Attendees gathered at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh on March 8 to enjoy a night of square and line dancing.
Square and line dance brings community together
Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh hosted a lively square and line dance on March 8, featuring a three-piece band and caller Chart Guthrie. Attendees enjoyed an evening of dancing, music, and community fun.
The event also included a hot buffet dinner, snacks, coffee, and soda. Temple members and guests filled the dance floor, embracing the spirited atmosphere.
— Charles Shaw
Attendees enjoyed live music as they danced in the temple’s
Mike Monahan/Herald photos
Ane and Fred Dinstell hit the dance floor.
Sherry Bloom dresses for the occasion at the square dance.
auditorium.
Artie and Debbie Schlesinger with Carol and Rob Meyerson enjoying the entertainment at the square and line dance.
Late basket gives Wantagh county title
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Trailing Lynbrook by a point in the waning moments of Monday night’s Nassau Class A girls’ basketball championship game, Wantagh’s designed play off a timeout resulted in a good look but no basket. But in one fell swoop, sophomore Kayla Mannix not only saved the ball from landing out of bounds but found senior Riley Forthofer open in the paint. Forthofer banked in a layup with 7.7 seconds remaining to give Wantagh a thrilling 44-43 victory over top-seeded Lynbrook at Farmingdale State College.
“I’m just in shock right now I honestly can’t believe this,” said Forthofer, who hit two free throws with 46.5 seconds left to bring the Warriors within one. “Kayla was in the right spot and the right time and got that rebound,” she added. “She’s an insane player and made an insane play.”
Senior Juliana Cerasi had 12 points and freshmen Isabelle Ferraro (10) and Makayla McNeil combined for 19 as second-seeded Wantagh (21-2) avenged a pair of regular-season defeats to the Owls and captured their first county title since the 2005-06 campaign.
“Unbelievable,” Wantagh head coach Stan Bujacich said. “This was a tall task. It feels great because of who we beat. They beat us twice during the season and are an excellent team.
“It was a tremendous effort by our girls,” he added. “A lot of them have won championships in lacrosse and soccer. They’re just winners.”
The Warriors, who beat Lynbrook in the semifinals last season before falling to Cold Spring Harbor in the finals, advanced to face Mt. Sinai for the Long Island
Class A championship this Saturday at 8 p.m. at Farmingdale State.
“I knew I had to get that rebound with time running out,” Mannix said. “Thank God I stayed inbounds and Riley was open under the basket and made a beautiful layup.”
The Owls (20-3), who were seeking their first county
title in 47 years, got a game-high 18 points from senior Sophia Dwyer and 13 from senior Brooke Mazzei.
“This one hurts,” Lynbrook head coach Koren Pena said. “This isn’t the ending I envisioned for this group of seniors. They are just a tremendous group of young ladies whom I admire and respect deeply.”
Lynbrook had topped Wantagh, 57-53, Jan. 28, and 58-37 Dec. 17. “The second time we played was much closer and tonight was just back-and-forth the whole game,” Bujacich said.
The championship battle featured 10 deadlocks, the last of which came with 2:03 remaining after a pair of Mannix free throws. Dwyer scored the next three points, including a midcourt steal and layup, to put Lynbrook ahead 43-40 with about a minute left in regulation.
“Lynbrook is the only team to beat us all season,” Mannix said. “They always give us a tough time. It’s always a great matchup.”
In the semifinals March 6 at Farmingdale State, Wantagh had to work overtime to take down No. 3 North Shore, 52-46. Cerasi scored 10 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter and OT to lead the come-frombehind win. Mannix had 18 points, 7 blocks and 5 steals, Forthofer added 8 points and 10 rebounds and McNeil had 9 points as the Warriors rallied from a 35-27 deficit through three quarters.
Lynbrook trailed fourth-seeded Seaford by eight points in the first quarter of the semis but quickly assumed control in a runaway 83-53 victory that same night. Senior Kaitlyn Benedict scored 11 of her seasonhigh 23 points in the first quarter and nailed seven three-pointers on the night. Mazzei added 23 points, Cate Jennings 18 and Dwyer 13.
Derrick Dingle/Herald photos
Wantagh celebrated its first county championship in 19 years Monday night after edging Lynbrook, 44-43, in the Nassau Class A final.
Sophomore Kayla Mannix set up senior Riley Forthofer’s winning basket.
