Oyster Bay Herald 09-20-2024 by Richner Communications, Inc

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Supervisor Joseph Saladino, center, and other Town of Oyster Bay officials joined local vendors in sampling the bivalve mollusks that will be served at this year’s Oyster Fest.

Gearing up for Oyster Fest

Town of O.B. will co-host event for first time next month

By BRIAN NORMAN

Oyster Bay Town officials came together with the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 12 to give residents a taste of what to expect from this year’s Oys ter Fest.

This will be the first time that the Town of Oyster Bay will be partnering with the chamber to put on the event. Chamber Vice President Ravin Chetram is confident in the ability of both the town and the chamber to come together and make this the best event possible for everyone.

“It was the perfect partnership,” Chet ram said. “Once last year took place and didn’t show that well for some of the nonprofits, the town stepped in, and we were really glad they did. We have been strategiz

keep them clean.

“By focusing on New York oysters, we’re not just serving food; we’re telling a story of our region’s commitment to sustainability, local business, and community,” added Ryan Schlotter, president of the chamber. “For the first time, this year’s festival will showcase

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that will be served at this year’s Oyster

Gearing up for Oyster Fest

Town of O.B. will co-host event for frst time next month

By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com

Oyster Bay Town officials came together with the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 12 to give residents a taste of what to expect from this year’s Oyster Fest.

“It was the perfect partnership,” Chetram said. “Once last year took place and didn’t show that well for some of the nonprofits, the town stepped in, and we were really glad they did. We have been strategiz-

ing with the Town of Oyster Bay and we see this year’s event coming together a lot more effectively.”

This year, officials said that the festival will focus on supporting the community and local vendors. At the news conference, town officials announced that for the first time in years, New York oysters will be the only ones served at this year’s Oyster Fest. A dozen local oyster vendors will be contributing to the event, and all oyster shells will be collected and recycled back into Long Island waters to help keep them clean.

Saving seniors from scammers

Information seminars Sept. 20 and 27

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

The Town of Oyster Bay is partnering with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office to help combat the wave of scams targeting the community’s senior population. Senior scams, have been increasing in scale and sophistication in the last decade. The group will hold two seminars, open to residents of the town and their families, which will explain some threats seniors face online, how to look out for them and how to report them.

Pthey pretend to be government agents, bank security specialists, or even a family member in need of assistance,” Turso wrote. “Senior citizens, many of whom live alone and are without additional support, trusting the person on the other end of the line, and give them access to the elderly person’s retirement accounts or substantial nest eggs.”

rotecting our seniors is a top priority

JOSEPH SALADINO Supervisor, Town of Oyster

According to statistics provided by the Federal Trade Commission, over $230 million has been stolen from New Yorkers by scammers in 2024 alone. Nicole Turso, deputy communications director for the district attorney’s office, explained in a statement that many scams specifically target seniors because they have exploitable vulnerabilities, from loneliness to an unfamiliarity with technology.

“Unfortunately, criminals target our seniors via telephone and email scams, where

Bay

The types of scams that seniors face range from simple mailbox fishing (where thieves will break inside a mailbox to steal checks, debit/ credit cards or personal information) to more technologically complex scams involving corrupt hyperlinks which allow criminals to illegally download a senior’s personal or financial information.

The two seminars, which take place on Sept. 20 at 2:30 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center in Woodbury and Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at Marjorie Post Park Community Center in Massapequa, offer elder residents a chance to learn more about these and other types of threats that

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Brian Norman/Herald

Supervisor Joseph Saladino, center, and other Town of Oyster Bay officials joined local vendors in sampling the bivalve mollusks

Fest.

Seminar will focus on recognizing scams

many have already had some exposure to. Joseph Saladino, the town’s supervisor, emphasized in a statement the importance of informing residents about the issues they face.

“Protecting our seniors is a top priority,” Saladino stated. “By working with District Attorney (Anne) Donnelly, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that our elderly community members are informed and empowered against deceitful tactics.”

The new seminars dovetail with efforts by seniorfocused groups and organizations across Long Island to address these issues. Tracy Arnold Warzer, the senior citizen program development specialist for the Village of Sea Cliff, recently organized a similar seminar in Sea Cliff where she, members of the district attorney’s office, and Manda Kristal, a financial exploitation and abuse program coordinator from the Family & Children’s Association, taught over 40 seniors how to recognize scams related to artificial intelligence, social security administration, and more.

Warzer explained that she viewed education on this topic to be one of the most important aspects of her job for the village. She added that she’s spoken with seniors in the past who have lost thousands of dollars, and in some cases their entire life savings, to these sorts of scams

“So senior scam prevention is the most important thing, in my mind, to help educate the public, seniors in particular, who are so vulnerable, about what the current scams are, and to remind them how to handle situations,” Warzer said. “People are fearful of becoming a victim, and people feel a great sense of shame if they do fall to one of these scammers.”

Judy

Palumbo, director of the Life Enrichment

Center in Oyster Bay, also stressed the importance of keeping seniors educated on the types of scams that target them. She said that the center holds multiple similar seminars throughout the year, but the biggest struggle is trying to keep up with new, more sophisticated scams that continue to pop up.

A growing number of scam phone calls can use artificial intelligence to mimic voices, even the voices of friends and family members. Palumbo added that many seniors can be particularly susceptible to believ-

The upcoming seminars will detail the types of scams used on seniors, how to identify them and, most important, how to avoid them.

ing calls that claim a family member has been injured or is in some kind of distress, taking advantage of their natural urge to support or protect their loved ones.

“The scammers on the other end of the phone, they’ve got it down to a science,” Palumbo said. “Now with the advent or evolution of AI, the voices are spot on. They’re able to find a voice, maybe through video or through social media, and they can really replicate that grandchild’s voice.”

Metro Creative Collection

Making art from the city to the suburbs

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Artists from the Urban Sketchers NYC group recently visited Oyster Bay to participate in an en plein air painting session, bringing their brushes, pencils, and creativity to the historic Long Island hamlet. Organized by Suzala, a longtime member of the group, the event drew around 15 participants, offering an opportunity for artists to capture the hamlet’s scenery.

Urban Sketchers NYC is part of a global network of artists who gather to sketch on location. The group in New York City, known for its high activity with three sessions per week, regularly explores new environments, and Oyster Bay has become a favored destination for Suzala to bring artists.

“I started bringing people out to Oyster Bay about four or five years ago,” Suzala said. “The town is beautiful, accessible by train, and it has so many things to draw. It’s become a bit of a tradition.”

Although this year’s turnout was smaller than usual, with around 15 participants, the group was enthusiastic about the location. Sea Cliff artist Karen De Mauro, who participated in the event, spoke about the welcoming environment created by Urban Sketchers.

“The critical thing that Urban Sketchers NYC does well is welcoming people of all levels of artistry,” she said. “You learn from everyone, whether they’re professionals or beginners. It’s about making art together, not about competition.”

De Mauro highlighted the camaraderie among the artists, noting that the supportive community fosters creativity.

“It’s a really great way to be with people—live, in person, and in deep engagement with places,” she said. “We console each other with losses and share in the joy of creating.”

The Oyster Bay session offered artists a chance to sketch landmarks like St. Dominic’s Church and the town’s waterfront, with the day culminating in a meet up at the bandstand, where participants laid their sketches on the ground and shared their work. This tradition allows artists to showcase their perspectives on the town’s landscapes, learning from one another in the process.

Suzala praised the town’s charm and said it’s always been a draw for artists.

“Every year, I have people calling me during the week, saying they’re bummed they can’t make it,” she said. “They love coming out here.”

For those who made the trip from the city, the journey was well worth the early morning start. “

“The fact that anybody shows up at all is a major accomplishment,” Suzala added. “But once they’re here, they’re happy they came.”

Karen De Mauro of Sea Cliff has been participating in the painting sessions in Oyster Bay for the last five years.

Leslie Sim painted the outside of Billy Joel’s motorcycle museum.

Will Sheeline/Herald photos

Mark Leibowitz, left, and Suzala both took the opportunity to paint Sweet Tomato in downtown Oyster Bay.

