The Bellmore Memorial Library celebrated the New Year in a kid-friendly fashion during its ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ party. Noon Year’s Eve celebrations are typically held on Dec. 30 or Dec. 31, and include a countdown to 12 p.m., instead of midnight along with traditional New Year’s activities. These parties allow younger children to experience the fun and festivities of New Year’s Eve without staying up later the day of. At Bellmore’s celebration, Corrine Aurora with daughter Chole worked on some appropriate New Year’s themed crafts. Right, Tingting with her son Oliver celebrated the New Year a few hours earlier. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Turning cancer into a mission to help others
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Jackson Amiruddin, a student at Calhoun High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, is tackling blood cancers head-on through leadership and service as a 2025 Student Visionary with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
As part of this leadership development program, Amiruddin will spearhead local fundraising efforts to support critical blood cancer research and enhance patient support services.
I
’m doing it for the children who are still in the hospitals, who are dealing with or going through what I went through.
The program, run by LLS, is designed specifically for high school students who want to make a meaningful impact in the fight against blood cancers. At its core, the program empowers students to develop and execute their own fundraising campaigns to support LLS’s mission.
JAcKSoN
AMIRUDDIN
Student Visionary for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Amiruddin, 16, who’s originally from East Meadow and now resides in Merrick, is a junior at Calhoun and part of Bellmore-Merrick’s On Tour Company, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s magnet drama program. He was diagnosed with cancer at 13 months old and underwent three-and-a-half years of treatment at Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids. During that time, he received various chemotherapy treatments, steroids and surgeries. His treatments ended at the age of 4 on Dec. 29, 2012. Amiruddin was nominated by LLS to be a participant in this year’s Student Visionary program for the Long Island region, after meeting with an advisor from the organization in November of last year. Since then, he’s named two co-captains for his team — Mathias Osback and Donovan Butler, two of his lifelong friends, who both reside in East Meadow — and has been assembling a small
Continued on page 5
Steve Sachs/Herald
Hablamos Español
Gearing up for another merry Mulchfest
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
The holiday season may be winding down, but in the Town of Hemsptead, there’s still time to celebrate sustainability at the town’s 5th Annual Mulchfest.
Residents are invited to bring their Christmas trees to Veterans Memorial Park at 1700 Prospect Ave., East Meadow on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where the trees will be shredded into mulch for personal use or donated as snacks for the Nigerian Dwarf goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve.
“Mulchfest is back for the fifth year in a row, and the goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve are bleating in excitement,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said. “This holiday tradition sees scores of residents turning their Christmas trees into mulch, with each year getting better and better.”
A “Mulchfest” is an event where people can bring their natural Christmas trees to be recycled into mulch, a nutrient-rich material often used in gardening and landscaping. During a Mulchfest, trees are shredded into mulch using wood chippers, and participants are usually offered free mulch to take home for personal use.
The event promotes eco-friendly practices by preventing discarded trees from going to landfills and repurposing them in ways that benefit the environment, such as improving soil health, retaining moisture, and reducing weeds. Some Mulchfests also
use excess mulch for community landscaping projects or even as snacks for animals, like the Town of Hempstead’s goats, that enjoy eating pine. It’s a sustainable way to “give back” during the holiday season while responsibly disposing of Christmas trees.
The eco-friendly event gives families the opportunity to extend the season of giving by repurposing their trees into nutrient-rich mulch for gardening, moisture retention, and weed prevention. Residents can take home a free bag of mulch or choose to have the mulch donated to the town’s goats. Additionally, broken-down cardboard will be accepted and recycled during the event.
For those unable to attend Mulchfest, Christmas trees can be dropped off at the homeowner disposal area next to Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve at 1600 Merrick Road through Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The Town of Hempstead proudly stands for greener and environmentally friendly programs,” Clavin said. “Come on down to Veterans Park to repurpose your Christmas tree and receive a free bag of mulch in return. Don’t forget to stop by Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve and share some with the lovable goats.”
The surplus mulch will also be used for landscaping and planting projects throughout Hempstead Town’s parks, ensuring that residents’ contributions support the community year-round.
The Town of Hempstead will hold its annual Mulchfest on Jan. 11 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow. Residents can turn their Christmas trees into mulch, which they can either take home or donate to the Nigerian Dwarf goats that inhabit the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick. Above, a goat at the park munches on a tree at a past event.
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
Jordan Vallone/Herald file
‘Noon’ Year’s Eve at Bellmore Memorial
The Bellmore Memorial Library rang in the New Year a few hours early, in a kid- and family-friendly event, dubbed “Noon Year’s Eve.”
Noon Year’s Eve celebrations are typically held on Dec. 30 or Dec. 31, and include a countdown to 12 p.m., instead of midnight; traditional New Year’s activities like noisemakers and party hats; a “balloon drop” or bubble release at the stroke of noon; and kidfriendly refreshments and entertainment. These parties allow younger children to experience the fun and festivities of New Year’s Eve without staying up later the day of.
At the Bellmore Memorial Library,
families gathered to celebrate the New Year with neighbors and fellow library patrons. Noon Year’s Eve is about more the entertainment — it’s about celebrating traditions and new beginnings in an age-appropriate way.
The library created meaningful spaces where families can forge connections while participating in timehonored New Year’s customs — demonstrating how libraries serve not just as repositories of books, but as vital community hubs where neighbors come together to mark important occasions.
— Jordan Vallone
Noon Year’s Eve celebrations are meant for those with young children, who may not be able to stay up until midnight. Their filled with traditional New Year’s festivities, and some more kid-friendly ones too.
Memorial’s children’s libraries Pamela Pagones and Emily Willis read appropriate, New Year’s stories during
During the celebration, many patrons with their young children took part in various arts-and-crafts activities.
Steve Sachs/Herald Photos
Cindy, with her daughter Mia, rang in the New Year early at Bellmore Memorial Library’s Noon Year’s Eve celebration.
Tracy, with her daughter Lilly, had a blast taking part in festivities.
Bellmore
the event.
HERALD SchoolS
Students get a head start on music proficiency
Reinhard Early Childhood Center students get an early grasp on advanced musical skills as they pick up and learn how to play the violin starting in second grade
In the Reinhard auditorium, each Rising Star Leader is individually equipped with a violin and shown how to properly hold it in both a rest position and a playing position. Music teachers Kelly Kosmo and Joanna Rocco show students the correct way to place their fingers in the shape of an “L” on the fingerboard before plucking their first notes.
Learning to play an instrument like the violin at an early age, such as in second grade, offers numerous benefits that extend beyond music itself. It significantly contributes to cognitive development by improving memory and concentration. Playing an instrument like the violin also supports motor skill development. The precise finger and hand movements required improve fine motor skills and dexterity, while synchronizing bowing and fingering with reading music enhances hand-eye coordination. During a lesson, as a group, students read out notes and rests in a basic measure as they learn the differences between each string. While playing, they are challenged to maintain an equal tempo. Picking up the new instrument at an early stage is one example of the many ways the district brings innovative learning to classes of all ages.