Leaders and advocates celebrate Sustainability
Local leaders push for greener, cleaner communities
By Kelsie Radziski
Visionaries, advocates and trailblazing leaders gathered at the Heritage Club in Bethpage on Feb. 26 to celebrate groundbreaking innovations and inspire bold action toward a sustainable future. From young students to influential policy-makers to community members making a difference, the Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, presented by Reworld, recognized those whose efforts are shaping a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
“It is an honor for us at the Herald and Reworld to showcase the achievements of these leaders,” Stuart Richner, president and publisher of Richner Communications Inc. and the Herald, said.
As Azeez Mohammed, CEO of Reworld, emphasized, the commitment to sustainability is not just about progress — it’s about making a lasting, positive impact.
“We are honoring those leaders and budding youngsters who demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, and that matters a lot to us,” Mohammed said. “Because with Reworld, our claim to fame is that we are the only company that manages waste in a sustainable manner.”
Reworld utilizes “infrastructure, technology and imagination to solve complex waste management challenges and help create a sustainable and more prosperous future for businesses and communities,” according to the company’s website.
Reworld was represented at the awards ceremony by Maureen Early, lead community relations specialist; Dawn Harmon, director of Long Island market; Adel Omrani, president of the East Region; and Lloyd Naideck, director of state government relations along with many other Reworld team members.
“We’re delighted to be able to honor all of these sustainability champions here tonight,” Early said. “So many of them have done so much in making Long Island a better place to live, work and play.”
Two young students were recognized for their sustainability efforts. Joseph Petraro, an 11-year-old who is a freshman at Louisiana State University, founded the Joe’s Be Kind Campaign, a nonprofit aimed at promoting positive social change, especially for vulnerable children. The initiative’s mission is to foster kindness, inclusivity and connections throughout communities, and to promote positive mental well-being.
“I used to get bullied when I was a lot younger,” Joseph said, “and I don’t want other people to feel that same way.”
He also started other initiatives, including the Clean Wells for Humanity program, which tackles global water scarcity, and the Adopt-a-Grandparent program, which fosters intergenerational bonds and promotes sustainable living practices. Joseph’s efforts to bring people together to help the environment made him a Student Champion for Sustainability Award winner.
Desiree Mohammadi, a 12-year-old student at South Woods Middle School, in Syosset, was honored for her initiative Seeds of Hope, which began when she saved the seeds from the vegetables in her family’s garden. Seeds of Hope has blossomed into a bigger movement, and Desiree has partnered with Island Harvest to plant seeds every spring at the nonprofit’s Healthy Harvest Farm in Brentwood.
“I think it’s a human right that people should be able to access fresh fruits and vegetables,” she said. Both student award winners were also presented with $2,500 to support their education or future sustainability projects.
Other honorees include Don Clavin, Town of Hempstead supervisor, and Rich Schaffer, Town of Babylon supervisor, who received Environmental Leader in Policy awards. They have each made efforts, working with Reworld, to improve sustainability and environmental efforts in their towns.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the Herald and by Reworld,” Schaffer said. “Reworld has been an excellent partner with the Town of Babylon, and it’s probably the main part of our solid waste infrastructure and how we deal with making sure the garbage leaves the curb and is dealt with correctly.”
Local community leaders were also recognized for their work. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, works to protect natural resources and public health. She and her organization have taken on challenges such as upgrading failing sewage-treatment systems, protecting and filtering drinking and surface water and supporting large-scale renewable-energy projects in the interest of improving the environment.
“We really feel it’s our job to make sure Long Island is clean, safe and sustainable for now and in the future,” Esposito said.
Gregory Sandor, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, was honored as well, for the strides the organization has made during his 12 years of leadership. The group has earned grant funding for a number of its specialized programs, including renewable energy, sustainable food systems, urban forestry and youth development. Cornell Cooperative is currently working with Reworld to build a Dynamic Learning Center in East Meadow, with the goal of educating the public about sustainability issues.
“We’re always looking at sustainability issues and how to be more resilient,” Sandor said. “So it’s exciting to be a part of that, and be a part of this different group of leaders that are being recognized.”
As attendees mingled and celebrated the honorees, vendors offered their donated products, among them Barrier Brewing Co., Garvies Point Craft Brewery, Farrm Wines, Borghese Vineyard, Del Vino Vineyards, Loughlin Vineyard and Twisted Cow Distillery.
The Herald Sustainability Awards were a testament to the collective impact when leaders and advocates unite with a shared purpose. The inaugural event showed that commitment to sustainability is about leaving a lasting, positive imprint on the world for generations to come.
