Franklin Square/Elmont Herald 01-02-2025

Sogna Santana, 9-year-old Apollo Theater winner

By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com

Sogna Bella Santana has been carrying a tune since before she could even talk. She would hum along with her grandfather and copy the melodies he sang. By age four, Sogna’s mother signed her up for dance classes, but she couldn’t keep herself from singing along to the songs. Soon after, she began performing in children’s productions, landing several lead roles, including the title role in “Annie.”

Then, on June 26, at just nine years old, Sogna won Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater.

Sogna, originally from Franklin Square, recalled the moment she found out she’d be performing at the famous theater. She said she got off the bus after school and her mother, Gloria, told her she had a surprise for her. “I was like, ‘What is it? A toy?’”

Sogna laughed. “But she goes, ‘No. You’re going to sing at the Apollo.’”

“It’s very competitive,” Gloria said. “You have to audition, so you have to be talented already.” For her performance, Sogna sang “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston. Gloria said she got a standing ovation.

After winning Amateur Night, Sogna received a large $5,000 check and was invited

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Local civic celebrates anniversary

By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com

The Garden City South Community League, a civic association serving Franklin Square, celebrated its 95th anniversary at the Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant on Dec. 4. More than 60 guests were in attendance, including Nassau County officials and members of the civic association, to commemorate the league’s history and honor its service to the Franklin Square community.

Icivic association in New York, initially served all of Nassau County. But was scaled back in 1952 to include only Franklin Square School District 17, as other civic associations became incorporated.

In celebration of the league’s history, elected officials included Assemblyman Ed Ra, County Comptroller Elaine Philips and Legislator John Giuffre presented awards to Kelly, league Director Ellen Andrasick and former County Legislator Laura Schaefer.

t’s a great community. Nobody leaves this town because that’s just the way Franklin Square is. We support each other.

At the cocktail party, there was a table display of the league’s minutes, treasurers’ reports and newspaper clippings dating back to the 1950s. League President Marge Kelly said those items would eventually be given to the Franklin Square Historical Society for preservation.

MARgE KEllY President,

Garden

City South Community League

The league, which was originally established on Dec. 2, 1929, as the first incorporated

Kelly was recognized for her community service, although she wanted to make sure the rest of her board was commended for the support they’ve given her since she became president in 2018. “Everyone views the presidency as this big thing,” she said. “I’m out front and center, fighting the fight. But nobody works alone. I do nothing with-

Continued on page 9

Courtesy Anthony Lee

Sogna Bella Santana performs on the apollo Historic theater stage for amateur night: Holiday Special on dec. 14.

Hablamos Español

News briefs

Local band performs concert for students

John Street School students attended the festive multicultural show, “Mistletunes,” performed by the Squeaky Clean Band on Dec. 17 in the school’s gymnasium.

The music group, led by singers Suzanne Smithline and Glenn Manion, discussed the different holidays and traditions observed in December, including Christmas, Chanukah and

Kwanzaa. The students clapped and sang along to renditions of classic holiday tunes, including “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer,” “The Dreidel Song” and “Feliz Navidad.” They also learned the seven principles of Kwanzaa, reciting them in Swahili.

–Renee DeLorenzo

Local student presents at Cell Bio 2024

Aafia Ahmed, a senior at Elmont Memorial High School, presented and discussed her work with professional cell biologists at the recent American Society for Cell Biology conference in San Diego from Dec. 14 to Dec. 18.

According to a news release about the event, Ahmed worked with her mentors at Albert Einstein College of Medicine for the past two years and has a firstauthor credit published in bioRxiv for her work. Her research was titled “JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway mediates methylmercury-induced toxicity in a mouse astrocyte neuronal C8-D1A line.”

Cell Bio 2024 was the joint meeting of ASCB and European Molecular Biology Organization. According to the news release, the event showcased a diverse global community of the brightest minds in cell biology. The event focused on networking, presenting cutting-edge research and highlighting the latest findings in cell biology and emerging interdisciplinary topics.

Aafia Ahmed, a senior at Elmont Memorial High School, presented and discussed her work with professional cell biologists at the recent Cell Bio 2024.

“Aafia consistently pursues scientific research above and beyond what is required,” Elmont Memorial Science Research Coordinator Michelle Flan -

nory said. “We are so proud that her abstract was selected for presentation at this event.”

Courtesy Franklin Square School District

Squeaky Clean Band members perform multicultural holiday tunes on the gymnasium stage.

–Renee DeLorenzo

Courtesy Sewanhaka Central High School District

New era at county’s medical center

Megan Ryan, Dr. Grace Ting and Shannon Costello enter leadership roles

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 previously served in these roles as interims and have extensive experience at NUMC.

In a December interview with the Herald, they discussed their long-standing connections to the hospital, their career journeys at NUMC, and their visions for the facility as they formally step into their new 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.

Before working at NUMC, Ryan served as an inhouse 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.”

Ryan said she took a “leap of faith” entering health care, but said her role really began to change at NUMC after the coronavirus pandemic. “I wasn’t the lawyer that was writing contracts or reviewing things or telling people no,” she said. “I was you know, doing the fundraising, and then I was going to all the different floors to see what they needed. I will be the first to say I’m not clinical — I leave the clinical stuff to the clinicians — but it was nice to work together.”

Her leadership role at NUMC has really cemented the belief that the hospital’s role in Nassau County is vital.

“I get frustrated when people are like ‘it’s a poor person’s hospital,’” she said. “As a Catholic, I love our mission. We treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay — it is a saintly thing to do. It is a moral thing to do.”

The hospital’s administration, she said, is poised to help NUMC succeed.

“These are all people that have their hearts in this place,” Ryan said, “and they’re experts in their field.

NUMC’s future

Ryan said her goals have always been clear: She wants to work with the 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. The hospital employees 3,600 employees, Ryan said, and she feels both a commitment to them and the broader Long Island community. Look-

At a glance: NUMC leadership

Megan Ryan

■ Named president and chief executive

■ First woman to lead Nassau Health Care Corporation

■ Served for nearly a decade as general counsel and interim president and chief executive since January

Dr. Grace Ting

■ Veteran NUMC physician named chief medical officer

■ Previously served in the role on interim basis

Shannon Costello

■ Appointed chief nursing officer

■ Experienced nurse leader who had been serving in position on an interim basis

ing ahead, hospital departments are working on sustainability plans, Ryan said, so the administration at NUMC can best assess needs across the board and roll out plans to help every part of the hospital succeed.

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.”

Tim Baker/Herald

Nassau University Medical Center is kicking off the New Year with three women holding top leadership positions. From left, Shannon Costello, the chief nursing officer, Dr. Grace Ting, the chief medical officer, and Megan Ryan, the president and chief executive, were appointed to their positions at a Dec. 5 board meeting.

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

The New Corporate Transparency Act

The Corporate Transparency Act came into being this year as part of the AntiMoney Laundering Act. This act is designed to combat terrorism, tax fraud and moneylaundering. Under the act, corporations and LLC’s are required to report who their “beneficial owners” are in a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOI report) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement network (FinCEN) on an annual basis. The BOI report is due by January 13, 2025 for entities formed before 2024 and within 90 days of formation or registration for entities formed in 2024. For entities formed after 2025, the BOI report is required to be filed within 30 days.

The BOI report must contain the following information:

1. The entities’ full name (and any alternative names which it is doing business under)

2. Address

3. Where it was formed or registered

4. Its tax id number (EIN)

The BOI report must include the following information for each “beneficial owner” — defined as any individual who has “substantial control” over the entity or owns or controls at least 25%. “Substantial control” means serving as a senior officer, having authority to remove a senior officer or a majority of the board of directors, or in charge of or having substantial interest over major corporate decisions. The trustee of a trust may be a “beneficial owner” if the trust owns an interest in the entity.