— Jordan Vallone
A Forgotten American Treasure
Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac appeared from 1732 to 1758. Amongst other information, it provided pithy sayings and proverbs, many of which have withstood the test of time.
“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.”
“Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you: stab him and he’ll anoint you.”
“An old young man will be a young old man.”
“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”
“Eat few suppers and you’ll need few medicines.”
“Great almsgiving, lessens no man’s living.”
“Happy’s the wooing that’s not long a doing.”
“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
“If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
“They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.”
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.”
“The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.”
“When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself.”
“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.”
Editor’s Note: The filing requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act (last week’s column) has been suspended by the courts until further notice.
100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offices in Huntington • Melville • Islandia
Photos courtesy Bellmore Public Schools
Reinhard Early Childhood Center second graders get an early grasp on advanced musical skills as they learn the basics of the violin.
Music teacher Kelly Kosmo showed each student how to properly hold the violin.
Fundraising for Student Visionary begins Feb. 6
squad of additional friends and classmates to help his cause.
The fundraising campaign, which will officially kick off on Feb. 6., will last seven weeks, and Amiruddin will be able to solicit donations through a fundraising link for his specific campaign, as well as fundraise through different events and initiatives.
In an interview with the Herald, Amiruddin, Osback and Butler said they are writing letters, explaining the campaign and why they’re part of it, to as many people as they can think of. Because the holidays just wrapped up, they combed through the list of addresses their families sent holiday cards to as a starting point for their letterwriting campaign.
Although no events are officially booked or set-in-stone, some possible ideas included a raffle and school fundraisers, or partnering on an event with a fellow Student Visionary participant who lives in Bellmore, Amiruddin said. His team is mostly based in the Merrick-East Meadow area.
competing for Student Visionary of the Year titles — which are the campaign’s top fundraisers from across the country.
The overall program seeks to foster skills like networking, financial planning and public speaking and empower students to be part of the last generation to witness cancer.
Amiruddin’s friends and co-captains said they are eager to be part of this important cause.
“We’re going to hold various events, raise funds, and the letters (that were sent to family and friends) will have our fundraising links on them,” he explained.
A couple of upcoming events at Calhoun could also possibly function partly as fundraisers for his cause, he added, although nothing is official.
At the end of the seven-week period, a grand finale celebration is scheduled, and the total funds raised by candidate teams, as well as the top fundraising teams, will be revealed. Although all teams will make meaningful contributions to the cause of LLS, they’re also
“I thought it was a great opportunity to do something good,” Butler said, “and also something as a resume booster. I didn’t see any negatives that could come out of this.”
“Like Donovan,” Osback added, “I didn’t really see any reason not (to) participate. Jackson has been one of my best friends for basically all my life, so the moment he texted me asking for a favor — for something he wanted to do — I was quick to say yes.”
Amiruddin said he decided to be a part of this program to help the kids currently fighting cancer.
“I’m doing it for the children who are still in the hospitals, who are dealing with or going through what I went through,” he said. “I want to try to make their experience better.”
His mom, Kristin Amiruddin, echoed those sentiments.
“When he was going through his treatment, we were stunned by how many people and organizations stepped up to help us get through it,” she said. “LLS was one of those organizations, and now Jackson wants to give back. He hopes by running for Student Visionary, he can make a horrific time a little better, easier, for sick kids and their families.”
Jackson amiruddin is a participant in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student Visionary program for 2025. a former resident of east meadow, who attends Calhoun High School in merrick, he will lead a fundraising campaign to support critical blood cancer research. amiruddin, above as a baby, is a cancer survivor.
To follow his journey, Amiruddin’s fundraising link goes live on Feb. 6 at 12:01 a.m. To donate, visit Events. LLS.org/LI/SVoyLi25/JAmirrudin.
Courtesy Kristy Amiruddin
Jackson amiruddin
HERALD SPORTS
Hofstra wrestling begins exciting new era
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Hofstra wrestling alum Jamie Franco is now leading the program where he thrived on the mats as a student-athlete looking to raise it to new heights.
Franco, a three-time NCAA Championship qualifier at Hofstra in the early 2010s, was named the Pride’s 13th- head coach on July 1, 2024 replacing Dennis Papadatos after he took an administrative role in the university’s athletic department. It marks another return home for Franco, who served as an assistant coach under Papadatos from 2016 to 2023 before spending a season on the wrestling staff at Columbia University last year.
“I always wanted to be a head coach and to be able to get this opportunity was a dream come true for me,” said Franco, who won 75 matches at Hofstra including a conference title at 133 pounds in 2013. “To come back to my alma mater and get my first head coaching gig at Hofstra was really special.”
After graduating Hofstra in 2014 with a business degree, Franco was operations manager of the famed Longo and Weidman MMA Training Center in Garden City where Hofstra wrestling legend Chris Weidman trained when he held a UFC middleweight title from 2013 to 2015. Franco maintains a close relationship with Weidman and recently brought his longtime trainer Ray Longo in a cross training session with the wrestlers.
“I think it’s always good to get these guys training outside of just wrestling to make them physically and mentally tougher,” Franco said.
Franco inherited a roster with plenty of former Long Island high school wrestling standouts including 133-pound Ryan Arbeit, who won a county title for Wantagh in 2022. The redshirt freshman was voted a team captain in October along with Massapequa High School product Chase Liardi, Justin Hoyle of Maple Valley, Wash and Ross McFarland of Pennellville, N.Y.
Two of Arbeit’s former Wantagh teammates are also on the Hofstra roster including red-shirt junior Mat Rogers, who won a New York State Championship in 2020 and Joe Russo, who was sidelined last season after joining the Pride from Nassau Community College. Russo was sidelined at the beginning of the season with an injury, but Franco is hoping he can make a contribution as the dual meet schedule heats up.
The Nassau County South Shore presence on the Hofstra mats also includes 165-pound redshirt junior Eric Shindel, who was an All-County wrestler at JFK High School in Bellmore in 2020 and 2021.
Fellow 165-pounder Kyle Mosher, who won a New York State title with South Side High School in Rockville Centre, joined the Pride this season as a graduate student after competing as an undergraduate student
at Columbia under Franco.
“He is looking really good early in the season so we’re looking to keep building on it,” said Franco of Mosher, who placed eighth in the 30-team Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 7. “He’s on everyone’s radar now.
Franco recorded his first dual meet win as Hofstra head coach with a 21-12 victory against Duke at home on Nov. 16. The Pride entered the new year at 4-3 and will next be in action on Jan. 9 with an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) road match at Binghamton. The Pride then has home matches in the Mack Sports Complex scheduled Jan. 26 against Penn starting at noon and Feb. 2 versus Franklin & Marshall at 4 p.m.
