A team of Wantagh High School students raised more than $118,000 for blood cancer research. Principal Paul Guzzone, top left, congratulated the team on a successful fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Clockwise from Guzzone’s left were brothers Gabe and Mike Avitabile, James DiCerbo, Allie Reisert and Matt Reilly.
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
An ambitious group of Wantagh High School students raised more than $118,000 to support blood cancer research, in only seven weeks — earning first place in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2025 Student Visionaries of the Year campaign.
The student fundraising team, Warriors for a Cure, took home the top prize in the LLS’s annual philanthropic initiative.
The campaign, which ran from Feb. 6 to March 27, challenges high school students across Long Island to raise as much money as possible for LLS, a nonprofit which funds research and provides education and support services for blood cancer patients.
James DiCerbo, a senior and one of the team leads for Warriors for a Cure, said he was surprised when he heard his team had grabbed first place during the grand finale ceremony at the Heritage Club in Bethpage last month.
“Our goal was to try to reach what we did last year, which was $81,000,” he said. “So to have $118,000 was pretty remarkable.”
The Warriors have participated in LLS’s campaign for the past five years, raising a total of more than $424,000. This year’s team, made up of 26 students from Wantagh High School, competed against 26 high school groups from across Long Island.
To spread the word, DiCerbo and seniors Matt Riley and Mike Avitabile — also co-
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Throughout history, countless unsung heroes have made lasting contributions, only to be forgotten over time. Social studies teacher Howard Rosenberg wants to change that.
For the past three years, Rosenberg, 50, of East Meadow, has presented a lecture series on lesserknown historical figures at libraries across Nassau County, including the Merrick and Freeport public libraries.
They made their lives better while helping people along the way, and that’s what life’s all about.
Rosenberg made his most recent presentation, on women of World War II, on April 16, at a League of Women Voters of East Nassau meeting at the Levittown Public Library.
HoWARd RoSENBERG
Social studies teacher
Rosenberg, a social studies teacher at Gordon Parks Middle School, in Queens, said he is passionate about bringing attention to individuals who are often overlooked in history books.
The league is a nonpartisan, grass-roots organization that works to protect and expand voting rights throughout the country while empowering voters through education. The East Nassau chapter encompasses Wantagh, Seaford, Levittown, Merrick, Bellmore and East Meadow.
For East Nassau member Barbara Epstein, educating others about brave historical figures, especially women, is essential.
“Any additional knowledge that we gain, particularly on women, is a golden opportunity for us to realize how many different ways women affected our lives,” Epstein said.
Rosenberg’s lecture in Levittown highlighted three women who were involved in World War II: Virginia Hall, an American who served as a spy for the United Kingdom; Carolyn Ferriday, a New York City philanContinueD on PAGe 4
“It means a lot to present,” he said. “I think sometimes people like to hear these stories told in a public forum.”
Wantagh High School Principal Paul Guzzone recently returned from a week in Stockholm, Sweden, where he took part in the prestigious Nobel Prize Teacher Summit from March 23–29. The event, hosted by the Nobel Prize Museum, brought together educators from across the globe to share ideas, discuss challenges, and explore innovative approaches to learning.
Guzzone was one of just two New York administrators selected to attend, thanks to a scholarship from EF Educational Tours. Leading up to the trip, he said he looked forward to learning from colleagues around the world—and the experience didn’t disappoint. From conversations with Nobel laureates to visits with Swedish students and teachers, Guzzone described the summit as “an amazing experience” that left a lasting impression.
Here are three things to know about his journey:
n A global dialogue on education
Guzzone joined educators from 34 countries to explore international education systems and discuss pressing issues like artificial intelligence in schools. He met Nobel Peace Prize laureates Leymah Gbowee and Maria Ressa, participated in roundtable discussions, and exchanged ideas with teachers from as far as Canada, Georgia, and Sweden. The first part of the summit brought together North American attendees for private events, including a lunch with the Nobel Prize Museum’s director.
As part of the summit, each educator group visited a local school. Guzzone’s team toured Stockholms Estetiska Gymnasium, a secondary school focused on the arts. He observed an informal, college-like learning environment—with no bells and longer breaks between classes—and was impressed that every student was fluent in both English and Swedish. “I was moved by how much the students felt connected to their school and their love for learning,” he said in a news release.
Guzzone brought Wantagh High School’s accomplishments to the global stage. He highlighted programs like the Science Research Academy, the Freshman Experience Program, and the Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K, which helps fund educational trips and scholarships. Other educators, he said, were eager to learn about these initiatives. “It was an honor to represent Wantagh,” Guzzone said in a news release. “I made some strong connections that will hopefully be long lasting.”
Rainy weather didn’t stop the fun at the Town of Hempstead’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 12. Originally scheduled for Veterans Memorial Park, the event was moved inside the Levittown Public Library to keep families dry.
Hosted by Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilman Dennis Dunne Sr., the egg hunt drawed a crowd of children and families eager to collect colorful eggs.
The Levittown Lions Club provided free vision screenings for children ages six months and older as part of the event. Sponsors also included the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, VFW Post 9592, and several local businesses and organizations.
thropist who aided Holocaust survivors; and Ruby Bradley, a U.S. Army Nurse Corps officer who was held as a prisoner of war.
Hall, born in Maryland in 1906, became one of the most effective Allied spies during World War II. After Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940, Hall, who was traveling Europe as she finished her college studies, joined the French resistance by volunteering as an ambulance driver.
As the occupation intensified, Hall fled to Spain, where she was recruited by the United Kingdom’s Special Operations Executive, a covert agency founded by Winston Churchill. Posing as a journalist, she built a resistance network across France and recruited nearly 90 civilians to assist the Allied cause. In 1942, she led a successful mission to help captured agents escape from Mauzac Prison in France.
Her work made her a target of the Gestapo, who dubbed her “the limping lady,” a reference to her prosthetic leg, the result of an earlier hunting accident. Despite the danger, Hall continued to operate in France under disguise, even posing as a milkmaid to transmit intelligence. Her bravery earned her numerous honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army’s second-highest award for soldiers who displayed extraordinary heroism.
at a League of Women Voters event in Levittown, social studies teacher Howard rosenberg,
stories of three unsung heroines of World War ii, highlighting their courage and sacrifice.
Ferriday, a New York City socialite and philanthropist, devoted herself to helping Polish women who survived medical experiments in Ravensbrück, a Nazi concentration camp in Germany. Known as “the rabbits” because their injuries caused them to hop, the women had endured forced infections and bone surgeries, leaving them disfigured and
Spousal refusal is a legally valid Medicaid planning option in New York. By way of background, certain income and assets are exempt from Medicaid if there is a spouse. Generally, the spouse at home, known as the “community spouse” may keep about $3,950 per month of the couple’s combined income and up to about $158,000 of the assets or “resources”. Not included in those figures are any other exempt assets, such as a home (up to about $1,100,000 of the equity only) and one automobile. The spouse who is being cared for in a facility is known as the “institutionalized spouse”.
Many a spouse has advised us that they simply cannot afford to live on the allowances that Medicaid provides. This is where spousal refusal comes in. We start by shifting excess assets into the name of the “community spouse”. He or she then signs a document which the elder law attorney prepares and files with the county indicating that they refuse to contribute their income and assets to the care of the ill spouse since they need those income and assets for their own care and wellbeing. Note that you may not refuse your spouse’s own income over the $3,950 per month exemption as it is not coming to you.
Once the “community spouse” invokes their right to refuse, and all of the other myriad requirements of the Medicaid application are met, the state Medicaid program must pay for the care of the institutionalized spouse.
After Medicaid has been granted, the county may institute a lawsuit seeking to recover the cost of care from the refusing spouse. Nevertheless, there are a few reasons why spousal refusal makes sense, even in light of this risk. First, in many instances, the county never invokes this right. Secondly, these lawsuits are often settled for significantly less than the cost of care provided. Thirdly, the payment to the county can sometimes be deferred until the community spouse dies. As one county attorney told us when agreeing to such an arrangement, “the county is going to be around for a long time”. Finally, even though the county may seek recovery, it is only for the Medicaid reimbursement rate and not the private pay rate. For example, if the private pay rate is $18,000 per month, which is what you would have to pay, the amount Medicaid has to pay is generally a quarter to a third less. The county may only pursue you for the amount they actually paid.
without support after the war.
