Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Three major fires erupt in Babylon
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Governor speaks at LIA breakfast
Page 12
Recently the Village of Babylon and the Babylon Library coordinated to host a store window decorating contest to recognize local businesses who put time and effort into decorating their stores to help create a holiday spirit in the Village’s business district. First-place winner of the contest was Hitch LI, a boutique at 37 E. Main Street. Other winners were: 2nd Place: Argyle Toy Store, 10 Grove Place, and 3rd Place, Mary Carroll’s restaurant, 121 Deer Park Avenue. In photo Babylon Village Trustee Sean Goodwin, Mayor Mary Adams, Ass’t Library Director Ann Burke and Library Director Thomas Vitale stand in front of Hitch LI’s decorated store windows.
Lindenhurst Village presents budget proposal
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Lindenhurst Village officials unveiled the village’s 2025 budget which calls for a raise in real property taxes primarily to meet the village’s anticipated increases in contractual salaries, insurance, New York State Retirement
fund and professional services.
“We worked very hard on this budget and while we are not happy with the need to raise taxes, we have to be fiscally responsible and ensure we have the funds needed to continue to provide the high level of services for our residents deserve,” said Mayor Mike Lavorata.
FSD educator recognized Page 3
Babylon students outperform state averages: report
By ALENA BERENBLATT Correspondent
Babylon students consistently outperform state averages and make steady progress each year in academic achievements.
That was the good news highlighted at the Dec. 9 Board of Education meeting by Jeffrey Haubrich, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and personnel, and Al Cirone, principal of the Junior Senior High School.
Babylon’s Class of 2024 boasted a 100 percent graduation rate, with 32 percent earning a Regents diploma and 68 percent graduating with a Regents Advanced designation, according to the district’s profile on the New York State Report Card.
“Our goal is for Babylon High School to be more than just test scores,” Cirone said. “We aim to nurture curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, and I believe we’re doing that.”
Since the disruptions of COVID-19, Babylon has seen significant gains in both the number of students taking Advanced Placement (AP)
courses and those scoring 3 or higher on AP exams. In 2024, 75 percent of students taking AP exams earned a score of at least 3.
The district has also seen an increase in the number of students named AP Scholars—an honor given to students who score 3 or higher on at least three AP exams. In 2021, 21 students were recognized as AP Scholars, a number that grew to 52 the following year, and 78 in 2024.
“These numbers are really impressive and continue to rise,” Haubrich said. “Our outcomes keep improving as more students take part in these exams. This reflects the hard work of our students, faculty, and staff.”
While Babylon outperforms state averages on nearly every Regents exam, Haubrich noted that there are areas where the district’s performance is closer to the state average. “When that happens, we do a deep data analysis, looking at every question on the test, to see where students are struggling,” Haubrich explained. “We then use that data to adjust instruction the follow
Photo courtesy /Village of Babylon
Lindenhurst Village presents its 2025 budget; hearing Jan. 21
The current tax rate in the Village is $22 per $100 of assessed value. That means that a home assessed at $3,500 paid $770 this year in real property taxes. That tax bill will increase to $866.25 in 2025 if the budget as proposed is approved by the board at its next meeting on Jan. 21.
Among the driving forces in the budget are fire department costs, primarily for emergency services. Lindenhurst has one of the largest departments on Long Island with most of its calls for ambulance services. Lavorata explained that residents will see some relief on those expenses as a recent New York State allows fire departments to charge residents through their health insurance for these services. (Residents who do not have
health insurance will not be charged individually.) Those monies are set aside in a reserve fund that will be used to pay for EMT salaries and equipment associated with these calls.
“Currently those services cost the Village more than $880,000 a year,” explained Lavorata. “Next year those expenses will be paid for through the fund and not through Village taxes, which will bring relief to our budget and a savings to residents.”
The total budget is $19,196,515, an increase of approximately $1.5 million.
The Village will hold a final hearing on the Budget Jan. 21. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m., Lindenhurst Village Hall, 430 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. For more information, call 631-957-7500.
Islip Arts Council’s ‘After Christmas Sale’ extended
The Islip Arts Council ‘s After Christmas sale is extended until Fri., Jan. 31. The sale is inside the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore at the Gallery and Bookstore, between Rue 21 and Dick’s Sporting Goods,
Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Items will be 50 percent off. For more information, please visit isliparts.org or call (631) 888-3525.South Shore Mall is located at 1701 Sunrise Hwy., Bay Shore.
Babylon students score well
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
ing year. When scores dipped in a particular year, we analyzed the results, and the scores rebounded the next year. This is just one snapshot of how we measure student progress.”
He added, “We’re very proud of our students, our faculty and staff, and the families who support these efforts.”
Two areas where Regents scores have dipped since COVID are geometry and chemistry. Cirone said he and Assistant Principal Melissa Callahan are working to adjust next year’s master schedule to provide additional support for students in those subjects. However, he noted, “In AP Chemistry and AP Physics, we did really well. It’s a matter of balancing different student needs and motivation.”
Haubrich also emphasized that one of this year’s district goals is to use
student-driven data to enhance educational outcomes. The district will continue offering support programs, including Academic Intervention Services and additional help for struggling students.
Beyond test scores, Cirone highlighted the importance of students’ everyday interactions. “What our students do every day—taking care of one another, looking out for each other— embodies the true spirit of Babylon High School,” he said. “We are very proud of them.”
Superintendent of Schools Carisa Manza added, “This isn’t just a high school celebration. For our students to achieve such success, these skills must be fostered at the elementary and middle school levels. By the time they reach the Junior Senior High School, they are ready to hit the ground running.”
Student in Babylon School Distrct works on science project, part of the district’s winning curriculum.
Longtime Farmingdale educator Samuel Thompson gets Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Samuel Thompson, assistant superintendent of administration in the Farmingdale School District, was honored by the Town of Oyster Bay and his colleagues when the Town Board presented him with the Town of Oyster Bay Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award to, for his exemplary service as an educator for more than 20 years.
“The Town’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented to noteworthy recipients in recognition of their outstanding leadership and achievement, adherence to the principals of a just society and continued involvement in support of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Dream,” said Supervisor Joe Saladino. “Dr. Thompson represents the ‘Gold Standard’ of community service, guiding our town’s youth on the right path and thus helping to shape a better future for all. His ability to lead with resilience and compassion through both the global pandemic and the unimaginable Farmingdale bus tragedy has been inspirational, and he continues to show us what it means to be a true Daler.” Thompson served as Farmingdale High School’s assistant principal for eight years, followed by another six as principal. He has also worked within the Island Trees, Baldwin and Herricks school districts in addition to teaching as an adjunct professor at St. John’s University, where he received his Doctor of Education.
Gift cards are still a post-holiday favorite—just make sure to spend them well before the clock runs out
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging holiday gift card recipients to take a moment in the new year to track down those cards before they disappear into the state’s vault of unclaimed funds.
In a reminder just in time for postholiday shopping, DiNapoli highlighted how unused gift cards can be turned over to the Office of Unclaimed Funds (OUF) after five years of inactivity. In 2024 alone, OUF recovered more than $21 million from gift cards—over three times the amount recovered in 2014 ($5.8 million). DiNapoli is encouraging New Yorkers to spend their gift cards sooner rather than later.
“’Tis the season of giving, not losing, so please spend those gift cards and check to see if you have unclaimed funds,” DiNapoli said. “Many New Yorkers don’t realize that gift card balances may be transferred to our office after five years of inactivity. Last year, we recovered over $21 million worth of lost money from unspent gift cards.”
As of last year, New York City residents are owed the most unclaimed funds from unused gift cards—nearly $48 million—followed by Long Island residents ($11.4 million) and those in the Hudson Valley ($7.8 million).
Each business day, DiNapoli’s office returns an average of $1.5 million in un-
claimed funds and works with retailers to identify cardholders. If a gift card has been registered online, refunded, or purchased through a store account, retailers can provide OUF with the owner’s name. If not, retailers report card details, like the card number and balance, which can then be used by the rightful owner to claim their funds.
A new law taking effect in 2025 aims to speed up the process: Gift cards with unclaimed balances of $250 or less will be returned more quickly—no claim form required. If OUF can verify an owner’s identity and mailing address, a check will be sent directly to them.
DiNapoli also reminded gift card recipients to read the fine print, noting that fees or expiration dates may apply. To avoid any issues, he encourages people to register their cards with the retailer.
Currently, the Office of Unclaimed Funds holds more than $19 billion in unclaimed assets—many of which are tied to forgotten gift cards. So, before the next holiday rolls around, make sure those gifts of cash keep their value and don’t become unclaimed funds.
For more information and to check for any unclaimed funds go to: https:// shorturl.at/0ULzv.
You can also call the Comptroller’s Office at 1-800-221-9311.
The hidden companions of the Carter White House: Grits, Misty, and the Mysterious Afghan Hound
When President Jimmy Carter passed away last month at age 100, the world lost an inspirational humanitarian. Tributes have focused on his deep faith, his service to those in need, particularly through Habitat for Humanity, and his achievements in international diplomacy.
Pets, Pets, Pets...
Yet little has been written about the family pets that shared the White House with the Carters from 1977 to 1981. That, I believe, is my task. While stories exist about the Carters’ two pets—Grits, a Border Collie mix, and Misty Marlarky Ying Yang, a Siamese cat— another pet, a mysterious Afghan Hound named Lewis Brown, has piqued my curiosity. Despite having owned Afghan Hounds for over 40 years, I had never heard mention of Lewis Brown.
Grits, the Carter Family Border Collie Mix
JOANNE ANDERSON
public school since Quentin Roosevelt, son of Theodore Roosevelt.
Grits, the Border Collie mix, was a gift from Amy’s teacher. Amy had visited her new school, and to ease the transition, her teacher, Verona Meeder, brought a puppy—born the night Jimmy Carter won the election—along with her family to the White House.
Some say the puppy was named Grits to honor the Carters’ Southern roots, while others suggest the name “Grits and Fritz” referenced Carter’s campaign slogan, with running mate Walter “Fritz” Mondale. The New York Times even welcomed Grits to the White House, and the dog became a minor celebrity. An animal organization dubbed Grits “First Canine,” while Mondale’s blind Collie, Bonnie, was named “Vice Canine.”
returned to live with the Meeder family, likely because he wasn’t fully housebroken. Rosalynn Carter tactfully explained that Amy was at summer camp and didn’t have time for the dog, and the Meeder family was eager to welcome Grits back.
Amy Carter was nine when her family moved from Georgia to Washington, D.C. While Amy had attended public school in Georgia, Rosalynn Carter chose Thaddeus Stevens School, a small D.C. public school, for her daughter. Amy would be the first child of an incumbent president to attend
The president built a doghouse for Grits in the White House basement, which would later become the Situation Room. This was before Carter’s carpentry expertise led to his work with Habitat for Humanity.
Grits, a handsome dog, didn’t stay long at the White House. Eventually, he
Misty Marlarky Ying Yang, Amy’s Siamese Cat
The Carters also brought Amy’s Siamese cat, Misty Marlarky Ying Yang, to the White House. The cat’s full name was so unusual that it inspired a song. Hungarian-American guitarist Gabor Szabo composed the instrumental “Misty Malarky Ying Yang,” which appeared on his 1977 album Faces. Misty was the last cat to live in the White House until the Clintons’ Socks moved in.