The “beneficial owner” must report:

1. Full legal name

2. Date of birth

3. Home or business address

4. Identifying number from passport or driver’s license along with scanned copy of the document.

For help in reporting, search fincen.gov, call the helpline at 800-949-2732, or google “help with fincen reporting” to locate online services that will assist with the application for a fee.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

Elmont All-District Chorus performs at board meeting

Students from the Elmont School District performed in the annual Winter Concert Celebration for the Elmont board meeting at Clara H. Carlson School on Dec. 10.

According to a news release about the meeting, this yearly tradition is a special night for the school district. The All-District Chorus features approximately 100 sixth graders from all six buildings in the Elmont School District. The news release said students in the chorus rehearsed once as a group shortly before putting on the performance that evening.

Students in the chorus started the concert by singing about the winter season in “Let’s Take a Sleigh Ride.” The chorus then performed “December Nights,” which is a song about various celebrations honored throughout the

month of December. The Winter Concert Celebration concluded with a rendition of the classic holiday tune, “Feliz Navidad.”

“You’ve warmed our hearts in getting us ready for the holiday season,” Superintendent of Schools Marlon Small said to the students. Thank you for a job well done.”

The news release said performances were made possible through the district’s dedicated music staff Ginta Bukauskas from Alden Terrace School, Daniell Dorsainvill from Clara H. Carlson School, Sheryl Turk from Covert Avenue School, Emily Stark from Dutch Broadway School, Anthony Pino from Gotham Avenue School and Aidan Timko from Stewart Manor School.

–Renee DeLorenzo

■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/franklinsquare or www.liherald.com/elmont

E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: fseditor@liherald.com

EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 282 E-mail: fseditor@liherald.com ■

(516) 622-7460

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■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

franklin square/elmont

Courtesy Elmont School District

Elmont’s All-District Chorus performing in the annual Winter Concert Celebration for the board meeting at Clara H. Carlson School on Dec. 10.

ALLIE TWIBLE

East Meadow Senior Basketball

AFTER HELPING LEAD the Jets to a historic 2023-24 season that ended in the state semifinals, Twible got her senior campaign off to a roaring start by reaching the 1,000-career point milestone Dec. 10. She was named First Team All-Long Island as a junior and was a major part in East Meadow’s first-ever Nassau County and L.I. championship teams. Twible has averaged close to 20 points per game over the past two seasons.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, Jan. 2

Wrestling: Plainedge at MacArthur 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Sewanhaka at Manhasset 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 3

Boys Basketball: Friends Aca. at Long Beach 12 p.m.

Wrestling: Kennedy at Hewlett 4 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Farmingdale at West Hemp 5 p.m.

Wrestling: Lawrence at North Shore 6 p.m.

Wrestling: Lynbrook at Clarke 6 p.m.

Wrestling: East Meadow at Long Beach 6 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Freeport at Seaford 6:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Hewlett at Oceanside 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Oceanside at South Side 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 4

Girls Basketball: Plainedge at Lynbrook 10 a.m.

Girls Basketball: Calhoun at Division 11 a.m.

Girls Basketball: Malverne at Mineola 11 a.m.

Boys Basketball: Plainedge at Clarke 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Jericho at Kennedy 1 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 6

Wrestling: North Shore at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Hewlett at Carey 5 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Sewanhaka holds off Carey

By NIKO SCARLATOS sports@liherald.com

The Sewanhaka girls’ basketball team defeated Conference AA2 rival Carey Dec. 16, 41-35.

After a 1-3 start to the season, this was the second consecutive victory for Sewanhaka, getting it back to the .500 mark just six games into the 2024-25 campaign.

Junior Lilah Lopez led the way in scoring for the host Ravens with 13 points, while Laila Paz scored 14 for Carey.

Sewanhaka head coach Alex Soupios knew stopping Paz was going to be the biggest key to success. “The whole strategy was to stop their best player,” he said. “Laila Paz is an incredible basketball player and we knew that coming in. We worked on hedging on screens while having five players guarding one.”

Soupios went on to say how impressed he was with Carey’s improvement over the last couple of season. “Carey has gotten better and better every single season,” he said. “A lot of credit to head coach Anthony Turco and the hard work that the players have put in over there.”

Sewanhaka also got big performances from its seniors. Center Saniya Moreau finished just shy of a triple double with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 blocked shots. Aniya Marriott chipped in with nine points, and Janiya Grant had seven points. Junior starting point guard Tamia Williams also played a big role facilitating the offense despite not scoring.

Grant gave credit to her teammates. “It was a great team win for us,” said Grant. “I’m really proud of everyone.”

She also has high hopes for the Ravens’ expectations going forward. “This team has the potential to go really far,” she said. “If we continue to play well, this team can do really well in the playoffs.”

After back to back wins, Soupios wants his team to continue to trust the process. “We just have to stay the course here,” he said. “There’s always things to improve on with this team so if we can learn from our mistakes, it will really go a long way. I like the direction that we’re going.”

Sue Grieco/Herald

Junior Lilah Lopez, right, scored 13 points Dec. 16 as Sewanhaka edged neighboring Carey, 41-35, in a Conference AA2 game.

For Turco and the Seahawks, who opened the season 5-1, it was a valiant effort despite the loss. “We always have great battles against this team,” said Turco. “I’m proud of the girls because we did not give up and worked hard despite going down by as many as nine at halftime. That’s really the biggest takeaway for me.” Turco also praised his team’s toughness. “We were tough today and gutted it out,” he said. “For them to realize that we can play and compete is really all I could ask for.”

It was a balanced effort for Carey,

which contributions from plenty of others besides Paz. Amelia Kalamaris had seven points, senior captain Alessandra Varuzzi chipped in with 6 points, and Andrea Arias, Sophia Barrera, Daisy Buja, and Mikayla DePaolo who each got on the scoresheet with two points.

While the Seahawks did all they could, there still are ways to improve going forward. “We missed a bunch of shots early on,” Turco said. “If we don’t fall behind in the first half, the outcome could have been different.”

Carey hosts the rematch Jan. 27 at 5 p.m.

HERALD SchoolS

Sewanhaka high school celebrates holidays

Sewanhaka Central High School District celebrated the holiday season and student accomplishments at the board of education meeting at H. Frank Carey High School on the evening of Dec. 17.

Carey High School student Shivani Pillai, a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, began the meeting by reading the Superintendent’s Update. According to a news release about the board meeting, the advisory committee consists of high school students. The initiative aims to feature student voices during the 2024-2025 school year, and each board meeting now includes student ambassadors from the committee sharing district-wide highlights.

The District Chorale Ensemble performed for board members, staff and families as part of their annual holiday tradition. The ensemble, featuring students from all five school buildings in the Sewanhaka School District, sang “Deck the Halls,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Joy to the World” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” The news release said choir members from each high school learned the songs separately in their respective buildings, before joining together for a brief rehearsal prior to the performance at the board meeting. H. Frank Carey High School Choir Director Michael Moreno, Sewanhaka High School Choir Director Rachel Daloia and Elmont High School Choir Director Benjamin Pesenti led the students in their performance.

Following the chorale performance, Superintendent of Schools Regina Agrusa commended the recent

achievements of Carey High School students. Natalie Osorio, a senior at the high school, was recognized for being a semifinalist for the 2025 Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. She is among 1,336 students selected from over 105,000 applicants nationwide. The news release said Osorio was chosen for her academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities.