“They did terrible things to these prisoners,” Rosenberg said. “After the fight was done, they were sick, they were maimed. They needed help.”
Ferriday traveled to Europe to meet the survivors and brought attention to their stories through news outlets. At the time, many doubted the extent of the atrocities that had taken place at the camp, Rosenberg said, but her advocacy helped shine a light on their suffering, and she pushed for their recognition.
The third woman Rosenberg highlighted was Bradley, a U.S. Army nurse who was born in Virginia. After high school, she joined the military, and she was captured by Japanese forces shortly after they attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, and she spent more than three years in a prisoner of war camp in the Philippines. Despite the extreme conditions, which included scarce food and rampant disease, Bradley used her medical training to treat fellow prisoners, performing more than 230 operations, delivering 13 babies, and even smuggling food to feed starving children. When the camp was liberated in 1945, Bradley weighed just 86 pounds.
She continued to serve after the war, Rosenberg noted, working in evacuation hospitals during the Korean War. She retired from the Army in 1963, having received a total of 34 medals throughout her service, but remained a nurse for the rest of her life.
Epstein said it was “mind-boggling” how many women remain unknown despite their contributions not only to the United States, but to the world. League member Peggy Stein said she appreciated the presentation’s focus on courageous women during the war, and hoped that more of their stories would be brought to light.
“It’s unfortunate that a lot of contributions people make, you just don’t hear about them,” Stein said. “They’re just not the ones that are highlighted.”
Rosenberg said he hoped to one day turn his presentations on unsung heroes into a book. Until then, he planned to continue sharing stories of bravery, especially those of Hall, Ferriday and Bradley.
“All three women were cut from the same cloth,” he said. “They made their lives better while helping people along the way, and that’s what life’s all about.”
ElizABEth pOiROt
West Hempstead Senior Lacrosse
TO SAY POIROT is off to an incredible start would be an understatement. A year after leading Nassau County in goals with 74 to go along with 25 assists, she’s set a torrid pace so far and has the Rams at 4-3 entering this week’s action. She scored their last seven goals April 2 in a 13-11 victory over Freeport and has a county leading 41 goals and 53 points. In 2023 as a sophomore, she scored 45 times to rank amoung Nassau’s best.
Thursday, April 24
Softball: Freeport at Lynbrook ..............................4:30 p.m.
Baseball: South Side at New Hyde Park ...................5 p.m.
Baseball: Bethpage at East Meadow ........................5 p.m.
Baseball: MacArthur at Division ................................5 p.m.
Baseball: Mepham at Calhoun .................................5 p.m.
Baseball: Long Beach at Kennedy ............................5 p.m.
Softball: V.S. Central at West Hempstead ..................5 p.m.
Softball: Westbury at Hewlett ....................................5 p.m.
Softball: Mepham at Seaford ....................................5 p.m.
Softball: Wantagh at MacArthur ................................5 p.m.
Softball: Division at Plainedge ..................................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Calhoun at G. City (Mitchel Field) .....5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Hewlett .....................5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Long Beach at South Side ................5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Massapequa at Wantagh ..................5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: V.S. District at West Hempstead ........5 p.m.
Girls Flag Football: MacArthur at Lynbrook ..........6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 25
Baseball: C.S. Harbor at East Rockaway ...................5 p.m.
Baseball: Oceanside at Freeport ...............................5 p.m.
Baseball: North Shore at Malverne ...........................5 p.m.
Baseball: Sewanhaka at Lawrence ...........................5 p.m.
Softball: Massapequa at Kennedy ............................5 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
The MacArthur baseball team began this season right off where it left off in the 2024 regular season where the Generals marched to 14-2 record in Conference AA-1.
The Generals began the new campaign winning seven of their first eight games, including a perfect 5-0 conference record before being handed a 3-2 loss to East Meadow April 17. MacArthur entered the last full week of April at 5-1 in Conference AA-1 and 7-2 overall looking to set itself up for a deep postseason run that stretches into June.
“We have a solid team that is pretty good at all facets with a good lineup and good pitching,” longtime MacArthur coach Steve Costello said. “If we continue to improve we could do pretty well.”
Senior lefty Alex Darzano returned as the ace of the pitching staff after achieving a perfect 6-0 record last year with a 0.75 ERA. Darzano is off to a strong start again this spring and tossed a complete game four-hitter in MacArthur’s 4-2 win against East Meadow April 14 to open a three-game series.
Chris Lonergan has emerged as the number two pitcher this season for his senior season after earning some key wins as a junior in the rotation last season. Lonergan is off to a 3-0 start and recorded eight strikeouts in the Generals’ 9-4 victory against East Meadow on April 15.
“Like Alex, Chris mixes up his pitches and is a good competitor,” Costello said. “He’s doing very well.”
Senior lefthanded third baseman Nick Albert has become MacArthur’s most consistent hitter so far this season leading the team in all major offensive categories with an over .700 on-base percentage. The three-year varsity member also brings some power to the lineup with two home runs in league play.
The versatile Dylan Trippi, who can play catcher or infield, also adds some pop into the lineup after batting 4.00 with four home runs and 32 RBIs last season. The Barry University-bound
Senior southpaw Alex Darzano is the Generals’ ace who last spring went a perfect 6-0 on the mound with a 0.75 earned run average.
Trippi went 3-for-3 in the 9-4 win against East Meadow in the second game of the three game series.
Prior to the East Meadow series, MacArthur swept Jericho in dominating fashion winning the three games by a combined score of 36-2. The seriesopening 13-1 win on April 8 featured three hits from junior Ben Arreiaga and two by Michael Joyce.
The Generals opened the season with a commanding 11-1 non-league victory against Mepham that included a tworun RBI single by junior catcher Angelo
Forthofer.
“The lineup has been pretty solid up and down,” Costello said. “There are a few guys who I think will get on track who haven’t done so yet, but I think they’ll get there and they’ll hopefully improve as we move along.”
MacArthur faces crosstown rival Division in a three-game series this week that concludes on the road Thursday at 5 p.m. The Generals will then face Glen Cove for another three-game slate next week beginning at home Monday with a 5 p.m. first pitch.
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen answered the questions that are on hundreds of Nassau County residents’ minds at a town hall event on April 16. Gillen, who represents a large swath of the county’s South Shore, initially spoke about her current projects in Washington. But the majority of the meeting was a questionand-answer session, with questions submitted on index cards by audience members.
Q: How will Gillen work with Republicans to eliminate the cap on the income tax deduction for state and local taxes?
Gillen: She is a member of the bipartisan SALT Caucus, a
Ways and Means Committee, which dictates tax policy. She co-sponsored a bill with fellow Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino to reinstate the full SALT deduction.
Q: How will she protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid?
Gillen: “I (joined) 200 of my colleagues in writing a letter to the administration saying that we will not tolerate cuts to Social Security, to Medicaid or to Medicare,” she said.
“We can use our voice,” she continued. “You can use your voice also to reach out to Republicans on Long Island and tell them that you will not stand for these cuts to Medicaid, and put pressure on them so that maybe they will retreat
do to oppose President Trump’s “illegal removal of migrants”?
Gillen: “I, like the majority of Americans, do believe that people who are undocumented and who commit crimes should be deported,” she said.
The main problem, according to Gillen, is that the administration is not following orders from the judiciary. “I support our Constitution,” she said. “I will fight
are upheld, and will work with my colleagues in Congress to push back against overreach of the executive branch.”
Q: How is she working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep it operational?
Gillen: She is a member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee. “I continue to advocate to make sure that we
on our caucus against any action to reduce the ability of the CDC to perform its important work,” she said.
A theme that Gillen emphasized was bipartisanship — whether with members of the administration, or with representatives across the aisle, she emphasized her desire to cooperate for the best results.
Q: Why hasn’t Congress stepped in to prevent a trade war?
Gillen: She supports a new bipartisan bill, the Trade Policy Relief Act, which would “reassert Congress’s authority over trade policy.” The bill would give Congress the authority to review any tariff policies implemented by the administration for 60 days, and to cancel a tariff it does not consider justified.
