.org
• Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City
“We’re trying to keep it Long Island,” Baxmeyer says. “Most of our organizations are local, and they’ll be talking about incidents that are very specific to Long Island.”
Among those participating are members of the Amateur Observers’ Society, who will set up solar and nighttime telescopes for public viewing. Visitors have an opportunity to learn more about astronomy while observing celestial objects through equipment operated by local enthusiasts.
As daylight fades, attention will shift outdoors for one of the day’s most anticipated attractions: a 300-drone light show produced by Grizzly Entertainment, the company behind the recent aerial display at Jones Beach on Memorial Day.
The synchronized drones create a series of aviation, aerospace and space-themed images in the night sky, with a few extraterrestrial surprises mixed in.
“We’re going to have some fun, exciting stuff,” Baxmeyer says. “We’ll have a DJ, we’re going to have our own E.T. doing kind of a kickoff dance party.
“A lot of people in the sciences shy away from talking about these types of topics. But people are interested in them. They’re talking about them on social media. Why not have the conversation here and give everyone the opportunity to learn about the science too?”
Visitors will also enjoy watching — or re-watching — “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” participate in themed activities and meet costumed characters inspired by popular science-fiction franchises and other extraterrestrial characters.
The museum also welcomes everyone to a pre-show on Friday, when visitors can screen“Spaceballs,” the 1987 sci-fi parody.
While UFOlogy makes its debut this year, museum officials are already looking ahead. A strong turnout could pave the way for the event to become an annual fixture on the museum’s calendar, much like the widely attended Cradle-Con convention.
”We’ll probably give it a few years to catch on,” Baxmeyer adds. “If people enjoy it and it grows, we’d love to keep doing it.”
For now, she — and her team — are betting that a mix of curiosity, discovery and a little extraterrestrial fun is enough to bring everyone together for a day that is, quite literally, out of this world.
Friday, June, 26, 7 p.m. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Contact nassaucountyny. gov for more.
Hop aboard that “Midnight Train to Georgia” when the legendary soul chanteuse returns Westbury Music Fair. Gladys Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential, beloved, and important living singers on the planet. And while the Empress of Soul may have been in the business for more than 60 years now, that hasn’t stopped her from continuing to rock that beat as only she can do. The great ones endure, and Knight has long been one of the greatest.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s fierce vocal power, elegant precision, and heartfelt performances have cemented her as one of music’s unquestionable icons. For sure, very few singers over these many years have matched her unassailable artistry. If you’re a fan of her classic Motown-style R&B, then you’ll surely want to see her perform — on more time.You know all her hits, now hear her bring them to life once again in her inimitable style.
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at livenation.com. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury.
Gladys Knight
Photos Courtesy Cradle of Aviation Museum
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
JUN
‘Summer of Love’ Pet Adoption
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter welcomes summer with the return of its “Summer of Love” pet adoption program. Now through Sept. 6 all pet adoption fees will be waived, making it easier than ever to adopt a pet. Each adoption includes free spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. Additionally, there is only a $10 licensing fee for dogs. The town animal shelter is home to playful pups and laid-back cats waiting for a fresh start. Check out the friendly faces of the dogs and cat before arriving at shelter. Browse photos and profiles at hempsteadny. gov/179/animal-shelter or on the shelter’s Facebook page.
• Where: 3320, Beltagh Ave., Wantagh
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: at hempsteadny. gov/179/animal-shelter or (516) 785-5220
JUN
Stewart Copeland’s ‘Have I Said Too Much’
noon and 3 p.m. hosted by the museum’s Puppet Eagle. Join in this milestone celebration of America’s past, present, and future through hands-on fun and shared community spirit. Free with admission.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Celebrate
JUL
2
America Eisenhower Park welcomes all to the annual patriotic show. Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock perform, followed by drone show and fireworks.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Midsummer Nights
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes all to picnic, stroll and relax on the longest nights of the year. The Gardens will be illuminated with lanterns and decorated with wreaths and floral arrangements. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food and beverages on site from Café in the Woods. $25 general admission, $12 children 7-17.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Gates open at 6 p.m., also June 27-28
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
JUN
26 Freestyle Meets Salsa Get in the groove at Eisenhower Park with Brenda K. Starr, Tito Puente JR., TKA/ K7, Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495 and Forever Freestyle Band.