Only local oysters will be on offer at Fest

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the diversity and excellence of our local oyster farms and the oysters that are the Town’s namesake.”

Oyster Fest, which will welcome

guests Oct. 19 and 20, is one of the biggest seafood festivals in the U.S. and has been a staple of the town for the last 41 years. The free event has hosted up to 150,000 residents in years past and is

Planning For and Executing Inheritances (Part

Early on, we learned the estate planning phrase “There’s nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals.” Who has children that are all the same?

Some children have received signifcant help from parents during their lifetimes while others haven’t. Many parents choose the “forgiveness provision” to address this situation at death, to either “equalize” any gifts made to some children during lifetime with those who did not or, in the alternative, to “forgive” any loans made to children and then make a gift in like amount to each of the other children by inheritance, before the estate is divvied up in equal shares. Lifetime gifts may also be ignored.

Next up is the problem of children who are partially or wholly estranged. Many clients wish to leave them a token amount but there are pitfalls to consider. One who is left considerably less than their siblings will often be angry and upset. They may demand that their siblings disclose what they received and even to pony up their equal share. Not only that, but the burden of telling that estranged child they are getting

Two)

less and delivering the paltry amount is left to the children who you wish to favor!

In our view, it is sometimes better to leave an estranged child out altogether than to stir up all the issues surrounding an inheritance much smaller than equal.

There are many valid reasons, however, to treat children differently. Some may have alcohol or substance abuse issues, learning disabilities or special needs, they may be immature and irresponsible, poor at handling money or a “soft touch” and, fnally, they may have a spouse that dominates them and you do not want to see that controlling spouse get your money.

Sometimes parents leave more to the “needy” child, the old adage being that “the tongue always turns to the aching tooth”. If so, other children’s feelings may need to be addressed. A letter to be opened after your death, explaining what you did and why, may go a long way towards soothing hurt feelings and avoiding misunderstandings, what we term the “emotional legacy”.

expected to exceed that number this year. Town officials assured residents that they will be more than equipped to manage that amount of people while providing them the best possible experience through a superior setup design created for the event.

Although he did not specify how, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino claimed that this year’s event will run smoothly, with significant improvements in parking, pedestrian access and crowd management.

“In years past we’ve had 150,000 people attend this event and we are well equipped to handle that number and more,” Saladino said. “It’s been designed to make it easy to park, easy for pedestrians, easy for the flow of people moving in and out and there’s so much more to do now.”

Both the Town of Oyster Bay and the Chamber of Commerce have been working all summer to try and create the best event possible. Saladino said the

groups have put together a list of events, local restaurants and musicians, and amusements for this year’s festival.

“Thousands of people will be visiting the Oyster Fest right here in Theodore Roosevelt Park in just a few weeks, with abundant live music, delicious food, merchandise vendors, amusements, and a family funzone. This is all just scratching the surface of what an incredible event this is going to be,” Saladino said.

This year’s event is sponsored by Catholic Health, Optimum and The Sands New York. It will also have a strong presence from local charities, as it has in years past, including the Boys and Girls Club of America.

“With the vendors we have at the event, we plan on taking whatever money is made and taking that money and distributing it amongst the nonprofits throughout our community.” Chetram added.

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oyster bay

Brian Norman/Herald

This will be the first year that The Town of Oyster Bay will partner with the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce.

Earlier this year you sent me to Washington to try to fix things. So I am working with anyone of goodwill, regardless of party, to bring common sense solutions to secure the border, reinstate the SALT deduction, bring federal money back to Long Island and help heal the divide in Congress. If you send me back to Congress I will continue to fight for bipartisan common sense solutions. MY PRIORITIES:

★ Secure the Border

★ Reinstate the SALT Deduction

★ Bringing Federal Dollars Back to Long Island

★ Help Heal the Divide in Congress

Remembering

Nassau County residents gathered last week to mark the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11, at a moving ceremony filled with music, tears and remembrance at Eisenhower Park.

The annual memorial ceremony takes place at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, which is situated next to the park’s lake — serving as a visual backdrop for the county’s memorial to the Long Islanders that perished in the attacks.

The ceremony featured remarks from speakers, including County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and parents who’s children died on Sept. 11. Chris Macchio, an internationally renowned singer, led the crowd in several musical performances.

The county’s memorial features two, semi-transparent aluminum towers, which represent the former World Trade Center. The memorial also features the names of 344 Nassau County residents who died during the attacks.

–Jordan Vallone

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Nassau County marked the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at a moving ceremony in Eisenhower Park. Hundreds packed into the fields around the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre to remember those who perished.

The Sept. 11 memorial in Eisenhower Park features aluminum towers that represent the former World Trade Center.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who’s nephew Thomas Jurgens died on Sept. 11, spoke at the ceremony.

HERALD SCHOOLS

Expanded classroom spaces at T.R. School

Theodore Roosevelt School recently completed a major building addition, made possible by a bond passed by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich community, that significantly enhances both its learning environment and services. The new addition, which includes eight large classrooms and four smaller office/classroom spaces, provides students and staff with modern, spacious areas designed to meet diverse educational needs.

The two-story addition features four large classrooms on each floor, with all rooms equipped with their own bathrooms, offering convenience and privacy for students. This expansion has also allowed the school to introduce two fullday pre-K classes. The pre-K classrooms even have their own dedicated entrance for easy and secure pickup and drop-off.

“We used to have a half-day prekindergarten program” Principal Devra Small said. “Our surveys showed that many parents would prefer full-day prekindergarten. The new construction, paid for through the bond, gave us the space to provide this option for two classes of 18 students each.”

Courtesy Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District Theodore Roosevelt School recently completed a major building addition, which includes eight large classrooms and four smaller office/classroom spaces, providing spacious areas designed to meet diverse educational needs.

In addition to the new classrooms, the expansion includes four smaller rooms that will be used for specialized services such as speech therapy and behavioral support. These new spaces provide a more comfortable and functional setting for both students and staff. The addition has also benefited other

areas of the school. Classrooms that were vacated by those moving into the new wing have been repurposed, allowing support services like reading, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to move into more spacious and suitable rooms. Previously, these services were offered in cramped, less-than-ideal spac-

es, but now they have the room they need to operate more effectively.

“Our school provides a full range of support services to meet our students’ learning needs,” Small said. “Last year, there was not enough space, and some services, such as physical therapy or reading intervention, were delivered in locations such as the stage or a repurposed custodial closet. This year, with our increased space, all services are taking place in good-sized classrooms that are designed for instruction. I am so grateful to the community and board for making this possible through the bond.”

The new classrooms are bright and airy, featuring large windows that flood the spaces with natural light. One classroom even boasts a scenic water view, providing a calming and inspiring backdrop for learning.

This expansion has not only improved the learning environment for current students but also provides room for future growth at Theodore Roosevelt School. The larger, more versatile spaces will support a variety of learning experiences and allow for a more enriched educational environment.

Stony Brook hockey set to begin new era

By ANTHONY DICOCCO Special to the Herald

Starting with the 2025-26 season, the Stony Brook hockey team will begin a new chapter of its story that may aid in expanding its recruiting reach across Nassau County.

Last month, the Seawolves announced that this upcoming season would be the team’s 14th and final year in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League. Beginning with the 2025-26 campaign, Stony Brook is set to join a brand-new conference — the Atlantic Coast Conference Hockey League.

The ACCHL will have North and South divisions. Stony Brook, Pittsburgh, Delaware, Syracuse and Oswego State in the North. The South will consist of Alabama, Louisville, North Carolina State and the University of North Carolina.

Due to the conference relocation, Stony Brook players from Nassau County are hoping that more players from their area will be inclined to join the program. Currently, there are just three Nassau County residents playing on the team.

After initially failing to get into the university, the Massapequa native attended Farmingdale State for a year to “take care of business on and off the ice” before transferring to Stony Brook prior to last season.

As someone who identified Stony Brook as the total package for both academics and athletics, Valenti hopes that joining the ACCHL can be a needle mover for other Nassau County residents.