Despite his name, Misty was male. As a typical Siamese, he was active, playful, and intelligent—but there is no mention of him being particularly vocal, which is typical for the breed. Misty often meowed during Amy’s violin practice, leading some to joke that he might have been a music critic. He also found the flashbulbs at state dinners frightening, but was calm enough to pose for photographs, often sitting contentedly on Amy’s lap.
Misty didn’t roam freely around the White House, but he was frequently invited into the kitchen for steak tidbits. He also stood by his owner’s side during a difficult moment, sitting on Amy’s lap during an interview after her brief arrest for civil
disobedience as a teenager.
The Mysterious Afghan Hound, Lewis Brown
Then there’s the elusive Afghan Hound, Lewis Brown. This breed and Siamese cats are known to get along well, and I will connect with both Afghan Hound enthusiasts and the Carter Presidential Library to try to learn more. If a photo of Lewis Brown exists, I’m determined to sniff it out.
■ WEB SITE: www.babylonbeacon.com / www.liherald.com/Babylon
■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: cjames@liherald.com
■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@babylonbeacon.com
Pres. Jimmy Carter with Grits and his trainer. (White House Historical Assoc.)
Amy Carter holds Misty Malarky Ying Yang, her Siamese cat. (Carter Library)
Firefighters in Babylon Town battle three blazes, one fatal
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
A house fire in Lindenhurst left one woman dead and two men fighting for their lives on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Another fire in Copiague the day before led to the safe evacuation of a day care.
The Lindenhurst fire, which authorities say may have been exacerbated by freezing temperatures and high winds, broke out around 11 p.m. at 8 Storz Place.
The Copiague Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced the woman dead. Police have not yet identified any of the victims,
but an autopsy will be conducted to determine the woman’s cause of death.
In addition, two Suffolk County police officers suffered smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene and released.
Neighbors expressed shock, reporting that the fire spread quickly, engulfing the home. They said the family had lived in the house for years.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Suffolk County Homicide Squad at (631) 852-6392 or the Arson Section at (631) 852-6024.
In the second incident, the North Lindenhurst Fire Department responded to a house fire at 51st Street around 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan.
8. Firefighters arrived to find the twostory house burning on the first floor. Authorities later confirmed that the home was being used as a daycare, Mama Rutty’s Day Care Inc. Several adults and children were inside at the time, but all were evacuated safely.
Fire departments from Lindenhurst, Copiague, and West Babylon, as well as the East Farmingdale Fire Company, assisted with the response. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Copiague firefighters were also called to a house fire on 26th Street
early Thursday, Jan. 9, at about 2:45 a.m. When they arrived, the two-story home was engulfed in flames, with high winds intensifying the blaze. Two occupants were inside at the time but were safely evacuated and transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
The fire, which spread from the basement to the second floor, caused the upper level to collapse. Firefighters had already evacuated the home because deteriorating conditions. The fire was declared under control at 4: 35 a.m. The cause is still under investigation.
Copiague fire on 26th Street. Photo/Paul Mazza
North Lindenhurst fire. Photo/Paul Mazza
Amityville starts 4-1 in league play
By NIKO SCARLATOS sports@liherald.com
After an impressive coaching career spanning multiple roles, Jack Agostino is now in his 30th year as head coach for Amityville boys’ basketball.
Agostino’s coaching career took a notable turn when he served as the associate head coach at North Carolina A&T in 2017. Following a two-year stint at Bay Shore, he returned to Amityville.
After nine games this season, the Warriors find themselves with a 5-4 record, including 4-1 in league play, thanks to wins over Riverhead, East Hampton, Harborfields, Rocky Point, and Westhampton.
The Warriors have bought in to Agostino’s vision, and several key players have been standing out. Among them is Amir Dickerson, a 6-foot-3 junior averaging 23.2 points per game. “He has shown tremendous improvement since his sophomore year,” said Agostino. “His growth has been crucial for the team’s success because his ability to both defend and score adds an extra dimension to the squad.”
Another Agostino relies on heavily is Taki Mason, who he calls the “heart and soul” of the team. “We usually have Mason defending the opposing team’s best player,” said Agostino. “He really is a coach’s dream type of player.” Mason also has played a big role on offense as he led all Warriors in scoring with 20 points in their win over Westhampton.
DaJon Clinton, a senior who also plays football, is another standout. Known for his toughness. He’s the quarterback of the defense,” Agostino said. “His ability to organize and motivate the team on that end of the floor goes a long way.” Clinton’s season got off to a great start, as he scored 16 points in the Warriors’ opening day win over Riverhead.
Junior forward Wes Flythe, who moved up from JV, has also been a pleasant surprise. “Wes put in significant work during the offseason,” said Agostino. “His development has been one of the more encouraging stories for us this season.” One of his better games came against Harborfields, when he scored 9 points to go along with 7 rebounds.
In the backcourt, Allen Dotson-Isa-
HERALD SPORTS Babylon determined to make another run
Ron Manfredi/Herald
Junior Amir Dickerson is a vital piece to Amityville’s success and averaged 23.2 points over its first nine games.
bell, a sophomore point guard, has been making significant strides. “His confidence and improvement as a leader on the floor make him one to watch in the future,” Agostino said.
Amityville also has a talented group of freshmen who have been swinging between the varsity and JV levels to gain more playing time. One of those, Isaiah Nixon, is already showing himself to be one of the best shooters on the team.
“He has a great attitude and work ethic,” Agostino said. “Both are traits that can be essential for his development.”
With all the talent on the roster, expectations remain sky-high. But Agostino remains focused on the present, reminding his players to concentrate on each game and each possession.
“We try not to think about the playoffs,” he said. “It’s hard for the players to think that way, so I just have to keep reminding them to focus on what’s right in front of them.”
By NIKO SCARLATOS sports@liherald.com
In his 32nd year coaching Babylon girls’ basketball, Christopher Ryan has seen it all. Success, heartache, and growth. This season, his team is determined to bounce back after a tough loss in the county championship last winter.
With a roster filled with veterans, including four seniors who are also captains, Ryan knows the stakes are high.
“Motivation is key,” Ryan said. “Our goal is to get back to where we were, block out all the outside noise, and focus on what we can control. Each rep, each practice, each game is all about making it better than the last.”
Well, the Panthers have certainly come out of the gate strong as they have won eight of their first nine games, including a 4-1 record against league rivals.
The senior captains include Gia Randazzo, who has been a standout, earning recognition as a top-100 player, Emily Love, Maddie Beckemeyer, and Riley Altman. “Their leadership, both on and off the court, has helped guide the team through the ups and downs,” Ryan said.
Junior center, Peyton Logue-Boyd, earned All-Conference honors last season. “She brings an unmatched work ethic and competitive spirit,” said Ryan. In the Panthers most recent win, a 3817 victory over Eastport-South Manor, Logue-Boyd scored 6 points and had 11 rebounds.
Despite all the veteran leadership Babylon has to offer, it’s been the new addition of eighth-grader Morgan Fiedler that has truly energized the team.
“As starting point guard, Morgan has made an immediate impact with her poise and high basketball IQ,” Ryan said. “For someone so young, Morgan plays with a level of maturity far beyond her years. She’s earned my trust as the leader on the floor.”
In a Dec. 6 45-31 victory over Smithtown East, she exploded for 25 points, a performance that left everyone in awe. She currently averages a team best 14.6 points per game.
Ryan, always a passionate coach, has made a deliberate shift in his approach. “The girls are tough on themselves, so I’m trying to celebrate the little things more,”
Eighth-grade
he said. “They’re still kids, and they need that positive reinforcement.”
With a mix of experienced seniors and promising underclassmen, this team has the tools to make another deep run. The loss in the county chip still stings, but Ryan believes it’s fueled their hunger to improve. “The journey is just as important as the destination,” he said. “And with this group, I’m confident we’ll go far.”
With every game, Ryan and the Panthers are building toward something special. The chemistry is undeniable, the potential is sky-high, and they are more determined than ever to make a statement and another deep postseason run.
The Panthers have nine games in January, looking to continue their winning ways in League VII with Center Moriches and Mattituck both one game in the rearview mirror with 4-2 records. Mattituck handed Babylon its lone league loss to date and the Panthers host the rematch Jan. 21 at 6:15 p.m.
Erik Lee/Herald
point guard Morgan Fiedler, left, has made an immediate impact at both ends of the floor for the Panthers.
Faith-based education
Students put moral values to work in their lives every day
Strong spiritual guidance is an essential part of daily activities at Long Island’s Catholic schools, creating a special sense of community among children, families, teachers, and the local parish, which reinforces moral values and an abiding respect for others. Resourceful instructors use powerful spiritual teachings and realworld experiences to bring these values to life for children, while our smaller classes allow for more personalized and productive interaction between students and teachers.
Applying strong values in many selfless ways Catholic school students apply the moral and spiritual lessons they learn in the real world by participating in charitable community initiatives throughout the year and by responding every day to others in a respectful and helpful manner. This spirit of caring and community in our students helps to give them the enduring moral foundation to become active, contributing members of society.
Through faith we grow
A strong Catholic identity as taught in Long Island’s Catholic schools matters. These schools are uniquely empowered to help children in some very important ways. Catholic schools:
√ Help socialize children in a positive way.
√ Reinforce the positive values that you live in your family.
√ Reassure children that they are safe and loved, and that God
Dennis John Curry, owner of Babylon’s Red Lion Pub and Fire Island’s Schooner Inn, dies at 90
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD
cbabirad@liherald. place, and he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” said their daughter, Megan Curry Mohring.
Dennis John Curry, former owner of the Red Lion English Pub in Babylon Village and the Schooner Inn on Fire Island, died on Nov. 20, 2024, at the age of 90. Born on Sept. 20, 1934, in Whitley Bay, United Kingdom, Curry was the son of Francis Thompson and Roland Curry. He attended Tynemouth Academy and served in the British Airborne during the Suez Canal Crisis in Egypt. His wife, Ann Curry, said he was very proud of his service, noting, “It was difficult to get into the British Airborne.”
Curry emigrated to the United States in 1958 and soon after moved to Babylon where he began working for British Airways in 1961. He met Ann McCormick, a social worker, on Fire Island, and the couple married on Oct. 14, 1978, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Ann said her husband had a deep affection for Babylon Village, particularly enjoying the nearby Argyle Lake and the community’s care for its surroundings. “He loved the flowers and the swans,” she said.
“Babylon was the most beautiful
Curry was well-known in the local business community. He co-owned the Red Lion English Pub with his brother, Peter Curry. Through the pub, he and his brother were also early supporters of the Babylon Beautification Society and early participants in the Argyle Fair.
In 1973 he opened the Schooner Inn in Ocean Bay Park on Fire Island. Known for his creativity, he designed a custom aquarium for the Inn and decorated it with nautical items from England. “He always thought outside the box,” said his wife.
Peter Curry, his brother and business partner, said Dennis was not only a sibling but also his best friend. “We did everything together,” he said, adding that Dennis was deeply charitable, helping many young people get their start in their careers.
Dennis Curry was also passionate about animals, particularly elephants, and was an avid sailor who often traveled to Florida with his brother. He also enjoyed many travels with his wife. His
Local Worship Schedules and Services.