Stewart Copeland, world-famous drummer, founder of the most successful rock band of the 1980s, The Police, heads out on his first American spoken-word tour: “Have I Said Too Much - The Police, Hollywood, and other adventures.” The accomplished frontman, also a composer of film scores, video games and operas — in addition to his accolades as multi-Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, writer and film maker — is ready to talk about it all in his usual funny, intelligent, sharp, and unique way. He became an all-time great after recruiting Sting and Andy Summers into his band in 1977. They enjoyed four consecutive number one studio albums, winning Grammy and BRIT Awards, and selling a cool 75 million records. Enjoying number-one hits with “Message In A Bottle,” “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” and the multi-platinum “Every Breath You Take.” Copeland has spent the subsequent near-four decades at the forefront of contemporary music, as a rock star and acclaimed film composer, and across the worlds of opera, ballet, chamber and world music. There were two books that dealt with his remarkable life, which are all part of this evening of conversation, with photos, videos and a Q&A.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
‘Yeoman of the Guard’
JUN
Bubble Magic
JUL
3
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to the Bubbles exhibit for some extra sudsy fun! Through playful, hands-on experiments explore what makes a bubble form, what makes them pop, and discover new creative ways to make bubbles at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
30
Harmonize with Long Island Harmonizers
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
JUN
28
27 Rock on with reggae Reggae is the vibe at Eisenhower Park. The concert series continues with Inner Circle, Wayne Wonder and IRIEspect.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company stages “Yeoman of the Guard.” The romantic tale unfolds in the Tower of London during the reign of Henry VIII, blending romance, humor and drama. The story follows Colonel Fairfax, unjustly condemned, who escapes execution moments after secretly marrying Elsie Maynard, leaving her torn between love and loyalty as danger closes in. Long a favorite of the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire, The Yeomen of the Guard features some of W.S. Gilbert’s most beautiful lyrics, paired with Arthur Sullivan’s sweeping, romantic music. Its songs include the yearning “I Have a Song to Sing, O,” the bouncy patter song “A Private Buffoon Is a Light-Hearted Loon,” the ravishingly beautiful quartet “Strange Adventure,” the lyrical “Is Life a Boon?” and the comical “Hereupon We’re Both Agreed.”
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs fourpart a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like — join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave., Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
JUL
1
Nature Connects
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.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-noon and 2-3 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
250 Birthday Ball Spectacular
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes all to celebrate the nation’s 250th with a day of familyfriendly fun, creativity, and patriotic spirit. Kids can design festive birthday hats;create red, white, and blue jewelry; make a colonialera ball-and-cup game; and enjoy special activities with guest artist Cynthia Seibold. The celebration also features birthday cake, an America 250 photo spot, a DJ-led dance party, hands-on building activities, rides on the historic Nunley’s Carousel, and exciting Eagle Ball Drop countdowns at
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
JUL
8
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. Enjoy Disney/Pixar’s “Elio. The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: Movie begins at dusk
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Compiled by Herald Staff
Verna Smith, Hewlett, age 7
To take our boat to the city with our dogs.
Baker/Herald
Pia Tallarico, Rockville Centre, age 9
I want to go to sleep-away camp for the first time and I love to volunteer to help kids with special needs if I can.
Dylan Shuman, Glen Cove, age 11
Going to my hockey camps, swimming in the pool, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family.
Courtesy Eric Shuman
Emree Tucker, Freeport, age 6
I would like to go on a bike ride at Jones Beach and to go on a boat this summer to see lots of fishes.