“After playing junior hockey in Connecticut for two years, I realized that I had everything that I needed regarding academics and hockey at home,” Valenti said. The new conference, he added, “is definitely exciting . . . and people need to realize it’s a (State University of New York) school. We’re going to be in a very competitive league and you get what you pay for. Stony Brook is a very good school for everything, and hockey is just the icing on the cake.”

Forward Jake Gusavitch, a Massapequa native and first-year student, understands his peers’ reluctance to attend Stony Brook but hopes the name notoriety of the other schools in the conference, along with the opportunities they can bring, can help change that.

“If you just see the logo of Alabama or UNC, it acts as an attractor for players in Nassau County and really everywhere,” Gusavitch said. “We have schools like Syracuse and Delaware

joining us along with the schools down south, so I think that’s a great opportunity to get some looks from scouts who are coming for the bigger schools. All in all, there are a lot of positives.”

Bethpage native and forward Lucas Puccia echoed that sentiment.

“There’s a lot of talent down there in the south,” the sophomore student said. “I think playing those teams will be pretty cool and competitive. Stony Brook is one of the top programs and a really good option for anyone on Long Island.”

Gusavitch also emphasized the bonuses of a limited traveling schedule, as teams in the North will only compete against the South’s teams during the playoffs. Due to Stony Brook’s hyperfocus on academics, he raised the point that less travel on the weekends allows for more time to get schoolwork done, which can be enticing for new recruits who live farther away in Nassau County.

In defenseman Teddy Valenti’s case, Stony Brook was always at the top of his college wish list despite living just under an hour away from the school.

While the Seawolves are guaranteed to finish their tenure in the ESCHL with the most championship wins (five) and regular-season championships (four), the last two seasons have not been kind to them. They have posted a combined 25-28-8 record, missing the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament during each campaign.

Choosing to concentrate on the new season, the Seawolves are putting the upcoming league change on the backburner, as they hope to capture their sixth ESCHL championship and their first national title.

“The mission is always the same,” Valenti said. “We had a very unsuccessful year last year. This year we’re playing in the same conference, and hopefully we can prove ourselves as a program. Then next year, when we move on to a different conference, those teams should fear us.”

Stony Brook will open its ESCHL farewell tour at The Rinx, where it will face off against the New York University Violets, on Oct. 4.

Anthony DiCocco is a reporter with the SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

Courtesy Angelina Livigni

Stony Brook efenseman Teddy Valenti, right, covering Drexel forward Jimmy Jacobs.

HERALD SCHOOLS

Locust Valley students remember those lost

Students throughout the Locust Valley Central School District held Patriot Day ceremonies in remembrance of the lives lost in the Sept. 11 attacks 23 years ago.

At the middle and high school, the Back the Blue Club and social studies department commemorated the solemn occasion with readings of patriotic poems and beautiful renditions of Taps and The Star-Spangled Banner by juniors

Bayville Primary School second graders Dominic D’Ambrosio, left, and Harrison Themis, right, planted American flags with their classmates in remembrance of 9/11.

Sara Nearenberg and Sarah Paulus, respectively.

Bayville and Locust Valley elementary school students gathered at events at Bayville Primary School and Ann MacArthur Primary School where students read about heroes in their lives and placed small American flags into the ground to honor those lives lost two decades ago.

Photos courtesy Locust Valley Central School District

Members of the Locust Valley High School Back the Blue Club presented an American flag with each of the names of those who perished in the 9/11 attacks during a Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11.

Celebrating and reveling like it’s 1776

Raynham Hall Museum held its “Revolutionary Revel!” on Sept. 15. History enthusiasts interacted with members of the Order of the Ancient and Honorable Huntington Militia and learned about 18th-century crafts such as weaving and fabric dyeing.

The event featured live demonstrations of musical instruments, including the violin, viola da gamba, and recorders, along with musket firings, historic games, and more for attendees of all ages. Guests also had the chance to engage with the museum’s new AI George Washington.

While event hosts were dressed in historic clothing, visitors were invited to don period attire and capture memories at a selfie station. Many came dressed in their own historic items. The event was free and open to the public, including admission to the Education Center and museum. Refreshments were also provided.

The Huntington Militia, a colonial living history reenactment group, traces its roots back to Huntington’s founding in 1653 and serves as the official ceremonial guard of the Town of Huntington.

Will Sheeline/Herald photos

Emily Bader, left, and Liz Kolligs played classic songs from the 1700’s.

Vinnie DeNardo of the Huntington Militia demonstrated how a Brown Bess musket would be loaded and fired.

Siena Cappello, 7, right, Valentina Cappella, 4, Olivia Venier, 6, and Rosemary Genova, 4, got the chance to color historic scenes.

Sydeny Heller, left, and Vinnie DeNardo were two volunteers who helped give attendees a revolutionary experience.

Members of the Huntington Militia prepared a stew that would have been served to Continental Army soldiers.

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Island Harvest plays big role in food relief

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Randi Shubin Dresner, the president and chief executive officer of Island Harvest Food Bank, joined Nassau County officials last week to promote Hunger Action Month — and suggested ways that residents can give back to those facing food insecurity.

Shubin Dresner, who was named the East Meadow Herald’s Person of the Year in 2012 for her efforts in the community, has worked with Island Harvest since 2001.

Island Harvest is a leading hunger-relief organization, with a stout mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island while handling emergency responses for food and other resources across the region.

The organization directly supports a wide network of community-based nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals, veterans’ families and seniors who are in need of support.

“We are a very prosperous county,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said at a Sept. 10 news conference in Mineola, “but we have people in this county who are struggling. We are a county that takes care of those who need a little extra help.”

The county has run programs and held food drives in the past and has also held drives catered around specific holidays, like Thanksgiving, to help those struggling to sit down for a traditional meal.

In addition to Blakeman, county officials who attended the news conference included Elaine Phillips, the county comptroller and a longtime supporter of Island Harvest, Legislator Samantha Goetz, and Anissa Moore, the deputy county executive.

Blakeman declared Sept. 10 “Hunger Action Day” in Nassau County, and provided Shubin Dresner with a

Working closely to help neighbors in need are, second from right, Randi Shubin Dresner, Island

president and chief executive officer; Legislator Samantha Goetz; Anissa Moore, the

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman; and County Comptroller Elaine Phillips.

citation for the occasion. “Island Harvest is grateful for your partnership,” Shubin Dresner told Blakeman at the news conference. “We have received incredible amounts of funding that has ensured that we can provide important food and services to our neighbors all across Nassau County.”

Shubin Dresner said even though Nassau County has some of the wealthiest residents living within its zip codes in the country, Island Harvest helps more than 100,000 neighbors in need. This year, the food bank expects to distribute 10 millions pounds of food in Nassau County alone.

Hundreds attend FCA’s Senior H.O.P.E. Fair

Family & Children’s Association (FCA), one of Long Island’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations, hosted a highly successful Senior H.O.P.E. Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Samanea N.Y. Mall in Westbury. The free event, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, drew a large crowd of seniors and their families, offering a wealth of information and services aimed at improving their quality of life.

H.O.P.E., which stands for Happiness, Opportunity, Positive, Energy, was specifically designed to provide older adults with resources and knowledge to enhance their well-being. More than 50 vendors participated, offering attendees valuable insights into a wide range of services, including Medicare, mental health support, scam prevention, and substance use awareness. The fair also featured four educational workshops, technology training for seniors, and opportunities for caregivers to learn about support options. Additionally My Three Sons Bagels provided a free boxed lunch for the first 300 attendees.

FCA President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds emphasized the importance of events like the Senior H.O.P.E. Fair, especially as Long Island’s population continues to age. "It’s no secret that Long Island’s population is aging. Every year, our senior division helps more than 10,000 seniors improve their quality of life. The H.O.P.E. Fair allowed us to share these resources, and many others, with the broader Long Island community,

Reynolds said.

Lisa Stern, FCA’s Assistant Vice President for Senior & Adult Services, expressed her gratitude to the event's partners and the diverse group of vendors who made the fair possible. “We’re thrilled to have brought the H.O.P.E. Fair to Long Island’s senior population and their families. We couldn’t do this without our valued community partners, and we were happy to have vendors from diverse backgrounds offering a multitude of services to the senior community,” she said.