Q: Why did sheen vote for the Laken Riley Act?
Gillen: “Homeland Security has the right to detain undocumented folks who commit crimes,” she said of the act, which gives federal authorities broader power to deport immigrants accused of crimes. “This expanded the types of crimes that could require mandatory
By Brian Norman
Some of Long Island’s top attorneys were honored for their professional achievements and community contributions at the 2025 Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards Gala at the Heritage Club in Bethpage on April 8.
More than 300 people attended the gala, where 50 of Long Island’s top attorneys, nominated by their peers, were recognized for their professional excellence and dedication to their communities.
Before the awards ceremony, attorneys gathered for a cocktail hour, where they had the opportunity to meet and connect with fellow honorees and colleagues.
Stuart Richner, president and CEO of Richner Communications Inc., opened the ceremony by thanking all of those who were in attendance for their dedication to their professions and the people they serve. “Lawyers are pivotal in navigating business and personal matters, and we admire the commitment that our honorees have to their clients and all of the institutions they serve,” Richner said.
He added that a portion of the proceeds from the gala would be donated to the WE CARE fund, the charitable arm of the Nassau County Bar Association. The gala attracted representatives from law firms across Long Island. Among those honored were Minevich Law Group, Villacorta Law Group, JAG Law Group, Schroder & Storm LLP, and Meyer Suozzi Attorneys at Law.
Thomas A. Kenniff, a criminal defense attorney and founding partner of Raiser & Kenniff P.C., was the keynote speaker. He detailed his high-profile defense of Marine veteran Daniel Penny last year, when the Long Island native was acquitted of homicide charges stemming from a fatal subway confrontation with a man who had a history of violent behavior.
Kenniff said he was humbled to speak in front of the gala honorees, and honored to be recognized by his peers as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.
“It’s very humbling, and it’s difficult to speak and be recognized by a crowd of this caliber,” he said. “You look around the room and see first-class attorneys, household names in the legal industry, and you can’t help but ask yourself, ‘Why me?’ It’s a tremendous honor.”
Nicholas Papain, director and managing member of Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C., was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Papain, who has spent his entire career with the firm since joining it in 1978, has been a personal injury lawyer for 47 years. He has represented families of first responders to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and played a key role in securing a $700 million settlement for rescue and recovery workers.
“I represent people who have been
Hundreds attended to celebrate award winners recognition.
catastrophically injured, and offer them, through our work for them, some financial security for the losses that they have suffered,” Papain said. “It’s a huge honor, I am very humbled by it, I am very appreciative of it, and I am fortunate to be in this position.”
Other honorees included Svetlana Minevich, of the Minevich Law Group, named top health care attorney; Eduardo M. Villacorta, of Villacorta Law Group, recognized as top immigration attorney; and Marjorie Mesidor, of Mesidor PLLC, honored as top employ-
ment discrimination attorney. Mesidor said that to be recognized for what she does drives her to do well. “To be recognized for the work that you are doing is always a great motivator, particularly in times like these, where you feel like there is a lot going on in our country both socially and politically and in the legal field,” Mesidor said. “So this helps to put a little gas in your tank, so to speak, and encourages me to keep going.”
Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP was among the firms with multiple members
The Schroder and Strom, LLP team, Allison Brewi (left), Nicolette MainiMoligano, Robert Goldstein, Esq., Edward Mohlenhoff, Esq., Anthony Forzaglia, Esq., Honorees Joseph C. Packard, Esq. and Christopher P. Byrnes Esq., Jeremy May, Esq., Asad Jilani, Michael Spellman, Esq. (right).
honored, and was recognized as the Top Law Firm on Long Island for the seventh consecutive year. Managing Partner Joseph G. Milizio said that it was a great feeling to receive the award at this point in his career.
“This award is an honor, and it means that I am at a stage in my career where I am able to be recognized for the things that I have done,” he said, “and that is a great feeling.”
For a full list of honorees and to view more pictures please visit: RichnerLive. com/toplawyerawards.
In preparation for Passover, Congregation Beth Tikvah Hebrew School in Wantagh held a matzah bake and model Seder.
Rabbi Moshe Weisblum and Hebrew School Director Dalia Ross led the event, which included students and guests in a multi-generational gathering aimed at teaching the traditions of the holiday.
Congregant Dr. Robin Sherman-Rothstein and her daughter Blake.
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
In response to the urgent need for more volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service members, Nassau County’s Sixth Battalion is hosting its third annual “Touch-A-Truck” recruitment and community awareness event on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Meadow High School, 101 Carman Ave., in East Meadow.
The Sixth Battalion is composed of 10 volunteer fire departments — Bellmore, East Meadow, Levittown, Massapequa, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Massapequa, North Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh — and is supported by the BellmoreMerrick and Wantagh-Levittown volunteer ambulance corps.
“Touch-A-Truck” is free and open to the public. It serves as a hands-on opportunity for residents 18 and older to learn how they can join and support their local volunteer fire departments and ambulance squads. Children are also welcome to attend and explore a variety of emergency vehicles and equipment, and meet the volunteers who dedicate their time to public safety.
The event is part of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York’s RecruitNY Weekend which
aims to combat declining volunteer membership and rising service demands statewide. Each of the 10 departments in the Sixth Battalion will hold individual recruitment events on Sunday, April 27, as a follow-up to expand outreach at the local level.
“Recruitment and retention are critical to the future of the volunteer fire service,” said Chief Matt Giudice of the Levittown Fire Department, who also serves as chairperson of the Sixth Battalion.
“By working together as a battalion, we amplify our outreach and strengthen the pipeline of dedicated individuals ready to serve their communities. ‘Touch-A-Truck’ is a testament to the power of unity and collaboration.”
Officials note that, in addition to the personal satisfaction that comes with volunteering, there are several benefits available to members, including local property-tax exemptions, state income-tax incentives, scholarships for Nassau Community College students, free training and health checkups, and a length-of-service award program that provides a monthly stipend based on years of service.
Many volunteers also use the training and experience gained to pursue professional careers in emergency services, including firefighting, law enforcement and medicine.
By Karen Bloom
pring is calling — and there’s no better place to answer than at Old Westbury Gardens. As blooms burst into color and we shake off winter — and early spring’s chill — the beloved 200-acre historic estate is the perfect place to be.
Now a few weeks into its re-opening, this idyllic landmark is ready to enchant visitors with its lush gardens, a refreshed Westbury House and a calendar packed with events and activities. And this momentous season marks the conclusion of its 65th anniversary year as a public garden and historic home.
For Maura Brush, Old Westbury Gardens’ president and horticulturist extraordinaire, the milestone continues to carry a deep meaning.
“Our anniversary year is still ongoing and we have so much to offer,” she says. “And we’re excited about the event we have planned for the 100th anniversary of ‘The Great Gatsby’ being published.”
Gatsby enthusiasts will have to wait for fall to celebrate iconic novel. In the meantime, there’s so much to enjoy — right now.
“When the gardens first opened to the public, it was Peggy Phipps and her friends who helped usher in that new chapter. Sixty-five years later, we’re still here, thriving,” Brush says. It’s a real testament to how loved these gardens are.”
Indeed, it’s not just about surviving — it’s about flourishing. The estate, once home to prominent lawyer John Shaffer Phipps, draws record numbers of visitors and members alike, year after year, enticed by its historic charm and horticultural magic.
And that magic begins the moment you step through the gates.
“All winter long you’re sort of just looking for any signs of life in the garden,” Brush says, about the transition to spring.
“The smallest snowdrop or crocus means the world. And then when you hit this time of year it feels like I can take a walk in the garden in the morning, and by the afternoon something else has sprung up. I love that the garden really changes almost day to day.”
One of her favorite early spring spots? The serene lakeside.
“In the early part of the season, the lake areas are just
stunning. The trees haven’t fully leafed out yet, so the
stunning. The trees haven’t fully leafed out yet, so the sunlight dances on the water,” she says.
Keep your eyes open for some of the garden’s wildest residents: turtles sunning on logs, ducks gliding and birdsong echoing through the trees.