Joe Reilly, Massapequa, age 3
To go in the pool.
Tim
Tim Baker/Herald
Tim Baker/Herald
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court County of Nassau Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Esperanza Arriaga-Turcios a/k/a Esperanza Rodriguez, et al, Defendant
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated entered on May 7, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 524 Decatur Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 50, BLOCK: 135, LOT: 263. Approximate amount of judgment is $756,555.17 plus interests and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 008912/2016. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Brian Davis, Referee
FRENKEL LAMBERT
WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-098156-F00 90217 160628
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST
2006-CH2 ASSET
BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES
2006-CH2, Plaintiff, Against
MAUREEN E HILLARY
AKA MAUREEN HILLARY; BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.; COMMISSIONERS OF STATE INSURANCE FUND; KMT GROUP LLC; UNITED STATES OF AMERICAINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/28/2016, 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 7/13/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 612 Newton Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553 and described as follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Section 36 Block 134 Lot 507
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $388,511.23 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 11090-14 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee.
SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 5/26/2026 File Number: 32669 CA 160692
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Avatar Nassau Retail Center LLC, Plaintiff vs. 175 Nassau Road Holding, Inc., et. al., Defendants (612130/2023)
Pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 23, 2026, the undersigned referee will sell at auction on July 14, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, rain or shine, the premises at 175 Nassau Road, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 192), 163 Nassau Road,
Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 191) and the vacant land on Centennial Avenue, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 8). The approx. amt. of Plaintiff’s lien is $3,959,706.55 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold in one parcel and subject to judgment and terms of sale.
Charles Casolaro, Esq. Law Offices of Tae H. Whang, LLC, Attys for Plaintiff, 185 Bridge Plaza N., Fort Lee, NJ 07024, (201) 461-0300 160279
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2021-A, Plaintiff, vs. CARLOS H. MARTINEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 11, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 124 Lawrence Street, Uniondale a/k/a Hempstead, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 44, Block 66 and Lot 19. Approximate amount of judgment is $543,602.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615119/2023. Cash will not be accepted.
Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160770
LEGAL NOTICE
UNIONDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)FOR UNIVERSAL PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM SERVICES FOR THE UNIONDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
933 Goodrich Street Uniondale, NY 11553
PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY: Date: July 2,2026 Time: 3:00 PM Location: Uniondale Public Schools
Business Office 933 Goodrich Street Uniondale, NY 11553
Ellen Winter, Purchasing Agent 160902
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. KENNETH FORD A/K/A KENNETH FORD, JR. A/K/A KENNETH JAMES FORD, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 7, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 29, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 300 Laclede Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 42 and Lot 119. Approximate amount of judgment is $570,048.64 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #602049/2024. Matin Emouna, Esq., Referee Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP, 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160855
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
Town Supervisor John Ferretti, center, presented a news conference with Town Clerk Kate Murray, left, and William Hawkins, the commissioner of parks and recreation.
Wesley Schnell / Herald photos
Construction brings reduced fees at Lido Golf Club
By WESLEY SCHNELL Intern
Major renovations and improvements are coming to Lido Golf Club resulting in a decrease in greens fees, according to Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti.
Lido Golf Club is “one of the crown jewels of the Town of Hempstead” according to Ferretti, which is why the Hempstead Town Board will be implementing major upgrades to the course.
In 1942, The United States Navy acquired the property during World War II to construct a naval base. After the war in 1953, the course re-opened and was designed by golf course architect Robert Trent. With waterfront views, challenging layout and distinctive seaside character, the course has been a staple of the Town of Hempstead for many years.
Ferretti and other Town Board members, including Town Clerk Kate Murray and Commissioner of Parks and Recreation William Hawkins, spoke at Lido Golf Club on Thursday to announce the upcoming renovations and an associated discount on greens fees.