For those unable to attend, FCA offers continuous support to Long Island’s senior population through its many programs, reaching over 10,000 seniors each year. For more information about FCA’s services or future events, visit www.fcali.org.

“Who are our neighbors in need?” Shubin Dresner said. “Many of the people who are getting food from Island Harvest are working — working sometimes one and two and sometimes three jobs, just to make ends meet. Parents who are choosing to eliminate meals for themselves, so that their children can eat three meals a day, and sadly senior citizens who are having to choose between taking medicines or not, so they can save up those medicines and redress some of their funds to buy food for themselves,” she added.

For more information about Island Harvest, visit IslandHarvest.org.

(LEFT TO RIGHT) Paige O’Brien VP & Chief Development Officer and Kim Como, Marketing & Communications Director at FCA. DR. JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, CEO & President of FCA

GUESTS visiting the over 50 vendors to earn a wealth of new information.

Photos by Tim Baker

H.O.P.E. balloon arch greeting guests at the entrance.

FCA VAN outside the venue taught attendees about technology

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Harvest Food Bank

deputy county executive;

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN

THE GREAT BOOK GURU

Power of Love

D

ear Great Book Guru, My friends and I were talking recently about a new book we would like to use for our monthly book discussion. It is a story of a family here on Long Island who deals with a devastating medical ordeal The book reads like an unfolding mystery. Are you familiar with it? – can’t remember the name.

Interested Reader

a well-known North Shore clothing store on – yes - the Miracle Mile! Moments into the day she suffers a massive stroke and so begins an incredible story of pain, trauma, fear, and devotion in which a seeming tragedy turns into a tale of extraordinary love and healing.

Dear Interested Reader, Yes - I recently read “In The Face of Catastrophe” by Jennifer Rose Goldman and Caryn Meg Hirshleifer, a remarkable tale of bravery and familial devotion. Told from the perspectives of parents, a sibling, friends, and medical personnel, the book does indeed read like a novel with suspense and colorful characterization throughout.

ANN DIPIETRO

The story opens as Jenn, a thirty-oneyear-old woman begins her workday in

Jenn, her parents and sister Amanda each tell in their own words their feelings, reactions, and the part they play during a year of unbelievable ups and downs. Much is lost but much is gained as each of them finds strength in the face of the unknown.

There are echoes of the biblical tale of Job and his misfortunes as calamity after calamity befall the family, but the outcome is suffused with grace and gratitude. A remarkable book that should be read by all - highly recommended!

Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.

NEWS BRIEF

Registration begins for sports programs

Town of Oyster Bay residents are invited to take part in the town’s Fall Athletic Programs for basketball, badminton, and volleyball, beginning on Sept. 29, Hicksville Athletic Center. All athletic programs run for 10 weeks, are co-ed, and open to individuals 18 and over.

“The Town’s athletic programs offer a great opportunity for residents to take to the court, improve their skills, and make new friends,” said Town Councilman Lou Imbroto. “We have various sessions scheduled for each sport, giving residents several opportunities to have fun while staying active.”

Basketball pickup games will be held on Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m., and Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m., beginning on Sept. 29.

The Basketball program is 10-weeks long and costs $25 for residents and $40 for non-residents.

Badminton will feature two sessions for registrants to choose from. Classes start Sept. 29. Session 1 takes place Tuesdays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., Fridays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., and Sundays from 6:10 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. Session 2 takes place Tuesdays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., Fridays from 10:15

p.m. to 11:35 p.m., and Sundays from 8:20 p.m. to 10:20 p.m.

The Badminton program is 10-weeks long and costs $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents.

Volleyball will be split into two sessions. The first session will be held on Mondays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., Wednesdays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., and Saturdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. The second session will take place on Mondays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., Wednesdays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:20 p.m. to 10:20 p.m..

The volleyball program is 10-weeks long, costs $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents, and is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 30th.

Registration is available by visiting OysterBayTown.com/sports. You must upload proof of residency (tax or utility bill) and a valid identification card such as a driver’s license. Proof of residency is required for resident discount.

The schedule is subject to change – if a session is cancelled, make-up day(s) will be attempted. For more information, or to inquire about special holiday scheduling, call (516) 797-7945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov

STEPPING OUT

a vision of the power of the YONIA FAIN’S JOURNEY —

HUMAN SPIRIT

By Danielle Schwab

An artist’s life can take many twists and turns. Certainly that is case of Yonia Fain. He reinvented himself repeatedly, yet his dedication to art remained unwavering throughout his 100 years.

Hofstra University Museum of Art welcomes fall with a look at the esteemed artist, poet, author and educator, through its new exhibit, “Yonia Fain (1913-2013): Tracing History.”

The museum’s assemblage of Fain’s art and personal ephemera offers a comprehensive view of his life and global inﬂuence, on view through Dec. 16. Fain was a member of Hofstra’s Fine Arts, Design and Art History faculty from 1971 until his retirement in 1985; he was named faculty emeritus on his 100th birthday.

Around 50 of his works — he bequeathed his archive to the museum — are on display, curated by Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections Kristen Dorata, including paintings, drawings, sketchbooks, and poetry.

• Now through Dec. 16

• All programs require advance registration; call (516) 463-5672 or visit events.hofstra.edu

to RSVP

• Emily Lowe Gallery, behind Emily Lowe Hall, Hofstra University’s South Campus, Hempstead

“This exhibition is focusing on his journey, offering a vision of the human spirit,” says Museum Director Sasha Giordano. “We wanted to emphasize the aspect of being a refugee, being a displaced person having to move from place to place. The works of art that were chosen are from the many different places he traveled.”

Born in Ukraine in 1913, Fain fled Bolshevik Russia with his family to Warsaw, Poland. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he and his first wife fled on foot to Vladivostok, Russia. There he was conscripted into the Russian army as an artist.

Refusing to create propaganda art as demanded by the Nazis and Russian authorities, Fain, with his wife, obtained falsiﬁed documents, traveling from Siberia to Japan, eventually landing in the Shanghai Ghetto for the remainder of World War II.

Fain continued to use art as a form of expression, making a living painting portraits of Japanese soldiers and their families, also writing poetry.

“Firsthand experience is key to understanding Yonia Fain’s proliﬁc artistic oeuvre, from his early drawings in prewar Warsaw to the many paintings in New York after 1953,” Jan Burzlaff, postdoctoral associate in Holocaust Studies at Cornell University, writes in the exhibit catalogue.

She continues: “To paint is to share the experience,” Fain reﬂected in a testimony given to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in June 1999. His work seeks to lend voice to all Jews who experienced Nazi rule, the vast majority of whom did not leave a trace. … The exhibition allows for precisely such a window into historical experience. In the process, because his creations do not ﬁt neatly into the two dominant categories of abstract or realist representations, they also invite a much-needed reevaluation of Holocaust and postwar art.”

After the war ended, Fain set his sights on mural painting in Mexico, becoming friendly with fellow artists Diego Rivera and Ruﬁno Tamayo. In 1953, he immigrated to the U.S.; his works featured in prominent museums. Fain also continued writing, authoring ﬁve books of Yiddish poetry and serving as the president of the Yiddish Pen Society.

“His journey speaks to those who are displaced and pushed to the margins and stripped of identity in society,” Giordano says.

Fain’s art mixes representational technique with elements of abstract expressionism, employing

broad brush strokes, diagonals and dark marks.

“He really can’t be put comfortably into one style of art,” Giordano adds.

One of Fain’s prominent pieces “Occupied City, 2008,” shows an abstract landscape with overlapping buildings drawn in the background.

“It gives a sense of people living on top of each other in an enclosed space, in a trapped space, which reﬂects his lived experience,” Giordano notes.

Fain also used color to invoke deeper reﬂection. “Despite the subject matter being very traumatic, he uses a lot of bright and soft pastel colors. It plays to this dichotomy that exists in his work. He’s showing you hope, but he’s showing you despair. He’s showing you betrayal, but he’s showing you empathy.