The Pride will look to make some noise at the EIWA Championships at Lehigh on March 7-8 and qualify at least three of four wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia from March 20-22.
“The guys are growing every week,” Franco said. “I think we’re going to see a more gritty team for us in the EIWAs so I feel like we’re going to get a bunch of placers there this year.”
Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications Massapequa native Chase Liardi is one of Hofstra’s captains.
Ross McFarland and the Pride are looking to make noise under new coach Jamie Franco, a Hofstra wrestling alumn.
U.S. Army All-American Cheerleader hails from Calhoun
Brianna Wuria, a senior and cheerleader at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, was selected as a U.S. Army All-American Cheerleader and will travel to Texas in mid-December to cheer at the Dallas Cowboys practice facility.
Wuria is heading to Frisco, Texas, on Dec. 18 to practice and perform at the U.S. Army High School Football Bowl game on Dec. 21.
Only 40 cheerleaders across the country were invited to attend this program. The senior was selected based upon her performance and results at the College Cheer Combine this past summer in New Jersey.
“This is an unparalleled opportunity to perform with the top cheerleaders in the class of 2025 in the nation,” the announcement email stated. “Being named a U.S. Army All American is a big honor and very select.”
According to her coach at Calhoun, Elana Hirschman, Wuria has been an exceptional member of the team who has performed and competed on the varsity squad since freshman year.
“Now in her fourth year and serving as one of our captains, she exemplifies what it means to be a cheerleader,” Hirschman stated. “Brianna consistently puts in 100 percent effort at every practice, game, competition, and event, demonstrating her dedication and passion for the sport.”
As a leader, Hirschman said Wuria assists her teammates, with the goal of fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. “Her eagerness to learn and drive to continually improve herself inspires everyone around her,” she added.
The Calhoun senior hopes to continue her passion for the sport at the college level.
— Jordan Vallone
Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Brianna Wuria, a senior and cheerleader at Sanford H. Calhoun High School, was selected as a U.S. Army AllAmerican Cheerleader and will travel to Texas mid-December to cheer at the Dallas Cowboys practice facility.
New era at NUMC
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau University Medical Center will begin 2025 with women holding its three top leadership positions.
The East Meadow-based hospital’s board of directors appointed Megan Ryan as president and chief executive, Dr. Grace Ting as chief medical officer and Shannon Costello as chief nursing officer during its Dec. 5 meeting. All three executives previously served in these roles on an interim basis and have extensive experience at NUMC.
In a December interview with the Herald, the leaders discussed their longstanding connections to the hospital, their career journeys at NUMC, and their visions for the institution as they formally step into their administrative roles.
Their backgrounds
Ryan, an accomplished attorney in the private sector who is admitted to the New York State Bar Association and the U.S. Supreme Court Association, began her career in health care as the chief compliance officer for the Nassau Queens Performing Provider System, before becoming general counsel at NUMC seven years ago. Prior to working at NUMC, Ryan served as an in-house corporate counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. She was named interim president and chief executive in January of 2024, a position she helped the hospital flourish in, until her appointment in December. Ryan will continue serving as general counsel.
Ting began her career at NUMC as an attending physician in the hospital’s emergency department, later becoming one of the associate directors for operations in the emergency department. Having served on various committees, Ting was named NUMC’s interim chief medical officer in 2022.
Costello, both an executive vice president and the chief nursing officer, started her professional career as a critical care nurse at NUMC in 2006. Through that position, she discovered a passion for teaching and education, she said, which led to her role as a critical care nurse educator in 2018, in which she oversaw multiple units at the hospital including the intensive care unit, special procedures unit and burn unit, among many others. Costello was named NUMC’s deputy nursing officer in January of last year and promoted to the interim chief nursing officer in May.
What working at NUMC has meant to them
Before she was a registered nurse, Costello said she completed her clinical rotations while still in nursing school at NUMC.
“This is where I learned to love nursing,” she said, “and this is where I learned about the mission of the hospital and the values here. I got to experience the work first hand and all the wonderful people that work here. And that’s what led me, after graduation, to seek an opportunity here.”
NUMC is Nassau County’s only public hospital, which serves as a safety net for medical care, providing services for the uninsured and vulnerable patients. The hospital provides care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
“I was lucky enough to be one of the first student groups, first out of school, that they allowed to work in critical care,” Costello said. “And I had a wonderful experience in terms of being educated and being taught in that very specialized area of nursing.”
NUMC is a teaching hospital, Costello said, but it also provides services that you won’t see in other facilities. From a water birthing suites in the hospital’s maternity ward, to being a regional leader in hyperbaric medicine, Costello said NUMC is a vital institution.
“What drew me here was the mission of the hospital,” Ting said, “in serving our patients, the people that can’t afford to pay, as a doctor in the emergency department. That is a really integral part of what we do.”
There’s a camaraderie among NUMC’s staff, Ting added.
“We work really heard and we develop relationships,” she said. “You go home, and the next day you come in and you’re happy, and I was happy to come in.”
The appointments come at a crucial time for NUMC, which has faced years of financial instability and management challenges.
Under Ryan’s interim leadership over the past year, the hospital has made significant strides in strengthening both its financial position and quality of care. Over the last five years, the hospital has not received hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding that it needs to survive.
“Our reputation hasn’t been very good and it’s unfair,” Ting said. “We’re trying to change the culture — change our reputation. I think we’re doing that. Our scores are better, our quality is better. We have real leadership, and yet we’re having so much trouble receiving funding from the state.”
NUMC’s future
Ryan said her goals have always been clear: She wants to work with New York state as a partner in health care. For the first time in years, NUMC’s staff rallied in Albany last March with local legislators, advocating for the funding it needs to thrive.
NUMC has named new department heads in different health care sectors, is getting its finances in order with its chief financial executive, Perry Sham, and working on increasing its visibility and outreach in the communities it serves.
“I think it’s still going to be a year of transition and growth,” Ryan said of 2025. “There is a lot of work to be done.”
“The team that has been assembly by Megan over this last year — everyone is invested,” Costello said. “Everyone is dedicated to this facility and to the mission of the hospital. It’s all of us working together, and we all have the same goals in mind.”
Local artists featured work at Wonder Wall
By Rei Wolfsohn Correspondent
The third annual Wonder Wall art show at The Art Studio, featuring artists from all around Nassau County, was packed with attendees and artists, whose work stems from various inspirations, backgrounds and media.
The show took place last month. The Art Studio is located in Rockville Centre.
Anna McManus of Rockville Centre, whose work was on display during the annual art show, said she gets her inspiration from her childhood memories.
“Growing up, my grandma always had flowers. I just really wanted to incorporate the flowers that my grandma raised me with,” McManus said. “The first one’s called ‘Barbie’s Bouquet’ and it’s based on the pinks, the blues and the brights and then I realize you don’t really see a lot of dark bouquets, so I did the darker one. It’s called ‘Moody Bunch.’ I did that one a little bit later.”