THE UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH OF BABYLON
Corner of Deer Park Avenue and James Street in the Village of Babylon, 631-661-5151
Website: babylonumc.org
Pastor: The Rev. Melissa Boyer
SUNDAY SERVICES
greatest passion was his family.
“He was so playful,” said Megan, recalling that her father was also an incredible singer. “He was the light of my life and could always make me laugh.” She added that he always made sure his loved ones were safe and well taken care of. “He was the best father I could have ever asked for,” she said.
Curry was predeceased by his parents, Francis Thompson and Roland Curry. He is survived by his wife, E. Ann Curry of Babylon; his daughter, Megan Curry Mohring of Bayport; his son, Jason Curry of Stony Brook; and his brother, Peter Curry of Mims, Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Andrew, Avery, and Ella.
Visitation was held at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in West Islip on Nov. 24 and 25, 2024. A private chapel service and cremation followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in East Moriches.
Donations in Dennis Curry’s name may be made to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (sheldrickwildlifetrust.org) or Oceana (oceana.org).
ATTENTION FAMILIES AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Family members and funeral directors may submit obituary notices to us at: Babylon Herald Beacon Newspaper, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530 or may call us at 516-569-4000 ext. 329. We will also consider publishing clear black and white or color photos with the articles.
Annual Long Island Cares fundraiser set for Feb. 6 by Knights of Columbus
• Shabbat services every weekend: Friday, 8:00 p.m.
• Religious school - Pre Hebrew thru Bar/Bat Mitzvah
• Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
• Kosher catering for all types of functions
• Rabbi’s adult education classes
• Religious school - Pre Hebrew thru Bar/Bat Mitzvah
• Active sisterhood and men’s club
• Senior Time Thursdays – 12:30-4:30, all welcome
• Rabbi’s adult education classes
• Interfaith couples welcome
• Active sisterhood and men’s club
• New members welcome
• Interfaith couples welcome
• New members welcome
9:30am - Worship in the Church Online at Website - 9:30am
Home of the James Street Players and the UMC Nursery School
• Senior Time Thursdays – 12:30-4:30, all welcome
441 Deer Park Ave., Babylon PO Box 64 • 631-587-5650 congregationbethshalom.com
A friendly Conservative egalitarian congregation offering: facebook.com/cbsbabylon
441 Deer Park Ave., Babylon PO Box 64 631-587-5650 facebook.com/cbsbabylon
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
For Information on advertising here call Maryann Heins at 631-264-0077
The Lindenhurst OLPH Knights of Columbus will be hosting their annual Long Island Cares Fundraiser on Thurs., Feb. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cebollines Mexican Restaurant and Grill in Lindenhurst. There will be $5 margaritas, sangria, beers and wine, as well as free chips and salsa and the event will be attended by Honorary Chairman, Brother Knight and Town of Babylon Councilman An-
thony Manetta. If guests choose to support the 50/50 raffle, they will also receive a free drink. Donations will also be accepted.
For more information, visit cebollinescomida.com or call (631) 592-9845. Cebollines Mexican Restaurant and Grill is located at 170 Montauk Hwy., Lindenhurst.
Clothing sale at St. Patrick’s Jan. 18
St. Patrick’s Church invites all to attend their clothing sale, set to take place on Sat., Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will take place in the church hall and there will be women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accesso-
ries. Additionally, hot beverages will be served at the event.
For more information, call (631) 2427530.
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church is located at 305 Carll’s Path, Deer Park.
Dennis John Curry
Patty McCormick weds Patrick Hoffmann
Patty McCormick of North Babylon and Patrick Hoffmann of Port Monmouth, New Jersey exchanged wedding vows on Sunday Oct. 20. The bride is a graduate of North Babylon High School, Class of 2013 and is employed at SUNY Farmingdale State College. She is working toward her second master’s degree in higher education administration.
The groom is employed with Colonial Pipeline and is the father of a son, Bryon.
The couple received family and friends at The Westbury Manor, Westbury.
Parents of the bride are Vanda Bordies and Clark McCormick. Parents of the groom are Patty and Patrick Hoffman of Port Monmouth, New Jersey.
The couple’s bridal party include Maid of Honors: Chloe Corrion and Serena Flores. Best Man was Bryon Hoffmann. The Flower Girls were Emily and Vivian Hoffmann; the Groomsmen were Bryan Hoffmann and Moses McCoy and the Ringbearer was Aidyn Baez.
The couple will make their home in Port Monmouth, New Jersey.
Meet some of your local scholars....
The following students were recently recognized for academic achievements and graduation at their respective colleges:
• Claudia Mangiamele of West Islip recently attended Hofstra University’s Class of 2024 annual White Coat Ceremony, marking the transition from a physician assistant student to healthcare professional.
• Kristen Murray of Babylon recently attended Hofstra University’s Class of 2024 annual White Coat Ceremony, marking the transition from a pPhysician assistant student to healthcare
professional.
• Julia Catanzano of Deer Park, attending Hofstra University School of Health Sciences and a senior in the BS in Exercise Physiology program, recently earned third place for her research on Hofstra student-athletes at the Greater New York American College of Sports Medicine (GNY ACSM) Conference held at NYU Langone in New York City.
• Julia Aguanno of West Babylon, attending Belmont University, was recently named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester.
WI Class of 75 holding reunion
The West Islip High School Class of 1975 is holding a class reunion July 19, 2025 at Captain Bill’s restaurant in Bay Shore.
For details, visit/join the organization’s Facebook page: West Islip High School Class of 1975 Or call 516-456-3207 and leave a message.
West Babylon Alumni Foundation hosts 2024 Hall of Fame dinner
The West Babylon Alumni Foundation hosted its 2024 Hall of Fame Dinner in the fall at Gemelli’s at Bergen Point Country Club. This is the 16th Annual Hall of Fame Event sponsored by the Alumni Foundation to recognize educators, former graduates and others with ties to the school who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field as well as those who have made significant contributions to society.
The West Babylon Alumni Foundation 2024 Hall of Fame inductees were: Lieutenant Colonel Steven Harrington (1965), Lieutenant Colonel Keith Ross (1982) and Thomas Wesley (1973).
The Board of Directors’ Award went to Linda Kronenbitter (1982) and The West Babylon Lions Club Community Organization.
For more information on the West Babylon Hall of Fame contact Ralph Rienzo at 631-661-4003 or Joan Weinschenk at 631-374-9147 or go to westbabylonalumni.org
Officials address the State of the Region
By JEFFREY BESSEN, CAROLYN JAMES & MOHAMMAD RAFIQ
Special to the Herald
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer began with a joke. Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, moderated a discussion among Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Richard Schaffer, president of the Long Island Supervisors Association. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke about having an impact.
The ballroom at the Crest Hollow Country Club, in Woodbury, was filled with many appointed and elected government officials, along with many more movers and shakers, on Jan. 10 for the LIA’s annual State of the Region Breakfast.
This is a portion of what the elected leaders had to say.
Sen. Chuck Schumer
The former U.S. Senate majority leader, now the minority leader, began the morning with joke. The punch line of a tale about a woman being sentenced to four nights in jail for stealing a can of four peaches is her husband interrupting the proceeds by shouting, “She also stole a can of peas!”
The room filled with laughter, and then Schumer turned serious on several topics, including his hard work to attain his position in the Senate. He noted that despite the partisanship in Washington, Long Island elected leaders from both political parties are working together to bring federal money to the region.
“I’ll keep fighting for Long Island,” Schumer said, noting a $400 million Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for the Long Island Power Authority to strengthen the electrical power infrastructure.
Schumer said he was committed to reinstituting the deduction for state and local taxes, as should the entire state congressional delegation.
“We should be united in doing that, so that our people will stay here, new people will want to come here,” he said. “There is no reason for any member of the New York delegation shouldsettle for anything less than the full restitution of SALT with no cap.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul
The governor, who traveled to the event on the Long Island Rail Road, noted that the state would be investing $1.5 billion in the LIRR. The state is also allocating over $51 million for public safety on Long Island.
“We have to have the courage and vision to do more,” Hochul said of the issue of affordable housing.
She acknowledged the impact of climate change, from the wildfires in California to the fires in upstate New York in November, and from flooding in the Hudson Valley in July to flooding in Suffolk County in August.
“So, we have to be ready for this,” Hochul said. “We are the first genera-
tion to feel the ill effects of climate change, and we’re the last generation that can do something about it.”
She advocated for offshore wind power generation, saying it’s the way to go.
She also said she was motivated to help businesses big and small, because of the economic hard times she saw growing up. “No large business ever started as a large business — they all started small,” Hochul said, noting her mother’s small business to help displaced homemakers.
Since she became governor, she said, 53,000 jobs have been created on Long Island, and that in 2023 alone, 47,000 new businesses started here.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman Blakeman touted his record as county executive.
“Nassau County was named by U.S. News & World Report as the safest county of all the United States of America,” he said, crediting officers of the county Police Department. “They do an outstanding job,” he said. “The men and women work very, very hard to keep us all safe.”
On the proposed Sands casino, Blakeman said the process is progressing, and he believes the county has the best application.
“I think it will generate a lot of jobs — we’re talking about potentially $5 billion in construction jobs,” he said. “We’re talking about revenue that will be spread out in various communities. I believe that, hopefully, we can get a favorable decision from the licensing board, and we’ll go full speed ahead.”
On affordable housing, Blakeman said, “We have 80-year-old sewers that need to be revitalized … and we need at least $100 million over the next five years to do that.”
County Executive Ed Romaine Romaine declared that “Amtrak is coming to Ronkonkoma,” and spoke about affordable housing. Referring to the state’s push to bring development to Nassau and Suffolk counties, Romaine said he agreed that Long Island would benefit from meeting the housing needs of lower-income residents, senior citizens and young people.
He quickly added a caveat, however.
“We also need the infrastructure,
including sewers, to support these projects,” Romaine said, noting that there are 3,400 projects under consideration in Suffolk that can’t be built because the county doesn’t have the sewer capacity — and that is the major obstacle for almost every major project undertaken on Long Island.
Increasing affordable housing on Long Island, once a local and regional issue, is front and center in Albany, as the state — dangling lots of state dollars — urges counties, towns and villages to embrace its new housing initiative. He added that the measure has been greeted with mixed reviews, as local officials remain concerned that opting into the state program will undercut local controls like planning and zoning codes.
Romaine was visibly angry about the taxes that Suffolk residents pay on their home electric and heating bills. He promised to suspend those taxes, as well as the gasoline tax.
“We should make it more affordable for the average person to live here,” he said. If not, people will move off Long Island “like the rest of the state. (People) don’t just vote at the ballot box; they vote with their feet. New York lost (more) people than any other state. That’s a wake-up call.
Supervisor Richard Schaffer
Schaffer, the Town of Babylon supervisor and the Suffolk County Democratic chairman, noted his beginnings in the County Legislature, where he worked across the aisle in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“We’re not elected to come here and put on a show to make it into Newsday or make it onto News12,” Schaffer said. “We’re here to get things done.” He noted that that is his philosophy, and Romaine’s thinking as well.
“The stars have aligned, and not only do we have people who have known each other for a very long time, but also key, trust each other in order to do the right thing,” Schaffer added of his relationships with Romaine and Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
LIA President and CEO Matt Cohen, far right, moderated the panel discussion, which included Long Island Supervisors Association
President Richard Schaffer, far left, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer noted that restoring the deduction for state and local taxes was a priority.