Museum visitors can also interact with biographical material, including a timeline of the artist’s life and a video recording in which he discusses life in the Shanghai Ghetto. Additionally, everyone is invited to read Fain’s poetry and then submit a poem in response to the exhibit experience.

Fain’s extraordinary conviction to art during a time of adversity shows the enduring strength of human resilience and beckons us to explore the past.

“We should revisit history. We should re-examine these stories. We should consider people whose stories may trace a similar path of hardship today,” says Giordano.

As always, related programming enhances the viewing experience, including an exhibit tour on Oct. 23.

1964 … The Tribute

‘The “British Invasion” returns anew, when “1964 The Tribute” takes its audience on a musical journey back to that unforgettable era in rock history. Since the early 1980s, this reincarnation of the Fab Four has been thrilling folks all over the globe with what Rolling Stone Magazine has called the “Best Beatles tribute on earth.” Choosing songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era, “1964” astonishingly recreates an early ‘60s live Beatles concert, with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter. The band focuses on the quintessential moment in history, when The Beatles actually played before a live audience. Only a precious few got to experience when The Beatles toured the world in the early ‘60s. Who actually felt the “mania” that brought them to world acclaim. “1964” meticulously re-creates the “magic of those live performances with artful precision and unerring accuracy.

Friday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m. $65, $40, $30, $19.64. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

‘… Rollin’ on the river’

Step into a virtual time machine and journey back to the glory days of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s with Commotion — the electrifying Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band. The musicians pride themselves on their commitment to faithfully reproducing the iconic CCR sound. From the soulful voice of Steve McLain to the mesmerizing guitar solos of Jimmy Ryan, every riff, melody and rhythm comes to life with precision. McLain possesses a vocal prowess rivaling the one and only John Fogerty. With his husky timbre, emotive delivery and uncanny ability to recreate Fogerty’s raw energy, be transported back to when CCR ruled the airwaves. They are joined drummer Mark Ellis and bassist George Foster, who deliver those infectious beats that were CCRs trademark.

Friday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or (516) 323-4444.

Photos courtesy Hofstra University Museum of Art; Gift of the Estate of Yonia Fain Yonia Fain’s life is represented through his contemplative art, such as “Occupied City” (top left), “rouble Moving Into Harmony and Light,” (top right) and “Rage” (bottom right).

Neighborhood

Sept. 28

Take out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage, Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as ‘80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive 80s experience. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Jessie’s Girl has mastered over-the-top renditions of the some of the most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade.

Theater meets live music, covered in ‘80s glitz. There’s no decade like the ‘80s — and no one does that era quite like Jessie’s Girl Throw on your best neon, use extra hair spray and head to Back To The Eighties — because it’s time to party like it’s 1989. $45, $37.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Sept. 25

Hempstead House tour

Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, Sept. 25, noon-1 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

Legendary women of Long Island

Join historian Monica Randall for a captivating lecture on the influential women who shaped Long Island’s history during the early 20th century, Thursday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m., at Glen Cove Senior Center. Learn about the social icons and pioneers who left a lasting legacy on the region. Free and open to the public. 30 Glen St. For more information, contact (516) 759-9610.

Fascinating Fungi

Bring the kids to make some discoveries about mushrooms at Long Island Children’s Museum’s drop-in program, Sunday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m. Did you know that some mushrooms can glow in the dark? Learn about the 113 species of mushroom that are considered bioluminescent, due to a chemical reaction that attracts bugs to help spread mushroom spores. Stop by to learn about these amazing fungi and make a glowing mushroom craft to bring home. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Game Time

Drop by Bayville Free Library, Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m., for casual table games. Bring your own games or use games offered by the library such as; cards, Canasta, Mah Jongg, Scrabble, chess, checkers, backgammon, and jigsaw puzzles. No registration required. 34 School St. For more information, visit BayvilleFreeLibrary.org or call (516) 628-2765.

Jessie’s Girl

Tribute concert

Plaza Theatricals’ tribute series continues, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2:30 p.m., with Shades of Buble. An exciting trio brings the swinging standards and pop hits of Michael Bublé to the stage in an unforgettable high-energy event. This act consistently wows audiences with their harmonies, smooth choreography and charming good looks.

Enjoy big-band standards from the jazz era, classic hits from the 1950 through ‘70s, as well as Billboard chart toppers from today in this high-energy show that generates standing ovations from sold-out crowds. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Guns & Hoses

Come cheer on our GCPD vs. GCFD in the annual Guns & Hoses softball game, Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m., at John Maccarone Memorial Stadium in Glen Cove. Show your support for our local heroes at the free family event. Don’t miss out! Morris Ave., Glen Cove.

Sept. 21

Plein Air Festival

Sea Cliff Arts Council and Sherman Art Conservation invite artists under 21 to the Plein Air Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2122. With demonstrations, interactive workshops, and the opportunity to paint outdoors. Register your canvas prior to festival. Submit up to two works for the competition: 16x20 canvases max size, unsigned front, ready to hang.

Submissions will be displayed at SCAC through October, with an option to sell works at a 25 percent commission to SCAC. Winners will be announced in October, with monetary prizes for each age category. All participants receive a complimentary gift. 86 Roslyn Ave., Sea Cliff. Visit seacliffartscouncil.org for more.

Having an event?

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.

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.

Traditional Classic Italian Dishes

Home of the Original Grandma Slice

• Full Bar

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 will span 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.

Art League of L.I. exhibit

Sept. 28

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Art League of Long Island presents “Retrospect - The Individual Art of Collaboration in Reconstructive Surgery.” The exhibit delves into the interplay between personal artistry and collaborative efforts in the context of breast reconstruction, showcasing how the healing process can transcend medicine to become an inspiring narrative of restoration and personal resilience. This unique exhibition explores the intersection of medicine and art through the lens of two accomplished breast reconstruction surgeons, Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. Jonathan Bank, whose careers and artistic endeavors are deeply intertwined.

The works on display show the multifaceted nature of artistic expression in medicine and surgery. Their work emphasizes the importance of collaborative creativity in the healing process, offering viewers a unique perspective on the emotional and physical aspects of breast reconstruction. On view Sept. 28 through Oct. 18. Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery at Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Visit artleagueli.org for more information.

• Happy Hour 3:30 to 5:30

• Take Out and Delivery

• Outdoor Seating

• Farm to Table

• Catering

• Private Parties

• Event Space

Martini Monday $10 Martinis

Tequila Tuesday $5 Margaritas

Wine Wednesday $8 Wine/Glass

Ladies Night Thursday

Saturday and Sunday

12-5 Bottomless Mimosa/Spritzer

A premiere, public-private mountain community with best-in-class skiing for all and exclusive, four-season, luxury amenities for private club members, just a short drive from New York City.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Beverage Food Company LLC Articles of Organization fled with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on July 15 2024. Offce located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 192 Bayville Ave. Bayville NY 11709. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 148578

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff AGAINST GLENN A. SPELLMAN AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF WESSIE V. SPELLMAN WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF GEORGE HENRY SPELLMAN, GEORGE H, SPELLMAN, III AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF WESSIE V. SPELLMAN WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF GEORGE HENRY SPELLMAN, ET AL., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 19, 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 October 1, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 28 Cross Street, Locust Valley, NY 11560. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Locust Valley, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, and State of New York, Section 30, Block 7, Lot 139 & 141. Approximate amount of judgment $355,697.69 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #604609/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Michele Bencivinni, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-002006 81980 148622

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITIMORTGAGE, INC.,

Plaintiff, vs. ROBERT M. WALLACH A/K/A ROBERT

WALLACH A/K/A BOBBY

WALLACH A/K/A BOB

WALLACH A/K/A ROBERT MATTHEW WALLACH, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Order to Amend the Caption duly entered on February 2, 2017 and Order Pursuant to CPLR 2004 Extending the Time to Set Sale and TO Ratify Sale NUNC Pro TUNC and for the Appointment of a Successor Referee to Conduct the Sale, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 16, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 219 Feeks Lane, Mill Neck, NY 11765. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Mill Neck, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 29, Block J and Lot 372. Approximate amount of judgment is $4,966,248.56 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #007508/2014. Cash will not be accepted.