Tim Baker/Herald
Maureen Early and Dawn Harmon pose with Gerry Compitello, Janina Martinez, Greg Gaxiola, Jassi Anand, and Doug Jacob accept award for Rich Shaffer.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Lorne Brousseau receives award for his work with REACH.
James Wylie, Lorne Brousseau, and Garrett Chelius.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Gregory M Sandor, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extention Nassau County.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin gets his award for establishing the first hydrogen fueling station on Long Island.
Michael Fiorentino, Natural Resource Program Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County.
Seatuck Environmental Executive Director Enrico Nardone proudly poses with his award.
Desiree Mohammadi (center) proudly poses with her $2,500 check, joined by former NY Rangers Mike Richter, Maureen Early and Dawn Harmon.
Island Harvest CEO and president Randi Shubin Dresner proudly poses with her award.
Stony Brook University student Esther Poon with their award.
Reworld CEO Azeez Mohammed gives welcoming remarks.
Jason Thomas/Herald
REACH Rotary Club honoree James Wylie playfully points out the towering height of former NFL star Justin Tuck as they pose together for a photo.
Lissette Pellegrino, celebrating her award for Environmental Stewardship.
Garrett Chelius receives his award for his work with REACH.
Operation SPLASH president Robert Weltner.
Thomas Powell accepts an award on Eric Swenson’s behalf to recognize his exceptional contributions.
the 2025 Wantagh St. patrick’s day parade, was honored at a dinner on march 4 at the
Commerce and aides to the grand marshal, who will walk with him
Wantagh’s grand marshal honored at dinner
Department’s Employee Assistance Office, providing mental health support to officers.
As PBA president, he has prioritized expanding mental health resources for police. In January, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $13 million in funding for officer mental health support, crediting Shevlin for highlighting the issue and advocating for greater awareness of the challenges officers face.
Cathy McGrory Powell, the chamber’s president, said Shevlin has dedicated his career to helping fellow officers, and his passion to make positive change in the world is what made him the right choice to lead the parade.
“Tommy has chosen to handle some of the tough and not-so-easily broached topics facing our first responders,” McGrory Powell said. “We need someone to look out for those who look out for us. Tommy is the man for the job.”
Congratulating Shevlin at the dinner were several local elected officials, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Legislator John Ferretti Jr., Comptroller Elaine Phillips, and Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Schneider.
Now in its fifth year, the Wantagh St. Patrick’s Day parade has grown into Long Island’s largest. Last year’s event drew around 75,000 people, according to county police statistics.
“The first year when we turned the corner and saw thousands of people, we knew we had something special,” McGrory Powell said. “It’s a great team effort. Everybody does a great job. It’s a lot of work and everybody loves it, and we’re so happy to do it.”
She thanked the parade’s sponsors, everyone who made the event possible, and the Wantagh community for its support.
Past grand marshals have included John Murray Jr., owner of Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall; Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder; Michael Dunphy, owner of the Wantagh Inn; and John Theissen, founder and executive director of the John Theissen Children’s Foundation.
Theissen, who was last year’s grand marshal, said marching through a large crowd was an incredible experience, being cheered on by a community that has supported his organization for decades. Since 1992, his nonprofit foundation has helped sick and underprivileged children through donations and fundraisers.
“It’s really an honor,” Theissen said of being named grand marshal, “and for Tommy, he does so much — not only with the police being a PBA president, but also Nassau County and the community. I’m really
last year’s grand
said that being a grand
the parade is an honor, and that he was looking forward to marching with Shevlin on Sunday.
happy for him, and I’m looking forward to marching with him on the 16th.”
The parade will take place on Sunday, stepping off at 2 p.m. from Wantagh High School. Marchers will proceed south on Wantagh Avenue before ending at Railroad Avenue. Road closures along the route will begin at noon. Following the parade, two block parties will be held on Railroad Avenue and in the Park Avenue back lot, featuring live music, food vendors and family-friendly entertainment.
Shevlin said he’s hoping for clear skies as he marches and waves at a community that has supported him and his fellow officers.
“I’m looking forward to a sunny day,” Shevlin said, “and seeing all of the people smile, especially the kids.”
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
tommy Shevlin, fifth from right in front row, grand marshal for
Heritage Club in Bethpage. He was joined by members of the Wantagh Chamber of
at the event.
Shevlin, left, with
marshal, John theissen. theissen
marshal in
past grand marshals John murray Jr., left, owner of mulcahy’s pub & Concert Hall, and nassau County police Commissioner patrick ryder attended this year’s grand marshal dinner.
at the dinner, guests were treated to a performance by members of the Show Stompin’ irish dance School.