Carey’s varsity football team was congratulated for their fall season, as well as being named 2024 Class II

Long Island Champions. The Seahawks faced off against Half Hollow Hills East at Hofstra University in November, securing a victory with a final score of 37-36. Head coach Mike Stanley and assistant coaches Tom Aiello, Mike Cellan, Anthony Catapano, Russ Cellan, Anthony Millan, Paul Luzzi, Sebastian DeJose, Scott Snyder, Frank Sonnenberg and Jack Esposito led the team.

–Renee DeLorenzo

Courtesy Sewanhaka High School

The District Chorale Ensemble performing holiday tunes at the Sewanhaka Board of Education meeting on Dec. 17.

Franklin Square child star sings heart out

back to perform at the Apollo’s Amateur Night: Holiday Special on Dec. 14. Sogna sang “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston again, and then Kelly Clarkson’s cover of “Run Run Rudolph.”

Sogna said she performs anywhere she can. She performs at a senior rehab center, at her church, at her school and even at the Massapequa Uncle Giuseppe’s supermarket on Sundays if there happens to be a microphone available, of course.

While Sogna never had formal training, she does participate in a performing arts studio, American Dance and Drama Studio, under the direction of JoAnn Cifala Sciretta. “This child was born to sing,” Sciretta said. Of all the students Sciretta has had in the 51 years running her studio, she said Sogna has the talent it takes to succeed in the industry.

“She definitely has the equipment,” she said, referring to Sogna’s voice. “As far as students I’ve had over the years, and people I have worked with in theater, she’s on top of the list of making it very big.”

With all the performing Sogna does, Gloria said she’s a surprisingly calm kid. Gloria pointed out that she, herself, is the one who is stressed during Sogna’s performances.

Sogna quickly nodded in agreement with her mother. “I’m at the Apollo and

I’m usually playing with the kid contestants,” Sogna said. “And then my mom is talking with the other moms, nervewracked!”

Daniel Santana, Sogna’s father, said the night Sogna won at The Apollo, both he and Gloria were in shock. “I don’t even know how Gloria composed herself,” he said. “And that was the first time I actually jumped out of my seat.”

Sogna said right before her performance, she did get nervous, but only for a moment. “I was shaking,” she said. But Sogna learned how to control her nerves through her spirituality. “I pray, and then all my nerves go away,” she said.

In the days leading up to Sogna’s performance at the Dec. 7 tree lighting at Garden City South Park, Sogna said she experienced something very distressing to her. “I wasn’t hitting the notes that I used to,” she said. “I was really upset. I was crying because I just couldn’t do it. And I was just like, ‘Why now?’”

Talent auditions, two songs for the tree lighting, the national anthem and “God Bless America.”

“I think it kind of mentally blocked her,” Gloria said. At that point, she decided to let Sogna rest for a few days. “I told her not to even think of it. No singing, nothing.”

S he’s a very rare child. She’s a really, really old soul. I can’t tell you how many people tell us how blessed we are

Daniel Santana Sogna’s father

Gloria said Sogna was stressed because she was learning so many songs in a short period of time. She had to learn two songs for America’s Got

Suddenly, five days later, Sogna tried singing “Run Run Rudolph” again and finally hit the note. “I hit that first note and I just went, ‘Yeah!’” Sogna exclaimed.

Daniel and Gloria said it takes a careful balancing act to make sure Sogna gets time to be a kid in between her performances and commitments. Sogna said she has many other hobbies, such as sewing, weaving, crafting and watching Disney movies.

“Letting her be a kid is the most important thing for us,” Daniel said. Gloria agreed and said she tries very hard to give her time to relax and enjoy her hobbies. The two said Sogna decides when she wants to stop practicing and start playing.

Sogna has a great attitude about performing, her parents added. When they asked Sogna what she would have done

if she lost Amateur Night at the Apollo, she said despite her disappointment, she would just go back and try again.

“It’s going to be a lot of battles and a lot of growing up,” Sciretta said. “But what I’ve seen of her attitude so far, she’s street smart about her talent.”

Daniel said he is humbled to know his daughter is so gifted. Her name, Sogna Bella, translates to “beautiful dream,” which reminds him that Sogna is a gift every day. “She’s a very rare child,” Daniel said. “She’s a really, really old soul. I can’t tell you how many people tell us how blessed we are.”

As for Sogna, her grandfather is what keeps her singing. She said her grandfather performed as a guitarist in a band when he was young. He passed his talent down to Gloria, who dances, and then Gloria passed down the talent to Sogna, who sings. “I want to continue the bloodline,” Sogna said. “I want to do it for my grandpa, who started the whole thing.”

Sogna said she knows how proud her parents are, and she loves the sense of accomplishment she gets from making people happy with her performances. In the future, she said she’d like to perform on America’s Got Talent, American Idol and on Broadway. “And I want to be the next Whitney Houston!” Sogna laughed.

To view Sogna’s performance at the Apollo Theater, visit ApolloTheater.org/ Amateur-Night.

The community’s role in civic associations

out approval from my board. We’re a family.”

Angela Romano, the league’s vice president, agreed that the organization is all about family. “They really care about the community,” said Romano, who has been in Franklin Square for 45 years and a member of the league for six years.

The league’s work is a collaborative effort, she said, and all members play a role in getting projects done. “I’m lousy at fundraising,” Romano laughed. But, she said, Andrasick is great at getting people to buy things or donate. “She gets so many ads from the businesses,” Romano said.

Andrasick, 85, was recognized for her work. Kelly said that Andrasick has been a member since 2017, and hasn’t stopped helping the league since. According to Kelly, Andrasick runs circles around everyone, despite her age. “She’s the Energizer Bunny of the league,” Kelly laughed. “If something needs to be done, she never says no.”

Schaefer was also recognized for her service to the organization during her 10 years as a legislator. She addressed problems brought to her attention by the league, such as traffic safety and community revitalization efforts. “She’s second to none,” Kelly said. Romano added that Schaefer was instrumental in the league’s efforts to improve crosswalk safety.

Kelly said the league has remained dedicated to community safety during her presidency, working alongside county officials like Schaefer and Giuffre to fight corrupt businesses that bring drugs and alcohol to the community. She is also a member of the Nassau County Police Commissioner Community Council, which she said helps her take an active role in reporting corruption in Franklin

Square directly to the police. Joe Gonzalez, a Franklin Square resident for 52 years, said that having someone like Kelly in charge makes him feel like someone is protecting him and the community’s interests. “It’s hard to find people will fight for their community,” Gonzalez said. “Marge keeps the community in check, and she always has my back.”

Through the league, Kelly has also revitalized community events and traditions, such as the Memorial Day Parade, the Ragamuffin Parade and the Christmas Tree Lighting. Romano said she was surprised that almost 500 people showed up at the first tree lighting in 2018. “We were overwhelmed,” she said. “We couldn’t believe so many people would come!”

Romano said that Kelly’s leadership motivated the community to work with the league and make Franklin Square a better place to live. “She inspired everybody to care,” Romano said, adding that she hoped to continue the league’s tradition when she becomes president in February. But, she said, she knows she can’t do it alone. “It really needs a community behind it,” Romano said of the league.

Gonzalez said that without civic associations like the league, the community would miss out on the special opportunity to preserve the town’s historical values. “It keeps everyone together,” Gonzalez said of the organization. “That’s what, to me, is most important about community leagues.”