Gov. Kathy Hochul touched on a number of topics at the State of the Region event at the Crest Hollow Country Club.
The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.
DEER PARK MAN ARRESTED ON WEAPONS CHARGES
Nassau County police arrested a Deer Park man on January 5, charging him with multiple weapons and narcotics offenses.
According to detectives, officers from the Bureau of Special Operations were on patrol when they observed Vincent Fandetta, 40, of 1 Overton Street, operating a green 1996 Chevrolet van eastbound on Sunrise Highway near Unqua Road. The vehicle had illegal tinting on the front and passenger windows and non-working license plate lamps.
Officers followed the van and said the suspect failed to maintain his lane. They
CRIME WATCH
activated their emergency lights and sirens near Louden and County Line Roads, but the suspect continued driving until he pulled over on the ramp to Route 110 southbound.
Officers recovered several weapons, including a black expandable baton, a switchblade knife, a defaced silver Raven Arms P25 .25-caliber handgun, a loaded magazine with six .25-caliber bullets, yellow metal knuckles, and a BB gun. They also discovered multiple yellow Ziplock bags containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, as well as numerous pills suspected to be controlled substances.
Fandetta was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, criminal possession of a firearm, seven counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and four traffic violations.
approximately 12:30 p.m. Jan. 3 to advise them their power would be turned off unless they paid an outstanding bill. The. scammer told the individual to get a prepaid card at a local store which they would accept as payment. The individual complied but later called police to report the theft.
PETIT LARCENY
Babylon: A representative of The Station Café on Carll Avenue told police that someone ordered food and attempted to pick it up using a credit card for payment. When the card was declined, the person took the food and left the store without paying.
West Babylon: On Jan. 3, at approximately 2 p.m., someone went into a vehicle that was parked on Nancy Street and stole items from it. Police did not report what the items were or their value.
•More than $330 in sneakers was stolen from DSW, 771 W. Montauk Highway on Jan. 1.
Copiague on Dec. 31.
BURGLARY
East Farmingdale: A small case containing cash was stolen from inside a home on Central Avenue. The report of the theft was made on Jan. 3, 12 a.m.
GRAND
LARCENY
Farmingdale: Representatives for Home Depot in Airport Plaza report the theft of seven DeWalt Impact Drivers, three DeWalt combo kits with a total value of $1,149. That theft was reported Dec. 30, 8 p.m. Deer Park: A pile of shirts, valued at $1,156, was stolen from the Polo Ralph Lauren Store in the Arches Outlet on Dec. 4 at 4:40 p.m.
LEAVING SCENE OF ACCIDENT
Lindenhurst: A driver sideswiped another vehicle at 155 W. Sunrise Highway, Dec. 31, shortly after 8 a.m. and left the scene without providing information to the victim.
He was arraigned on Jan. 6 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
UTILITY SCAM REPORTED
Lindenhurst: An individual posing as an employee of a power company went to a home/business on Wellwood Avenue at
East Farmingdale: A representative of BJ’s Wholesale store on Daniel Street called police to report that someone took a variety of food and beverages and left the store without paying for the items. Police did not indicate what the value of the items were.
Farmingdale: An assortment of dog food was removed from Pet Smart, 241 Airport Plaza on Dec. 31.
Copiague: An assortment of food items was stolen from Target on Sunrise Hwy.,
ARRESTS
Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired: Patricia Abril, 450 Windmill Ave., West Babylon; Rose Freitag, 43, of 14 Garfield Pl., Lindenhurst; Francis Buckheit, 65 of 25 Timberpoint Rd., East Islip; Jose Fuentes, 58, of 24 Rossmore Ave., Central Islip; Yerling Hurtadoperez, 19 of 42 Park Ave., Bay Shore; Jose Avelar, 46, of 2 Winnie La., Brentwood; Ivan Luna
Continued on page 16
Photo courtesy NCPD Cache of weapons found by police.
STEPPING OUT
Savor the moment in your cozy kitchen
Let those chef skills take center stage on wintry day
By Karen Bloom
Settle in for some comfy winter nesting during these frigid days. And, of course, it’s certainly time to refocus on a healthier eating now that we’re finished with those weeks of festive over-indulgence.
January is the ideal time to reset and get into the kitchen and work on some “Top Chef” skills. It’s not that difficult with some great comforting — healthy — foods to warm the heart and soul.
Experiment with new culinary creations that incorporate bold flavors for delicious results. Nothing pleases the senses quite like a hearty dish on a cold evening. Try adding these recipes to your repertoire.
Country Stew
A classic stick-to-your-ribs stew is the ideal project for a chilly weekend. A terrific winter warmer-upper, serve with a hearty bread or corn bread.
• 5 pounds bone-in short ribs, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 1/3 cups Zinfandel wine
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 6 large potatoes, washed, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 pound small fresh mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen whole green beans
• 1 can (16 ounces) peeled whole tomatoes, undrained
Dredge ribs in flour to coat; reserve leftover flour. Heat oil in 8-quart Dutch oven on moderate heat. Add half of ribs and brown on all sides. Once browned, remove ribs. Repeat instructions for remaining ribs.Stir in the reserved flour. While stirring, add 1 cup water and wine and stir until thickened.Return ribs to the pan. Add onion, garlic, salt, pepper and bouillon and bring to a boil. Cover and lower heat to simmer for about 1 hour, or until ribs are tender. Remove ribs with slotted spoon and cover with foil to keep warm. Add potatoes, mushrooms and beans. Simmer 20 to 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add ribs and tomatoes with liquid, and heat through. Use slotted spoon to remove meat and vegetables to large serving platter. Remove gravy to serving container and serve with ribs. Makes 6 servings.
Campanelle with Prosciutto and Peas
Settle in with a warming, welcoming bowl of pasta, especially tasty on a winter’s niight.
• 12 ounces uncooked campanelle pasta
• 1 tablespoon Bertolli Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
• Alfredo sauce
• 4 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded
• 6 eggs
Dave Atell
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
In pot of salted water, cook pasta 2 minutes less than directed on package. Drain pasta.
In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and shallots. Cook 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add wine; cook 3-4 minutes, or until most liquid has evaporated. Stir in peas, prosciutto, Alfredo sauce and cheese. Add pasta; toss gently. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes to coat pasta with sauce.
In saucepan, bring water to boil and add eggs. Cook 6 minutes. Transfer eggs to ice water and cool before peeling.
Top each serving with soft-set egg and black pepper.
Note: Gouda or Gruyere can be substituted for Fontina. Unpeeled, cooked eggs can be stored in refrigerator up to one week.
Alfredo Sauce:
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan
• Pasta cooking water, as needed
In a saucepan or skillet, warm the butter and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Add the Parmesan and stir until melted.
Toss to combine, thinning with pasta water if necessary.
Lentil, Kale and Sausage Soup
A rustic soup loaded with lentils and kale can be flavorful centerpiece to healthy, satisfying meal. This filling soup is packed with vegetables and has a hint of heat from the sausage, giving it a zesty warm, spicy flavor.
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed, or sausage of your choice
• 1 1/2 bunches (about 3/4 pound) kale, preferably Tuscan, stems removed, torn into bite-size pieces
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add celery and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add lentils, broth, and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer, partially cover, and cook until lentils and vegetables are tender, 25 minutes.
Add kale and season with salt. Return soup to a rapid simmer, cover, and cook until kale wilts, about 5 minutes. Remove soup from heat, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.
Serve this soup in individual bowls with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese on top and a crusty slice of bread to sop up the broth at the bottom of the bowl.
Note: Spinach or chard can be substitute for the kale in this recipe. The soup can be enhanced by adding a couple of thyme or rosemary sprigs as it simmers. If it’s too thick to your liking, more broth can be added.
Start the New Year off with some laughs from one of stand-up comedy’s best. An all-time-great joke writer, named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, Dave Atell is most at home in comedy clubs. He built a loyal following by barnstorming the country with his brand of off-color “very adult” humor, and his audiences got even bigger after his cult-favorite travel show, “Insomniac.” Atell continues to be a presence on TV — including his hit Netflix specials “Hot Cross Buns” and “Bumping Mics” — while constantly writing new material and taking it on the road. Beginning his comedy career in the early ‘90s, Attell ascended through New York’s stand-up ranks alongside the likes of Louis C.K. and Jon Stewart. After a brief stint writing for SNL, Attell branched out on his own. When not on the road, Attell makes regular appearances at the Comedy Cellar in New York City. Sunday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
‘Majestic Melodies’
Old Westbury Gardens maybe closed for the season yet everyone is invited to escape winter’s chill with a special musical interlude in Westbury House’s delightful music room.“Majestic Melodies: An Evening of Piano and Song” pairs the dazzling vocals of Broadway’s Nathaniel Hackmann with the virtuosic talent of pianist Philip Edward Fisher. Hackmann, fresh off his celebrated role as Biff Tannen in “Back to the Future: The Musical,” which just finished its Broadway run, is a powerhouse performer. His commanding stage presence thrills audiences both on Broadway and in concert halls worldwide. He’s joined by Fisher, an accomplished pianist praised for his refined style and exceptional versatility.
Saturday, Jan. 18, 4 p.m. $50; OWG members receive 20 percent discount. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. For more information and tickets, visit oldwestburygardens.org.
Country Stew
Campanelle with Prosciutto and Peas Lentil, Kale and Sausage Soup
THE Your Neighborhood
Acrobats of Cirque-tacular
See a new take on circus-style thrills when the Acrobats of Cirque-tacular visits the Landmark stage, Saturday, Jan. 25 , at 2 p.m. Cirque-tacular features one dazzling circus feat after another in a highenergy, family-friendly flurry of fun. Indulge your curiosity and celebrate your senses as this troupe of acrobats, aerialists and circus specialty artists bend, twist, flip, and fly into everyone’ hearts. Repeatedly praised by critics, for their “mind-boggling artistry and athleticism” and their “great feats of daring at the extreme edges of human capability,” their acts have reached millions live and millions more through appearances on most major television networks. Cirque-tacular’s performers — an ever-changing cast of elite aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, specialty acts and world-record holders from Broadway and Las Vegas stages — are hailed as “mesmerizing”, “incredible”, and “truly impressive.” The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular bound from one breathtaking, death-defying feat of acrobatic daredevilry to another. Musclepopping, mind-boggling artistry and athleticism charm and awe the audience.
The performers are revered as cuttingedge leaders of the new American vaudeville movement. Cirque-tacular’s entertainers have shared the stage with a who’s who of A-list celebrities. They leave no stone unturned to test the limits of human mind and body. The fun of their show is doubled with explosive music that complements the performance and act. $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Art League of Long Island’s 68th Annual Members’ Exhibition
Art League of Long Island presents its 68th Annual Members’ Exhibition, a showcase of the remarkable talents within its vibrant community of artists. The exhibit, hosted in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery, features an array of works from painting and ceramics to jewelry and fiber arts. This annual event is a cherished tradition that highlights the diversity and creativity of ALLI’s over 400 memberships. From emerging artists embarking on their creative journey to seasoned professionals, each participant demonstrates the profound artistic spirit that fuels the Art League of Long Island’s mission.