The first phase of the project will affect nine different holes throughout the course to improve playability, turf health and overall course conditions. “Tempo-
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION of SKR Medical, PLLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/21/2026 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 626 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556. Purpose: any lawful act. 160903
rary greens will be in effect on two of the nine holes, and shared greens will be in effect on the other seven,” Ferretti said. This allows for continuous play with no interruptions while the upgrades are completed.
“These improvements demonstrate our commitment to preserving and enhancing this remarkable course while keeping it affordable and accessible to the public,” Ferretti said. Due to the potential disruption, greens fees will be reduced by 50 percent to encourage golfers to play the course during renovations. “We believe that when the course benefits, golfers should benefit as well,” said Ferretti.
The improvements will include an increase in the number of groundskeepers dedicated to maintaining the course. Pest control will be expanded to better protect the health of the grounds and there will be major irrigation system improvements to promote healthier greens and fairways.
“This is about preserving a beloved public asset and supporting recreation for years to come,” Ferretti said. “Our goal is simple: provide the best possible golf experience while keeping Lido Golf Course affordable, accessible and enjoyable. We appreciate all town golfers who will continue to golf here at Lido Golf.”
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE OF THE CABANA SERIES IV TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARIA ISBEL ROMERO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 4, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 7 Moffat Place, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village and Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 113 and Lots 299, 300 and 301. Approximate amount of judgment is
$715,272.24 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #620007/2024. Danielle L. Estis, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 200575-7 160526
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City.
We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com
Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so
Coastal Luxury in Lido Dunes
Cemetery Plots
Pinelawn Memorial Park
2 Cemetery Plots For Sale Plot M Grave 222
Range 26, Block 6, Section 40 $2,500.00 Each Total Real Value $8,000 615-444-3175 or 615-609-0332 Harrywatkins@yahoo.com
What’s involved in a net-zero home?
Q. We’re looking for a home — first-time buyers — and are interested in something we can make into a net-zero residence. Is it possible, and what are the things we’ll need to consider? Net zero is our hope, but we know we may have to settle. Some things may be way out of our price range.
A. Net zero for a home means producing as much energy as it consumes, bringing a utility balance to no expense. It’s possible, and the first thing you should look for is the orientation of the building and the location relative to problems. For example, a home near saltwater won’t allow for a well pump that will save hundreds on irrigation, and the home would need to be higher off the ground to avoid flooding, leaving greater surface exposure to cold.
You want to find a home where the back faces south and, if there’s a garage, it’s at the northeast corner, to act as a wind block. A home whose back faces south brings more daylight to kitchens, dining and recreation rooms, which are used more during the day and oriented to the backyard. Trees make a difference, too, because they provide a wind block, to reduce the time you run the boiler in the winter, as well as shade, reducing the heat on the home in summer and reducing air conditioning demand.
Make sure the property has drainage away from the home, and that shrubs are kept slightly away from the exterior walls. Where there’s more moisture, there’s more need for running a dehumidifier, which erases utility cost savings. Thermal operable window shades are helpful, but remember to open the blinds for daylight. The more sun-lit the rooms are, the lower the electric bill for lighting. And the better the windows (newer and more energy-efficient), the less heat and cool will be lost.
Look at the attic to see if insulation is uniform and thick. If you really want to save energy and dramatically reduce costs, consider re-insulating with closed-cell foam. It’s costly to install, but will pay you back in two to three years and for the rest of the time you’re in the home. Open-cell foam is less costly but also less insulating. Foam insulation is also a great sound reducer if you’re looking near a busy roadway or airport. You can also generate power and reduce utility bills substantially with solar panels, but understand that the time period to pay back is several years, often seven to 10.
What’s great is that these upgrades pay for themselves. Not many products can do that. Installing new roofing before putting up solar panels is highly recommended and, if you manage another expensive upgrade, consider a standing seam metal roof. Less-sightly solar panels can be placed on the south (rear) roof, attached to the standing fins of each roof section, and there will be no roof penetration. Going net zero saves energy and money. Good luck!