“It’s a great community,” Kelly said. “Nobody leaves this town, because that’s just the way Franklin Square is. We support each other.”

For more information about upcoming league events, and how to support it, join their Facebook Page, Community League of Garden City South, Inc.

Courtesy Nassau County

garden City South Community League treasurer Yossi oren, far left, director John Locascio, Vice president angela romano, director maria Sirica-Locascio, County Legislator John giuffre, president marge Kelly, assemblyman ed ra, former Legislator Laura Schaefer and directors ellen andrasick and ralph dibello at the league’s 95th anniversary celebration at the plattdeutsche park restaurant on dec. 4.

Belmont Park Village celebrates holidays

Guests shop and eat as they prepare for the holidays at the new shopping village in Elmont

Belmont Park Village hosted a weekend of family-friendly holiday festivities on Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22 at their shopping village in Elmont.

The village’s shops and outdoor courtyards were decorated with holiday lights, and fire pits were available to guests to keep warm in the cold weather. Guests were served complimentary hot chocolate, festive candies and bagels.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, activities available to guests included writing letters to Santa, decorating dreidels and eating Hanukkah gelt at one of the village’s food destinations, Pret A Manger.

Guests who attended on Sunday had an opportunity to meet Santa from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and take a photo with him. Other guests walked around the village and shopped for gifts in the boutiques.

–Renee DeLorenzo

Mia, left, and Kasey Lin walk around the village with shopping bags.

Guests walk around the village during the festival.

Photos courtesy Belmont Park Village

Santa stands next to an antique car at the front of Belmont Park Village for their holiday festival on Dec. 21.

Guests wait on a line for Utopia Bagels at the village.

Audrey, left, and Emerald Greene shop together at the village’s holiday festival.

Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live Show is back at Nassau Coliseum for another year of car-smashing, ramp jumping, wheel-revving action

By Danielle Schwab

Get ready, everyone. Gather up the kids and shake up those January doldrums when the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow party lights up Nassau Coliseum once again. Witness the raw power of epic machines when the iconic Hot Wheels toy vehicles transform into unstoppable monster trucks for the “Glow-N-Fire” competition.

“Kids” of all ages can watch their favorite Hot Wheels trucks come to life when the action returns to Long Island, Jan. 20-21.

As the arena darkens for this glow-in-the-dark party, each truck revs up with its unique LED lights. And, in true “It’s Not The Same Without The Flame” fashion, pyrotechnic effects light up the arena, adding even more intensity to the action.

• Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19; times vary

• Tickets start at $63.85 adults, $35. 15 children (also “Me + 3” family discount option); available at ticketmaster.com and hotwheelsmonstertruckslive. com

• Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

It’s an especially big day for one particular truck: The classic blue vintage-style pick-up Bigfoot turns 50. Everyone is invited to the birthday bash. Plus, have the chance to be celebrated alongside the iconic monster truck. Bigfoot would love to see everyone’s creativity — so fans are encouraged to bring homemade birthday cards to wish Bigfoot a happy birthday. And show off those homemade birthday signs at the show for a chance to win prizes during the bash.

“Bigfoot is known as the original monster truck because this monster truck is what started monster trucks in general,” says Caleb Janezich, Bigfoot’s driver since July.

Owner-operator Bob Chandler first began building Bigfoot in 1975, and a legend was born. The modified 1974 Ford F-250 started its career at local mud runs and truck and tractor pulls. It quickly launched a worldwide phenomenon and its legions of fans. Chandler continued to make improvements and modifications until it grew into the massive behemoth known and loved today by multiple generations of fans.

STEPPING OUT up for monster truck mayhem

“There are people that come up to us and the dad knows who Bigfoot is, and then maybe the kids are exposed to Bigfoot for the first time. Even the grandpas come up and they remember Bigfoot,” says Janezich, on Bigfoot’s popularity.

There’s surely no better way to commemorate the original monster truck than with incredible stunts performed by Bigfoot along with all his mechanical monster pals, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Boneshaker, and Gunkster.

Expect to see wheelies, donuts, and long jumps, along with a freestyle Motocross demonstration.

And of course, be prepared for plenty of good ol’ car crushing!

Also witness as the show unleashes its newest addition, Skelesauraus, a truck that takes the spine-chilling form of a giant skeleton head.

This is Janezich’s first time appearing at Nassau Coliseum, however he is no stranger to the Hot Wheels monster truck circuit. An avid collector of Hot Wheels since childhood, Janezich worked as a Bigfoot crewmember before taking up the driver’s seat.

“Bigfoot was always my favorite. I grew up around pickup trucks and four-wheel drives. My dad got me into it.” he says.

“It’s pretty humbling, and it’s really a dream come true. Honestly, they say, ‘if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life’ and that’s pretty much what I live by now.”

While the trucks may seem invincible, it take a dedicated team behind the scenes to keep them crushing to the max.

“The stuff that can be challenging is the unknown. You never know what these trucks are going to do sometimes, and the biggest challenge sometimes can just be just keeping them going and just making sure that we’re ready for the next show all the time, which we try to do very well,” Janezich adds.

Opportunities to go behind the action add to the spectacle. At the Pre-Show Party, held two-and-a-half hours prior to every performance, get up close and see the outrageous designs and epic size of the Hot Wheels behemoths on the arena floor. Meet favorite drivers and performers. Also check out the new VIP Backstage Experience. It’s a behind the scenes guided tour of what goes on before all the smashing and crashing.

Everyone becomes a kid at the show, which is geared to five to 10-year-olds.

“That’s the part that’s always cool because families are coming down and the parents get involved. When the parents are having fun, the kids are having fun, that’s what keeps them coming year after year,” Janezich says.

Courtesy Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Photos: Bigfoot, driven by Caleb Janezich, headlines the latest edition of the spectacle. The iconic truck is joined by many Hot Wheels favorites to thrill fans with exciting car-crunching feats, flying more than 35 feet in the air. Plus, the fiery Skelesaurus roars into the arena ready to “chomp.”

‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’

Keep those winter doldrums at bay with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. It may seem like we’ve got too long to wait ‘til we’re back on the beach, but Kenny comes to the rescue. Join in their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily. The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/ backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione — gets everyone into the groove as only they can.

Friday, Jan. 3, 8 p.m. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

‘…Your voice is heard’ Broadway comes to Tilles Center. “Dear Evan Hanson,” the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it, has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere. If you’ve yet to see it, now’s your opportunity. Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post, it’s the first musical to take a groundbreaking look — from the point of view of both the parents and young people — at our complex, interconnected, and social media-filled lives. It features an uplifting score, including some of the most iconic musical theatere songs from the last decade: “You Will Be Found,” “Waving Through A Window,” and “For Forever.”

Thursday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Jan. 10

Yacht Rock

Revue

The kings of ‘70s tribute hit the road with an authentic throwback to the era, on the Paramount stage, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10-11, at 8 p.m. Yacht Rock Revue, hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” invites listeners on a nostalgic voyage through the sun-soaked melodies of the ‘70s and ‘80s. The dynamic Atlanta-based 10-piece ensemble blends impeccable musicianship with a deep reverence for the yacht rock genre. Their original album “Escape Artist” is a bold homage to this iconic sound. Each side of the album encapsulates the band’s ability to transport audiences to a simpler, more carefree time. Lead singles like “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers” set the tone, evoking sunsets and salty breezes with their lush instrumentation and ethereal vocals.