It is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate creativity across mediums and generations. Due to the high volume of submissions, the exhibition is split into two parts, with Part I showcasing artists with last names M-Z and Part II with last names A-L. This format alternates each year, ensuring equal opportunities for members to shine. Part I dates runs through Jan. 24; Part II runs Feb. 1-28
For more information about the exhibition, upcoming events, or how to support the Art League of Long Island, visit .artleagueli. org or call (631) 462-5400. Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills.
Social Work Intern at Babylon Public Library
Babylon Public Library hosts Social Work Intern Lola, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1-7:45 p.m. She will be available to provide referrals to organizations that assist with mental health issues, addiction, food insecurity, legal services and other resources. She can also assist patrons in applying for government assistance programs and following up on applications and inquiries with government entities. Stop in or email Lola for an appointment at l.harvey@babylonlibrary.org. The latest appointment time is 7:30 p.m. 24 South Carll Ave., Babylon. For more information, call (631) 669-1624.
2025 NYS Parks Winter Run Series
Plan to run in the New Year when the 2025 NYS Parks Winter Run Series continues o the following dates: Robert Moses Jan. 19, Sunken Meadow Jan. 26, Jones Beach Feb. 2, All races start at 11 a.m. For more information contact Brendan Sagan at (516) 531-3323 or go to events.elitefeats. com/25nyswinter. Heckscher State Park, East Islip, Field #2.
Model Train Show
The TMB Model Train Show features its ever-exciting show of model trains running in dozens of interesting settings, Saturdays, Jan. 18 and Feb. 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., Jan. 19 and Feb. 9, at the Upper Room Church. With new scenic areas to discover as well as familiar sights and a wide variety of trains from prewar to the most modern O gauge trains, all set in 6,500 square feet of fun for the entire family. Admission is free. So, mark your calendars now. 722 Deer Park Ave., Dix Hills. For more information go to tmbmodeltrainclub.com.
Deep sea exploration
Are you ready to dive into the unknown at The Whaling Museum? Kids and adventurous adults can use a blacklight to hunt for hidden clues about outworldly creatures that dwell in the ocean’s depths in an event “Deep Sea Explorers” throughout January. For more information, more upcoming events, membership and tickets, go to coldspringwhalingmuseum. org or call (631) 367-3418. 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor.
Teen Winter Reading Club
The Teens Winter Reading Club at Babylon Public Library extends until Sunday, March 2. Students are encouraged to join the library’s winter reading club. Fill out a review for each book you read and submit it at the Reference Desk for a raffle ticket for the prize of your choosing. For more information, call (631) 669-1624. 24 South Carll Ave., Babylon.
Busted Snowman canvas craft
Join Rinette at Copiague Memorial Public Library, Thursday, Jan. 16 , 6:30-8:30 p.m., to create a unique winter display using a canvas, recycled greeting cards and your imagination. Bring a glue gun, flat brush, ruler, x-acto knife or scissors. This program is for adults. To register and for more information, call (631) 691-1111. 50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague.
Having an event?
Bay Shore Historical Society 2025 Calendar
Bay Shore Historical Society’s 2025 calendar is on sale now. A 12-month calendar that features historic images of Bay Shore! A historic look back around town for each month. This fundraiser calendars help fund the society’s work to preserve Bay Shore history. Limited supply calendars are only $15 (plus $2 shipping). Stop by 22 Maple Ave., Bay Shore or mail your order form in with a $17 check (made payable to the Bay Shore Historical Society). Find the order form at bayshorehistoricalsociety. org/2025-calendar.
Fireplace Room
Chat with Mayor Adams
Babylon Public Library hosts a discussion with Mayor Mary Adams, Thursday, Jan. 23 , 6-7:45 p.m. 24 South Carll Ave., Babylon. For more information, contact Mayor Adams’ office at (631) 669-1212.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
Knights of Columbus Annual Long Island Cares Fundraiser
Lindenhurst OLPH Knights of Columbus host their annual Long Island Cares Fundraiser, Thursday, Feb. 6, 6-9 p.m., at Cebollines Mexican Restaurant and Grill in Lindenhurst. $5 margaritas, sangria, beers and wine, as well as free chips and salsa. Honorary Chairman, Brother Knight and Town of Babylon Councilman Anthony Manetta will attend. If guests choose to support the 50/50 raffle, they receive a free drink. Donations also accepted. For more information, visit cebollinescomida.com or call (631) 592-9845. 170 Montauk Hwy., Lindenhurst.
First Presbyterian Church of Babylon requests food pantry items
First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry needs items this season. The church is requesting those interested in donating to stop by with any of the following items: pancake mix, oatmeal, boxed macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce, canned chicken, frozen beef patties, boxed potato, rice, canned soup and peanut butter. Donations can be dropped by the church house Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. 79 East Main St., Babylon. For more information, call (631) 5875838.
BACCA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Art Journal on sale now
BACCA has created a commemorative art journal in celebration of 50 years of the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts. The commemorative art journal features the work of 33 local artists, all of whom are BACCA members. To purchase your own copy of this full-color, 52-page artfully designed book, visit the donations page at babylonarts.org/support-bacca. For more information, call (631) 587-3696
Clothing Sale at St. Patrick’s Church Copy
St. Patrick’s Church invites all to attend their clothing sale, set to take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Find women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Hot beverages will be served. For more information, call (631) 2427530. 305 Carll’s Path, Deer Park.
North Babylon Chamber of Commerce celebrates community and local businesses at annual holiday party
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.
The North Babylon Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Holiday Party at Shandon Court in East Islip on Mon., Dec. 9 with proceeds going to the Emily Meyer toy drive and the North Babylon Food Pantry at St. Paul’s Reformed Church. All proceeds from raffles benefitted the Babylon Animal Shelter.
A buffet-style dinner was served and local businesses came together to support each other. Deer Park Chamber of Commerce President Melissa Mohan even joined in the evening’s celebration as she emphasized that “together we can accomplish much more.
“It’s really nice to come and support our neighboring towns,” said Mohan. “I come to as many North Babylon Chamber events as possible because we are neighbors.”
North Babylon Chamber of Commerce
President Garrett Simulcik said he was pleased as well to have all the members get together for the end of the year and is grateful for all the raffles.
At the event, Town of Babylon Supervi-
sor Rich Schaffer was awarded a certificate for being “Member of the Month.”
“I’m honored to receive this, but I want to thank all of you for the work you do,” said Schaffer, addressing the attendees. “North Babylon has become one of the best chambers in the town. You’re well respected and recognized and I want to wish everyone here a happy holiday and a healthy new year.”
“This is a community effort and we thank everyone for being here, and I know the animals will appreciate it,” added Diana Simulcik, secretary for the North Babylon Chamber of Commerce.
North Babylon Chamber of Commerce
Vice President Phyllis O’ Leary expressed how grateful the chamber is for all of their members and she is looking forward to the upcoming year. “I’m grateful for the camaraderie and think this event is so nice because we get to know each other better at events like these,” she said.
For more information about the North Babylon Chamber of Commerce, visit northbabylonchamber.org, or call (631) 9834283.
CRIME WATCH
Continued from page 12
Silva, 34, 34 Great Neck Rd., Copiague; Bianca E. Beriloff, 40, 35 Eagle La., South Farmingdale; Roberto Martinez, 39, 39 Brick Blvd., Central Islip; Thomas Vera, 68, 67 Surf Rd., Lindenhurst; Matthew J. Thomas, 68, of 35 Park Ave., Amityville; Luis Garcia Acosta, 53, of 52 Locust Dr., Amityville; Christopher Lape, 55, of 54 Reel St., East Patchogue (drugs); Richard Taliani, 53, of 48 Seaview St., Massapequa; Fernando D. Quiroz-Avilla, 22 Francine Ave., Massapequa; Shaun Donovan, 41, of 40 Walnut St., Long Beach.
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance: Galina Colasuonno, 32, of 2661 Edison Pl., Bellmore; Luis Her-
nandez, 34, of 36 State Ave., Wyandanch; Dennis Demaio, 29, of 25 N. Clinton Ave., Bay Shore; Renee Ealey, 48, of 20 Grant Ave., Brentwood; Christopher Gonzalez, 37, of 200 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge. Gang Assault: Sergio Celestin, 38, of 9243 245 St., Floral Park.
Petit Larceny: Toi C. Patterson, 51, of 50 Grand Ave., Bellmore (also charged with resisting arrest and criminal possession of a controlled substance; Michelle A. Smith, 66, of 65 Albin Ave., West
Babylon; Brian P. Friedricks, 34, of 33 Hunt La., Levittown, Vanessa Vetrone, 32, of 1 Tanner Lane, Levittown; Mirella Diaz Lopez, 22, of 587 Freeman Ave., Brentwood; Evelin Salfadorgarcia, 22, of 113 Barber St., Brentwood; Isaac Flores, 32, of 31 10th St., Long Island City (also charged with resisting arrest, grand larceny, criminal mischief and unlawfully fleeing police in a motor vehicle); Criminal Mischief: Alia Beshir, 56, of 1681 Westwood Blvd., Bay Shore.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
Left: Beverly Flaherty and Terry Prag (Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition), Judy Keller (director with the North Babylon Chamber of Commerce) and her husband, Ken Keller; Donna Quarant (owner and baker at So Fine Desserts) and Phyllis O’ Leary (Vice President of the North Babylon Chamber of Commerce) with her husband, Peter O’ Leary.
Below: North Babylon Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party Raffles.
Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer is given the Member of the Month certificate by North Babylon Chamber of Commerce President Garrett Simulcik.
Public Notices — Your right to know
NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO REDEEM PROPERTY FROM SUFFOLK COUNTY TAX SALE
The Suffolk County Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management, Department of Economic Development and Planning, has received deeds from the Suffolk County Comptroller’s Office for parcels of land acquired by the County of Suffolk as the result of non-payment of taxes.
The former owners thereof or someone with a legal interest in the property as defined in Suffolk County Administrative Code section A 40-3 may apply to redeem the property.
Only the former owner or someone with a legal interest in the property may file a redemption application.
Applications must be made promptly as provided in Suffolk County Administrative Code section A 40-3.
Applications to reacquire may be obtained from:
www.suffolkcountyny.gov or Suffolk County Division of Real Property Acquisition and Management H. Lee Dennison Bldg.
100 Veterans Memorial Hwy.
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, New York 11788-0099
Redemption Unit – 2nd Floor (631) 853-5926
TAMIR YOUNG
Director of Real Estate
Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning 25-26. 1/16
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2007-HE3 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-HE3, -againstSONIA JACKSON, 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 Suffolk on August 5, 2024, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2007-HE3 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-HE3 is the Plaintiff and SONIA JACKSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUN -
RISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on February 18, 2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 320 COMMACK ROAD, DEER PARK, NY 11729; and the following tax map identification: 0100-091.0001.00-061.002. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE HAMLET OF DEER PARK, TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 611567/2021. Peter Kramer, 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
and the following tax map identification: 0100-182.0001.00-125.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617138/2017. Robert P. Valletti, 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 SA
LE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
25-30 1/16, 23, 30, 2/6
Suite 315 Westbury, NY Tel. 516/742-1212
Dated: December 1, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change. 25-28. 1/16, 23 30, 2/6
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK. WISDOM VENTURES, LLC, Plaintiff, v. SUPERIOR DEVELOPMENT GROUP, INC., et al., Defendants. Index No. 607761/2021
LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF BABYLON SUFFOLK COUNTY, TOWN OF BABYLON STATE OF NEW YORK NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Babylon will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7:00pm at Village Hall, 153 West Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702, to consider the following:
•An Application by Frankie Bragaglia and Babylon Crew LLC., for a Special Use Permit to open and operate a lounge/restaurant and a pickle ball court to be located at the address of 96 E. Main Street, Babylon, New York 11702;
•A proposed local law prohibiting the establishment of retail stores that sell firearms within the territorial boundaries of the Village of Babylon.