The Wonder Wall was the first time McManus has had her artwork featured in a show. She said she found out about it from the studio’s email list, and was surprised, because she didn’t remember signing up. For McManus, it was a refresher point in her artistic career.
“I’ve always been interested in art ever since I was little,” McManus said. “And just recently I’ve had some time, so I’ve been painting a lot within the past year. I really started painting again and it’s been probably at least 20 years since I really painted before that. I try to create at least, whether digital art or painting, probably once a week.”
Nancy Geng Vassilakis isn’t a student at The Art Studio either. She’s a local artist from Merrick who found the studio on social media. Her work “Mysterion” and “Christmas Star,” were put on display during the Wonder Wall event. Vassilakis got her start in the art world when she was very young, in a rather unique way.
“I drew on my parents’ menus because they owned a restaurant, so I would turn it upside down and it would be white on the other side,” Vassilakis said. “I would just draw and paint on the backs of the takeout menus.”
Fran Kraus-Schmidt of Oceanside, on the other hand, found out about Wonder Wall in time to see last year’s show. Then she started taking workshops at the studio, which was how she got involved in this year’s event.
“I just pick up a piece of paper and then I just see what I can add to it that goes with it,” Kraus-Schmidt said. “I guess I wanted to use that yellow piece of paper and then I just kept finding things that kind of go with it.”
That yellow piece of paper is part of her work “Passing Through,” which was on display at the art show. It has an interesting story behind it.
“A friend of mine went to Thailand, and she brought me back a stack of paper made out of elephant poop,” Kraus-Schmidt said. “So the yellow in the background is paper from that. And then the pieces here are cut from a vin-
artwork came alive at that point.
tage book. It’s actually like a chain link fence on a baseball field, and I cut them into strips and I put them on there.”
Her initial spark of artistry happened
during the pandemic. She was frustrated from working at home and needed an outlet. She had previously done photography and knitting, but her mixed media
“I started getting into doing collages, when I was working from home,” she said. “I found it very stressful when I was waiting for a phone call or an email. For some reason I would pick myself up, go into the next room and just start gluing down pieces of paper.”
Nancy Geng Vassilakis of Merrick shares her oil on foil artwork ‘Mysterion.’
Diane Tetelman, whose work includes acrylic on canvas, donates some of the proceeds from her sales to Sunrise Day Camp for kids with cancer.
The Art Studio was packed with attendees and artists on December 14 for the third annual Wonder Wall art show.
Michael Rechter/Herald photos
Melanie Palmeri of Rockville Centre showing her painting of ‘Thorns of Me.’
Barb Lobosco from Oceanside displaying her photography.
Michael Mutone and Danielle Barbaro, owners of The Art Studio, hosted the third annual Wonder Wall art show to provide local artists an opportunity to display their work at affordable prices for.
Vehicular accident claims the lives of two passengers
An 89-year-old man and his 88-year-old passenger died following a single-vehicle crash in Levittown on Sunday, Jan. 5, according to Nassau County police.
The man was identified as Gerhard Frobart, of Farmingdale, and the passenger was identified as Ella Gimpel, of East Meadow.
The accident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. when Frobart was driving
a 2001 Ford Taurus south on Loring Road. Police said the vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.
Frobart was pronounced dead at the scene, and Gimpel was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, where she later died.
The investigation is ongoing.
— Charles Shaw
Nassau County police: Arrest made in major scam scheme
A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of grand larceny, fraud, and other offenses in connection with an elaborate scam targeting elderly homeowners, police announced Sunday.
Nassau County detectives said Patrick Wall, who has no fixed address, approached victims between September 2023 and January 2025, claiming to be a masonry worker offering to repair parts of their homes. Wall allegedly gained the trust of his victims, many of whom were elderly, and began performing repair work. During the course of these projects, he is accused of intentionally causing additional damage to the properties to justify higher costs.
Following an extensive investigation, Nassau County detectives identified Wall as the perpetrator. He was located and arrested without incident. Detectives believe he may have targeted multiple homeowners across Nassau County during the nearly two-year period.
Wall is charged with grand larceny, criminal mischief, conspiracy, scheme to defraud, and numerous Town of Hempstead violations. He was arraigned on Jan. 5 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
Detectives are urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Wall’s scheme to contact Nassau County’s Third Squad at (516) 573-6354.
The victims, who initially accepted his offers in good faith, grew suspicious as the repair bills increased significantly. Believing they were being scammed, several victims contacted the police.
The Nassau County Police Department is also encouraging residents to remain vigilant and to remind vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbors to be cautious of potential scams or fraudulent schemes.
— Jordan Vallone
Patrick Wall
Courtesy John Scalesi
An elderly man and woman died after their car struck a utility pole on Loring Road in Levittown on Jan. 5.
Nominate a student under 16 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.
The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February. Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!
Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
STEPPING OUT
Step inside an epic adventure with Anna, Elsa and the Madrigal clan moments on ice
By Karen Bloom
Welcome the New Year in true Disney style. The latest Disney ice extravaganza arrives at UBS Arena in Elmont ready to enchant families once again. This time around the spotlight is on two of the newest tales — beloved by Disneyphiles in the Disney canon: “Frozen” and “Encanto.” Audiences can share in the special joy of these captivating adventures when Disney On Ice’s glides into UBS Arena, now through Jan. 12.
Families will be transported into two of Disney’s most popular films as the world of Anna, Elsa, Mirabel, and the Madrigal family unfolds up close. These adored characters are, of course, joined by Mickey and his crew. Along with Minnie, Donald and Goofy, audiences will sing-along to everyone’s favorite songs interpreted through world-class skating, aerial acrobatics and dynamic special effects.
• Now through Sunday, Jan.12; times vary
• Tickets start at $35, pre-show character experience also available for a fee; purchase at ticketmaster.com or disneyonice.com or in person at box office
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
As always, the atmosphere is electric from the get-go. From the opening segment with Mickey and the gang, we quickly arrive in Arendelle to the delight of all the “Annas” and “Elsas” in the audience. Olaf, the lovable snowman who likes warm hugs and all things summer, narrates the story everyone knows so well. Artful skating (what could be more fitting?) transports families to the snowy kingdom to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Kristoff and Sven take audiences along as they encounter wintry conditions in a race to bring back summer.
Elsa’s solo segment skated to “Let It Go” is among the highlights of the show’s first half. “It’s a big moment,” says Rebekah Johnson, who — off ice at this point — is exhilarated by the audience response.
At age 19, Johnson is experiencing the Disney magic for the first time as a performer. She joined the cast in September as an ensemble skater and couldn’t be happier.
Skating since she was two-years-old, the St. Paul, Minn.-based Johnson says “I always knew I was meant to be a show skater.”
Like her many castmates, she’s embraced Disney from a young age.