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opinions
What it means to be a college graduate
At a time when some loud voices are questioning the value of college, I thought of my own experience.
In 11th grade, while other students were making college plans, I was uncertain of my future. Neither of my parents had gone to college. My mother died when I was 9 and my father, bankrupt from medical bills, was a single parent of two young children.
One day, my 10th-grade biology teacher, Joe Leone, stopped me in the hallway and asked, “Bobby, why haven’t you signed up for the SATs?” Why, indeed? No one had encouraged me. The guidance office, knowing my family’s circumstances, had urged me to apply to a non-selective Midwestern public university that didn’t require scores and was eager for students. With Mr. Leone’s encouragement, I took the SATs, earned a scholarship to Bucknell University, and the rest is history — a history whose critical hinge was a teacher who cared enough
to ask a question.
As a sophomore at Bucknell, I had doubts about why I was there and whether I could afford to stay, even while working 20 hours a week in the library and having saved money from summer jobs. Fortunately, my adviser, English Professor Mildred Martin, talked me into rethinking my decision to leave, and urged me to see the dean about additional scholarship aid. Together they helped me understand why I should stay, academically, and how I could stay, financially. I’ve been indebted to them ever since. Here I am, an educator who cares about students, like them.
Hing point and a foundation.
Research indicates that earning a college degree results in more career options, better health outcomes, lower rates of unemployment and greater citizen engagement. It is also reported to yield an average annual rate of return on investment of 9 to 10 percent more than a high school diploma.
igher education isn’t just about providing credentials for work.
My career path wasn’t a straight line, however. I went to college to be a minister, majored in English, got interested in advertising, joined Procter & Gamble, served in the Navy, returned to Bucknell in admissions rather than enter law school, attended an institute at Harvard and was recruited to be a junior dean at Cornell, where I earned my Ph.D. and taught sociology. Then I served in the top three posts in higher education, leading a state coordinating agency, a public college and a private university. Life can be like that. College is a start-
The goals of higher education aren’t limited to providing credentials for work. It helps students cultivate the judgment, creativity and character traits needed for success in a future no one can fully imagine. The intent is to prepare citizens with the judgment needed to advance a free society.
The purpose of any college education is to advance in knowledge, both expert in a major and general in electives and required courses; skills such as writing with coherence, grace and precision, and speaking with clarity and persuasiveness; abilities such as reasoning and leadership; and values such as regard for others and respect for diverse opinions.
College is, or should be, as much about character development and active citizenship as it is about preparation for
careers and advancement in commerce.
In recent years, about 2.5 million students have started their first year at one of the nearly 6,000 two- and four-year colleges and universities in the country. Of these, about 1,800 are private institutions and 1,900 are public. There are also about 2,300 for-profit colleges.
Unfortunately, nearly one-quarter of the students who start each year at fouryear colleges don’t continue to the second year, and before graduation, nearly another quarter will drop out. Twentyfive percent of undergraduate students are raising children or caring for dependents, and 73 percent work full time. Talk about pressure. Concerns about student success are among the reasons that many institutions have started first-year college programs designed to help students navigate and succeed in college.
These courses are designed to help students get the most out of college, to learn how to live a life of meaning and become one’s best self. I know they work because I’ve observed them and taught in them — one way of saying thank you to Professor Martin.
Dr. Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author, with Dr. Drew Bogner, of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate.”
The Peace Corps language lesson 35 years in the making
My plane lifted off from Long Island MacArthur Airport in June 1991. The night before, Jupiter, Mars and Venus had aligned in the night sky above my family’s home in Yaphank, in Suffolk County — an auspicious moment that foretold a journey I’m still on today.
That propeller plane — so loud it rattled inside my brain — was headed to Washington, D.C., where I attended a three-day Peace Corps orientation before traveling to Bulgaria for two years of volunteer service as an English teacher. I had joined the corps at 24, in part out of a longing to see the world beyond my hometown. I never imagined how Peace Corps service would reshape my worldview — an experience that resonates today in my teaching as a Hofstra University journalism professor.