Collaborations with yacht rock legends Elliot Lurie and Robbie Dupree underscore the band’s status as innovators within their genre. YRR continues to captivate audiences nationwide with their infectious energy and unabashedly joyous performances. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, YRR has emerged as a pivotal figure 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. $55, $40, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Community Skate

Enjoy some ice time at a 90-minute skate session at Northwell Presents The Park at UBS Arena. This week’s sessions are on Saturday, Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan 5, 6 p.m. Tickets are $22.49 and do not include skate rentals. Parking is complimentary for guests attending Community Skate Days in the parking areas closest to The Park. Tickets can be purchased at UBSArena.com. 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont.

Charcoal Drawing Class

Explore your creativity. Use charcoal to create a wine bottle and glass drawing at Franklin Square Public Library, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Instructor Naomi Singer guides participants step by step to learn how to go from soft grey shades to dark black lines. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444. 19 Lincoln Road.

Are you game?

Bring some friends and make some new ones during game night at Elmont Memorial Library, Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. There are tons of games to choose from! No registration required. First-come-first-seated. Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280.

Splish Splash…Animal Baths

Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents,” Sunday, Jan. 5, 1:30-2 p.m., at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Yellow Studio’s Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.” Observe animal bath time. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Elmont BOE meets

The Elmont Board of Education welcomes all to its meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 8 p.m., at Elmont Road Elementary School. 135 Elmont Road. For more information, call (516) 326-5500.

Community Game Night

Looking to make some friends and play board games? Visit Franklin Square Public Library, the third Wednesday of every month, at 6 p.m., to socialize and have fun at this free program. Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required. 19 Lincoln Road. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444.

NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!

Senior Chat

Join fellow seniors for companionship, Fridays, at 10 a.m. at Elmont Public Library

Participate, or just listen, to casual discussions on special interests, concerns, and whatever happens to come up. Next meeting is Friday, Jan 3 in room 01. 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280.

Poetry Workshop with Dr. Linda Opyr

Bring paper, a pen, and the desire to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of writing poetry, Thursday, Jan. 9,11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Elmont Public Library, with Poet Laureate of Nassau County Dr. Linda Opyr. Participants have the opportunity to write poetry and share what they have written. Registration is not required. Space is limited. This is an in-person program and open to anyone. 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit elmontlibrary. org or call (516) 354-5280.

Franklin Square BOE meets Franklin Square Board of Education holds its next meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m., at John Street Elementary School. 560 Nassau Blvd., Franklin Square. For more information, call (516) 481-4100.

Manage your paper without losing your mind!

New Year, new you! Franklin Square Public Library hosts an organization workshop, Monday, Jan. 6, 6-7 p.m. Learn techniques to stay on top of your paper to prevent it from piling up. Learn how to decide what should stay and what should go. Followed by a short Q & A. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444. 19 Lincoln Road.

Franklin Square Historical Society Museum Open House

Bring the family to explore Franklin Square’s history, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2-4 p.m., at the Franklin Square Historical Society Museum. Discover a collection of hundreds of artifacts and a photography archive, on display in the exhibit spaces. Admission is free. Visit fshistoricalsociety. org for more information. 861 Naple Ave.

Having an event?

Bird walk

The South Shore Audubon Society welcomes all to join its members for another in its series of bird walks, at Hempstead Lake State Park, Sunday, Jan. 5, starting at 9 a.m. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The group will meet The group will meet in parking lot #3, off Exit 18 of the Southern State Parkway.

To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit ssaudubon. org.

Play canasta

Join in a friendly game of canasta, Fridays, 1-4 p.m., at Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road. For more information, visit franklinsquarepl.org or call (516) 488-3444.

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

“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.

It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

In concert

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.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the organizational meeting for the Elmont Fire District of the town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York will be held on the 14th day of January, 2025 at 7:00PM on that day at 100 School Road, Elmont, New York 11003.

This notification is being given to the news media pursuant to the provisions of Section 94 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New York.

DATED: December 20, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT ATTEST: FRANCES ANDINO DISTRICT SECRETARY 150781

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 01/08/2025 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 1/25. FRANKLIN SQUARE - Mary Scaturro, Renewal of grant to maintain 6’ high living fence forward of dwelling on Benris Ave. which may substantially obstruct line of sight., S/E cor. Benris Ave. & Claflin Blvd., a/k/a 813 Benris Ave.

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 27/25. - 28/25. FRANKLIN SQUARE - Dariusz Zych, Variances, side yard, side yards aggregate, construct 2nd floor addition attached to dwelling; Variance, side yard, maintain (1) A/C unit, attached to dwelling., N/s Van Buren Ave., 353’ E/o Harrison Ave., a/k/a 942 Van Buren Ave.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in Franklin Square within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 150770 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY CHRISTIANA TRUST AS CUSTODIAN FOR GSRANZ LLC, Plaintiff against ROSALIND ELMONT CORP., et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (516) 942-4216. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 14, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York. Premises known as 1686 Rosalind Ave., Elmont, NY 11003. Sec 32 Block 456 Lot 117. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $9,781.59 plus interest, fees, and costs and attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 602859/2022. 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. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” John Boklak, Esq., Referee File # 18-4898 150758

LEGAL NOTICE NASSAU - INDEX NO.: 620021/2023SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS. Plaintiff designates NASSAU COUNTY as the place of trial based upon the location of the premises herein described having tax map Section 32, Block 440, Lot 255, ELMONT, NY, County of NASSAUU.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, PLAINTIFF,against- VICKEITA STREETER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SHEITA WARREN A/K/A SHEILA BOWDEN; SHEENA STREETER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SHEITA WARREN A/K/A SHEILA BOWDEN; any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirsat law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of SHEILA WARREN, deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; GWENDOLYN L. WRIGHT A/K/A GWENITH WRIGHT A/K/A GWENITH STEPHENS AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF GWENDOLYN L. WRIGHT; any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirsat law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of GWENDOLYN WRIGHT, deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees,

creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; RASHAUN STEPHENS; LAKISHA POPE; SLOMINS INC.; INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF LYNBROOK; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, DEFENDANTS. YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered against you and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: Syosset, New York, December 17, 2024. Roach & Lin, P.C., attorney for Plaintiff, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, NY 11791. Tel: 516-938-3100. To the above-named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by

January 2, 2025 —

Public Notices

publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. JEFFREY A. GOODSTEIN, a Justice of the Supreme Court, State of New York, dated November 6, 2024 and filed with the NASSAU County Clerk together with the supporting papers thereon. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage held by Plaintiff on the premises known as Section 32, Block 440, Lot 255, ELMONT, NY, County of NASSAU as described in the complaint on file and commonly known as 90 LEE COURT, ELMONT, NY 11003. 150737

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.

NAME: 3rd Law , LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 12/13/2019. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 31 Covert Avenue Unit #5006 Floral Park, NY 11001Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity 150172

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Rose Lady LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the State of New York SSNY on August 14th 2024. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 258 Kirkman Avenue. Elmont N.Y. 11003. Purpose: any lawful purpose 150130

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2019-HB1, Plaintiff, AGAINST ALLISON COTRONEO, AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF VINCENT COTRONEO, if she be living and if she be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the Complaint, et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on September 30, 2024.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM premises known as 44 Catherine Avenue, Franklin Square, NY 11010.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 35, Block 38 and Lot 44, 45. Approximate amount of judgment $467,460.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #002264/2016.

William R. Boccio, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 150408

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, 999 HEMPSTEAD LENDER LLC, Plaintiff, vs. 999 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 1, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 993-1007 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square, NY 11010. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 4 and Lots 1-7 and 28-34. Approximate amount of judgment is $5,331,601.33 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600185/2023.