“I’ve always loved the princesses and ‘Frozen’,” she enthuses. “I’ve dreamed about skating for Disney for so long.”
From her first Disney On Ice experience as a young child to revisiting the spectacle as a teenager more recently, she knew this was where she belonged.
“When I saw the show again, I thought ‘this is so cool.’ I still dreamed about being a princess.”
While Johnson is not quite there yet, she’s relishing every moment as the youngest member of the cast and every moment on ice.
“I’ve wanted to skate for Disney for so long,” she continues. “It’s all very surreal, but it’s real!”
After a very Frozen adventure, the show’s second half takes everyone to a vibrant town in the mountains of Colombia where we meet the Madrigals, that extraordinary family who live in
Yacht Rock Revue
The kings of ‘70s tribute hit the road with an authentic throwback to the era. Yacht Rock Revue, hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” invites listeners on a nostalgic voyage through the ‘70s and’80s sun-soaked melodies. The Atlantabased 10-piece ensemble blends impeccable musicianship with a deep reverence for the genre. Their original album “Escape Artist” is a bold homage to this iconic sound. YRR continues to captivate audiences nationwide with their infectious energy and unabashedly joyous performances. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, YRR has emerged as pivotal in revitalizing yacht rock, sharing stages with icons and garnering a devoted following of “Anchorheads.” Whether performing in intimate venues or rocking arenas, their concerts promise an immersive musical journey that celebrates the timeless allure of smooth grooves.
Friday and Saturday, Jan.10-11, 8 p.m. $55, $40, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
a magical casita in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Mirabel tells the tale of her amazing family and her journey to save the casita — her enchanted family home — alongside her sisters: Isabela, whose perfection radiates with her ability to make plants grow and flowers bloom with every step, and Luisa, with the gift of super strength that she uses to help her village move buildings and reroute rivers.
For the first time live, everyone can witness Tia Pepa, who can control the weather with her emotions; her husband Felix; their daughter Dolores, with her gift to hear; and Bruno, the mysterious and misunderstood Madrigal family member whose visions foretold the future.
“I’m especially partial to ‘Encanto,” Johnson says. “It’s so upbeat, high energy, that everyone [in the audience] gets so exited.”
And, of course, We Don’t Talk About Bruno.
Here audiences especially respond to the aerial segment, which showcases the skaters’ acrobatic skills above the ice, along with plenty of ice dancing.
“It looks magical,” Johnson says.
And that’s the timeless Disney mantra: “Anything can happen if you just believe.”
In the end, audiences leave with the understanding that everyone has their own gifts, magical or not, and being true to yourself and loving those around you is what makes you special.
Or as Johnson puts it: “Magic is inside all of us.”
At the end, special appearance from Mulan and Li Shang, Belle and Prince Adam, Ariel and Eric, Aladdin and Jasmine, Miguel from Coco, and Moana celebrate that iconic Disney “magic” in a rousing finale.
Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment
Smooth Dre’s Rhythmic Odyssey
Experience the pulse of Brooklyn hip-hop with Smooth Dre and his crew. A renowned figure in Brooklyn, he’s carved a niche in the hip-hop world with his unique style and profound lyrical narratives. Known for blending classic beats with rich, contemporary rhythms, Smooth Dre delivers music that resonates with authenticity and depth. His journey from underground circuits to mainstream stages has been marked by a steadfast dedication to his craft and an unwavering commitment to his roots. Smooth Dre’s influence extends beyond music; he is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of hip-hop in every aspect of his life. Dive into a night of relentless beats and lyrical storytelling with Smooth Dre, a maestro of urban soundscapes, with his friends.
Saturday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. $70. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or madisontheatreny.org.
Photos: Dreams do come true when the royal sisters of Arendelle are joined by the Madrigal family in a ice spectacle that fully brings both films to life.
THE Your Neighborhood
Dave Atell
Jan. 19
Start the New Year off with some laughs from one of stand-up comedy’s best, when Dave Atell visits the Paramount stage, Sunday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. An all-timegreat joke writer, named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, 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 has headed several shows of his own. “Insomniac” followed Attell on late-night trips, tracking down and interviewing anyone who wasn’t asleep for some reason (usually either night workers or drunk people), while “Dave’s Old Porn...well, you can Google that one yourself.” When not on the road, Attell makes regular appearances at the Comedy Cellar in New York City. $59.50, $49.50, $44.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
In concert
Plaza
Theatricals’ welcomes the New Year, with an Elvis tribute, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m. Ritchie Santa performs “Elvis Is In The House,” keeping the King’s legacy alive. Santa often shares how, even 47 years after his passing, Elvis connects people who might never have met otherwise. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Icebreaker Marathon
Start off the New Year on the right foot with a series of races at Eisenhower Park, Saturday, Jan. 25. The Icebreaker marathon, half marathon and 5K are slated to begin around 9 a.m. in the park’s Field 2, near Parking Lot 2. To register and for more information, visit EliteFeats.com/25icebreaker.
Teen volunteer hour: Chemo Care
Bellmore Chamber installation
The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores hosts its annual installation dinner, Saturday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m. Celebrate a year of business and looking ahead to another at Crest Hollow Country Club. To register and for more information, visit bellmorechamber. com. 8325 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury.
Merrick Flea Market
Brave the cold this winter and hit up the Merrick Winter Sunday Flea Market, Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Merrick LIRR. Shop a wide range of arts, crafts, gifts, antiques and more. Admission is free and food will be available for purchase. The vendor fair opens at 8 a.m., and will close at 5 p.m., weather permitting.
Teen patrons of North Merrick Public Library can earn volunteer hours by helping create inspiration cards and toes for kids who are receiving chemotherapy in hospitals, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 4-5 p.m. For more, visit nmerricklibrary. org. 1691 Meadowbrook Road, N. Merrick.
Read to a dog
Fans of pups and reading will find joy in both at Bellmore Memorial Library, Saturday, Jan. 18. At an event geared for children ages 4-12, young readers will get to share a book of their choice with a friendly, trained therapy dog from Therapy Dogs of Long Island. There are multiple timeslots between 10 and 11 a.m. available. Registration required. To register and learn more, visit bellmorelibrary.org. 2288 Bedford Ave.
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Open House
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education (CTE) high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. Following an introduction to the school led by administrators, there will be self-guided tours of the facility. Additional open house sessions are offered in February. Interested students and their families can register for the Open House at nassauboces. org/barrytech or call (516) 6226812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.
Merrick Chamber installation
Merrick Chamber of Commerce hosts its 89th annual Installation Dinner and Awards Celebration, Thursday, Jan. 30, at Mio Posto, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The chamber will celebrate a year of business and honor its Woman of the Year, Man of the Year, Professional of the Year and Merchant of the Year. To register, visit merrickchamber.org. 16
Merrick Ave.