“This time of year you start to see the turtles more,” she notes. “The logs are filled with those turtles trying to get their Vitamin D, getting any sun they can.”
Just like us.
• Old Westbury Gardens
71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• For more information and program/events schedule visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
Another mustvisit is the delightful Primrose Path, at its peak in April through mid-May. Here, you’ll find delicate primroses in vibrant hues, forget-me-nots and a scattering of ephemerals — in an expression seasonal joy.
As spring progresses, Old Westbury Gardens transforms week by week. Daffodils, fritillaria, tulips, and more unfurl in careful succession, planned and planted by Brush’s dedicated team.
Of course, you’ll want to head over to the Walled Garden where tulips are in spring’s spotlight.
“The tulips change every year. What we really try to do is create a display that starts with the very early spring tulips and goes to the late bloomers,” Brush explains.
Some appear in early April while others flower closer to May, or even in the middle of May.
“We take a lot of pride in the tulip display,” she continues. “The combinations are very thoughtful. We’ll find a tulip that we really like and then we’ll try to find a pansy or some other annual that has some colors that bring out the tulip’s color and coordinate with that tulip. One row might be very ‘hot’ with ambers and yellows and oranges and then the center aisle will be very ‘cool’ with pale pink and silvery blues and purples. The Walled Garden is a masterpiece.”
Each year Old Westbury Gardens offers a soul-refreshing way to celebrate spring’s return. Plus the extensive schedule of programs enhances its surroundings — and its rich heritage.
“I am especially proud of the dynamic public programming we have curated,” Brush says.“Beloved favorites like Dog Days and Midsummer Nights return, alongside exciting new additions. From inspiring art programs and wellness, we always have a rich roster of programming because that’s who we are.
“It’s a legacy to the Phipps family that their lovely home is so enjoyed by so many people. I think that’s what Peggy envisioned when she so generously gifted Old Westbury Gardens. She had a very happy childhood and life here. Her vision was she would be able to share some of that with the generations to come after her.
And that’s exactly what she’s done.”
So go ahead — let spring sweep you away. The gates are open, the flowers are blooming and it’s all more spectacular than ever.
Experience an intimate and inspiring night with Misty Copeland, the trailblazing ballerina who made history as the first Black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. Hear her incredible journey, from overcoming obstacles to becoming a global icon in the dance world and beyond. Copeland has often spoken out about being “different” in the ballet scene. From living in a motel to dancing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House, her story of perseverance through poverty, racism, and overcoming setbacks from injury has made Copeland an inspiring figure to millions. She is joined in conversation by screenwriterauthor-producer Susan Fales-Hill. She reflects on lessons learned, the remarkable mentors who have guided her on her path and her hopes and aspirations for the future. Also enjoy a performance by members of the prestigious ABT Studio Company, media from Misty’s legendary and trailblazing career, and some surprises, including students of Copeland’s Be Bold program, her groundbreaking afterschool dance initiative.
Saturday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those wild days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/ pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Jessie’s Girl has mastered over-the-top renditions of the some of world’s most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade. Theater meets live music — covered with a load of ‘80s glitz.
Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m. $49.50, $37.50, $35, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the wellreceived 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.
•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: Also April 27, April 30-May 1, times vary
•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
APR
Levittown Earth Day Cleanup
Levittown Community Council hosts its annual Earth Day cleanup, inviting residents to help beautify Veterans Memorial Park. Students can earn community service hours. Rain date is April 27.
•Where: Veterans Memorial Park, Hempstead Turnpike and Shelter Lane, Levittown
• Time: 1–4 p.m.
•Contact: levittowncouncil@ yahoo.com
will feature a Community & Engagement Fair with live music, art activities, and a special Victim Tribute Area.
•Where: Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, 895 Bay Pkwy, Wantagh
•Time: 10 a.m.
•Contact: Register at walklikemadd.org/longisland
8
Support the fundraiser honoring William Desroches. With entertainment, raffles and auctions Proceeds will support a new soccer and lacrosse field at Forest Lake Elementary. Admission is $75; includes food, drinks, and an open bar for adults 21+.
•Where: Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
•Time: 6-10 p.m.
•Contact: ticketbud.com
•Where: Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington
• Time: 8 p.m.
•Contact: landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Three mammoth bands. Three musical phenomenons. One idea inspired by love of the music. That’s Pink Talking Fish. The hybrid tribute fusion act takes the music from three iconic bands creating a remarkable musical jam. PTF brings their unique sound to the Landmark on Main Street stage, on their latest tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the incredible Pink Floyd album “Wish You Were Here.” This show consists of two sets. The first will be a full rendition of this epic album from start to finish, with “Classic PTF” combinations in the second set. “Wish You Were Here” is extremely meaningful to the band members and so many music lovers around the world and PTF is thrilled to bring this album to life in 2025. Although the music from each act is different, PTF has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd; the funky, danceable layerings of The Talking Heads; the styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish — to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience. Tickets are $49 and $46.
Dion’s powerful vocals blended with the charm of Edith Piaf, accompanied by remarkable special guests. Hailing from Venice, Giada promises an unforgettable performance filled with passion, emotion, and pure musical artistry. From the hauntingly beautiful “The Prayer” to the romantic “A Place for Us” from Romeo and Juliet, she mesmerizes with stunning interpretations of beloved tunes.
26 Nassau County Police Department 100th Anniversary Parade
Giada Valenti’s
‘From Italy with Love’ Enjoy an evening of romantic songs in English, Italian and Spanish at the Madison Theatre. This exquisite concerts celebrates the enchantment of Italy, showcasing the captivating persona and velvety vocals of Giada Valenti. Her voice evokes memories of Celine
•Where: Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Time: Parade starts at 2 p.m., block party from 3–8 p.m.
•Contact: Visit pdcn.org for details
Mary Poppins
Temple B’nai Torah Mainstage Players present Mary Poppins, at Temple B’nai Torah. $20, $15 for seniors 65 and over, $10 for children 17 and under.
•Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
•Time: May 3 and 10, 8 p.m.; May 4 and 11, 2 p.m.
•Contact: tbtwantagh. seatyourself.biz, email tbttix@temple-bnai-torah.org or call (516) 221-2370
Game time
Play Mah Jongg and Canasta at Congregation Beth Tikvah. Snacks and drinks are provided. $5 contribution.
•Where: Congregation Beth Tikvah, 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh
•Time: Thursdays, noon–4 p.m.
•Contact: mahjonggCBT@ yahoo.com or (516) 785-2445
MAY
3
Art explorations Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.
•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
•Time: noon-3 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
Kiwanis Club of Wantagh hosts its ninth annual Spring Festival. With featuring over 80 vendors, a food truck show, kids fun zone, and live music. Rain date is May 31.
•Where: Wantagh LIRR, between Beech Street and Oakland Avenue, Wantagh
•Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Celebrate 100 years of the Nassau County Police Department with a parade and block party on Sunday, April 27 featuring music, antique cars, horses, and more. Rain date is Sunday, May 4.
•Where: Parade steps off at Wantagh Avenue and Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh; block party on Railroad Avenue APR
30
Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah Temple B’nai Torah hosts weekly bingo with prizes, progressive games, and refreshments every Wednesday and Thursday.
•Where: 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh
•Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays, 7:15–10 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 221-2370
The Seaford Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Spring Fling with entertainment, food trucks, shopping, and a kids fun zone. Rain date is May 17.
•Where: Seaford LIRR, 1933 Jackson Ave., Seaford
•Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 644-5615 or visit lifairs.com
MAY
Walk like MADD Long Island
4
Join Walk Like MADD Long Island to raise funds for 24/7 victim services and support efforts to end impaired driving. In addition to the walk, the event
•Contact: (516) 644-5615
and items of
All submissions should include
time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
team leads — reached out to local organizations, businesses and residents. As a member of the Kiwanis Key Club, DiCerbo joined his teammates in presenting their fundraising mission to the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce and the Wantagh Kiwanis Club.
DiCerbo’s mother, Danielle, said presenting the mission of LLS helped local organizations get on board by contributing to the Warriors’ cause.
“It’s about raising money, but it’s also about trying to find a cure and trying to get awareness out of what LLS does,” Danielle DiCerbo said.