I was among the first two dozen Peace Corps volunteers sent to Bulgaria, only 18 months after the fall of communism there. At first I felt excited to be living 4,800 miles from home in a society
that moved more slowly, more deliberately, with a deep appreciation for food and wine, art and music. Living in Veliko Tarnovo, a thousand-year-old city perched atop steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, I was happy.
I couldn’t escape the feeling, though, that I was a foreigner, an outsider, despite the many kindnesses that Bulgarians showered on me. Language, in particular, set me apart.
Learning Bulgarian — really learning it — might rid me of my sense of otherness, I thought.
Mintermediate? Nothing like A.I. to offer a harsh dose of reality.
y Bulgarian fell within the
“lower intermediate” range
Then, amid my Peace Corps service, I married Katerina, a Bulgarian who taught — and still teaches — English. I wanted — needed — to feel more connected to her family, who became my family.
Katerina and I have spoken Bulgarian together, on and off, for nearly 35 years. Last summer I measured my listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with multiple A.I.-designed tests. After days of evaluation, A.I. delivered its verdict: My Bulgarian fell within the “lower intermediate” range.
I had long known that it was riddled with grammar errors, and I often struggled to pronounce many of the sounds unique to the language — but lower
I resolved to improve, and I’ve practiced and studied the language daily since. I talk with Katerina on walks through our Merrick neighborhood; read the Bulgarian-American community newspaper Sega; watch Bulgarian newscasts, TV series and movies; listen constantly to the Bulgarian alternative rock band Ostava; translate children’s books and Facebook posts; and drill with flashcards and grammar guides. Slowly, steadily, I’ve moved up to upper intermediate. Progress has been hard-fought, though, full of minor wins rather than big breakthroughs — recalling an infrequently used word and dropping it into a sentence, pronouncing a tongue-twisting noun, deciphering word order to interpret a text.
I’m often frustrated and always humbled. I can understand 75 percent or so of spoken Bulgarian, but being able to speak it and write it quickly and eloquently is another matter entirely. As a writer and journalism professor, it’s maddening when I fumble over Bulgarian words, as I often do. Words are my currency, my livelihood. They need to flow. Based on my current progress, I’ll
likely need another three to six years of daily study to reach the advanced level of fluency.
Pushing myself to learn Bulgarian at a higher level has given me pause to think of the Latino and Haitian communities that I’ve covered and researched in Hempstead and Uniondale in recent years. I think of the immigrants who must navigate schools, workplaces, doctors’ offices and government agencies in a language they are often still learning, while negotiating an increasingly complicated and precarious immigration system.
Imagine moving through the world understanding only 75 percent of the critical information you need for daily survival — or 50 percent, or less — and dealing with the anxiety that must come with that lack of knowledge. The fear. Possibly depression.
I set out last year to improve my Bulgarian because I want to understand my wife’s culture on a deeper level, and language is central to culture. I do not, however, need Bulgarian to survive. English, on the other hand, is vital to immigrants’ daily existence in the U.S. It’s a lifeline in an increasingly hostile sea.
Scott Brinton, a former Herald executive, directs Hofstra University’s Graduate Journalism Program and coordinates its new Peace Corps Prep Program.
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aStronger together as America turns 250
s America approaches its 250th anniversary, there will be no shortage of celebrations.
There will be fireworks, parades, concerts, historical exhibits and ceremonies commemorating the nation’s founding. Those traditions are important, but the semiquincentennial should also be a moment to reflect on something deeper: the ideas, institutions and values that have enabled the United States to endure for two and a half centuries.
That reflection was encouraged recently at a Long Island Association event featuring former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, and Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat whose career has included service in Congress, as mayor of Chicago, ambassador to Japan and chief of staff to President Barack Obama.