George Esernio, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 148893

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF UPPER

BROOKVILLE BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

The hearing will be on the appeal of LJC-KZD, LLC, owner of a parcel of land located at 1611 Cedar Swamp Road in the Village, designated as Section 18, Block A, Lot 1006 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village=s R-1 (2-acre) zoning district.

The Appellants seek variances to permit the following construction:

1. Sports court with retaining wall which has a side yard setback from Old Cedar Swamp Road of 54.7 feet to the sports court and 43.6 feet to the retaining wall rather than the required

75 feet and which is located within a regulated slopeland

2. Basement walkout patio with steps to grade, which would have a side yard setback of 50.2 feet to Old Cedar Swamp Road rather than the required 75 feet;

3. Courtyard which would have a side yard setback of 71.1 feet from Old Cedar Swamp Road rather than the required 75 feet;

4. Putting green which would have a side yard setback of 67 feet from Old Cedar Swamp Road rather than the required 75 feet;

5. Proposed utility equipment pad which would have a side yard setback from Old Cedar Swamp Road of 60.3 feet rather than the required 75 feet. The above application is on fle at the offce of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Philip H. Wachtler Chairman Z-458 September 20, 2024 149076

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF UPPER

BROOKVILLE

BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

A public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Brookville Reformed Church - Brookville Road, Glen Head, NY on October 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be on the appeal of Rodney and Elizabeth Berens, former owners of a parcel of land located at 939 Riley Lane in the Village, designated as Section 24, Block E, Lot 301 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village=s OP-1 (5-acre) zoning district. The Appellants seek variances to maintain the following existing structures:

1. Air conditioning unit which has a rear yard setback of 33.6 feet rather than the required 75 feet;

2. Two air conditioning units which have a rear yard setback of 48.1 feet rather than the required 75 feet;

3. Air conditioning unit which has a rear yard setback of 71.8 feet rather than the required 75 feet;

4. Chicken coop which has an area of 73 square feet, and which will increase the preexisting, non-conforming total accessory area of 4,012 square feet to 4,085 square feet rather than the maximum permitted 2,000 s.f.

The above application is on fle at the offce of Humes & Wagner, LLP, attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, New York where it may be seen by appointment during the regular hours of the usual business days until the time of the hearing. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at said time and place. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at 516-676-4600 at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Philip H. Wachtler Chairman Z-459 September 20, 2024 149077

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

A public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York at the Brookville Reformed Church - Brookville Road, Glen Head, NY on October 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be on the appeal of Daphne W. Scalamandre, former owners of a parcel of land located at 343 Chicken Valley Road in the Village, designated as Section 22, Block G, Lot 13 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, and located within the Village=s OP-1 (5-acre) zoning district.

The Appellants seek variances to maintain the following existing structures:

1. Sports court which has a southerly side yard setback of 67 feet rather than the required 75 feet;

2. Air conditioning unit adjacent to the existing cottage which has a northerly side yard setback of 21.5 feet rather than the required 75 feet;

3. Air conditioning unit which has a northerly side yard setback of 66.2 feet rather than the required 75 feet;

4. Generator which has a northerly side yard setback of 62 feet rather than the required 75 feet;

5. Above ground LP tank, which has a northerly side yard setback of 66.2+/- feet rather than the required 75 feet.

Philip H. Wachtler

Chairman Z-460

September 20, 2024 149078

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF UPPER

BROOKVILLE

BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

A public hearing will be held by and before the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, Nassau County, New York, at the Brookville Church, Brookville Road, Glen Head, NY, on October 1, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

The continued hearing will be on the application of the Chabad of Brookville, owner of a 2-acre parcel of land located at 1447 Cedar Swamp Road in the Village designated as Section 18, Block A, Lots 1057A & 1057B on the Land and Tax Map of Nassau County and located within the Village’s R-1 (2 Acre) Zoning District. The Applicant seeks a conditional use permit to allow the property to be improved and used for religious worship and religious education on a lot having an area of 2.0 acres rather than the required 6 acres, as set forth on the plans entitled “Land Development Plans for Chabad of Brookville…” prepared by Bohler Engineering NY, PLLC, last revised July 31, 2024.

In connection with the proposed religious use of the property, the Applicant seeks the following variances, or in the alternative a determination that a variance is not required:

1. The proposed new building (church) is located on a 2-acre (87,179 s.f.) parcel. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-20(C) in

which the required minimum lot size is 6 acres.

2. The proposed new principal building will have a proposed front yard setback of 31.5 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required front yard setback is 75 feet minimum.

3. The proposed building will have two curb cuts. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205- 15(E)(2), in which only one curb cut is permitted.

4. The proposed building to have parking located in the front yard. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-15(E)(4), in which parking in the front yard is not permitted.

5. The proposed new parking area will have a proposed rear yard setback of 3.5 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-16 (E)(3) in which the required setback is 20 feet minimum.

6. The proposed new parking area will have a proposed side yard setback of 13 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-16 (E)(3) in which the required setback is 20 feet minimum.

7. The existing play area will have a proposed side yard setback of 2.79 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10(E) in which the required side yard setback is 50 feet minimum.

8. The existing play area will have a proposed rear yard setback of 1.36 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required rear yard setback is 50 feet minimum.

9. The proposed rear ramp will have a proposed rear yard setback of 1.0.5 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required rear yard setback is 50 feet minimum,

10. The submitted plans show the proposed rear sunken court with a proposed rear yard setback of 36.5’ is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) and requires a minimum rear yard setback of 50 feet.

11. The existing A/C unit will have a proposed side yard setback of 48.96 feet This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required side yard setback is 50 feet minimum

12. The submitted plans show the existing pool patio has a rear yard setback of 36.5’ that is in

violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required rear yard setback is 50 feet minimum.

13. The existing rear patio will have a proposed rear yard setback of 31.2 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required rear yard setback is 50 feet minimum.

14. The proposed trash enclosure will have a proposed rear yard setback of 3.3 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required rear yard setback is 50 feet minimum.

15. The proposed new principal building will have a proposed total volume of 205,873 c.f.. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (D)(1)(a) in which the required maximum volume is 90,000 c.f.

16. The proposed new principal building will have a proposed total building coverage of 18.84%. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required maximum coverage is 15%.

17. The existing relocated accessory entry sign will have a proposed front yard setback of 10.5 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) & 205-14 in which the required front yard setback is 75 feet minimum.

18. The proposed cellar entry will have a proposed rear yard setback of 43 feet. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10 (E) in which the required rear yard setback is 50 feet minimum.

19. The proposed new parking area will have 52 spaces plus 2 spaces within the existing accessory structure. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-16 in which 81 off-street parking spaces is required.

20. The submitted plans show the existing accessory structure has a building height of 30.5’ that is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10(E) in which the maximum building height is 22 feet.

21. The existing accessory structure(s) has a foor area of 5,770 s.f.. This is in violation of Zoning Section 205-10(D)(3) in which the maximum foor area for a single detached structure is 1,000 s.f. and a combined total foor area of 1,600 s.f.

22. The existing accessory structure is to be used as an accessory dwelling. This is in violation of Zoning

Section 205-7 & 205-9(D), in which the existing accessory dwelling did not exist prior to January 3, 1961.

The Applicant further seeks approval to use the existing dwelling for occupancy by the Rabbi and his family, and for temporary religious uses while the new building is being constructed. The above application and plat are on fle at the offces of Humes & Wagner, Attorneys for the Village, 147 Forest Avenue, Locust Valley, NY, where they may be seen during business hours of usual business days until the time of the hearing.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. If any individual requires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Attorney at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing. Philip Wachtler Chairman Z-398 149075

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I, INC.,TRUST 2004-HE6, Plaintiff, vs. NICHOLAS BERTOLINO A/K/A NICHOLAS J. BERTOLINO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confrming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 28, 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 October 22, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 10 Pershing Avenue, Locust Valley, NY 11560. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Locust Valley, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 29, Block R02 a/k/a R-2 and Lot 1140. Approximate amount of judgment is $698,848.84 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #007432/2016. Jeffrey Fox, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 149012

The need for responsible mask legislation

In recent years, masks have become a symbol of both protection and fear. Originally donned to shield us from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, they now also obscure identities in ways that endanger our communities. As we further emerge from the pandemic, it’s crucial that we address the dual nature of masks: their role in safeguarding health and their potential to conceal nefarious intentions.