Peter H. Levy, Esq., Referee

Vallely Law PLLC, 6851

Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 150429

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPPLEMENTAL

SUMMONS AND NOTICE - SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU - FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC, Plaintiff, -against- ROSE K. KITZMILLER, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; ROBERT A. HOTZ, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; CHRYSTAL BETTERLY, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; VERONICA HOTZ, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; CAROL SCOTT, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; NICHOLAS HOTZ, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; DANIEL HOTZ, AS POTENITAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOAN HOTZ VITA ; ELIZABETH BOYES, AS POTENTIAL HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; ANY AND ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF JOANN HOTZ VITA ; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE ; P.T.R.C., INC., DBA HOME TAX SAVER ; HMS, INC., Defendants - Index No.: 601104/2024

Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named Defendants-YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered

to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated October 11, 2024.

NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME - If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Jeffrey A. Goodstein, A.J.S.C. Dated: October 11, 2024 Filed: October 29, 2024. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 34 McKee Street, Floral Park, NY 11001. Dated: November 26, 2024 Filed: November 26, 2024 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Angelo A. Regina, Esq., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 No Service by fax) Service purposes only: Trade Centre South 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982 150435

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Citibank N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Kathleen Brancaleone, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 27, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 28, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 497 Tulip Avenue, Floral Park, NY 11001. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in

Solages partners with Haitian immigration clinic

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages partnered with the Haitian American Family of Long Island, Inc. to host a Haitian immigrant resources clinic at her district office in Valley Stream on Dec. 14. According to a news release about the event, the clinic provided resources and personalized support to Haitian immigrants in the 22nd assembly district.

The clinic, facilitated by the social workers of HAFALI, offered one-on-one assistance to assess individual need and connect constituents to a variety of services. The news release said all services were available in Haitian Creole for inclusivity and effective communication. The clinic provided resources including information on English as a Second Language classes, career readiness support and information on additional programs designed to assist immigrant families.

According to the news release, this initiative underscored Solages’ dedication to fostering inclusivity and providing tailored support to underserved communities. The news release said Solages’ collaboration with HAFALI highlighted the strength and unity of Assembly District 22’s vibrant Haitian

the Village of Floral Park, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 32, Block: 273, Lot: 26. Approximate amount of judgment $542,666.53 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index

#609197/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must

community.

“As a representative of a diverse district, and as a Haitian American myself, I was proud to work with HAFALI to ensure that our Haitian immigrant neighbors have access to the resources and tools they need to thrive,” Solages said. “Together, we created opportunities and broke down barriers. There will be more to come, the job is not finished.”

The news release said the Haitian American Family of Long Island expressed their appreciation for the collaborative event. “Our mission is to empower Haitian families by addressing their unique needs in a culturally relevant way,” said Maryse Emmanuel Garcy, who is the co-founder and executive director of HAFALI. “This clinic was an important step in providing meaningful support to the community we serve.”

This collaborative effort, the news release said, reflected a shared commitment to fostering equity and ensuring that every constituent, regardless of language or background, has the opportunity to succeed.

–Renee DeLorenzo

comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure

Courtesy Office Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages

Constituents wait to be seen at the Haitian Immigrant Resource Clinic in Valley Stream.

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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

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Our brick walls aren’t what we expected

A Waterfront Beauty

Welcome to an extraordinary waterfront home that masterfully blends contemporary design with unmatched resilience. Constructed on 42 pilings with steel-reinforced block concrete, this 5,600-square-foot residence is built for exceptional energy efficiency and minimal maintenance. Inside, you'll find 5 spacious bedrooms, 3.5 luxurious baths, and three expansive decks, two front-facing and one rear, complete with a gas hookup. The open floor plan is beautifully appointed with hardwood floors, a gas-burning fireplace, and high-end appliances. For year-round comfort, the ground and lower levels are equipped with radiant heat. The expansive yard is a true retreat, with a versatile cabana that can be enjoyed in any season. Perfectly located close to the LIRR and the west end, this home is on the open bay, adjacent to a scenic waterfront walking path, and minutes away from a platinum selection of restaurants, cafes, shops, and more.

Q. After much research, we chose brick for our new house. It has been a nightmare getting satisfaction from the mason who did the work. We noticed after only a few months that there were white powder-like streaks across the brick walls in many places. We spoke with the brick manufacturer, who said it sounded like an installation problem or streaking from other materials around it. The mason came back and looked at it. He used acid and brushed one spot and it lightened up but didn’t go away. He seemed annoyed with us, and said he could “send someone” to brush and put more cleaner on, but the whiteness would remain and it would have to “weather” after that. We had a sample wall built to make sure the color was right, and really went to a lot of effort for our choices. We are upset that the mason acted like it was our fault for complaining. We selected brick for high durability, weather resistance and low to no maintenance, and now we have this problem. What could have caused it, and is there any other remedy?

A. Brick was a great choice for all the reasons you described, and will outlast generations of occupants if installed correctly. The whiteness may be caused in a few ways. You have to first know what caused it.

Trim materials, above and around brick, will streak from the wrong paint on roof-edge or topof-wall trim. If the paint used was interior latex water-soluble paint, it will separate and run. Prefinished metal, factory finished, will also start to chalk and run. If a highly pigmented paint with low-resin binder was used, then the same results occur. The brick will be somewhat cleanable, but will have to be exposed to many cycles of rain, heat, freezing, etc., also known as weathering.

Because the mason did not mention the runoff of paint from trim, I suspect that your problem is the worst-case scenario, and all the cleaning with muriatic acid and a steel brush will not solve the staining entirely. Wire brushing or high powerwashing actually harms brick, because that amazingly strong fired-finish on the brick, the reason brick is such a good resister of the elements, is now going to be broken down to a grainy finish that can harbor mildew.

Sadly, the issue was completely preventable, either by using trim that did not lose color or by the brick installation. Yes, the brick installation. It starts with not having the correct width of the foundation to carry the brick, so it is installed too close to or right against the exterior plywood. That airspace is supposed to be 2 inches, clear, behind the brick, so rain that gets sucked into the mortar joints can drop behind the brick and “weep” from weep holes at the bottom of the wall. If you do not have weeps, then the wall was installed incorrectly and the problem will continue. Good luck!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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opINIoNS

We need the Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education was established as a cabinet-level agency in October 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, and officially began operations in May 1980. For nearly 45 years, the department has soldiered past many attempts to break it apart, or disband it altogether, most notably by conservative politicians who believe that the federal agency oversteps states’ rights.

While calls to do away with the agency have persisted through the early 21st century, the effort has never been successful, and here’s why: Many educators, parents, advocacy groups and politicians on both sides of the aisle support a federal role in education to ensure equity and civil rights enforcement.

I’m not an educator or a politician, but I can tell you this: Education, and at the very least a high school diploma, is imperative to one’s success in life. What’s even more important is that the Department of Education has played a vital role in making access to education possible for countless people, ensuring that opportunities for learning and growth are within reach for all.

GThe DOE oversees and coordinates national education policies, but it also works closely with state and local governments to assess needs on a state-bystate basis.

There are many avenues on which I could diverge to highlight some of the department’s key components, but I’ll focus on just a few things, the first being Title I — the largest federal education program, which is aimed at improving the academic achievement of disadvantaged students. It provides financial assistance to schools and districts with high percentages of children from low-income families.

provides them with specific protections and resources, like individualized education plans, mandating that schools develop tailored plans for these students, outlining their unique needs and goals and the services required to meet those goals.

S hutting it down would have profound consequences for students all over the nation.