Musical seasons
Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the 2025 unique chamber music series, “Four Seasons in Music,” Sunday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m. The duoJalal ensemble-in-residence led by Kathryn Lockwood on viola, with percussionist Yousif Sheronick, violinists Deborah Buck and Emma Frucht and cellist Caroline Stinson presents a German flavored. Celebrating Germany’s rich history of extraordinary composers, including Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms, to the less traditional, this concert will warm you up on a winter afternoon.
A reception follows. $56, $45 members. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For tickets and information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Having an event?
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mercy Hospital offers a peer-topeer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.
School of Rock showcase
Jam out with local musicians at a School of Rock showcase, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 11-12, at the Bellmore Movies and Showplace. The event is free to attend, and music will be played between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both days. For more information, visit SchoolofRock. com. 222 Petitt Ave., Bellmore.
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.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts.
The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. Opens Jan. 18, on view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Fit As A Fiddle
Jan. 11
Visit Long Island Children’s Museum to celebrate Family Fit Lifestyle Month, Saturday, Jan. 11, noon-2 p.m. Families can make a take-home custom fitness game to get in tip top shape by having fun, at the drop-in program. For ages 3 and up. Free with admission. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Hanukkah celebration brings people together
The Jewish community of came together to celebrate Hanukkah with nightly public menorah lightings hosted by the East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1.
The East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center was formed in a merger between the East Meadow Jewish Center and the former Temple Beth-El of Bellmore. It serves residents from East Meadow, Bellmore and Merrick.
Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt. Central to the holiday is the miracle of the oil, which, despite being enough for just one day, burned for eight, symbolizing faith and perseverance.
Each evening, community members gathered outdoors to light the menorah, a tradition that highlights unity and the spreading of light in the face of darkness. The celebration culminated on the final night with a gathering at the synagogue, where families enjoyed treats, light refreshments, and the joy of being together.
The nightly celebrations emphasized the importance of coming together as a community to honor tradition and share in the spirit of the holiday season.
— Jordan Vallone
At the end of the evening, each of the synagogue’s menorah candles were lit.
for Pretium Mortgage Acquisition Trust, Plaintiff AGAINST Daniel Forth; April Forth a/k/a April Irene Forth a/k/a April I. Forth; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 26, 2023 I, the
that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 56 Block 239 Lot 62. Approximate amount of judgment $246,159.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 612468/2018. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Melissa D. Mohan, Esq., Referee
with his grandmother, had a great time celebrating the last night of Hanukkah.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Members of the East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center gathered on Jan. 1 for the final night of Hanukkah.
Avi Pritzkpt, 10, helped Rabbi Aaron Marsh light the shamash, the tallest candle on the menorah.
Ziggy Wishnerviski, 4,
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.
Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT
DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
HomesHERALD
Spectacular Center Hall Colonial
My meeting with a president, and what might have been
Thank you, Jimmy Carter.
When I was a student in Florence, Italy, in 1979, I was invited to a fellow student’s home in Munich. There I was awakened by loud noises out in the street, and watched a huge truck with giant arms and claws that was lifting several odd-shaped bins from two street corners at the same time.
My friend explained that this was something called “recycling.” The truck was gathering separated bins of brown, green and clear glass and paper, all at the same time. I was intrigued, and further investigated this new idea, writing six pages of notes. After I returned to the U.S., I hand-wrote that six-page letter to the president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.
Then a strange thing happened. Our office secretary in Monroe, Michigan, came to my desk and said that a man named William Ruckleshaus, chairman of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, was on the phone, and wanted to speak to me. He explained that President Carter had received my letter and wanted to meet. I was 22 years old.
Because it was election time, the president was doing town hall meetings across the country, and selected a high school near my home in Toledo, Ohio. I was sent a special pass to give to Secret Service agents, and on Oct. 25, 1980, at 9:42 am, in a crowded gymnasium, I presented my pass to a tall Marine-like agent who seemed to be aware of the arrangement. He didn’t hesitate. I was walked behind a backdrop by two agents, down a hallway and seated in a classroom.
In walked President Carter, and he came over, shook my hand and sat in a school desk next to me. He was holding my letter on recycling, and we discussed the many specific things he was interested in implementing, starting with government, to reduce waste in the United States. I kept answering, “Yes, Mr. President,” and he kept saying, “Call me Jimmy.”
As we talked, he smiled that big Jimmy Carter grin, and I kept thinking he was too genuinely sincere, too nice to be the president, too down-to-earth — and how surreal the moment was. But the most surreal of all was when he asked me if I would come to Washington, D.C., and work with him to implement this program from the White House. I immediately answered, “Yes, Mr. President,” still unable to call him Jimmy. Then he smiled at me one more time and said, “Of course, I have to get re-elected.” He lost to Ronald Reagan, and the rest is history. I always wonder how my life would have been, working with the president, overseeing a new program that never materialized. I wouldn’t have crossed paths with the young lady who has shared my life for 43 years, never enjoyed the two daughters we raised or the grandchildren we fuss over, might not have opened my own architectural practice, moved to Long Island or started writing a column for the Herald. I wonder. Thank you, Jimmy Carter!
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
STEMWARE, CRYSTAL FROM Macy's Water, Wine, Champagne. 6 each. Original Boxes. Never Used. $95. (516)225-9191 SERVICES
Cable/TV/Wiring
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
Electricians
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
Exterminating
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Home Improvement
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641
DO YOU KNOW what's in your water?
Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496
Miscellaneous
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
Plumbing
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. Family Plumbing. 516-599-1011.
Telephone Services
CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
Satellite/TV Equipment
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Health & Fitness
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY US-
ERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
Legal Services
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
Telecommunications
AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803
Autos Wanted
AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$.
TTY:
Once again, there’s a New Yorker in the White House
When Donald Trump is inaugurated as our 47th president the week after next, he will (once again) be the only president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt who is a born-and-bred New Yorker. Despite his recent relocation to Florida, where he has presided from Mar-a-Lago like an overlord, Trump has never escaped his New York roots. This is important to New York and Long Island. I say this not because of any native-son pride, but because downstate New York has unique issues and challenges that can be best understood and addressed by a true New Yorker. Like me, Trump grew up in Queens, but that’s where the geographic comparison ends. He was raised in very upscale Jamaica Estates. I grew up in very bluecollar Sunnyside. Same time; different stations. Of course, that didn’t stop
Trump from implying to people in Washington that he and I grew up together. So much so that non-New York members of Congress would ask me, “What kind of guy was he growing up?” And my misleading non-answer would always be, “Same as he is today.”
WDespite the very different economic aspects of our upbringings, Trump and I, in many ways, spoke the same language. I distinctly remember when he invited me to the White House in February 2017, a few weeks after his inauguration, for a routine billsigning ceremony. As we spoke for just a few minutes, he gave a big smile and said, “It’s great to hear that New York accent down here.”
anti-MS-13 efforts succeeded in crushing the gang’s reign of terror in Nassau and Suffolk counties.)
e’ll need President Trump’s support and cooperation to address critical issues.