The two men represent different political philosophies, and often disagree on public policy. Yet they shared a stage, exchanged ideas and demonstrated that debate does not require hostility, and disagreement does not require contempt.
In today’s political climate, that lesson is worth revisiting.
The United States was never intended to be a nation of uniform opinions.
From the earliest days of the republic, Americans have argued over the role of government, economic policy, foreign affairs and social issues. The nation’s founders themselves often disagreed vigorously.
What made the American experiment remarkable wasn’t the absence of conflict, but the ability to manage it with democratic institutions, civic engage-
letters
Do state leaders need to speak out on world affairs?
To the Editor:
ment and a commitment to a larger common purpose.
As the country turns 250, Americans would benefit from remembering that principle.
The strength of the U.S. has never come from everyone thinking alike. It comes from people bringing different experiences, perspectives and beliefs to the table while remaining invested in the success of the nation as a whole. Diversity of thought is not a weakness to overcome; it is one of the country’s greatest assets. It fuels innovation, challenges assumptions and helps communities solve problems that no single viewpoint can address alone.
And a healthy democracy requires more than debate. It requires its citizens to respect one another. That doesn’t mean surrendering convictions or avoiding difficult conversations. It means recognizing the humanity of those with whom we disagree. It means listening before responding. It means accepting that reasonable people can reach different conclusions while still caring deeply about their communities and their country.
Americans see examples of that shared connection every day, often outside politics. They gather to support local businesses, volunteer at food drives, coach youth sports, attend school concerts and celebrate community milestones. They cheer together when their favorite teams compete for championships. They fill venues like Jones Beach for summer concerts. They rally around neighbors after storms, tragedies and hardships. Those moments matter because they remind us of a simple truth: We need one another.
No individual succeeds entirely alone. Families depend on support networks. Businesses rely on workers and customers. Communities thrive when residents contribute their time, talents and energy. The same principle applies to the nation. America’s greatest accomplishments have been achieved when people from different backgrounds worked toward a common goal despite their differences.
The story of the United States is, in many ways, a story of perseverance. Generations have faced wars, economic downturns, social upheaval, natural disasters and political divisions. Each challenge tested the country’s resolve. Time and again, Americans found ways to adapt, rebuild and move forward. That spirit remains essential today. The metaphor is simple but powerful: We are all in the same boat. Some may sit on different sides. Some may prefer a different course. Some may disagree about how fast to move or where to steer. But if everyone rows in opposite directions, the boat goes nowhere. Progress requires effort, cooperation and a recognition that our destinies are linked.
As America celebrates 250 years, the occasion should inspire more than nostalgia. It should renew our commitment to civility, perseverance and community. The ideas that divide Americans from one another are not the ideas that will shape the nation’s future.
Citizens who engage respectfully, work together and share the belief that the next chapter of the American story can be even stronger than the last will build that future. Ours is a legacy worthy of celebration.
Re Kevin Kelly’s letter, “Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Brown are silent on Israel,” in the June 11-17 issue: Kelly is sympathetic to the need for stronger measures to protect the Jewish community “from harassment and the threat, or actuality, of violence.” He references opinion pieces in the Herald by Assemblyman Ari Brown and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, and he notes that neither of those state officials “offers the slightest criticisms of the Israeli government’s military response” to Hamas’s attacks on Oct. 7, 2003.
As a New Yorker who votes in statewide elections, I don’t see the need for any of our state or local elected officials to comment on issues of international import. Concern for local matters, including protection of the residents of New York, including the Jew-
opinions Declaring victory before victory
Victory used to be something that happened before anyone announced it. Increasingly, the order has been reversed.
In sports, the concept remains reassuringly clear. The game ends. Officials post the score. The winner (How ’bout those Knicks?) celebrates. The loser explains. Fans may dispute a referee’s call, but nobody expects a news conference to change the outcome.
Beyond sports, however, victory has become remarkably elastic.
Political leaders launch wars with grand objectives and sweeping promises.