16, 2025
WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
25-31. 1/16, 23, 30, 2/6
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, -againstCHRISTOPHER C. BRIGHT, 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 Suffolk on November 16, 2022, wherein BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is the Plaintiff and CHRISTOPHER C. BRIGHT, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on February 18, 2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 10 HAYES ROAD, AMITY HARBOR, NY 11701;
REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK SELENE FINANCE LP, Plaintiff - against - JONATHAN DOERING, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on October 13, 2022. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on the 13th day of February, 2025 at 1:30 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York.
Premises known as 1 Deer Lake Drive, North Babylon, NY 11703.
(Section: 150.00, Block: 01.00, Lot: 035.001)
Approximate amount of lien $533,112.56 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 603302/2018. Arthur J. Burdette, Esq., Referee.
Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road,
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale granted herein on December 12, 2024, I the undersigned, the Referee in said Judgment named, will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757, County of SUFFOLK, State of New York on February 20, 2025 at 2:00 pm of that day, the premises directed by said Judgment to be sold and therein described as follows:
Said premises being known as and by street address 92 Glenmalure Street, Amityville, NY 11701
District 0100 Section 172.00
Block 03.00 Lot 031.000
Said premises are sold subject to the terms and conditions of the filed Judgment and the Terms of Sale. Approximate amount of Judgment $362,600.00.
Dated: Garden City, New York
January 3, 2025
THOMAS G. TERESKY, ESQ., Referee Adam E. Mikolay, P.C.
Attorney for Plaintiff 400 Garden City Plaza Suite 405 Garden City, New York 11530 (516) 222-2050 25-29. 1/16, 23, 30 2/6
•Proposed Local Law 0128PH of 2025– Tax Cap, authorizing a property tax levy increase more than the limit established in General Municipal Law §3-c. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at said hearings all interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard on said proposed Local Law at the place and time aforesaid. Copies of the proposed Local Law will be available at the Village Hall at least five (5) days before the public hearing and may be seen during the regular business hours.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BABYLON Jean Marie Parker Village Clerk
Dated: Babylon, New York January 5, 2025 25-27. 1/16, 23
Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0240-25-100444 for beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 120 E. Main St, Bay Shore, NY 11706, County of Suffolk, for on premises consumption at The Heaven Pie LLC. 25-32. 1/16, 23
16,
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF Suffolk, US Bank Trust National Association, not in its Individual Capacity but Solely as Owner Trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Aiysha Nugent, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 21, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on February 13, 2025 at 3:30 p.m., premises known as 13 Ronald Drive South a/k/a 13 S. Ronald Drive, Amityville, NY 11701. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 165.00, Block 02.00 and Lot 038.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $413,568.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #208150/2022. Cash will not be accepted. Alison M. Varley, Esq., Referee
Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-16. 1/9, 16, 23, 30
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURESTATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION
TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, v.
VEROLYN WOOD AKA
VAL WOOD AKA VEROLYN S. WOOD AKA V.S. WOOD AKA STEPHANIE WOOD, ET AL, Defendants.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office
Public Notices —
of the County Clerk of Suffolk County on October 31, 2024, I, Joy E. Jorgensen, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 12, 2025 at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757, at 10:30 AM the premises described as follows: 265 East Drive aka 265 E Dr Copiague, NY 11726
SBL: 0100-191.00-01.00148.000
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 617451/2022 in the amount of $514,523.23 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072
25-17 1/9, 16, 23, 30
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, v. FED DUMERVILLE, ET AL, Defendants.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Suffolk County on October 18, 2019, I, Scott Lockwood, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 13, 2025 at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757, at 03:00
PM the premises described as follows:
75 Fillmore Avenue Deer Park, NY 11729
SBL No.: 0100-093.00-01.00146.000
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Babylon, County
of Suffolk, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 069384/2014 in the amount of $518,114.59 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072
25-18 1/9, 16, 23, 30
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF SUFFOLK UMB BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR LVS TITLE TRUST XIII, Plaintiff, v. GREGORY J. CIEJKA, ET AL, Defendants.
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Suffolk County on June 21, 2023, I, Thomas A. Abbate, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 11, 2025 at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757, at 11:00 AM the premises described as follows:
139 West 21st Street Deer Park, NY 11729
SBL No.: 0100-059.00-03.00076.000
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 614708/2016 in the amount of $508,889.56 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons
must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604
Tel.: 855-227-5072
25-19 1/9, 16, 23, 30
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, Plaintiff, Against DIANE SCHMIDT; PAUL G. SCHMIDT, et al, Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 11/20/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757, on 2/6/2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 624 Adams Ave, Lindenhurst, NY 11757, And Described As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village Of Lindenhurst, Township Of Babylon, Suffolk County, State Of New York.
District 0103 Section 022.00 Block 02.00 Lot 036.000
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $262,297.85 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 609291/2015
Robert Fuchs, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 MIDLAND AVENUE, SUITE 205, PORT CHESTER, NY 10573
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR SABR 2004-OP1 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-OP1, Plaintiff, Against JOANNE ANANIA Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 08/19/2022, I, the
undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757, on 2/12/2025 at 10:30AM, premises known as 48 Walnut Ave, Farmingdale, New York 11735, And Described As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in The Town Of Babylon, County Of Suffolk And State Of New York.
District 0100 Section 047.00 Block 01.00 Lot 091.000
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $558,035.02 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 23768/2005
HARVEY SAVITT, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Notice of formation of Vaccaro property management LLC, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 12/02/2024 . Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 11 west 21 street deer park ny 11729. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
25-24. 1/9., 16., 23,. 30, 2/6, 13
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, WATERFALL VICTORIA GRANTOR TRUST II, SERIES G, Plaintiff, vs. NORBERTO FERNANDEZ AKA NORBERTO F. FERNANDEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 30, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Town of Riverhead-Riverhead Town Hall, 4 W. 2nd Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 on January 31, 2025 at 9:30 a.m., premises
known as 442 42nd Street, Copiague, NY 11726. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 201.00, Block 01.00 and Lot 017.002. Approximate amount of judgment is $845,225.75 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 020509/2012.
Richard Lavorata, Jr., Esq., Referee
Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-12. 1/2, 9, 16, 23
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, Elizon Master Participation Trust I, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Owner Trustee, Plaintiff, vs. Justine O'Hara, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 18, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on January 24, 2025 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 16 Seley Drive, North Babylon, NY 11703. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 120.00, Block 01.00 and Lot 148.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $575,663.76 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615691/2022.
Robert Fuchs, Esq., Referee Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 24-758. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16
REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiffagainst - RENEE WHITE, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on February 27, 2020. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on the 5th day of February, 2025 at 10:00 AM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York.
Premises known as 27 Piave Terrace East a/k/a 27 Piave Terrace, Lindenhurst, NY 11757.
Approximate amount of lien $299,669.78 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 611542/2019. Steven P. Bertolino, Esq., Referee.
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: November 27, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change.
25-6. 1/2, 9, 16, 23
Public Notices — Your right to know
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 20071, -againstJOHNNY E. JONES, 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 Suffolk on September 18, 2019, wherein HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2007-1 is the Plaintiff and JOHNNY E. JONES, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on February 4, 2025 at 11:00AM, premises known as 40 SOUTH 29TH ST, WYANDANCH, NY 11798; and the following tax map identification: 0100-054.0004.00-044.001. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 030161/2011. Daniel J. Murphy, 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.
25-8. 1/2, 9, 16, 23
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Suffolk, MT-
GLQ Investors, L.P., Plaintiff, vs. Jewel Nash, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 5, 2022 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on August 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on February 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 38 Hilltop Lane, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 014.00, Block 02.00 and Lot 020.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $410,281.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609043/2015. Cash will not be accepted.
Joy Jorgensen, Esq., Referee
Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 25-5 1/2, 9, 16, 23
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR SG MORTGAGE SECURITIES TRUST 2006-FRE1, ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FRE1, Plaintiff, v. ALICIA OTERO, ET AL, Defendants.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Suffolk County on October 25, 2018, I, Joy E. Jorgensen, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 6, 2025 at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757, at 11:00 AM the premises described as follows:
219 Cedar Ct Copiague, NY 11726
SBL No.: 0100-194.0002.00-099.000 & 100.000
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 605237/2015 in the amount of $533,708.74 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff
500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604
Tel.: 855-227-5072
25-10. 1/2, 9, 16, 23
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF Suffolk, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the LB Igloo Series IV Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Babar Afzal, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 21, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on February 5, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., premises known as 14 North 11th Street, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 040.00, Block 02.00 and Lot 020.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $259,868.20 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #629417/2023.
Francesco P. Tini, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 193421-4 25-11. 1/2. 9, 16, 23
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK U.S.
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR RMTP TRUST, SERIES 2021 COTTAGE-TT-V, Plaintiff AGAINST DESTIN GILBERT IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 15, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on February 5, 2025 at 12:30PM, premises known as 120 Elk Street, Wyandanch, NY 11798. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 057.00, Block 03.00, Lot 010.000. Approximate amount of judgment $300,594.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614264/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the District and SUFFOLK County Auction Plan in effect at this time.
Francesco P. Tini, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-004605 83582 25-9. 1/2, 9, 16, 23
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT SUFFOLK COUNTY
NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff against SCOTT ORENSTEIN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Leopold & Associates, PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 1, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Babylon Townhall, 200 East Sunrise
Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on February 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 125 Greenwood Drive, North Babylon, NY 11703. District 0100 Sec 120.00 Block 01.00 Lot 039.000. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $355,897.08 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 617742/2021.
“Deposit by certified funds only, made payable to the referee”
The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing.
Robert Samson, Esq., Referee ile # 6961459 25-7 1/2, 9, 16, 23
Notice of formation of Seaside Solutions LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/06/2024 Office location, County of Suffolk.
SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.
SSNY shall mail a process served to:
The LLC, 41 State Street, Suite 112, Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: any lawful act. 25-22. 1/9, 16, 23, 30, 2/6, 13
Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-24-147736 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 128 N Carll Ave, Babylon, NY 11702, County of Suffolk, for on premises consumption at Bangkok Street Food LLC. 25-25. 1/9. 16
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2003-3, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-3, -againstSCOTT M. SHORES, 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 Suffolk on February 20, 2020, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2003-3, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-3 is the Plaintiff and SCOTT M. SHORES, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on January 29, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 412 MARCY STREET, WEST BABYLON A/K/A NORTH BABLON, NY 11704; and the following tax map identification: 0100-143.0001.00-014.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 609278/2015. Joseph Hubbard, 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. 24-762. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16
Public Notices —
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK
PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, Against OSE ARAUJO A/K/A JOSE N. ARAUJO, LOURDES ARAUJO, ET AL,
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/09/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, at Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757, on 1/24/2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 376 Ferraris Street, Copiague, New York 11726, And Described As Follows:
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Copiague, Town Of Babylon, County Of Suffolk And State Of New York. District 0100 Section 176.00 Block 01.00 Lot 058.002
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $522,635.84 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 622829/2023
Robert Fuchs, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF SUFFOLK
OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC, -againstREY BENITEZ, 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 Suffolk on September 24, 2024, wherein OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC is the Plaintiff and REY BENITEZ, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the BABYLON TOWN HALL, 200 EAST SUNRISE
HIGHWAY, NORTH LINDENHURST, NY 11757, on January 28, 2025 at 9:30AM, premises known as 74 MIRAMAR BOULEVARD, LINDENHURST, NY 11757; and the following tax map identification: 0100-189.0001.00-101.000.
ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF BABYLON, COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 613891/2016. Anthony M. Parlatore, 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.
24-761. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF Suffolk, Mortgage Assets Management, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Allison J. Carlino, as Heir, Devisee, Distributee of the Estate of Pauline Carlino, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Default Judgment, Amend the Caption, Confirm Referee Report, and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on January 24, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., premises known as 178 South 15th Street, Lindenhurst, NY 11757. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Lindenhurst, Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0103, Section 009.00, Block 03.00 and Lot 039.000. Approximate amount of judgment is $880,168.34 plus
interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607412/2015. Richard Lavorata, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 24-759. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK MORTGAGE ASSESTS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST ERNESTINE WATSON AS ADMINISTRATRIX AND AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF BEULAH WOODS, KEVIN WOODS AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF BEULAH WOODS, ERNEST WOODS AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF BEULAH WOODS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 10, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on January 27, 2025 at 11:00AM, premises known as 93 Putnam Avenue, North Babylon, NY 11704. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 082.00, Block 04.00, Lot 046.000. Approximate amount of judgment $583,434.06 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614836/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the District and SUFFOLK County Auction Plan in effect at this time. Robert J. Cava, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-002544 83395 24-764. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF SUFFOLK MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST MICHELLE FRANCIS AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LOUISE D. FRANCIS, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF LOUISE D. FRANCIS IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE
BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 16, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757 on January 27, 2025 at 11:30AM, premises known as 91 Doges Promenade, Lindenhurst, NY 11757. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk and State of New York, District 0100, Section 190.00, Block 01.00, Lot 001.000. Approximate amount of judgment $462,902.52 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #200251/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the District and SUFFOLK County Auction Plan in effect at this time. Robert J. Cava, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 20-001556 83392 24-763. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16
NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF SUFFOLK WELLS FARGO USA HOLDINGS, INC. Plaintiff, v. JUDITH VOGEL, ET AL, Defendants. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT
In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Suffolk County on October 26, 2023, I, Robert P. Valletti, Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on January 30, 2025 at the Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, North Lindenhurst, NY 11757, at 03:00 PM the premises described as follows: 222 A Oak Beach Rd Oak Beach, NY 11702 SBL No.: 0100-242.0001.00-021.000
ALL THAT TRACT OR
PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk, State of New York
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 600144/2017 in the amount of $841,313.91 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 24-767. 12/26, 1/2 9, 16
Notice of formation of 4 Colt Babylon, LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on December 6, 2024. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to, 25 Davison Ln W, West Islip, N.Y 11795. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 24-766. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Notice of formation of 6-8 Colt Babylon, LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on December 13, 2024. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to, 25 Davison Ln W, West Islip, N.Y 11795. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 24-765. 12/26, 1/2, 9, 16, 23, 30
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.
STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.
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EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
HELP
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time
HomesHERALD
Two For One Deal
TAre foreign-made cabinets a bargain or a bad idea?
Q. I am being told that I can buy new kitchen cabinets much cheaper from a Chinese company than the local cabinet companies. I have been shopping around, and cabinets are quite expensive for my small kitchen, around $35,000. The imported kitchen from China is much less, around $18,000, and looks very nice, a similar style. What can you tell me about whether I am getting a good deal or whether the cabinets are poorly made?
A.This is a timely yet touchy subject, with so much uncertainty about what direction product costs will go in the near future. I receive 32 industry publications per month, and I have just learned that the U.S. Commerce Department issued a ruling in July that China was found to be skirting United States import duties by producing cabinet components in China, but then further processing the products in Vietnam and Malaysia, so the cabinetry did not appear to come from China.
Even though this latest judgment pertains specifically to solid wood and engineered-wood products, which is most of what cabinetry is made of, it also includes drawer fronts and doors, which may have been produced elsewhere and assembled in any one of those countries or the U.S. While the components’ foreign production and later assembly saved money, the cabinet door is closing on whether you will save money in the near future.
When I speak to cabinetmakers, assemblers and installers locally, I get a mix of opinions about the quality of the products. First are the components: Many raw materials are hard to trace with imported cabinets, so the type of wood can vary. Because U.S. industry standards are often much higher, the amount of warping and twisting in foreign wood can be greater due to less quality control in the humidity and curing of the solid wood components. The same is true of “engineered” wood products, which come in various types of panels such as wood strips, like plywood, or from glued sawdust pressed together under high pressure. The sawdust and the glues come from unknown origins, and some glue may be made from animal processes, which can lead to a terrible smell as the panel ages.
Then there is the connecting of components, which may be only glued or stapled. Better products have interlocking dovetailed joints. Sometimes what you don’t see is what makes the difference.
While more expensive American-made products are made with higher quality control, it won’t be long before all products go up in price. Price increases notoriously happen at the end of January each year, but with the looming possibility of higher tariffs, you may discover that the old saying, “He that will not when he may, when he will he shall have nay” is accurate. Waiting for a bargain may not save you anything, and you get what you pay for. And “The dissatisfaction of poor quality lingers long after the excitement of a cheaper price has been forgotten.” Good luck!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper,
Monte
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iopinions Making resolutions stick: a blueprint for success
n January, many people hope to create a fresh start with New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, changing careers, saving money or quitting smoking, the desire for change is strong. But while making resolutions is easy, following through is often difficult. Transforming good intentions into lasting change requires determination, planning and persistence. The key to turning a resolution into reality is motivation. Without a genuine, internal drive, even the most well-intentioned resolutions can fade by mid-February. That’s why the first step is ensuring that your goal is something you truly care about. Resolutions made due to external pressures — like society’s standards or family expectations — are often the hardest to keep. If your goal isn’t personally meaningful, your efforts may quickly wane. A strong resolution comes from within. If your motivation is authentic, you’ll have the resolve to overcome obstacles. Avoid the common trap of thinking, “I’ll try” or “I’ll give it anoth-
ier shot.” Instead, commit to the mindset of “I can” and “I will.” When you believe you can achieve your goal, it becomes more than a wish — it turns into a mission.
A successful New Year’s resolution relies on three essential steps: clarity, planning and action. The first step is setting a clear and specific goal. Vague resolutions like “I want to lose weight” or “I want a better job” are hard to measure and achieve. Instead, define exactly what success looks like for you. How much weight do you want to lose, and by when? How much money would you like to save, and for what? What kind of job are you seeking, and what salary would meet your needs?
Life can throw unexpected challenges your way, so it’s important to adapt.
Clarity provides focus, and focus drives action. When your goal is specific, it’s easier to stay on track and avoid distractions. Instead of vaguely hoping for improvement, you’ll have a clear direction for how to get there.
Once your goal is clear, the next step is to build a realistic plan. A goal without a plan is merely a wish. Breaking your goal into smaller, manageable steps makes the process less overwhelming and easier to follow. A plan offers structure and accountability.
For example, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds, create a detailed plan with steps like: What will you eat each day? How often will you exercise, and for how long? Will you follow a specific diet, or focus on portion control? If your goal is to switch careers, set milestones such as updating your resume, networking and applying to a certain number of jobs each week. If saving money is your goal, look for areas to cut back, such as reducing dining out or setting up automatic transfers to your savings. A good plan is realistic and achievable. Breaking down larger goals into smaller chunks makes them feel less daunting. If your goal is to save $3,000 in a year, aim to save $250 a month. If that feels too challenging, break it down further — saving $9 a day is more manageable.
Flexibility is also crucial. Life can throw unexpected challenges your way, so it’s important to adapt. Having a backup plan can help you stay on track even when things don’t go as expected. Take consistent action. No matter how well-crafted your plan is, it won’t succeed without consistent effort. It’s easy to be excited about a resolution at the start of the year, but the real work is
staying focused every day. Persistence is key to making progress.
Small, daily actions lead to big results over time. Whether it’s waking up 30 minutes earlier to exercise, dedicating time to job hunting, or cooking at home instead of eating out, consistency is essential. Even on days when motivation is low, showing up and doing the work is what matters most.
Setbacks are a natural part of the process. Don’t be discouraged by a slipup or a missed day. Instead, reflect on what went wrong, adjust your approach and keep going. The more consistently you take action, the more progress you’ll make, and the more natural it will feel.
Achieving lasting change takes more than just good intentions — it requires clarity, a detailed plan, and consistent action. With the right mindset, clear goals and perseverance, turning your New Year’s resolution into a reality is entirely possible.
By following these three steps — defining what you truly want, creating a detailed and actionable plan, and committing to consistent effort — you’ll be on your way to success. Stick with it, and 2025 could be the year you achieve your goals.
Bryan Golden is the author of “Dare to Live Without Limits.” For more information, visit DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com.
When was the last time you read a book?
am a minority in so many ways that I never realized I’m part of a shrinking population of people who read books for fun. We read because we want to. We read because, for some of us, there’s no better way to spend our time. We read because there’s no other human experience that can transport us to another time and place, completely immersing us in the joys and tribulations of people who are the invention of a writer’s mind. I’ve known for some time that young people aren’t choosing to read books when the competition is TV or social media. I don’t need studies to tell me that, head to head, when it’s reading vs. streaming, reading loses with most teens most of the time.
The Atlantic recently ran a piece by Rose Horowitch revealing that at some of the country’s “elite” colleges, many students are neither willing nor able to read the books they’re assigned for classes. They say they just can’t do it — can’t concentrate for so long, can’t stay
with a narrative. Classes that once required some 10 books for the year now assign “excerpts.”
The students aren’t failing to perform. We have failed in preparing them to read properly.
When Horowitch investigated further, she discovered that the problem begins in high school. In recent years, with the ascendance of social media and smartphones, there has been a parallel decline in reading. More disturbing, many teachers are accommodating the change by dumbing down the curriculum, assigning summaries or chapters instead of whole books.
GPT to see what AI could do with the assignment.
Damn good is the answer. Plot summary, excellent. Discussion of themes, better than I could do. Analysis of language, good enough.
A re parents of young kids reading to them, or are they, too,distracted by phones?
Last week I began teaching a book group for adults. We do a book a week for eight weeks; they’ve had the syllabus since May, so there has been ample time to prepare. These folks are in the class for the pure joy and intellectual stretch of abandoning themselves to a narrative imagined by someone else.
I realize that high school and college kids can probably get by with ChatGPT to find summaries and analyses of the books they’re assigned in class. So, after I had reread the first book for my class and completed my notes, I went to Chat-
But what is missing entirely is any discussion of the emotional component of reading. The summaries can inform you, but they can’t make you feel. I’m remembering reading “Sophie’s Choice” in 1982, my heart twisted around the character as she chose which of her children would live. I’m talking about reading “Beloved” as a teen and perceiving racism in a profoundly new way. When I discovered “Lonesome Dove,” I disappeared for days into the Old West, way past the clichés of cowboys and cattle drives.