Probably the most relaxed I ever saw Trump was when he invited me to join him at ringside for a night of UFC fights at Madison Square Garden in November 2019. The loud fullhouse crowd chanting “USA!” and giving him thumbs ups was a stark contrast to the Ukraine impeachment proceedings against him that were under way at the same time in Washington.
This year, his giant rallies at Madison Square Garden and the Nassau Coliseum were major parts of his winning campaign.
Executive Bruce Blakeman, county Republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo and former Congressman Lee Zeldin. Trump’s brother Robert lived in Garden City for many years until he died in 2020. On a somber note, I was there last March when Trump came to the funeral home in Massapequa to comfort the family of murdered NYPD hero Jonathan Diller.
Several times when I was talking with him on Air Force One, when he was flying to Long Island to address the MS-13 murder spree, I felt as if I were speaking with just another guy on a Queens street corner, and had to keep reminding myself that I was talking to the president of the United States. (His
Trump also had friendships with Long Islanders such as former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato, from his years in Washington, and Joe Mondello, who was Trump’s attorney in several business transactions and was later appointed ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago by Trump. More recently, the president-elect has formed close friendships with County
Over the next several years, New York will need the support and cooperation of President Trump to address critical issues, including illegal immigration, crime and drugs, health care for those who continue to be affected by the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, aging infrastructure, congested traffic and high taxes. We will especially need him to fight off anti-New York elements in the Republican Party who have too often in the past clearly demonstrated their geographic bias. Together, whether Republican or Democrat, New Yorkers should work to find common ground with the president to make New York great again.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
The challenge of being president in challenging times
We are entering a new year, in which there will be many challenges for all of us. But the biggest ones will be for President-elect Donald Trump, who is about to embark on a historic second term. We know what he will do on Inauguration Day, but the real question is what kind of president he will be when the history of his second term is written.
Trump made many promises to voters, and there is no doubt that he will fulfill many of them. Voters were clearly concerned about the immigration challenges at the borders, and Trump has pledged to close them down and begin a program of mass deportations. Many voters were unhappy with the way our government works, and for better or worse, there will be changes. The proposed appointees to the Trump cabinet are in most cases total unknowns when it comes to government experience. Thinking that his new
team will be able to function effectively is a big wish that may or may not come true. Many of the proposed cabinet members have never run any type of business, and in some cases their only qualification is that Trump likes them. That could be a recipe for disaster.
Thinking that Trump’s new team will be able to function effectively is a big wish.
Aside from the promise to shut down the borders, the big Trump pledge was that he would do something about the high cost of things like eggs and other household needs. In the weeks since the election, he has made it clear that cutting down on such things as grocery costs is too difficult to accomplish.
Much of his presidency will be defined on Jan. 20, when he will sign a number of executive orders. Some may win broad public acceptance, but others may lead Trump voters to question whether they were the reason they supported him. The pledge to pardon Jan. 6 rioters pleased a small segment of the population, but freeing convicted thugs would send the wrong message in a country that prides itself on law and order.
Trump has pledged to dramatically
cut energy costs by embarking on massive oil and gas drilling programs. Whether that can have any effect is questionable, because the country experienced record oil and gas drilling in 2024, and creating extra product doesn’t mean that prices will go down. We consumers know from experience that the oil and gas producers don’t give any discounts to motorists or homeowners.
Some Trump voters have expressed a desire for our country to curtail any overseas relationships and to once again make the United States into an isolationist country. We went through that experience in the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler was beginning to map out his plan to control Europe and the rest of the world. Since those dark days, we, our friends and supporters have created NATO, and our country has assured our allies that we will defend them if any of our enemies attack them. Obviously, that means China or Russia.
There is no doubt that the Trump presidency will bring about many changes in the way our nation functions. History shows that every president makes some type of imprint on the
country. In many cases, he spends a lot of time trying to erase his predecessor’s accomplishments, and Trump will devote a substantial amount of time to doing exactly that.
In the run-up to Jan. 20, he has talked about a takeover of Greenland and a seizure of the Panama Canal. Greenland still has strong ties to Denmark, which we can be sure isn’t in the mood to give up a land mass rich in precious minerals and other raw materials. Panama controls the canal under a treaty entered into by President Jimmy Carter. Serious attempts to seize the canal would raise questions around the world about America’s written word.
Four years go by fast, and as the clock ticks, historians assess the accomplishments and mistakes of every president. We hope there will be many positive changes from a Trump administration, and that America will be a better place after his tenure ends. That’s my wish for 2025 and beyond, and, I’m sure, everyone’s hope.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
HERALD
Feeling under siege? Combat the chaos.
are you still emotionally shaken by the violent, seemingly random acts that occurred shortly before we turned the calendar and again on New Year’s Day?
On Dec. 22, a woman was burned alive on a Brooklyn subway train. On New Year’s Eve, a man was critically injured when he was pushed into the path of an oncoming subway train in Manhattan.
On Jan. 1, the year just hours old, we awoke to the news of multiple deaths and dozens of injuries when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Later that morning, a Tesla Cybertruck detonated outside a Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others. And four gunmen opened fire outside a nightclub in Queens that night, injuring 10.
When these kinds of headlines intrude into our lives, we may feel as though the world is unraveling. The ripple effects are profound: Lives are lost or forever changed, public spaces are emptied, and once-reliable joys like festivals, parades and football bowl games are relegated to the realm of unimportance.
This sense of being constantly on edge is exhausting. But amid the grief and uncertainty, there are ways to process our emotions, respond constructively, and help ourselves and others find solace and strength.
What should we do?
When violence or tragedy strikes, the
letters
Advocating for child care in New York
To the Editor:
The year ahead will be filled with uncertainty and opportunity. Our leaders in New York must create the conditions necessary for every child to thrive, while safeguarding our state’s safety net.
We must demand full funding for our child care and public education systems, ensure that every family has a home and access to health care, guarantee clean air and safe environments, and protect every immigrant. We must demand that our state takes a bold position and does not waver from it. Most important, we must demand that the ultra-wealthy and extremely profitable corporations pay their fair share, because that’s the key to funding the essential services that help everyone succeed.
For too long, corporate politicians and their wealthy donors have put their interests ahead of the needs of our public schools, child care and working families. It’s time for a change. Here’s what we’re fighting for to make this
first imperative is safety. Avoiding highrisk situations and being vigilant in public spaces are more important than ever.
We must also safeguard our emotional and psychological well-being. Start with staying informed, but not letting yourself be overwhelmed. The 24-hour news cycle has a way of amplifying fear, and while information is crucial, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s time to step back. Be selective about your sources of information, and balance the hard truths of current events with stories that remind you of the good in humanity.
It’s also essential to strengthen our communities. Feeling under siege isolates us, making us retreat into individual fear. But fear is best countered collectively. Reach out to neighbors, join local groups or participate in civic events that promote unity.