According to the LLS website, the organization is one of the largest nonprofit funding agents of leading-edge research for blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other rare types of blood cancers. Since 2017, LLS has helped advance around 70 percent of blood cancer treatment options approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the website stated.
The Warriors organized a raffle fundraiser at Ridgewood Tavern in Wantagh on March 2, raising around $10,000. Raffle prizes included tickets to Mets, Jets and Islanders games, as well as concert tickets donated by John Theissen, founder of the John Theissen Children’s Foundation. Other donated items included grills, gym memberships, a television, restaurant gift cards and more.
In addition, the Warriors launched a letter-writing campaign, spread the word through social media, and set up fundraiser booths at the Wantagh St. Patrick’s Day parade and in front of Iavarone Brothers in Wantagh.
Wantagh junior Allie Reisert won Team Member of the Year for the second consecutive year for raising the highest amount among her group. Through donations and selling baked
goods, Reisert took in around $28,000 for the Warriors’ campaign, making up over a quarter of the funds raised. Over the past two years, Reisert has collected a total of nearly $45,000.
In a news release from the Wantagh School District, Reisert said she was inspired to get involved by her sister, Ashley, who was a team leader for Warriors for a Cure in 2021.
“I admired how my sister showed so much dedication and I wanted to follow in her footsteps,” she said in the release. “I’m so grateful that I have the chance to make such an impact.”
Wantagh Key Club advisor Heidi Felix, who helped form the Warriors for a Cure team in 2021, said she was proud of the students’ accomplishment. Throughout the campaign, Felix coached team members on how to effectively present their mission to the community and promote their fundraising initiatives.
“I’m just proud of these kids,” she said, “because they show what it means to help others.”
Felix added that the initiative displayed pride in the Wantagh community, as students, parents, residents and business leaders all came together to support the cause. The mission is especially meaningful to her, she said, as she has a personal connection to blood cancer.
“I’ve lost six friends to cancer,” Felix noted. “It’s horrific when you look at the children that have to live without their parents.”
For DiCerbo, joining the Warriors for a Cure team was a way to give back to his Wantagh community. But he said he hadn’t realized just how many people were affected by blood cancer until he became involved.
“Every other person that donated to us had some type of connection to blood cancer,” he said. “It was really eye-opening.”
PARADE STEP-OFF: 2:00pm
STARTING POINT:
Wantagh Avenue at Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh ENDING POINT:
Beech Street and Park Avenue. Block party will take place at Railroad Avenue immediately after from 3:00pm-8:00pm.
SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH 2:00PM
Rain date: Sunday, May 4, 2025 PARADE BEGINS
Discover Long Island, the marketing organization promoting Long Island to the world, held its annual meeting and legislative breakfast at Hilton Long Island on March 14.
Discover LI presented its agenda for the year and premiered its new YouBelong campaign, featuring stories of local Long Islanders and business owners. “2025 is already proving to be a monumental year, and there is much more on the horizon,” said Mitchell Pally, chairman of the Discover LI board of directors.
In 2023, travelers spent $7.5 billion while visiting Long Island, in large part as a result of Discover Long Island’s global marketing of the region as a premier travel destination. With events like the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby” and the 2026 NHL All-Star Game, Long Island is expecting an unprecedented number of visitors in the coming months.
–Madison Gusler
The role of tourism in boosting the local economy
The goal of Discover LI is to increase tourism in the region, because tourism drives revenue across the Island. Over 42 million tourists visited Long Island in 2023, generating $900 million in local and state tax revenue. During peak season, tourism generates over 100,000 jobs.
With 11 social media channels and over 10 million followers, Discover LI promotes Long Island tourism to audiences around the globe.
Discover LI’s team attends tourism trade shows around the world to promote Long Island internationally. They target high-value visitors who spend more when they visit. When travelers come to LI from outside the region, they spend on hotels, dining and activities.
And Discover LI isn’t ignoring residents, featuring hyper-local marketing that aims to acquaint Long Islanders with new experiences in their own backyards.
Discover LI’s digital advances, with NearMe app and AI implementation
Discover LI has made strides in digital options for those planning a visit. Its AI chatbot, LiLi, was launched in 2024, and has since sent 6,071 messages. LiLi speaks a number of languages, and has saved Discover LI staff more than 200 hours of work.
The Discover LI app, which has seen a 300 percent increase in downloads since 2024, generates suggestions for dining and entertainment near users and provides information about the area. There is also a section of the website that allow users to buy tickets for various events without leaving the Discover LI page.
He became an ordained Jesuit priest at 33 and was the first pope from outside Europe in centuries, yet Pope Francis was known for his human touch.
He died on Monday. He was born on Dec. 17, 1936.
Bergoglio, just before his 17th birthday, he was hurrying to meet friends when something directed him to go into the Basilica of St. Joseph in Buenos Aires that moved him to become a priest.
Jesuits are known for highlighting humility, aiding the poor and having respect for indigenous people.
Bishop John Barres who leads the Archdiocese of Rockville Centre noted the works in his statement.
“As we mourn the death of Pope Francis on this Easter Octave Monday and the gift of his contemplative global evangelization grounded in Matthew 25 and the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, we give thanks to Father, Son and Holy Spirit for his unique graces and charisms and the compelling way during his Pontificate that he has been a Light of Jesus Christ and the mission of mercy of the Catholic Church to the world,” he said.
“In Evangelii Gaudium (2013), Pope Francis speaks about the original freshness of the Gospel: “Jesus can also break through the dull categories with which we would enclose him and he constantly amazes us by his divine creativity. Whenever we make the effort to return to the source and to recover the original freshness of the Gospel, new avenues arise, new paths of creativity open up, with different forms of expression, more eloquent signs and words with new meaning for today’s world. Every form of
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
authentic evangelization is always ‘new.’”
“As Easter began, Pope Francis went home to the Father,” St. Bernard’s Church in Levittown posted on Facebook. “His legacy will live on in how we love.”
“O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth,” St. William the Abbot Roman Catholic Church, in Seaford, posted on Facebook. “Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
“Today the Chair is Empty. Easter Sunday an empty tomb is found and we know Jesus our hope has risen,” said Mark Daley, former grand knight for Valley Stream Knights of Columbus. “Today we pray for our Pope who has Risen to be with God Our Father.”
Phyllis Zagano Ph.D, is senior research associate-in-residence in the Department of Religion at Hofstra University. One of the world’s foremost experts on the question of women deacons and in 2016 was appointed to serve on Pope Francis’ first commission to look at this issue. She was the only commissioner to travel from the Western Hemisphere.
“Pope Francis will be remembered as the pope who opened the door to more people, especially lay people, especially women, to participate in conversations about how the Church might best move forward,” Zagano said.
HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST AND FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-SD1, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, -againstALAN D. TRUE, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 13, 2025, wherein HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST AND FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-SD1, ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES is the Plaintiff and ALAN D. TRUE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 5, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2175 SPRUCE STREET, WANTAGH, NY 11793; and the following tax map identification: 57-300-12 and 13.
PARCEL 1
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WANTAGH IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD. COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK
PARCEL 2
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
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 611359/2022.