In 2020, New York state repealed a section of the Penal Law that made it a criminal violation for groups to wear masks in public, a law that had been on the books for over 175 years. This decision, driven by the urgent need to curb Covid-19, was necessary for public health. But as the pandemic waned and life began to normalize, the state neglected to revisit and reform this aspect of the law to balance public health with public safety. Recent tragic events underscore the pressing need for such reform. The horrific antisemitic violence witnessed on

IOct. 7, and the subsequent rise in attacks against Jewish people across New York, highlighted a disturbing trend: perpetrators often hid their faces behind masks to evade identification while committing crimes. These cowardly acts of violence, perpetrated in anonymity, reflect a larger pattern in which masks are used to obscure identity for criminal purposes.

TIt’s not just antisemitic violence that underscores the necessity for this legislation. Criminals of all kinds — shoplifters, drug dealers or petty thieves — frequently use masks to conceal their identities. Consider the brutal incident at Hofstra University in which six masked men stabbed two people at a children’s graduation. Such heinous acts are a stark reminder of the dangers that come with the misuse of masks.

and Louisiana. These laws have been consistently upheld in federal courts.

Our new law aims to strike a balance. It is designed to prevent the use of masks for harassment, intimidation or criminal activity while still respecting their legitimate uses. Masks worn for health, safety, religious purposes or cultural celebrations are explicitly exempt from this law. The goal is clear: to target those who would use masks to engage in criminal conduct or to incite fear, without infringing on personal freedoms or public health measures.

he fundamental purpose of our new law is to keep our residents safe.

The Mask Transparency Act, modeled in part after Virginia’s anti-masking statute, seeks to address these concerns. Virginia’s law, enacted in the 1950s to combat the Ku Klux Klan’s use of masks in their racist activities, has set a precedent for similar laws across the country, including states like Florida, Georgia

The law focuses on the use of masks in specific contexts: when groups congregate with masked faces for harmful purposes, or when individuals use masks to evade responsibility for actions that are illegal or harmful. This approach, influenced by public feedback and discussions with stakeholders, ensures that the law is both fair and effective.

In essence, this is about ensuring that masks are used appropriately — to protect health and safety — rather than to shield people who wish to threaten or harm others. It’s about restoring a sense of security and accountability in our

communities, while upholding the values of fairness and respect for personal freedoms.

Since the legislation was signed into law by County Executive Bruce Blakeman last month, we have already seen its positive benefits. On Aug. 25, after receiving a 911 call, Nassau County police noticed a man wearing a ski mask walking down a street in Levittown acting suspiciously and trying to conceal a large bulge in his waistband, which turned out to be a 14-inch knife. Police officers stopped the man, who continued to behave suspiciously and was ultimately arrested. He later admitted to police that he was given the knife and mask and told to rob someone.

Less than a week later, police responded to a call from a resident who saw someone wearing a ski mask on their home surveillance camera. Officers arrested the man, who was found to be in possession of burglary tools.

As this legislation continues to take root, let’s remember its fundamental purpose: to keep our residents safe. By addressing the misuse of masks, we are reinforcing our commitment to a safer, more just society. The two recent examples certainly help support that premise.

Samantha A. Goetz represents Nassau County’s 18th Legislative District.

Honoring our immigrant ancestors

mmigration has been a contentious topic for the past few years, as the migrant crisis at the southern border has continuously grabbed headlines, prompted intense debate and served as a major policy point for candidates in elections across the nation. While Americans have always, and likely will always, disagree on how to handle this issue, there’s no denying the increasingly vitriolic, outlandish and in many cases outright racist language used to describe these immigrants. Every American is a descendant of immigrants, whether your ancestors came here on the Mayflower, through Ellis Island or, in recent decades, on a plane. My ancestors came from Italy, Scotland, England, France and Germany, some as early as the 1600s and some as late as the early 1900s.

So it’s disappointing, as someone who was raised to take pride in my family’s history, who learned about the struggles that my Italian and Jewish relatives faced when they arrived, to see how willing many Americans are to assume the

worst about all immigrants.

There are some who will say, “I don’t hate all immigrants — just the illegals who come to our country to steal our jobs and murder us.” While I can appreciate the very real worries about gang members or criminals arriving in our neighborhoods, I’d like to ask a simple question.

How do you think your immigrant ancestors would feel if someone accused them of eating dogs?

I can promise you, most of our ancestors did face discrimination when they came to this country. In the mid-1800s, when waves of Germans and Irish arrived, and decades later, when Italian, Greek, Russian, Jewish and more people came here in droves, they faced the racist backlash that many immigrants are still facing today.

whom endured hellish conditions on their journey over. They drew caricatures, published cartoons calling Irishmen “wild beasts,” and ran political campaigns on a platform that the Irish were not fit to be members of civilized society.

I t’s frustrating to see many Americans assume the worst about immigrants.

According to Kevin Kenny, a professor of history at Boston College, “Native-born Americans criticized Irish immigrants for their poverty and manners, their supposed laziness and lack of discipline, their public drinking style, their Catholic religion, and their capacity for criminality and collective violence. In both words and pictures, critics of the Irish measured character by perceived physical appearance.”

Sound familiar?

The Know Nothing Party of the 1850s was a nativist political movement that opposed Catholic immigration into the country. They ran on a platform of keeping America Protestant and “pure,” rejecting the notion that Catholics and non-Anglo-Saxon peoples had anything to offer our young nation.

The Know Nothings used slurs to insult the many Irish immigrants who had fled the Great Famine, many of

I’m not saying people don’t have a right to be concerned about illegal immigration. It’s a serious issue that has remained unresolved through far too many administrations of both parties. But we must remember that our words have meaning, and that when we make blanket judgments about people or groups, we are, as the adage goes, cutting off our nose to spite our face.

Because immigrants have always been the backbone of this country, from the day of the signing of the Declaration

of Independence — which features the signatures of eight immigrants — to today. From early arrivers like Tadeusz Kosciuszko, who built Fort West Point and helped the Americans win the Battle of Saratoga, to later ones like Andrew Carnegie, the tycoon who dominated the steel industry in the 19th century — neither of whom had ‘legal’ documentation when they arrived — immigrants have always had an outsized impact as workers, innovators and leaders.

Arguably the most famous immigrant in our history, Alexander Hamilton, came to New York as a boy with nothing, and ended up one of our most influential Founding Fathers. I wonder what people these days would call the immigrant orphan child of a prostitute from the Caribbean with no formal schooling. Immigration is difficult. It is a quagmire that provides immeasurable benefits while, conversely, creating serious social, economic and political pressures. But we should never resort to reductive and hateful stereotypes.

Every immigrant, no matter how he or she came here, is a human being, and should be treated as such. Don’t make the same mistake the people who called my relatives “wops” and “dagos” did, and assume they have less to offer.

Will Sheeline is a senior reporter covering Glen Cove, Glen Head, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@ liherald.com.

SAMANTHA A. GOETZ

History is passed down in our fre departments

History is often perceived as something static — a collection of events consigned to textbooks, memorialized in museums, or commemorated on anniversaries. It can feel as though history lives on dusty bookshelves, far removed from our daily lives.

But history isn’t merely a record of the past, frozen in time. Rather, it is a living, breathing thing, continuously shaping the present and influencing the future.

History evolves as it is interpreted, re-examined and passed down through generations. One way to understand its dynamic nature is by noting how institutions like fire departments are now hiring young people who were born after Sept. 11, 2001 — a day that still feels so recent and vivid to many of us.

This milestone is a potent reminder that history is an ever-evolving force that defines generational perspectives, values and narratives.