This isn’t just a woe-is-me essay. There’s an answer to the problem, and it is to limit or ban smartphone use and social media for children and young teenagers. We limited cigarette smoking and we demanded seat belts. Enlightened and committed leaders can do this. Informed parents can do this.
Kids read before they could Google. They picked up books before they could stream. Living in a world where high
school and college students don’t or can’t find the intellectual bandwidth to read a book is tragic for them personally and for our country. I wonder if parents of young children are regularly reading to them and introducing books, or if they, too, are distracted by phones.
Children who don’t read books grow up to be adults who don’t read, and never learn the subtleties of language and the possibilities of lives and worlds other than their own.
As we begin a new year, here are the books that I’m teaching. Maybe you’ll read one or two. If you do, write to me and we can share our impressions.
“Migrations,” by Charlotte McConaughy; “A Portrait of Dorian Grey,” by Oscar Wilde; “Something I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You,” by Alice Munro; “The Matrix,” by Lauren Groff; “Slow Horses,” by Mick Herron; “The Wren, the Wren,” by Anne Enright; “A Day in the Life of Abed Salama,” by Nathan Thrall; “Of Mice and Men,” by John Steinbeck.
We worry about the rise of book banning in today’s America. Remember the horrific dystopia of “1984”? The irony is that book banning and book burning aren’t necessary in a culture that doesn’t read books.
Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
RAnDi KREiss
BaBylon
Abandoning fact-checking is dangerous
Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram and Threads, announced a significant policy shift last week: It will no longer employ independent fact-checkers to monitor and flag false content on its platforms.
HERALD
While the company says it will continue to remove illegal activity, hate speech and explicit material, the abandonment of fact-checking signals an alarming retreat from the fight against misinformation and disinformation. The decision isn’t just a step backward — it is a surrender that carries grave consequences for the future of public discourse, democracy and social cohesion.
We have seen the potential for misinformation to destabilize our society. From conspiracy theories about election fraud to false narratives about coronavirus vaccines, unchecked falsehoods have exacerbated a public health crisis, deepened our political polarization and even been the cause of violence.
Meta’s platforms have often been central to the spread of such misinformation, because its algorithms often promote and prioritize it. The company’s decision to abandon fact-checking signals that it is no longer willing to bear the responsibility of combating this dangerous trend, leaving a vacuum that bad actors at home and abroad are likely to exploit.
The announcement comes at a time when public trust in crucial institutions like the courts and the media is already at a historic low. By stepping away from fact-checking, Meta is essentially declaring that truth is a relative concept in the digital age. This dangerous idea has dire implications.
If platforms as influential as Facebook and Instagram refuse to differentiate between fact and fiction, the lines between credible information and out-
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and-out lies and conspiracy theories will blur even further. This will inevitably empower those who benefit from sowing chaos and confusion, whether they are political extremists, foreign actors, or profit-driven disinformation peddlers.
The broader context of Meta’s decision is equally troubling. Over the past few years, tech companies have faced increasing scrutiny and pressure from both ends of the political spectrum. Some conservatives have accused platforms of censorship, particularly in high-profile cases like Facebook’s suspension of then President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Republicans in Congress and conservative courts have cast social media moderation as government overreach and an attack on free speech.
But Meta’s retreat from fact-checking is not a victory for free speech; it is a capitulation to chaos. Free speech thrives in an environment where truth and accountability prevail. Local newspapers, which are committed to objective journalism, continue to fact-check and be a source of fairness and truth, but platforms without that commitment become echo chambers for lies, propaganda and hate. The removal of guardrails does not level the playing field; it tilts it in favor of those who manipulate information for power or profit.
This creates a toxic environment in which hate speech and antisemitism flourish, as recent trends have shown. Marginalized groups, often the primary targets of such rhetoric, will bear the brunt of the harm.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish global human rights organization, stated that it is “deeply concerned” about the decision.
“This reckless move disregards the immense responsibility social media companies bear in protecting vulnerable
‘The Postal Service continues to adapt and innovate’
To the Editor:
Last week, the U.S. Postal Service held a meeting with the Long Island Postal Customer Council, a gathering that brought together local commercial mailers, business partners and industry professionals.
The spotlight of the meeting was the Postal Service’s 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America. This ambitious initiative aims to modernize the postal network, enhance service across all mail and shipping categories, and restore long-term financial sustainability. Attendees had the opportunity to understand how this plan has been positively impacting businesses across Long Island.
As part of the Delivering for America plan, the Postal
communities and mitigating the spread of harmful and dangerous ideologies,” the center said in a statement. “History has repeatedly shown that online hate does not remain confined to the digital realm — it manifests in tragic offline consequences.”
By abandoning its responsibility to curb misinformation, Meta risks alienating users and advertisers who value trustworthy, safe online spaces. In a world where lies often spread faster than truth, elections can be swayed by disinformation campaigns, public health initiatives can be derailed by conspiracy theories and trust in scientific and journalistic institutions can erode beyond repair.
The question of who bears responsibility for curbing misinformation in the digital age is complex, but Meta’s decision sets a dangerous precedent. If one of the most influential companies in the world believes it can abdicate this responsibility without consequences, other platforms are likely to follow. This may well create a domino effect in which the internet devolves into a freefor-all of unchecked falsehoods and extremism.
We must demand better. Governments and regulators must step in where companies such as Meta have stepped back, enforcing stricter rules about misinformation and holding platforms accountable for the content they amplify. Nongovernmental organizations and independent watchdogs must also play a role in promoting digital literacy and factchecking.
Meta’s retreat from that crucial responsibility is more than a corporate decision; it is a warning sign. If we fail to act, the world Meta is helping to create could be one in which truth, accountability and even democracy itself are the casualties.
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Suffolk is learning that wastewater shouldn’t be wasted
at long last, Suffolk County has a county executive who fully understands the need to send treated wastewater back into the underground water table that is Long Islanders’ sole source of potable water, instead of dumping it in nearby water bodies including the Atlantic ocean. And Ed Romaine has legislative support.
The passage of a referendum in November’s election provided the funding to do this.
The measure amended the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, and increased the county sales tax by one-eighth of a cent to raise money to build sewers and install high-tech innovative/alternative septic systems and fund, as the measure stated, “projects for the reuse of treated effluent.”
Last month, at the bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, in West babylon, Romaine announced that wastewater from the plant would be used to irrigate an adjacent county golf course, and within the plant. It was built to serve the Southwest Sewer District and send 30 million gallons of treated wastewater a day through an
outfall pipe and out into the Atlantic.
As a Suffolk legislator and brookhaven town supervisor, Romaine repeatedly emphasized the need to send treated wastewater back into the underground water table. “This,” he said at bergen Point, “is one of 10 county wastewater treatment plants that we are currently considering for water reuse. by utilizing what otherwise would have been a byproduct, we can decrease the pressure on our aquifer by hundreds of millions of gallons a year and even help recharge the aquifer.”
Cquality … I thank the county executive and hope all these planned projects will work together.”
Legislator Steven Flotterson, of West Islip, the deputy presiding officer, said, “bergen Point is just one of the many sites where a golf course is close to a treatment plant. but golf course irrigation is just one example of ways in which we are now moving forward together.”
ounty Executive Ed Romaine knows that it should be sent back underground.
In 2016, treated effluent from the Riverhead Sewage Treatment plant began being used to irrigate the adjacent Indian Island County Golf Course instead of dumping it into the Peconic River. Romaine intends to have all sewer systems built in Suffolk recharge wastewater. “We’re not as stupid as they were years ago,” he said, “where all they did was take that outfall pipe and send (wastewater) out to the ocean or the Long Island Sound.”
Romaine was joined at bergen Point by a bipartisan group of Suffolk legislators, including Kevin mcCaffrey, of Lindenhurst, presiding officer of the Suffolk Legislature, who said that reuse would “let bergen Point be known for helping water quantity as well as water
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Service has introduced several new products and services aimed at helping businesses thrive. From USPS Ground Advantage, a ground shipping solution that provides an affordable and reliable way to send packages in the U.S., to USPS Connect Local, which gives small to mediumsized businesses access to low-cost, sameday/next-day package delivery to local customers in their neighborhood.
We’re giving businesses of all sizes the benefits of USPS’s optimized network.
USPS offers transparent pricing with no hidden surcharges, and Informed Delivery, a free service that gives customers a preview of mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon, and the ability to set package tracking notifications and schedule email reminders for important mail pieces.
At the meeting, satisfied industry partners and business professionals shared their experiences, highlighting how the Postal Service has enabled them to connect affordably with their customers — especially during a period in which business costs are continually escalating.
As the Postal Service continues to adapt and innovate, it remains a trusted partner for businesses on Long Island and across the nation.
The Press Club of Long Island, the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, believes that Nassau County’s decision to replace Newsday with the New york Post as its official paper is a disservice to residents.
The decision is also an attack on a free press, viewed by political observers and journalists as punishing Newsday for its watchdog coverage, the essence of journalism’s mission.
Public notices are meant to inform, but fewer readers of the Post in this region mean fewer people will see them. Newsday’s strong local readership and deep connection to Long Island ensure that critical information reaches the community. The Post, with limited ties to Nassau County, lacks the local insight and audience necessary to fulfill this responsibility.
This shift jeopardizes transparency and public engagement. Residents deserve a publication that reflects their needs and understands their community.
of Long Island
Five decades ago, as the Southwest Sewer District was taking form, I wrote extensively about the folly of sending a massive amount of wastewater daily into the Atlantic. Leading opponents of the scheme were Charlie Pulaski, conservation chairman of the Suffolk County American Legion, and George A. King, chairman of the Long Island baymen’s Association. They warned of adverse impacts to many streams, Carlls River and the Great South bay.
In recent times, the Islip-based Seatuck Environmental Association advanced a Long Island Water Reuse Road map & Action Plan. The 2023 plan identified 50 golf courses in Nassau and Suffolk that were within two miles of wastewater treatment facilities and thus available for recharge, along with other locations including “sod farms and greenhouses, as well as for lawns at
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educational campuses” and “commercial centers.”
The plan can be viewed through a box titled Water Reuse at Seatuck’s website, seatuck.org. Its Executive Summary states, “over the past half century, water quality in Long Island’s groundwater aquifers … as well as both freshwater and coastal surface waters, has steadily declined … During this same time period, Long Island’s water quantity problem has also come into focus.”
The U.S. Geological Survey released an 83-page hydrology report last year about the water table beneath Nassau County — which is 88 percent sewered, with sewage treatment plants dumping wastewater into adjacent water bodies — which said that the water table is now “under stress” with saltwater intruding as freshwater is being depleted.
In the late 1800s, brooklyn lost its potable underground water supply by over-pumping from the water table below it and the consequent saltwater intrusion, along with pollution — and became dependent on a now fully subscribed upstate reservoir system. Losing potable water cannot be allowed to happen to the rest of Long Island.
Now Romaine and Suffolk legislators are tackling the vital water supply issue.
Karl Grossman is a professor of journalism at SUNY Old Westbury, host of the TV program “Enviro Close-Up with Karl Grossman” and the author of six books.
by Kevin Kelley
In the background, the Himalayas’ Annapurna range — Nepal
karL Grossman
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