Oscar A. Prieto, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 152610
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Nassau, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the LBCabana Series IV Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Michael K. Carbone, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 8, 2024, 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 May 14, 2025 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 3388 Maplewood Drive South a/k/a 3388 Maplewood Drive, Wantagh, NY 11793. 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 57, Block 219 and Lot 11. Approximate amount of judgment is $820,538.42 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614238/2022. Tara Mayerhofer, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 221849-1 152824
ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-OPT1, -againstMICHELLE KAPLAN, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 27, 2025, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-OPT1 is the Plaintiff and MICHELLE KAPLAN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 20, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1021 BARRIE AVENUE, WANTAGH, NY 11793; and the following tax map identification: 51-281-25. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WANTAGH (UNINCORPORATED)
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 604783/2017. Lisa Segal Poczik, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 152953
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 16214
R NO.299-2025
Adopted: April 8, 2025
Councilmember Goosby offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ADOPTING TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
PUBLIC PARKING FIELD MAPS SHOWING PARKING REGULATIONS AT CERTAIN PARKING FIELDS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 293-2025, adopted March 25, 2025, a public hearing was duly held on the 8th day of April, 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed adoption of the following public parking field maps showing the adoption of one (1) “1 Handicapped Parking” sign in parking field WA-8, Wantagh; all in accordance with Section 80-4 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead: WHEREAS, after due consideration this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to adopt the following Town of Hempstead public parking field maps showing the revisions thereon; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following Town of Hempstead public parking field maps showing the adoption of one (1) “Handicapped Parking” sign in parking field WA-8, Wantagh; all in accordance with Section 80-4 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead: WANTAGH WA-8 Parking Field Wantagh East End Turnpike Public Parking District (TH-63/25) and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and the Ordinance Book and shall publish a copy of this resolution once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Hempstead and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Dunne and adopted upon a roll call as follows:
AYES: SEVEN(7)
(0) 153076
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Q. We bought our home three years ago, and are finally ready to finish our basement to make a family room, guest bedroom and a bathroom while enclosing our laundry. Right now it’s just a big open space with a lot of columns. The ceiling is low, and we’ve had estimates to cut down the basement floor. It seems like a lot of money to do all these things at once, but we understand that we need to do it before the prices for materials, as we’ve been warned, go a lot higher. We want to know what needs to be done if we want to lower the floor, take out two columns so our recreation room is bigger, and put in a bathroom. Is there any way to save money?
A. I doubt that you’ll save money, since you are correct that prices are creeping up, but only because of the uncertainty of markets. It seems that the Canada lumber tariffs may not take affect so rapidly, because Congress — including those from both sides of the aisle — is reportedly working on bills to stop the economic strife with our neighbor to the north. But it’s anybody’s guess, right now, day to day.
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Basements have always seemed so minor when compared with additions and other renovations, but there are many safety codes you should become familiar with. First, many jurisdictions disallow any sleeping room in basements. Bathrooms are allowed in most jurisdictions, but verify whether a bathing fixture, shower or tub, is allowed. Some will only allow a toilet and sink.
You also need a second means of escape from the main room, not just the staircase you already have from the first floor. You’ll need an escape window or stairwell to the outside. If you choose a window, the sill can’t be more than 44 inches above the floor, and the window must have at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening, swinging outward into a 9-squarefoot (3 feet by 3 feet minimum) area of escape well with a ladder to get out to the ground level. I’ve watched these escape wells go from $3,500 to $12,000 over the past decade.
You will also be required to insulate the basement walls, and insulation must meet the State Energy Code, because when the basement is done legally, with a permit, it must pass the energy code analysis submission to the state’s website portal.
Many people, hearing all these requirements, elect to skirt the rules by hiring someone who does what they think will pass. When you are required to legalize the work, as the responsible party (the homeowner) in the process, sometimes work has to be redone because someone missed something. There’s a reason that professionals have to be involved, and it’s best not to try to save money by avoiding the inevitable, because experience teaches that the rules don’t get simpler over time. More next week.
© 2022 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn:
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Long Island families are getting crushed by high taxes, and homeowners need a proven tax cutter in the Hempstead town supervisor’s office, as well as someone who knows how to keep families safe. I’m running for town supervisor because I’ve had enough of high taxes, and I know you have, too.
As a Nassau County legislator, I’ve proven that I can deliver real tax relief. I’ve never voted for a tax increase. In fact, I helped cut county taxes by $70 million. I even helped stopped $150 million in tax hikes, which were included in the previous county executive’s multiyear budget plan. At the same time, I’ve worked hard to make Nassau County the safest county in the United States. I’m running to bring the same taxpayerfriendly approach to the town that I championed in the County Legislature. And I will continue to work with the law enforcement community to keep families safe. We need leaders who understand that the people aren’t an endless source of
revenue. I believe government must live within its means — just like every hardworking family must. As supervisor, I’ll bring the same fiscal discipline and taxcutting mindset to Town Hall that I embraced in the Legislature, because every dollar wasted is a dollar taken from your family’s wallet.
LBut lower taxes mean nothing if we don’t feel safe in our own neighborhoods. That’s why I’ve made public safety a top priority. I’ve worked to make Nassau the safest county in the country by increasing our police force, providing officers with the latest technology and other resources they need to stop crime, and I fought to reopen a shuttered police precinct.
ower taxes mean nothing if we don’t feel safe in our own neighborhoods.
I also stood up to ensure that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents remain stationed at the Nassau County Correctional Facility, so we can keep dangerous criminals off our streets. I even worked with town officials to provide enhanced police patrols at vulnerable houses of worship on religious holidays. Public safety isn’t political — it’s personal. As supervisor, I’ll continue to fight for strong, well-supported law enforcement in every community.
We also have to take a strong stand against hate and antisemitism, which are sadly on the rise across the region. I’ve worked hand in hand with community leaders and law enforcement to confront these threats head-on. I helped passed the Mask Transparency Act, which stops people from hiding their identity while threatening or intimidating others — because no one should be able to spread hate from behind a mask. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected, no matter their faith, race or background.
Just as important is protecting the character of our communities. I’ve been one of the strongest voices pushing back against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s housing plan, a proposal that would force high-density, city-style apartment housing into our suburban neighborhoods without local input. I believe those decisions belong to our towns and villages — not Albany bureaucrats. As supervisor, I’ll fight to keep that control where it belongs: with the people who actually live here.
I’ve also worked hard to make government more transparent and accessible, launching a weekly e-newsletter to keep residents updated on proposed laws, community events and local ser-
vices. People should know what their government is doing, and have a voice in the process.
Before serving in elective office, I was the chief deputy county clerk, managing over 100 employees and helping to collect $240 million annually for state and local governments. I helped write legislation to waive fees for Superstorm Sandy victims, because I believe government should step up in times of crisis, not make things more difficult.
But what drives me most is my family. My wife, Maryellen, and I are raising our kids just two doors down from the house where I grew up. We’re active in our church, our schools and our community. I’m a lector at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, and a proud member of the Levittown Kiwanis, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of Italy, and I’ve coached Little League, too. This isn’t just where I live — it’s home. And I want it to be a place where our kids can build their futures.
We need leadership that listens, that fights for taxpayers, that puts safety first and protects the neighborhoods we love. That’s the kind of supervisor I’ll be.
John Ferretti, who represents Nassau County’s 15th Legislative District, is the Republican candidate for Town of Hempstead supervisor.
over two decades ago, I stood in the sands of Iraq, uncertain if I would give my life, or be forced to take one. That kind of experience leaves a permanent imprint. I’m a Marine combat veteran — one of the fewer than 1 percent who have borne the weight of war. Leadership, pain, purpose and sacrifice have shaped every fiber of who I am — and that’s why I’m running for Town of Hempstead supervisor.
I was raised by small-business owners who taught me the value of hard work, loyalty and grit. Military service runs in our family. My great-grandfather served in World War II. When times got tough, my twin brother and I enlisted. Thanks to the GI Bill, I became one of the first Scianablos to earn a college degree, and I never anticipated how deeply the military would shape my view of public service.
I deployed around the world — East Timor, Eritrea and Iraq — where I witnessed hardship and resilience. I saw children with rifles, families begging for help and communities torn apart. It reaffirmed a belief I’ve always held: People everywhere want safety, dignity and a chance at a better life. I knew then, and I know now, that I want to be a force for good.
As a Marine sergeant, I led young men into war. I carried their fears, their families’ hopes and their safety on my shoulders. I also witnessed the cost of failed leadership — Marines pushed to the edge, civilians caught in crossfire, promises broken. Those memories still drive me to lead with purpose and compassion.
thy and with a multidisciplinary approach. After a routine call led to multiple injuries and three surgeries, I was medically retired.
R eal leadership under real pressure — my experience — is what’s needed.
After the Marines, I joined the New York City Police Department. As a police officer, I had the privilege of learning firsthand about the issues affecting our communities. When I saw the impact of domestic violence, I became a Domestic Violence Officer, working to support victims with empa-
That unexpected turn became a blessing. I became a single father to the most beautiful little girl and dived into community life, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader and coaching soccer and softball. I worked with veterans through Battle Buddies, and helped open the first veterans museum, donating personal artifacts that are still on display today.