Months or years later, after spending enormous amounts of blood, treasure and political capital and often achieving far less than they promised, those same leaders still claim victory. They point to a ceasefire, a withdrawal, a temporary calm or a return to the conditions that existed before the conflict began and call it success. In some cases, the conditions that prompted the war remain unchanged. The victory speech, however, arrives right on schedule.
The pattern extends beyond warfare. Governments champion policies that
Letters
ish community, is their responsibility. They are not elected to opine on international matters.
But even if they were to do so, why do they have to criticize a foreign government in order to provide a safe environment for citizens in our state? Is Kelly suggesting that the actions of a foreign government give people in New York the right to act in violation of the law, and to harass or commit violence against others here in New York? If so, he is misguided.
Regardless of how any person in New York feels about the actions taken by the State of Israel or any other matter, political or otherwise, and whether of local, state, national or international import, that person is entitled to protection from harassment and violence in New York.
Paul HaNau Woodmere
disproportionately benefit the affluent, and market those policies as victories for working families. advocates promote programs that fail to meet their stated objectives, and then redefine success around some narrower achievement. Military officials destroy a handful of targets while leaving a much larger criminal enterprise intact, and then describe the operation as a victory over the enterprise.
Politicians lose elections and declare victory anyway. Some candidates refuse to acknowledge defeat, cast the winners as impostors and recast themselves as the rightful victors.
Comments about our stories? Send a letter to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com.
victory, as does the candidate who loses. The nation that prevails claims victory, and the nation that withdraws claims victory because it has endured. The official who succeeds claims victory, and the official who fails does so, too, because the effort itself was noble.
C ontests no longer center on what happened, but on who defines what happened.
Different arenas, same strategy: When reality fails to cooperate, just redefine success.
Somewhere along the way, victory drifted away from accomplishment and attached itself to assertion. Public figures learned that they no longer needed to achieve victory before claiming it. They only needed to persuade enough people that victory had occurred. The announcement became the accomplishment.
For most of human history, victory and defeat described opposing conditions. One side won because another side lost. The concepts depended on each other.
Today, the candidate who wins claims
We have not expanded the meaning of victory. We have abolished its opposite.
The legendary football coach Vince lombardi famously declared, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Today that means something entirely different: When I win, I win. When I lose, I win. When I fail, I win. When I withdraw, I win. When I refuse to compete, I win. When my actions harm others, I still win.
Victory no longer describes an outcome. It has become an entitlement.
George Orwell saw the danger nearly 80 years ago. In “1984,” citizens drink Victory gin, smoke Victory cigarettes, and hear incessant reports of triumph while enduring scarcity, deprivation, surveillance and endless war. The irony extends beyond the products themselves. Orwell’s Party has detached the word “victory” from any recognizable condition. It no longer describes success, achievement or conquest. It simply means whatever the Party needs it to mean at any given moment.
The regime has not expanded the
Framework by Tim Baker
meaning of victory. It has dissolved meaning itself.
That insight reaches far beyond Orwell’s fictional world. Today’s most consequential victories often occur not on battlefields, in legislatures or even at ballot boxes. They occur in the narrow space between an event and the carefully crafted narrative that follows it.
The contest no longer centers on what happened. It centers on who gets to define what happened. We once assumed that victories produce compelling stories. These days, the stories themselves — whether true, false, wild, even idiotic — produce the victories, or at least the appearance of them.
Maybe that explains the enduring appeal of sports. The scoreboard remains stubbornly indifferent to rhetoric. No coach can transform a loss into a win through messaging alone. No athlete can claim a championship into existence. Reality gets the final vote.
Much of public life now operates according to a different principle. There, assertion masquerades as accomplishment. Narratives compete with outcomes. leaders claim victory before they achieve it, or after they fail to achieve it, or even when the opposite has occurred.
Which raises an uncomfortable question: If everyone is victorious, who, exactly, is winning?
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of interdisciplinary studies at City University of New York.
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