Many of us remember where we were and what we were doing on 9/11, as do members of older generations who remember where they were when they heard that President John F. Kennedy had been shot, or that Pearl Harbor had been attacked.

For firefighters — and especially those who serve in New York City and on Long Island — no date holds deeper meaning than Sept. 11. The bravery of the many first responders who ran

LETTERS

The latest on New York’s push for state and federal ERA

To the Editor:

toward the hellish chaos at the World Trade Center, intending to save lives, has become emblematic of the courage and sacrifice inherent in their profession.

That fire departments are now hiring people who were not alive when the towers fell highlights the inevitability of generational change and the idea that history is always moving forward, even when it feels as if time has stood still.

These young recruits are entering a world shaped by the consequences of 9/11, yet they engage with it in a different way. For them, Sept. 11 is, yes, history, but not a memory — a chapter learned in school rather than a harrowing, indelible life experience.

This generational shift forces us to confront the duality of history: it is at once deeply personal and profoundly collective. For those of us who lived through 9/11 — and particularly the millions who could see the smoking wreckage from their homes or offices, with no need of a television screen — the event has become part of the fabric of our lives. For those born afterward, it is something learned about and appreciated through second-hand accounts.

Nonetheless, their presence in firefighting gear yet to be soiled signals that history is alive, breathing new life into the institutions that helped shape it. Eerily similar to the refrain repeated by Jewish people immersed in their

own living history since the Holocaust, “Never again,” fire departments across the United States, as far removed from New York as Alaska, echo the phrase, “Never forget.”

There, the Kenai Fire Department — more than 4,500 miles from ground zero — commemorates 9/11 every year as if its members, too, were just a truck ride from where the planes hit.

“The greatest thing we can do to honor the lives lost on 9/11 is to strive to be the people we were on Sept. 12, when we all came together, we all felt like one nation, one people,” Jay Teague, chief of the Kenai department, said at its Sept. 11 ceremony last week, as reported by KDLL public radio. “We get lost in the daily strife, the daily frustrations, and we lose that sometimes, but I think that’s probably the best sentiment we can end on, is that we should strive to be the people we were on Sept. 12.”

As young recruits join firehouses in New York City, on Long Island and across the country, they bring with them a new understanding of public service, informed not only by the legacy of 9/11, but the challenges they have faced in the post-9/11 world, marked by heightened security, shifting global politics, a pandemic and a divided country.

This generational handoff underscores the vitality of history. It is not static; it does not belong solely to the past. Rather, it lives on through the people who reinterpret it and shape it anew.

As election season heats up, the League of Women Voters of Central Nassau and partners such as New Yorkers for Equal Rights and the New York Civil Liberties Union continue to advocate for and educate about Proposal 1, appearing on state ballots in the upcoming election, through postcarding, phonebanking, canvassing and public appearances. We remind New York voters to “flip their ballot” on Nov. 5 and vote on Prop 1, which expands on the current state Equal Rights Amendment to include protections against discrimination for all New Yorkers.

Moreover, LWVCN recently joined the Sign4ERA.org team — which advocates for the long-overdue certification and publication of the federal ERA — when the organization’s chair, former New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and her colleagues visited Garden City on Sept. 1 to ask U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for his support. D’Esposito, who represents the 4th Congressional District, is one of a few

A new season of optimism and opportunities

The old refrain, “Summer went too fast,” never does get old — and that’s because so many of us have been repeating it in recent days.

But even as the season’s end brings a tinge of sadness, it also brings a new autumnal momentum to our lives: a new school year for our children, the transition of our recent high school graduates to higher education in colleges and universities around the country, and people entering the job market or changing careers. Our local small businesses geared up for back-to-school sales, and families are now preparing for fall events and religious holidays, most notably the Jewish New Year and the High Holy Days.

As we have each year since 2016, my office will host a number of events coinciding with this change in seasons, to help constituents and their families prepare for the months ahead.

SOn Sept. 24, we will host our twice-annual Shed the Meds event at Syosset Library, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department’s 2nd Precinct. This event is crucially important, because it provides a safe and effective way for our friends and neighbors to dispose of unused, unfinished or expired medications, thereby safeguarding against having those medications end up in the wrong hands or damaging our environment through improper disposal.

hedding meds, tax workshops, the Mammovan and more as we move into fall.

Village Restoration, in partnership with the county Department of Assessment. Homeowners and seniors will receive individualized assistance with applying for and receiving all of the tax exemptions they are entitled to. We will repeat that workshop less than two weeks later, on Oct. 22, at the Jericho Public Library. Both workshops are from 1 to 3 p.m., and anyone needing help should arrive no later than 2:30.

As we approach the colder months and contend with the inevitable flu season and an increase in Covid cases, I encourage everyone to protect themselves and their families by taking full advantage of the vaccines that are available to keep us safe and healthy. And with school now back in session and our children, parents and families sharing and embracing this new season, I remind all drivers to exercise an abundance of caution as they traverse the streets of our communities.

On Oct. 10, we will bring the Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program, or HELP, property tax exemption workshop series to The Barn at Old Bethpage

LETTERS

remaining members of Congress needed to sign a House discharge petition that would bring HJ Resolution 25 — removing the deadline for the ratification of the ERA — to the House floor for a vote.

Since Virginia was the 38th state to ratify the ERA in 2020, we have the threefourths majority of states needed to affirm it as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. As of Sept. 1, the discharge petition had been signed by 214 House members, and needed 218 signatures to move to a floor vote. So if you live in District 4 — which includes Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Carle Place, East Meadow, Elmont, the Five Towns, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport, Garden City, Garden City Park, Hempstead, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Malverne, Merrick, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Seaford, Uniondale, Valley Stream, Wantagh, West Hempstead and Westbury — and you support the ERA, contact D’Esposito’s office, at desposito.house.gov, as soon as possible, and ask him to sign Discharge Petition No. 6. This federal equal rights legislation is long overdue, and we are close to making history by seeing it finally published in the Constitution, where, arguably, it always should have been.

On Tuesday, which, auspiciously, was both Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day, representatives of the LWVCN, the National Council of Jewish Women and the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women were scheduled to visit D’Esposito’s office to discuss the urgency and significance of the federal ERA, not only for New Yorkers but for all Americans.

SUSAN CUSHMAN, PH.D. LWVCN advocacy chair Garden City

Last but certainly not least, on Nov. 7, we will team up with Nassau University Medical Center to bring the Mammovan back to our community. This potentially life-saving initiative gives women an opportunity to expeditiously screen for breast cancer — and those without insurance may be able to do so at no cost. Please stay tuned, and contact my office closer to the event date for more details.

Funding from Washington and Albany is crucial to LIRR’s operations

To the Editor:

The Long Island Rail Road still needs to reach a state of good repair for its existing fleet, stations, elevators, escalators, signals, interlockings, track, power, yards and shops. That also includes more stations reaching compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Maintenance programs for all operating assets also need to be fully funded, and completed on time, to ensure riders safe, uninterrupted, reliable service.

Since its creation in 1964, the Urban Mass Transit Administration — which since 1991 has been known as the Federal Transit Administration — has provided billions of dollars to pay for many of these capital improvements. The LIRR’s share of the FTA’s annual grants to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority averages 15 percent. In 2024, this should total $270 million of $1.8 billion in federal grant funding.

The state Department of Transportation also provides Statewide Transportation Operating Assistance on an annual basis to the MTA and the LIRR. Let’s give thanks to both Washington and Albany for continued financial support for our LIRR, the nation’s largest commuter railroad.

LARRY PENNER Great Neck

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

My office is always available to anyone and everyone for any questions or needs. It continues to be my utmost honor and privilege to serve as a legislator, and as we support the Syosset Chamber of Commerce’s 20th anniversary Street Fair on Jackson Avenue on Sept. 29, I hope you can take a break from the fun, festivities and vendors to stop by and say hello to my staff and me.

Arnold W. Drucker represents Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District, and is the Legislature’s deputy minority leader.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

Pride sculpted in sand — Town Park Point Lookout

ARNOLD W. DRUCKER

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