Over the years, Title I has garnered bipartisan support, because both Democrats and Republicans recognize the need to address education inequities. Debates have arisen over funding distribution and outcome measurement, but Title I remains a central component of federal education policy because of its critical role in supporting vulnerable students.

The DOE also oversaw the implementation of the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. In simplest terms, the act guarantees free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities, and also

The act stretches beyond primary and secondary education, also requiring schools to help students transition from high school to postsecondary education, employment or independent living — ensuring that no one’s future is negatively impacted by a learning or physical disability.

I’m detailing all of this because I, like many others, find it extremely alarming that President-elect Donald Trump has once again vowed to shut down the Department of Education.

He first proposed to do so during his 2016 presidential campaign, but even his own secretary of education during his first term, Betsy DeVos, didn’t see that idea through.

The DOE has faced its share of woes over the course of seven presidencies, and yet it steadfastly continues its work. Shutting it down isn’t just a matter of politics — it’s a decision that would have profound consequences for students across the nation.

If Trump succeeds in dismantling the department in his second term, experts in the field have indicated that its programs could survive or operate under other federal or state agencies, but the transition would likely cause massive disruptions in services, negatively impacting students.

Ninety percent of all K-12 students in the U.S. are publicly educated, due to education’s accessibility and widespread availability, and who would we be, as a nation, if we took that accessibility away?

I’ve said this many times, and I’ll say it again: If you voted for Trump because you believe in his vision for America, that’s fine, and it’s your right as an American.

Putting that aside, however, I now ask you to think about students — perhaps even your children — and what the shutdown of a massively important department could mean.

The Department of Education exists to ensure that education is not a privilege for few, but rather a right for everyone, and to close it down would risk reversing decades of progress. Rather than dismantle it, we should be focused on strengthening it for generations to come, prioritizing children, their futures, and the promise of opportunity for all.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.

Hochul must sign horseshoe crab act into law

ov. Kathy Hochul has been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save one of our planet’s greatest unsung heroes, the horseshoe crab. Early in 2024, the State Senate and Assembly passed a bill that would prohibit taking horseshoe crabs from New York waters for bait or for biomedical use. Hochul has until the end of the month to sign the bill into law, and time is running out for us to persuade her to do so.

CHRISTINE SUTER

Horseshoe crabs have existed relatively unchanged for roughly 450 million years — 200 million years longer than dinosaurs — and they have survived five mass extinctions. They are a keystone species, which means that if their populations were to dwindle to numbers that are unsustainable, the repercussions for other species would be devastating. Every year, numerous species of migratory shorebirds rely on horseshoe crab eggs for food on their long journey to

Ttheir breeding grounds in the Arctic. For half a century, humans have depended on horseshoe crabs for our survival, because they have played a major role in modern medicine. Their unique copper-based blue blood contains a clotting agent that immediately forms a clot when it comes into contact with bacteria. Because of this, horseshoe crab blood has been used for decades by the biomedical industry to test for infection-causing bacteria in injectable drugs, intravenous solutions, vaccines and medical implants. Their blood was also used to develop the Covid-19 vaccines that have saved millions of lives. Luckily, a synthetic alternative to horseshoe crab blood has been developed and approved for biomedical use, but the changeover in the industry has been slow.

sive animals, grazing across the seafloor like ancient vacuum cleaners, looking for the small aquatic insects, mollusks and detritus on which they feed.

There are four species of horseshoe crabs, and the Atlantic coast is the only place in the Western Hemisphere that is home to one of those species, the Atlantic horseshoe crab, or Limulus polyphemus

his keystone species helped scientists develop the Covid vaccines.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s benchmark stock assessment of horseshoe crabs in 2019, and the recently updated stock assessment in 2024, both show the crabs’ stock status in New York as poor. Of all the states on the Atlantic coast, New York is the only one where that is the case, and there is no evidence that the population is rebounding.

the crabs, which puts even more pressure on the New York stock and puts them at a higher risk of poaching by outof-state fishermen. Bait alternatives exist, but fishermen won’t be compelled to use them unless a ban is enacted.

Entrusting the state Department of Environmental Conservation to regulate the harvesting of horseshoe crabs is a mistake. Regulation depends on enforcement, and with only 30 to 40 environmental conservation officers patrolling the entire Long Island coastline, there is ample opportunity for overharvesting and poaching to take place.

Although there are misconceptions that they are poisonous or that they use their tails as weapons, horseshoe crabs are completely harmless. The tail serves a very important purpose: to flip a crab over if it gets turned upside down. That’s why you should never pick one up by its tail. They are completely pas-

Horseshoe crabs cannot legally be harvested for biomedical use in New York state. Their dwindling population here is due mostly to their harvesting for use as bait in the eel and conch fisheries as well as the loss of their spawning grounds due to sea level rise and shoreline hardening. New Jersey and Connecticut have both banned the harvest of

Friends of the Bay is asking you to urge Governor Hochul to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into law Friends of the Bay is an environmental conservation and advocacy organization headquartered in Oyster Bay. Our mission is to preserve, protect and restore the ecological integrity and productivity of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and the surrounding watershed. Please visit friendsofthebay.org/ horseshoe-crab-protection-act to learn how you can help, and to get a copy of a sample letter that you can sign and mail, or email, to the governor.

Christine Suter is executive director of Friends of the Bay.

JoRDAN VALLoNE

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COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Stepping into a new year with hope and resolve

anew year always arrives freighted with emotion. It carries the accumulated hopes, frustrations and lessons of the previous 12 months, paired with the tantalizing possibility of transformation. This year, as we look ahead, we find ourselves grappling with familiar challenges while daring to believe in the promise of better days.

One challenge we must confront is the growing fragmentation of our shared experiences. Increasingly, the global and local spheres seem to exist in parallel universes. A catastrophe halfway across the world — whether a climate disaster, political upheaval or humanitarian crisis — has the power to shape economies and policies closer to home, yet often feels distant, reduced to a fleeting headline.

Meanwhile, our more local and personal concerns — the cost of living, caring for family and doing well at work — demand urgent attention but risk being overshadowed by the constant churn of global issues. Bridging this gap requires a recalibration of priorities. The new year demands both outward-looking empathy and a renewed focus on strengthening the foundations of our own communities.

Economically, the year ahead will likely test the resilience of all levels of

letters

She’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods,’ too

To the Editor:

our government. Trust in institutions has eroded, but there are also glimmers of progress worth celebrating: advancements in green technology, a renewed emphasis on workers’ rights, and shifting societal attitudes toward mental health and well-being. These trends suggest that positive change, while slow, is possible.

We need to be optimistic, but that demands resolve. The climate crisis, for instance, is no longer a future threat but an immediate reality, underscored by the fires, floods and record-breaking temperatures of recent years. The urgency to act cannot be overstated, and yet real solutions remain politically fraught and logistically complex. We face the challenge of balancing personal responsibility with the recognition that systemic change requires collective action.

At the same time, the new year also offers a chance to reimagine what progress means. Growth, long equated with economic expansion, is being reconsidered in light of its environmental and social costs. These ideas challenge deeply entrenched narratives about success and prosperity, but they also open up the possibility of more inclusive, equitable futures.

Many of us also enter 2025 grappling with uncertainty. The relentless pace of

I agree with everything that Peter King wrote in “Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly” (Dec. 19-25). Though I never had the chance to meet the cast of “Blue Bloods,” they did feel like family. There has to be a show for people like us — born in Queens, my grandfather was with the Manhattan mounted police in the late 1920s, my cousins were with the Port Authority Police during the Colin Ferguson bloodbath on the LIRR and on Sept. 11.