When my daughter entered middle school, I followed my passion and went to law school. Later I served as a prosecutor in the Queens district attorney’s office, focusing on protecting victims of domestic violence. Representing the people was among my most humbling and meaningful roles.
Now I see a new battlefield, in our own backyard. Seniors are struggling, veterans are overlooked, small businesses are drowning in red tape and taxpayers are fed up with inefficiency. Peo-
ple in this town are hurting. When asked how I could help, I realized that my experience — real leadership under real pressure — was exactly what was needed. I’ve never walked away from serving, and won’t start now.
On Day One, I’ll launch a full audit of the town’s finances and departments, because transparency is the only option. I’ll begin assembling a task force to address our crumbling infrastructure, focusing on underserved neighborhoods that have been ignored for far too long. I’ll kick off a public safety and community trust initiative, uniting law enforcement and local leaders to rebuild confidence and cooperation.
I’m running for supervisor because I believe we deserve better. We need leadership that puts people before politics. I’ve led Marines through war, protected the vulnerable, and brought calm amid chaos. The Town of Hempstead is worth fighting for. Let’s fix what’s broken, and build something better together.
Joseph K. Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead town supervisor, is a Marine combat veteran, a former New York City police officer and a former prosecutor.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has finally confirmed what many of us have long suspected: The deliberate and calculated withholding of hundreds of millions of dollars from Nassau University Medical Center was never just an unfortunate budgeting decision — it was a setup. A setup designed to justify a hostile state takeover of our county hospital, which Hochul has now tried to sneak into this year’s budget without transparency, without accountability, and without consent from the very people who rely on this facility every day.
Let me be absolutely clear: Hands off our health care, Governor.
NUMC isn’t just any hospital. It is Nassau County’s only safety-net hospital, providing care to over 1.4 million residents, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. It serves workingclass families, first responders, veterans, seniors and some of our most vulnerable neighbors. It is a cornerstone of Long Island’s health care network, and the only option for urgent and lifesaving care for many. NUMC doesn’t belong to
Albany. It doesn’t belong to Hochul. It belongs to the people of Nassau County. Are there challenges at the hospital? Of course. No one denies that it has faced significant operational and financial headwinds — some self-inflicted — but its challenges have built up over time, not overnight. The solution is not to suffocate it by withholding desperately needed funding, only to later claim that the hospital is too weak to survive on its own and must be taken over by the state. That isn’t governance — that is sabotage.
The role of the state is to support struggling hospitals, not seize them.
The governor’s actions are not only deeply irresponsible; they are also dangerous. At a time when New York’s health care system is already under enormous strain, her plan to consolidate control over NUMC threatens to destabilize it. If she succeeds, the consequences will be real and immediate for over 200,000 patients the hospital treats every year, and for other health care systems that will be forced to deal with the overflow. Over 80 percent of NUMC’s patients are either Medicare/Medicaid recipients or have no insurance at all. Are other hospitals ready to absorb them? This isn’t just a power grab — it’s a health care crisis in the making.
What makes this even more egregious is that NUMC, under its current
leadership team, has taken meaningful, successful steps toward reform. We’ve seen critical changes: expansion of services, renewed commitment to patient care, improved staff morale, a Gold Seal of Approval from a nationwide hospital-accrediting organization, an upgrade to an A patient safety rating and the early stages of financial recovery, cutting operating expenses while increasing revenues and preserving its workforce. These improvements didn’t come easy. They came from hard work, local commitment, and a shared belief that NUMC can succeed as a community-led institution.
Rather than support these efforts, Hochul’s approach has been to actively undermine them. By way of comparison, SUNY Downstate, another safetynet hospital in Brooklyn, has received over $1.1 billion in state aid over the past two years. NUMC has received nothing. It has also been shut out of funding from the state’s Distressed Hospital Fund, which helps sustain safetynet hospitals in financial difficulty. The governor is creating winners and losers and, as usual under her leadership, Long Island loses. By refusing to release the funding that NUMC has earned and deserves, the state is jeopardizing the
progress already made. The message from Albany is clear: Success under local leadership will not be tolerated if it doesn’t serve her political interests. Let me remind Hochul: the role of the state is to support struggling hospitals, not seize them. If she truly cared about NUMC’s patients, health care workers and our county’s future, she would be working with us, not against us. She would release the funds that were promised. She would be investing in infrastructure, staff retention and improved care — not plotting a takeover behind closed doors.
I’m proud to stand with my Republican colleagues from Long Island in the Senate and Assembly, who have fought tooth and nail to stop this dangerous plan. I’m also encouraged to see some Democrats join us. This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a community issue. It’s a moral issue. And it’s one that demands courage from every elected official who claims to represent the people of Nassau County.
We must not allow Albany to dictate the future of our hospital. We must not allow political maneuvering to override patients’ needs. And we absolutely must not let our only safety-net hospital be used as a bargaining chip in budget negotiations. NUMC belongs in Nassau hands — and that’s where it should stay.
Steve Rhoads represents the 5th State Senate District.
picking up right where we left off last legislative session, the Liberty Water team has been hard at work, talking with New York’s elected officials about providing meaningful rate relief to customers. Currently, roughly 30 percent of a Liberty customer’s bill is made up of taxes that provide no benefit to the water system itself. The disproportionate level of taxes paid by our customers unnecessarily drives up the cost of water. That is unjust, but thankfully, we are keeping up the momentum from last year’s efforts to eliminate the special franchise tax — which makes up a significant portion of the overall taxes paid by Liberty customers — and to provide access to the state’s drinking water infrastructure grant programs. Once again, we are
asking our customers to join us in this fight in Albany, and use the tools we have created to make their voices heard.
JStopthehiddentax.org is our advocacy website, and we encourage every Liberty New York Water customer to visit and use it to take action. Showing your support for these legislative changes is very simple. Visit the website, click on the “Take Action” tab and fill out some basic information. Once it is submitted, a letter will automatically be sent on your behalf to key decision-makers who can move this legislation forward.
extremely impactful, and will build on the nearly 60,000 letters that have been sent to elected officials in the past year.
oin us in the fight in Albany to stop the hidden taxes and lower your water bills.
Showing overwhelming support from our customers for this legislative change will move the needle. If you are one of the more than 3,600 Liberty customers who have already taken action through the site, take action again. The continuous reinforcement to our elected officials that you want to see these cost-saving efforts become a reality is
As a company, we continue to make a strong case to the prominent policymakers on behalf of our customers, and the message is resonating. Legislation to eliminate the special franchise tax as well as to provide access to public grant funding has been introduced again this year. Right now it is vital that the elected officials responsible for moving the bill through the legislative process hear from our customers. For those who want to see lower water bills, going to Stopthehiddentax. org and sending a letter to state leaders takes less than five minutes, and policymakers won’t be able to ignore the voices of our 125,000 customers.
While the taxes collected do help fund local taxing jurisdictions, it is our firm belief that these taxes should not be collected through customer water bills. Making matters worse, our cus-
tomers are the only ones in Nassau County who have to pay this excessive tax. Moreover, your tax dollars are being used to fund water infrastructure projects throughout the state that Liberty is currently ineligible to access. Once again, those dollars are being collected without any benefit returning to the water system in your community. I want to be perfectly clear on one final point: The only advantage Liberty stands to gain in pursuing this legislative change is water rates that more accurately reflect the true cost of providing high-quality water service. That’s it. It is written into the proposed legislation that Liberty cannot realize any financial benefit from either bill. So what can our customers do? Visit stopthehiddentax.org, click on the “Take Action” section, and fill in your information to have a letter sent on your behalf directly to key decisionmakers. There is power in numbers, and we are hoping every one of our customers will join the fight for lower bills. Let your voice be heard!
every May for more than 60 years, the United States has taken the time to celebrate a crucial force in its economy: the small-business owner. This year during National Small Business Week, May 4 to 10, we will honor the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels innovation, drives local economies, and creates opportunity in communities across the country.
It’s important to recognize that this is more than just a ceremonial observance. Small Business Week is a chance to spotlight the backbone of America’s economic engine and the importance of supporting the 33 million small businesses nationwide.