Advocate for solutions. Moments of crisis are not always random acts of chaos; they are often symptoms of systemic issues, whether it’s gun violence, mental health crises or deep societal divisions. Supporting policies and groups that address these root causes — and working constructively with people whose opinions differ on the issues — is one way to reclaim a sense of agency in a world that feels out of control.
How should we feel?
The emotions stirred by these tragedies are complex and valid. There’s fear, anger, sadness and sometimes even guilt
— guilt over feeling powerless or for wanting to escape the constant barrage of bad news. It’s important to allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment.
Be resilient. Focus on what you can control. Small, deliberate acts — reaching out to a friend, writing to a policymaker or simply stepping outside for a walk — can help restore a sense of balance. While we may not be able to prevent every tragedy, we can control how we respond to them.
How can we help?
Be present. Show up for others. Simple gestures, such as offering an attentive ear or a comforting word, are appreciated. Help the people who are directly affected. Donate to relief funds, volunteer at community centers or contribute to organizations addressing the systemic causes of violence and instability.
Share stories of courage, kindness and resilience. Elevate these stories — not in an effort to persuade others to ignore the pain, but to remind you and them that even in the darkest moments, light filters through.
Feeling under siege doesn’t mean we are powerless. It means that we are called to action — both in our personal lives and in our communities. We are called to care for one another, to demand better from our leaders, and to work toward a future in which safety and joy are not fleeting privileges but shared realities.
Let’s put politics aside and just save lives
in politics, disagreements are inevitable. They’re part of a system designed to encourage debate and foster diverse perspectives. But some issues transcend politics — or at least they should.
The fight to equip our first responders with life-saving epinephrine autoinjectors, or EpiPens, is one of those issues. And yet, despite its life-or-death implications, my legislation to mandate EpiPens in Nassau County police vehicles has been stonewalled by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Republican leaders in the Legislature.
I introduced this bill inspired by stories like that of Georgina Cornago, whose son Gio died tragically in 2013 of an allergic reaction. Georgina has turned her unimaginable pain into a relentless mission to prevent others from suffering the same loss. Through her foundation, Love for Giovanni, she’s educated countless people about the dangers of food allergies, advocated for epinephrine accessibility and helped save lives. Her story has touched the hearts of many, including mine.
nCornago’s advocacy has already borne fruit. In 2019, thanks to her tireless efforts, New York passed Gio’s Law, which allows first responders like police officers to carry epinephrine. But her mission is far from over. On a national stage, she continues to push for epinephrine to be as ubiquitous as AEDs, ensuring that no child — or parent — is left defenseless against anaphylaxis. Yet here in Nassau County, where Gio’s story began, we’ve failed to honor his legacy by failing to act.
Anaphylaxis doesn’t care about your socioeconomic status, your neighborhood or your political affiliation. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. A child at a birthday party accidentally eating the wrong cake. A teenager at a school event who doesn’t realize there are peanuts in the dessert. A parent walking in the park. Seconds can mean the difference between life and death, and police officers, often the first on the scene of an emergency, can administer epinephrine quickly.
lives and the peace of mind it offers families. Training officers to use the devices takes less than 30 minutes. Nassau police officers already carry Narcan to combat opioid overdoses, and equipping them with EpiPens is a logical, lifesaving next step.
assau County police should carry potentially lifesaving EpiPens.
Cornago has said time and again, “Every second counts.” Yet here we are, wasting months on partisan bickering while lives hang in the balance. Neighboring Suffolk County has already implemented similar measures, demonstrating both the feasibility and necessity of such a program.
So why are Nassau Republicans blocking this bill? The answer escapes me, and I suspect it escapes the parents who worry every day about their children’s safety. This obstructionism isn’t just shortsighted — it’s morally indefensible.
standard. Imagine a Nassau County in which every patrol car carries the tools to save a life. Imagine the relief parents would feel knowing their local police officers are equipped to protect their children from anaphylaxis. This is an achievable goal, and it starts with passing this legislation.
Cornago’s advocacy has shown us what’s possible when determination meets compassion. She’s organized events like Trunk or Treat to create safe spaces for kids with allergies. She’s worked to install public signs in parks, raising awareness of food allergies. She’s even helped educate school districts about the need for accessible EpiPens. Her efforts have saved lives. Now it’s time for the County Legislature to do its part.
At just $100 per EpiPen thanks to a new price cap on the drug — a cost that could be reduced through bulk purchasing — the cost of implementing this program is negligible, especially when weighed against the potential to save
Letters
happen:
■ Tax the ultra-wealthy and corporations. New York has the public dollars we need, but only when we pass legislation that makes millionaires, billionaires and highly profitable corporations pay their fair share. The Invest in Our New York campaign shows how we can raise revenue to support our schools, affordable child care and working families. By ensuring fair taxation, we will finally provide the support our kids, educators, and child-care workers have needed for far too long.
■ A fairer, stronger future for all. Every child needs access to a highquality education, no matter their background. But we can’t make that happen without a state budget that prioritizes equity. The Invest in Our New York campaign offers a blueprint for raising the public dollars needed to fund our education and child-care programs. It’s time for a state budget that focuses on the well-being of all New Yorkers — not just the wealthiest.
Your voice is crucial to making these changes a reality. Join us for Child Care Advocacy Day, on Jan. 28, and AQE Advocacy Day, on Feb. 4. Together we can ensure that the 2025 budget prioritizes public education,
early care and learning, and universal child care, so that all of New York’s children have the resources they need to succeed.
Let’s make 2025 the year we secure a more just and equitable future for every New Yorker.
Re Peter king’s column, “Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly (Dec. 19-25): I agree with you, Mr. king: “Blue Bloods” will be missed. It was very well acted and written. What really bothers me is that CBS would not reconsider, despite strong ratings and even stronger outcry about the show ending.
How about another network taking the show, or even better, HBO? It would have worked. It’s a shame that it ended its run this way.
TONY GIAMETTA Oceanside
It’s time for us to focus on what truly matters: protecting our community. For years, Cornago has been fighting to ensure that no other family has to endure the loss she suffered. Her dedication should inspire us all. Yet instead of supporting her mission, some in the Legislature seem more intent on scoring political points.
Imagine a world in which Gio’s Law isn’t just a state initiative but a national
To my Republican colleagues, I say, listen to Georgina. Listen to the countless parents who’ve written, called and pleaded for action. Listen to the doctors and first responders who know what’s at stake. This is not about politics; it’s about saving lives.
Let’s not allow bureaucracy and partisanship to stand in the way of progress. We owe it to Gio’s memory, to Georgina’s tireless efforts, and to every Nassau County family to act now. Passing this legislation is not just the right thing to do — it’s the only thing to do.
Seth I. Koslow represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District.
Framework by Alexis Morledge
At Blarney Castle — but did he kiss the stone? — County Cork, Ireland