We love the Police Department and everything they stand for. They are our angels on earth in these crazy times. I appreciated grace before meals as a practicing Catholic. So there are many people who loved “Blue Bloods,” but I’m sure the network needed to try to make even more money! No one cares about the audience, just the dollar sign.

NANCY ALBERTELLI East Meadow

Yes, but the show was clearly fiction

To the Editor:

My father, like Mr. King’s, wore NYPD’s blue. Like Mr. King, I consider ‘Blue Bloods’ more nuanced than many cop shows. But his speculations about imagined oppo-

technological change, the aftershocks of a pandemic and the simple unpredictability of life can feel overwhelming. Yet amid this turbulence, we find moments of connection and meaning. A neighbor’s kindness, a shared laugh, the rediscovery of an old passion — these small, often overlooked moments remind us why we persevere.

How do we handle the bad while making room for the good? We need to balance action with rest and contemplation, and ambition with gratitude. This requires recognizing that while we cannot solve every problem, we can contribute to their solutions.

As we step into the new year, we should resolve to move beyond empty platitudes. Instead of vague aspirations for “better days,” let’s strive for tangible progress: a stronger sense of community, a commitment to justice, and a willingness to adapt to changing realities. We should allow ourselves moments of joy, not just as a distraction from life’s difficulties, but also as a reminder of its possibilities.

It isn’t easy. There are always setbacks and frustrations, but there are also breakthroughs, large and small, that remind us of our capacity to endure, to grow and to create a better future. The new year’s gift gives us the opportunity to begin anew.

nents of the show, and his “unanswered questions,” are dubious. No doubt, the cast members are all outstanding people and first-class actors, but they were performers acting out dramatic scripts. It’s all fiction, and we can enjoy “as if” for the hour, but to extend the imaginary past the credits is delusional.

Americans generally tend to romanticize both our lawmen and our criminals, clouding our view of reality. Our fiction is out of sync with our nonfiction, and we get confused. If real police were “Blue Bloods” police, we would not have had a Bernie Kerik as commissioner; there would be no need for civilian complaint review

opinions Helping Ukraine fight for justice

as the season of giving comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on not just all we have to be thankful for, but on those who still need our support. While there are certainly plenty of domestic issues, and Americans in need, we cannot forget the people of Ukraine, who are nearing the end of their third year of war with Russia.

The conflict, which has cost the lives of roughly 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers and over 11,000 civilians, has put on display the very real threat authoritarianism is posing to democracies all around the world today. And the people of Ukraine, who spent decades under Soviet rule and centuries under czarist rule before that, know how important their right to self-determination is, because they know what it means to live under a regime without rights. Here in America, where we’ve had the luck and privilege to live under a democratic government for our entire history, it can be easy to brush aside these kinds of conflicts by claiming that certain areas or certain cultures

are used to conflict. We hear it about the Middle East all the time: so-called “experts” who assert that the region has “always been at war,” and that one ethnic group or another “doesn’t understand democracy.”

I don’t buy it.

As our Founding Fathers knew too well, human beings are born with an innate desire, and a right, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. While we may think of these words as uniquely American, I’ve always believed that they were written not just with our country’s population in mind, but as a fundamental fact of the human condition.

wmyr Zelensky chose to stay in Kyiv in 2022, when the capital city refused to fall, and every day since, his people have had one message for Putin and the world: We will not go quietly.

e can’t turn our backs on a country that is fighting for its sovereignty.

When our nation was in its infancy and fighting for its existence, we relied heavily on the support not only of foreign nations like France and Spain, but on the extraordinary efforts of individuals from around the world who recognized that our fight for independence wasn’t just a local conflict, but a global one, that of freedom vs. tyranny.

There are hundreds of international charitable groups that are on the ground in Ukraine providing humanitarian aid, from UNICEF to the Red Cross. Other organizations, such as United Help Ukraine, Nova Ukraine and Razom for Ukraine, provide medical aid to tens of thousands of people and soldiers across the country.

And the people of Ukraine have shown their desire for these universal rights with a determination and tenacity that has allowed this country of only 37 million to face down, and frequently defeat, a richer and larger nation with nearly five times its population. And Ukrainians are fighting not just for their own rights and sovereignty. They are the first line of defense against the deranged, ahistorical and plutocratic worldview that Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian oligarchs are so desperate to spread.

When Ukrainian President Volody-

Letters

boards, body cameras and millions spent on misconduct settlements; and less turnover in the top brass. “Courtesy cards” would be in museums, not wallets.

Distractions from reality allow speculations like Mr. King’s suggestion that scriptwriters were pressured “to portray cops in a negative light,” as if any producers care at all about what viewers see between the commercials. There are other shows for that. Equally dangerous is his question about the series’ cancellation. Instead of noting the fact that the noble cast accepted a 25 percent pay cut to subsidize season 14, Mr. King conjures the demon of “woke” from nothing.

It’s true that the show’s fans will always have the memories, but we must hope our nostalgia doesn’t distract from the realities of 21st century law and its enforcement.

BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre

The MTA should rethink its spending priorities

To the Editor:

Long Island Rail Road commuters should be concerned about insufficient funds being earmarked to bring bridges,

viaducts, tunnels and other basic infrastructure that are in poor or marginal condition up to a state of good repair in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed $68 billion 2025-2029 Five Year Capital Plan. This also applies to Metro-North Railroad and New York City Transit.

It’s questionable whether $600 million is sufficient funding for LIRR critical infrastructure projects under the proposed plan. Can this eliminate the growing backlog of critical infrastructure repair? Too many critical capital assets remain in daily service beyond their anticipated useful life. There is still a $33 billion shortfall to fully fund the plan.

Safety, state of good repair, and reliable, on-time performance with a minimum of service disruptions at a fair price should be higher priorities than system expansion projects. The $7.7 billion Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, the $5.5 billion Brooklyn-Queens light-rail Interborough Express and the $3.1 billion Metro North Bronx East Penn Station Access projects all need to be put on hold. Funding for all three would be better spent on critical infrastructure projects benefiting over 4 million NYC Transit subway, 200,000-plus LIRR and 200,000plus Metro North daily commuters. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber and board members have a fiduciary responsibility to

The analogy isn’t perfect. Ukraine isn’t fighting to win its independence from its mother country, but is fighting instead to maintain its sovereignty in the face of foreign aggression. But the fact remains that its people, who have seen family members’, friends’ and loved ones’ lives destroyed by the aggression of a brutish dictator, deserve not only our respect and admiration, but our help.

You may think, “But I’m only one person — what could I possibly do?” And obviously, no one person can end this conflict overnight (except maybe Rocky Balboa). But there are plenty of ways for us to do our part.

There are also nearly 300,000 Ukrainian refugees now living in the United States, part of a diaspora of nearly 4 million Ukrainians, predominantly women, children and seniors, who have been forced to flee their homes in the face of ruthless Russian aggression. While many of these people have been kindly fostered by Americans, Europeans and people everywhere, there are always more people in need.

To learn more about how to host Ukrainian refugees, visit SupportUkraineNow.org.

Ukrainians are fighting not just for their own right to exist, but for the rights of people around the world struggling against conquest and the threat of extermination. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously declared, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” — and we can all do more to help Ukrainians restore peace in the country they love.

Will Sheeline is an editor covering Glen Head, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

protect the interests of riders and taxpayers.

LARRY PENNER

Great Neck

Larry Penner is a transportation advo-

cate, historian and writer who previously served as a director of the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.

At the Electric Light Parade — Long Beach

mountsinai.org/southnassau