Two of their biggest backers are the federal Small Business Administration and SCORE, a nonprofit organization that has mentored more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964. The SBA is a government agency that promotes and safeguards the interests of small businesses. Its mission is to support them and help them thrive, because they are such a vital component of the nation’s economy. The SBA provides access to federal contracts, counseling and financing, among other resources, to help these business grow.
Together, the SBA and SCORE will offer invaluable resources to both aspiring and established business owners at the annual National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, a free online event May 6 and 7. It will offer more than educational workshops; it will be a showcase of what’s possible when the public and private sectors collaborate.
That effort will include mentorships,
To the Editor:
practical advice and access to federal programs and tools that can help smallbusiness owners navigate the myriad challenges they face, from financing to digital marketing.
The Summit won’t just be about learning — it will also be about community. Consider the sheer number of small businesses that dot the landscape of the cities, towns and villages that Herald newspapers cover. How many do you patronize on a regular basis, from your favorite pizza place to your favorite stationery store or barbershop? Many are anchors of their neighborhoods or downtown commercial areas, making towns into home towns.
Beyond the summit, the SBA is organizing in-person events across the country, including a national awards celebration in Washington, D.C., on May 5. There will be local events as well, giving municipalities the chance to recognize their own standout entrepreneurs.
But why should National Small Business Week matter to everyone — not just business owners? Because small businesses do more than sell products and services. They create jobs. Half of all U.S. workers are employed by small and medium-sized businesses, which contribute 43 percent of the country’s GDP. Small businesses mentor future leaders. They drive innovation. They support schools, sponsor local Little League teams, and strengthen the fabric of our communities.
Almost every dollar spent at a small business goes back into the local economy. And during challenging times, as we saw during the coronavirus pandemic,
Re Peter King’s column, “Ed Kranepool was the real Mr. Met,” last week: As a graduate of James Monroe High School in the Bronx (I entered as Kranepool left), I was following even his high school career, because my dad umpired high school games as Ed chased Hank Greenberg’s (no relation) career high school home run record.
As an aside, the title of Jimmy Breslin’s book, “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game?” was a quote by Casey Stengel as he appraised his new team.
JOEL GREENBERG Merrick
To the Editor:
Over
tthese businesses often demonstrate resilience and creativity that not only help their communities endure those times, but inspire new ways to overcome them, bringing residents closer together in the process.
Smart legislation is critical, too. State Sen. Monica Martinez, whose district covers parts of Long Island, recently introduced the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally, or LOCAL, Act. This bill would provide truly small businesses — 10 employees or fewer — as well as minority-, female- or veteran-owned businesses of any size with a tax credit of up to $4,000 so they can advertise their products and services.
Supporting small businesses is a yearround responsibility, but next month’s special week will give us a chance to recommit to their success. Whether you attend the virtual summit, shop locally, or simply share the story of a small business that inspired you, there are countless ways to show support.
To learn more about this year’s events, to register for the summit, or to find a celebration near you, visit SBA. gov/NSBW. And be sure to follow along, and join the national conversation, at #SmallBusinessWeek. Throughout the year, the Herald offers small businesses webinars and training, too, and we encourage businesses to sign up for these valuable sessions.
In celebrating this special week, we celebrate the grit, vision and drive that continue to shape our nation by shaping its economy — one idea, one storefront and one hardworking entrepreneur at a time.
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the other week I had the pleasure of flying to Atlanta to celebrate the wedding of two good friends. The ceremony was beautiful, the bride and groom were happy, and nothing disturbed the sanctity of the moment.
What really struck me was how much fun I had seeing a bunch of old friends from college and high school, and how much I’d missed spending time with them.
The groom and I had gone to neighboring colleges, although we’d known each other for years through mutual friends. I spent so much time over my four years with him and the other kids at St. Andrews university that there were some days when I thought I knew their campus better than mine. Certainly I knew where all the cheapest bars in their town were. But after graduation, we all went our separate ways, as happens. While we
kept in touch sporadically, the demands of life and work — not to mention the pandemic and general global craziness — meant that I rarely, if ever, saw or talked to many people who only a few years before I’d hung out with every day. until this recent weekend, when we spent practically every waking moment getting up to our old shenanigans again. It sounds cliché to say, but it truly felt like no time had passed.
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every weekend. And for many young people, this connection is something that we’re all deeply missing.
Most people are aware that there is a loneliness epidemic in America.
fter college, we went our separate ways, but it was silly of me not to reach out before.
The most astonishing part was finding out how many of these friends now lived so close to me, with the majority of them having moved to New York City in the past few years. The last I’d heard from them, they were scattered as far apart as Los Angeles and London; little did I know that most of them now lived less than an hour away on the LIRR. I’ve already made plans to see some of them again soon.
That got me thinking about how silly it was of me not to reach out before. A simple text, “Hey, how’s it going, dude?” and I could have been seeing them
Cola plant in Tarrytown to call attention to the fact that New York state needed a bottle deposit bill. I was sore for three weeks! We achieved victory, and New York passed the Returnable Container Act, commonly known as the Bottle Bill. This landmark law has proven to be a highly effective program, reducing litter and increasing recycling rates in our state.
Albany now needs to support the Bigger Better Bottle Bill (S5684, A6543). This legislation would raise bottle and can deposits from 5 to 10 cents, which would increase redemption rates, support some of our state’s most marginalized workers and further reduce litter. The nickel deposit was enacted into law in 1983. If it were adjusted for inflation, it would be 15 cents today.
This bill could generate as much as $100 million for the state, and those funds could be used to address limits on redemption options in low-income communities and other litter and solid waste problems. It would also create more consistency by including sports drinks, iced tea, wine and spirits and more. With more beverage types included, there would be more recycling, less confusion and less pollution.
We must stop littering our Earth with one-time-use disposable bottles. This 42-yearold law needs to be updated. Here’s hoping our Legislature and governor will carry this bill through to fruition.
JoSEpH M. VARoN West Hempstead
Food
According to a study released in 2024 by the American psychiatric Association, 30 percent of adults experience feelings of loneliness at least once a week, with 10 percent admitting that they feel lonely every day.
This is even more pronounced in young people, with 30 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 saying they are lonely every day or several times a week.
This crisis, while not as immediately obvious as a drug or disease epidemic, is just as insidious in its negative impact on the health of our country and our communities. A variety of factors are believed to contribute to this problem, from technology to being overworked to our hyper-focused sense of individualism.
While experts argue about the cause, the negative results speak for themselves. Humans are naturally social
& Water Watch, and Beyond Plastics.
To the Editor:
There is a desperate need for Nassau County politicians to establish a homeless shelter for people with pets.
There is nothing more emotionally jarring than looking into the eyes of a person who has lost everything and, in order to be admitted to a shelter, must surrender a beloved lifelong companion to an animal rescue — or continue to live on the streets — because Nassau County has no place for the two of them to go.
And it’s equally soul-wrenching to sit with a newly surrendered homeless animal, confused and scared, and console them as they get one last glimpse of the best friend they adored unconditionally.
Last month, the Safe Center of Long Island, in Bethpage, closed. Isn’t there a space like this that can be used as shelter for both the homeless and their pets?
politicians, for decades you have been telling homeless people what they need, instead of asking them. They have told me through their tears, and their animal friends by their despair. Will you act, or continue to look away from the truly voiceless, who in your campaign speeches you profess you will be a champion for.
DANA
FuCHS Long Beach
Dana Fuchs works at an animal rescue facility.
animals, and when we are unable to socialize, for whatever reason — from prisoners in solitary confinement to teenage shut-ins who spend all of their time online — the effects of being separated from others take a serious mental and physical toll on our health.
Studies have compared the impact of loneliness on our bodies to the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes, and concluded that it leads to higher rates of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Loneliness literally kills us.
on the flip side, the desire for companionship can also lead people to seek connection and validation from unhealthy sources, such as political extremist groups, criminal organizations, and even drugs.
That’s why, now more than ever, it’s important to reach out. Shoot a text to your buddy from high school or call your friend from your sports team in college. Sometimes even a short conversation catching up is all you need to remind yourself how many friends you have, and how much they mean to you.
Will Sheeline is an editor covering Glen Head, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? wsheeline@liherald.com.
The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.
To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion
