Oceanside/Island Park Herald 10-31-2024

Oceanside/island park

HERALD

Skye Margies/Herald The ribbon was cut and the Oceanside Library was officially reopened at its old location, completely revamped. Among the crowd were Janet Pearsall, vice president of the board of trustees, center, who cut the ribbon, and library Director Chris Marra, right.

Newly renovated Oceanside Library draws a crowd to its reopening

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Hundreds of people gathered last Sunday morning for the Oceanside Library’s grand reopening, after a multi-year renovation that transformed the institution into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The day was filled with excitement and anticipation as community members, library staff and local officials crowded into the building’s new spaces and celebrated the remarkable effort that brought this ambitious project to life.

The event began with a welcome from Daniel Faust, president of the library’s board of trustees, and opening remarks from board Vice President Janet Pearsall, head of the Construction Committee. Pearsall played a

key role in guiding the library through the complex renovation process, collaborating with Director Chris Marra and Assistant Director Tony Iovino to oversee the construction.

“This library is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision,” Pearsall said. “We’re proud to open these doors and present this incredible space, which will serve as a hub of learning and creativity for generations to come.”

The project was undertaken by the E.W. Howell Construction Group, with Paul Schell and his team leading the construction. The design was conceptualized by H2M Architects + Engineers, with key contributions from

Patriot Club honors veteran of World War II

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Oceanside resident Herbert Alberg, a 97-year-old World War II veteran and original crewmember of the USS Ticonderoga, was honored with a special plaque during halftime at Oceanside High School’s football game on Oct. 18.

The school’s Patriot Club bestowed the recognition upon Alberg, celebrating his distinguished service in the U.S. Navy.

distinction of being what is known as a “plank owner.” That title is given to original crewmembers of a ship and is a source of great pride for Alberg, who still cherishes the Plank Owner Award given to the original crewmembers of the ship received commemorating their service.

I survived; I came home, went to school, and resumed my life.

Born in Brooklyn in 1927, Alberg enlisted in the Navy at just 17 years old, during the height of World War II. He celebrated his 18th birthday in boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, a memory he recalls vividly due to the harsh winter winds that swept off Lake Michigan.

HERBERT ALBERg

World War ll veteran

Serving aboard the USS Ticonderoga, an aircraft carrier that played a critical role in the Pacific Theater, Alberg was part of significant naval battles, including military operations near Japan.

“I was an original member of the crew,” he said, holding the

The Navy was more than a duty for him — it was a defining period that shaped his life, filled with stories, camaraderie and memories.

While serving on the Ticonderoga, Alberg operated as part of the ship’s radio unit, ensuring crucial communications during missions. He often found ways to capture the moments around him, sneaking in photos with a camera his brother sent him from overseas.

“Not too many people had cameras on the ship, other than the officers,” Alberg recalled. “I used to sort of hide it and take pictures without much fanfare, like planes taking off and sometimes plane crashes.”

After being honorably dis -

COnTinueD On PAge 2

Alberg honored at Oceanside High School

charged in 1946, Alberg attended technical school and pursued a career as a surveyor. Later, he joined his cousin’s sprinkler business before landing a government job at Governors Island, which was at the time home to Army headquarters.

Alberg spent 37 years working as a post engineer, even remaining on Governors Island when the Coast Guard took over operations after the Army’s departure in the 1960s.

“I was there when they closed the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Governors Island,” Alberg said. “The Coast Guard took over and established their headquarters there.”

Alberg continued working on Governors Island until he retired at the age of 80. A member of a family with a strong work ethic, Alberg shared that his brother didn’t retire until he was 93. His family’s longevity is something he also touched upon, noting that his father, brother and sisters all lived well into their 90s.

Throughout his life, Alberg has maintained his connection to his military service. He donated much of his memorabilia, including photos he took during the war, to the USS Ticonderoga for future display in the ship’s museum. He also remains active in the Jewish War Veterans, attending meetings at the Friedberg JCC, where the group continues to discuss topics important to veterans and host events for them.

Alberg admitted that the recognition he received during halftime of the high school’s homecoming game was one of the few times he’s been honored for his service.

“I think that’s the first time,” he said, reflecting on the plaque he received.

The halftime ceremony, which took place after the school’s dance team and band performed, was a touch-

ing moment for Alberg, who was seated at field level. He expressed his gratitude to Oceanside High School and the Patriot Club for the honor.

“It was a very nice plaque,” he said. “I knew what was going on because I spoke to some of the people who had participated in previous years.”

The 97-year-old now spends his days visiting the Oceanside Library and the JCC, and reflecting on a life filled with memories, including surviving a childhood accident that nearly kept him out of the Navy.

“I was hit by a car when I was 8 years old,” Alberg said, recalling the accident that left him with a double compound fracture of his arm and put him in the hospital for a month. His mother feared he could have been killed if not for a quick-thinking police officer, who

used his handkerchief to create a tourniquet, saving Alberg’s arm — and perhaps his future military career.

Despite the challenges, Alberg’s injury did not prevent him from enlisting. “I showed my arm to the doctors during my physical, and they said, ‘It’s okay, you’re good to go.’ There was a war on, after all.”

His family was supportive, though understandably worried, especially since his younger brother had already been serving in the Navy since 1941.

Looking back, Alberg is at peace with his life and his contributions.

“As far as I’m concerned, everything turned out all right,” he said. “I survived, I came home, went to school, and resumed my life.”

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Todd Nussen presented Oceanside veteran Herbert Alberg with a plaque in honor of his years of service.

OHS Bridges program offers new outlook

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Oceanside High School hosted its Bridges Career Day on Oct. 23 marking the eighth year of a program designed to shake up the traditional career fair model. A joint initiative between Oceanside and Uniondale school districts, the Bridges program brought together over 100 students from both communities for a day of exploration, connection, and self-reflection.

The program is a tool for cross-district collaboration, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to connect.

The program has been running for eight years, and starts in 7th grade and continues through 12th grade, with students forming lasting relationships across both districts.

Students apply by writing an essay about a societal issue they want to change. The program focuses on teaching students to engage in difficult conversations, like immigration, while respecting differing viewpoints and offers students access to various professionals.

David Hollander, Uniondale’s Director of Social Studies and co-organizer of the event, noticed the geographic and cultural divide between Uniondale and Oceanside, despite the schools being only around 15 minutes apart. The program seeks to bridge this gap by fostering collaboration between students from both districts.

“The goal was to give students not only a better understanding of various professions but also to help them think about how those careers fit into the bigger picture of their lives,” he said. “It’s about making informed choices that lead to both professional and personal fulfillment.”

This year’s event featured professionals from fields as varied as healthcare, mental health, journalism, engineering, law, and the military. Keynote speakers, both in person and remote, offered students not just a

glimpse into their careers, but also candid discussions on the challenges, rewards, and lifestyle considerations of their professions.

The day began with a preparatory session led by teachers, including Oceanside Middle School’s Joe LaTorre, who has been with the program since its inception. Students were encouraged to think beyond the standard career day questions and consider what really matters to them. The highlight of the event was the small group discussions with professionals, giving students a chance to learn about various careers in an intimate setting.

“We’ve got a doctor remoting in from Chicago, an executive coach from Costa Rica, and an Army Lieutenant from Florida,” LaTorre said.

The event also focused on the idea of “popping the bubble”—encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and engage with ideas and careers they might not have considered before. Mitch Bickman, Oceanside’s Director of Social Studies, praised the

event’s ability to challenge students’ perceptions.

“We wanted to give them something more than just a standard career day,” Bickman said. “This event pushes them to think critically about what they really want out of life and work.”

LaTorre echoed this sentiment, explaining that one of the event’s goals was to expose students to realworld challenges, such as the high cost of living on Long Island.

“These kids are already asking the hard questions,” he said. “They want to know how they’re going to live here, how they’re going to afford it.”

After the small group sessions, students regrouped with teachers to debrief and reflect on the day. Many noted that the event opened their eyes to new possibilities.

“This is just the beginning,” LaTorre said, reminding students that they are part of a supportive community through the Bridges program, which will continue to help guide them through high school and beyond.

Three to be honored at MSSN annual gala

Linda Armyn, President and CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union, will be the corporate honoree at Mount Sinai South Nassau’s 2024 Soirée Under the Stars fundraising gala, held on Nov. 9, at The Lannin in Eisenhower Park. The funds raised will support the hospital’s Cancer Programs.

The hospital will also honor Dr. Shahriyour Andaz, director of Thoracic Oncology, and Shaeda Alloo, a veteran respiratory therapist. Dr. Andaz will receive the Mary Pearson Award, recognizing his leadership in lung cancer care. Ms. Alloo, who served on the frontlines during the Covid-19 pandemic, will be presented with the Cupola Award for her dedication to patient care.

“Dr. Andaz is the epitome of a compassionate, expert, skilled physician,” said Dr. Adhi Sharma,Mount Sinai South Nassau’s President. “Ms. Alloo inspires others through her professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication to the vision and mission of Mount Sinai South Nassau. They both exhibit deep concern, compassion, and the utmost respect for their patients. These honors were established for staff members like Dr. Andaz and Ms. Alloo.”

Andaz, Director of Thoracic Oncology, who has led the hospital’s efforts to

combat lung cancer, and Shaeda Alloo, a veteran respiratory therapist who served during the Covid-19 pandemic, also will be honored. They will be presented with the hospital’s Mary Pearson and Cupola awards, respectively. Armyn has been instrumental in Bethpage’s community efforts, including the hospital’s Truth in Medicine public health poll, which gauges public awareness on health topics.

“Bethpage and Ms. Armyn have been essential partners of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s public health education initiatives and projects, including the hospital’s ‘Truth in Medicine’ public health poll,” Sharma said. “Our collaboration with Bethpage in public health education has enhanced the health and wellness of thousands of Long Island fami-

lies and residents.”

Armyn is the first woman to be named President and Chief Executive Officer of Bethpage. A leader throughout Long Island and the credit union industry, she has played an integral role in Bethpage’s strategic growth and brand development. Since 2001, through various leadership roles, Armyn has helped Bethpage grow from $1.1 billion to more than $13 billion in assets. She played an integral role in two mergers that led to Bethpage’s open charter in 2016. Today, Bethpage is the 15th largest credit union in the nation.

With a focus on collaboration and innovation, Armyn developed Bethpage’s comprehensive community engagement efforts, known as Bethpage Cares. Each year, the credit union

invests more than $2 million through its charitable giving arm, and its employees contribute 6,000 hours of volunteer work. Armyn is Co-Chair of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, a member of the New York State Parks Commission on Long Island, and Vice Chair of the Stony Brook University President’s Council, and serves on several not-for-profit boards and trade association committees.

This year’s Soiree will include an expanded cocktail reception starting at 6:30 pm and a sit-down dinner that will feature an array of food choices, unlimited top-shelf open bar, passed hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, and an opportunity to mingle with the hospital’s key supporters, staff, board leadership, and administration.

The evening also will include dancing to music from a 10-piece live band and a live auction at which attendees can bid on tickets to the 2025 Ryder Cup at the Bethpage Black golf course in Farmingdale. To learn more about the Soirée, purchase tickets, or support the event as a sponsor, call Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Development office at 516-377-5360.

–Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Professionals from different careers gave Oceanside and Uniondale students a glimpse in to their daily lives.

DR. SHAHRIyouR ANDAz SHAEDA ALLoo LINDA ARmyN

Protecting Your Future

Contemplations

As estate planning lawyers, we experience the lives — and deaths — of a great many of our clients. Being exposed to death on a regular basis prevents us from “sleepwalking” through life and fosters a keen awareness of our being alive.

“In our Western culture, although death has come out of the closet, it is still not openly experienced or discussed. Allowing dying to be so intensely present enriches both the preciousness of each moment and our detachment from it.”

— Ram Dass

“If we’re not reflecting on the impermanent nature of life, then there are a lot of unimportant things that seem important.”

— Allison Choying Zangmo

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”

— Steve Jobs

on Death

“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly.”

—

Marcus Aurelius

”We drift on a chartless, resistless sea. Let us sing while we can, and forget the rest.”

— H. P. Lovecraft

“Death is not waiting for us at the end of a long road. Death is always with us, in the marrow of every passing moment. She is the secret teacher hiding in plain sight, helping us to discover what matters most.”

— Frank Ostaseski

“Never mind. Never mind. In this brief life, one cannot always be counting the cost.”

— Christopher Isherwood

Oddly enough, contemplating death may be one of the most life-affirming experiences one can have.

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The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce highlighted the honorees from all the participating chambers. John Ramhallo ll was the Oceanside honoree. With him at the most recent Oceanside Chamber installation dinner was from left was Sam Ramalho, Jake Ramalho, Victoria Ramalho and John Ramalho lll.

John Ramhallo honored at Nassau Council breakfast

John A. Ramalho, Jr., founder of Ramalho Tree Service, was celebrated for his contributions to the Oceanside community at the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce 39th annual Businessperson of the Year and Legislative Breakfast at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Oct. 25.

John is known for hiring family members who had lost jobs and offering young men a chance to learn a trade. He often lent equipment or money to help others get back on their feet. His legacy in the community reflects his generosity and determination.

The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, established in 1979, focuses on addressing critical business issues in the region. The council is located at 1576 Front St. in East Meadow, and the current president is Franklin A. Camarano Jr. For more information, visit NCChambers.org or call (516) 253-0124.

Ramalho Tree Service, founded in 1958, is a family-owned business that has become a staple in Oceanside. John started the company after returning from Navy service, working tirelessly to build a name for himself. Through hard work and community support, Ramalho grew the business, never forgetting those who helped him along the way.

— Jeffrey Bessen

Courtesy Victoria Ramhallo

Skye Margies/Herald

Hundreds of people crowded the Oceanside Library to explore what the newly renovated space had to offer.

Bond-funded renovations give the library new life

Adriana Concepcion and Eric Maisch. Alongside the library planning team was the MDA Design Group led by Elisabeth Martin.

“Every space can be used for anything, essentially any program that the library needs to run,” Concepcion said, underscoring the library’s role as a multi-functional community hub.

Schell, a member of the Oceanside High School class of 2017, reflected on the personal significance of working on the library renovation, recalling fond childhood memories of visiting the facility.

“Standing here now, I’m just in awe,” Schell said. “I remember getting my first library card when I was 5 or 6. To see this space transformed, and to know I had a part in it, is something special.”

He reflected on the challenges of the project, including the need to fit the new 165-seat theater on the library’s lower level, calling it a “huge undertaking,” but one he and his team were proud to be part of.

“We had to deal with groundwater in the space, particularly in the basement level,” Maisch said. “It was a major hurdle for us to overcome, but not uncommon for a project of this size on Long Island’s South Shore.”

The ceremony included the dedication of a time capsule, spearheaded by the Friends of the Oceanside Library, led by President Angela Iovino. The capsule, filled with items reflective of the library’s current role in the community, will be buried by the library steps, and opened in 2074.

“We proudly supported this project and provided assistance in passing the bonds that funded this magnificent building,” Iovino said. “This time capsule will let future generations know how much this library, its staff, and this community meant to all of us today.”

The library has long been a cultural touchstone for the area, with a commitment to supporting the arts. Poet-in-residence Christina Rau read a dedication poem, “A Brilliant Renewal,” which echoed the library’s transformation.

“A raised building rises anew, a brilliant renewal, a return to familiar shelves lined with dreams,” Rau read.

Marra, who worked closely with the board and the construction team, was visibly moved as she addressed the crowd, and thanked the community for its support throughout the project. “You believed in us,” Marra said, “and together we did it.”

She invited attendees to explore the library’s new spaces, which include the state-of-the-art theater, a Discovery Lab, a Whiskey & Brush art and podcast studio, a Zoom Room, and The Beacon, a new teen space designed to foster creativity and collaboration. The children’s room has been expanded, offering the community’s youngest readers even more opportunities for programming and activities.

The completed facility has been expanded by some 16,000 square feet, to 48,000 square feet. It now features a teaching kitchen that can be used for both cooking and art classes, as well as a STEM lab for science, technology, engineering and math programs.

After the ribbon was cut, attendees hurried into the building, eager to see it for themselves. The reopening marks the start of a new chapter for the library, which has been a cornerstone of the Oceanside community for over a century.

The renovation was funded by a $33.5 million bond initiative that the community approved overwhelmingly in June 2021.

“The past couple of months were spent making sure the library was ready for this big day,” Schell said. “It’s impressive what they’ve managed to accomplish. I really commend them for their dedication.”

Please join us at our

Raise a Glass

to Girl Scouts of Nassau County Fall Fundraiser

6:00 PM-9:00 PM

Thursday, November 21, 2024

The Inn at New Hyde Park Tuscany Room

Embark on a journey as we experience food and wine from around the world to benefit Girl Scouts of Nassau County.

To purchase tickets visit: gsnc.org/raise-a-glass

COntinued frOm page 1

MYLES MUNRO

Seaford Senior Cross-country

MUNRO PLACED FIFTH in the Nassau County cross-country championships last fall and will look to top that performance at Bethpage State Park Nov. 2. He went on to earn All-State honors in 2023 as a Top 20 finisher in the state and posted a best 5k time of 15-minutes, 43-seconds. He’s three-time All-County in cross-country and as a junior competed in the state track and field championships in the 3200 and 1600 meter events.

GAMES TO WATCH

Friday, Nov. 1

Football: Manhasset at Kennedy 2 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Port Washington 5:30 p.m.

Football: Division at Hewlett 6 p.m.

Football: West Hempstead at East Rockaway 6:30 p.m.

Football: Locust Valley at Plainedge 6:30 p.m.

Football: Syosset at Massapequa 6:30 p.m.

Football: Lynbrook at Bethpage 7 p.m.

Football: V.S. South at Malverne 7 p.m.

Football: Wantagh at C.S. Harbor 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 2

Cross-Country: Nassau County Class I, II and III championships at Bethpage State Park 10 a.m.

Football: Calhoun at Carey 11 a.m.

Football: Jericho at Sewanhaka 11 a.m.

Football: Island Trees at Lawrence 11 a.m.

Football: MacArthur at Baldwin 2 p.m.

Football: Long Beach at Mepham 2 p.m.

Football: Seaford at North Shore 2 p.m.

Football: South Side at Floral Park 3 p.m.

Football: Elmont at Clarke 3 p.m.

Football: Mineola at V.S, North 3 p.m.

Football: Uniondale at Freepprt 3 p.m.

Football: Westbury at V.S. Central 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall 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.

Uniondale tops Oceanside in OT

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Uniondale is hoping to write a similar script East Meadow orchestrated last season in the Nassau Class AAA boys’ soccer playoffs.

The Knights were seeded No. 1 in 2023 but were knocked off in the quarterfinals by the eighth-seeded Jets, who with two more upsets went on to capture their firstever county title.

“It wasn’t a good feeling to go out early last year as the top seed,” Uniondale’s Junior Valle said.

Valle made sure that didn’t happen this fall. His heroic left-footed blast from about 20 yards with 1:06 remaining in the first overtime beat No. 2 Oceanside, 3-2, in an opening round matchup Oct. 23.

“We know what it feels like to be on the other side of this,” Knights coach Nelson Cohen said. “We’ve had such a difficult season dealing with so many injuries and not having our full team for so many games. The playoffs for us started weeks ago because our backs were against the wall. This feels really good because it was a total team effort.”

The Sailors, who defeated Uniondale 2-1 in the regularseason meeting Sept. 12 on a pair of Franco Visone goals, found themselves in a 2-0 hole less than 10 minutes in this time and played a man down for more than 75 minutes.

Starting goalkeeper Bryan Tirado, a big reason Oceanside finished behind only Plainview in the 13-team conference, was handed a red card after the nearest official to the play ruled he made a save

off Raymond Zavala using his hands outside of the box.

Backup Collin Schirrmacher was strong in relief, but the Sailors were unable to complete what would have been an amazing comeback.

“I was actually worried when they went down a man,” Cohen said. “Adversity can rally a team and that’s exactly what happened. They gave us everything they had.”

Senior standout defender Dylan Wassenbergh scored on a penalty kick in the 32nd minute to cut the deficit in half. Then the Sailors (7-3-3) pulled even with 35:34 remaining in regulation when Sean Mahoney drilled home a direct kick from 15 yards.

“I’m super proud of the fight the kids showed,” Oceanside coach Patrick Turk said. “To give up two in the beginning and then to get two back down a man, that’s a lot to be proud of. A lot of proud things despite the result.”

Angel Velasquez got the party started early for Uniondale (6-5-2) with a goal in the 4th minute. Zavala scored five minutes later off an assist from Alberto Pineda.

“We really want to go all the way,” Zavala said.

The Knights, who got eight saves from Jorge Martinez, the best of which came on the doorstep against Wassenbergh with just over 10 minutes to go, advanced to face No. 3 Syosset in the semifinals Oct. 29 at Farmingdale State College.

Uniondale defeated Syosset Oct. 10, 3-2, behind a pair of Zavala goals. The winner of the rematch will face Plainview or Massapequa for the title Nov. 3 at Farmingdale State at 4:30 p.m.

Sean Mahoney scored one of Oceanside’s goals in its 3-2 overtime loss to Uniondale in a Class AAA quarterfinal playoff game Oct. 23.

Michelle Ebel/Herald

Be prepared: An app that lets you report and track power outages.

Power outages are a reality, especially during a storm or other weather events. One of the most frustrating issues can be not knowing when power will be restored.

The good news is that, for PSEG Long Island customers, a power outage doesn’t have to leave you completely in the dark. That’s because the Long Island company created a free Outage Tracker, accessible from any smartphone or mobile-enabled device on our mobile app.

PSEG Long Island used customer feedback from J.D. Power surveys, research, and focus groups to help them design the app.

“Our intention is to reduce the stress and anxiety of an outage by enabling customers to closely track the progress of their restoration, all within the free, convenient PSEG Long Island mobile app,” says Larry Torres, Sr. Director, Emergency Preparedness and Logistics.

It’s as easy to use as it is to download. And once it’s installed on your device, if you have a power outage, you have access to report outages and track updates.

As PSEG Long Island begins the restoration process, you receive notifications on the Outage Tracker. These show everything from confirmation that your outage report was received, to damage assessments, to repair alerts and an estimate of when power will be restored.

“The sooner we know about specific outages, the quicker we can react and restore power,” says Michael Presti, Director, Customer Experience and Marketing.

The PSEG Long Island Outage Tracker provides customers with:

Accessibility: Even if someone loses power, they can access the Outage Tracker on their mobile device as long as they have cell service. However, they need to download it before an event to ensure they’re prepared.

Reporting capability: Customers can report partial or full power outages. In the case of downed lines, the app provides a phone number to call. This immediate reporting helps PSEG Long Island respond more efficiently to restore service.

Year-round reliability: Because outages can sometimes occur even when the weather is not a contributing factor, the Outage Tracker helps people stay connected and able to report issues at any time.

We live in a world where we have more information at our fingertips than ever before. It just follows that having some control and knowledge about power outages is critical to our peace of mind and ability to plan, be heard, and feel safe. So be prepared, and learn more about the free PSEG Long Island mobile app at psegliny.com/app.

Photo by Tony Lopez.

Photo by Fotostorm via Getty Images.

A power outage doesn’t have to leave you feeling powerless. Be prepared. Download our free mobile app with Outage Tracker. You can report outages and track restoration progress. Because knowing is power.

Halloween fun comes to Masone Beach

The Village of Island Park hosted a successful Halloween Beach Bash at Masone Beach, drawing large crowds of families for a day filled with festive activities. Children enjoyed pumpkin picking and painting, hayrides, and face painting, while a petting zoo, sponsored by Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and Pastosa Ravioli of Oceanside, became a highlight of the event.

Mayor Michael McGinty, Deputy Mayor Matthew Graci, and Trustees Barbara Volpe-Ried and Michael Gagliardi welcomed neighbors to the bash. Congressman D’Esposito and Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick also joined the community celebration.

Island Park residents are encouraged to mark their calendars for the next village event, Winter Wonderland, taking place on the Village Green on Dec. 13.

–Kepherd Daniel

Island Park Kiwanis celebrates 70 years

The Island Park Kiwanis Club celebrated its 70th anniversary at DaVinci’s restaurant on Oct. 26 where members of the community gathered to honor Henry “Mickey” Hastava for his seven decades of service. Mickey, a former Village Trustee and Army veteran, was presented with the Key to the Village by Deputy Mayor Matthew Graci. Trustees Barbara Volpe-Ried and Michael Gagliardi presented citations on behalf of Congressman Anthony D’Esposito.

The event featured special guests and local officials Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Legislator Patrick Mullaney, who joined the celebration to recognize Hastava’s lifelong contributions to Island Park. Known for his commitment and pride in the community, Hastava’s work has positively impacted the local Kiwanis chapter and strengthened its presence in the village.

Island Park Kiwanis, which has been a crucial part of the community since its inception, continues to organize fundraising events and provide scholarships for Island Park students attending Long Beach High School.

–Kepherd Daniel

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Two-year old Manuel Rivera had a fun time interacting with the animals at the petting zoo.

Daniel Tommasino/Herald

Island Park Deputy Mayor Matthew Graci, Trustees Michael Gagilard and Barbara Volpe-Ried, Foundeer Mickey Hastava, Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Legislator Patrick Mullaney,Club President Karen Davis and Legislator John Giuffre.

Eight-year olds Gianna Guzman, Maddie McKay, Trey Alvarado, five-year old Julia McKay nineyear old, Jackson Cappello and eight year olds Elena Cappello and Ashlyn McNally got dressed in their spookiest Halloween costumes for some fun pumpkin picking pat Masone Beach.

Seeking federal money for road projects

By Carolyn James cjames@liherald.com

With partisan politics in high gear less than two weeks before Election Day, Long Island politicians — Republicans and Democrats — gathered in a bipartisan show of support for an effort to bring more federal funding for road and infrastructure projects to Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue — it is a state and federal issue,” U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi said at a news conference on Oct. 23 at the Long Island Welcome Center on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills. “It is about government, labor, business and people and everyone, regardless of party. It is about coming together,” Suozzi added, with the roar of traffic along the expressway providing an appropriate backdrop.

The gathering of politicians, business and labor representatives

was to support a bill in the State Legislature, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Stern and State Sen. Monica Martinez, that would create a mechanism for Long Island to apply directly for federal transportation dollars. As things stand now, the state must apply to the federal government for infrastructure funding through the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, which includes not only Long Island, but also New York City as well as Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. Under the proposed legislation, Long Island would create its own Metropolitan Planning Organization to address its infrastructure needs specifically, officials said.

The need for this autonomy became abundantly clear to Long Island lawmakers several years ago. Under the current NYMTC guidelines, Long Island was slated to receive 23 percent of federal funding allocated to the state. That

figure dropped to 1 percent, or $300 million, this year. And according to officials, almost all of that will be spent on renovations to electric signs along local highways, and road repairs. It allows for practically nothing for expansive work or new projects.

Some of those projects were outlined by Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association. They include work to reconfigure the Oakdale merge, where Sunrise and Montauk highways converge; the intersection of the Meadowbrook and Southern State parkways; the expansion of Sagtikos Parkway to four lanes to make them safer; and work on the Southern State Parkway, which Herbst described as “blood alley.”

“How many more tragedies do we have to have along that roadway before we address those issues and others?” he said.

“This is more important than

party,” State Sen. Jack Martins said. “It is not about politics; it is about our communities, our homes, our residents — and fairness.”

“This is not an adversarial issue,” Herbst added, pointing to the need for Long Island to have an independent voice when vying for federal funding.

“Long Island is a place unlike any other, and with that distinction comes the reality that we have unique needs,” Martinez said. “Our infrastructure and transportation systems must be as bold and resilient as the people who call this region home in order to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

Adam Levine, executive director of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, said that he and the council understand that “Long Island officials want to get every federal dollar they can,” and that it recognizes the impacts of bureaucracy.

Some Democrats are too far left.Some Republicans are too far right.But some candidates just make COMMON SENSE.

IN NASSAU COUNTY, THAT’S LAURA GILLEN FOR CONGRESS .

About Common Sense

The Common Sense Party looks at both Democrats and Republicans running for office. And then nominates the one who’s most reasonable, who thinks for themself. Who can compromise to get things done. In Nassau County, that’s Laura GIllen.

So this November, find the "Common Sense Party" on your ballot.

Party

Democratic

Republican

Conservative

Working Families

Common Sense

Presidential Electors for President (Vote for One)

Kamala Harris

Donald J. Trump

Donald J. Trump

Kamala Harris

Representative in Congress (4th District) (Vote for One)

Laura Gillen

Anthony D’Esposito

Anthony D’Esposito

Laura Gillen

L.I. schools threatened by Project 2025

By JENNA ZAZA & LORI SAXENA Special to the Herald

Project 2025’s agenda to restructure the government extends beyond the Fed and into education, proposing to completely eliminate the Department of Education. This is a contentious move that could have profound repercussions for public education on Long Island.

The DOE plays a significant role in supporting local education by providing funding to high-poverty schools and increasing programs designed to protect and serve vulnerable students, such as those with disabilities or in the LGBTQ+ community.

Eliminating the department means drastically reducing federal funding streams and eventually phasing out Title I, a federal program that provides financial assistance to schools with a high percentage of low-income students, according to a Chalkbeat report. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization focused on education issues.

Title I aims to ensure all children, regardless of socio-economic status, meet state academic standards by funding programs like after-school tutoring and teacher development. Schools can operate schoolwide improvement initiatives if they meet certain thresholds of low-income students.

“When you eliminate funding, the things that get cut are teacher salaries, teachers get laid off, class sizes get bigger, and you have less counseling services, less paraprofessional services ... all of that is eliminated when you don’t have Title I funding,” Jillian Gaeta, co-founder of the organization Roots to Revolution and a New York City public school teacher, said.

Nearly half of Suffolk County’s total public school enrollment is economically disadvantaged students at 44 percent, in Nassau County it is 32 percent, according to the State Education Department. Districts such as Huntington, Central Islip and Brentwood 63 percent, 66 and 88, of the students are from low-income households, respectively, according to state statistics.

Project 2025 also proposes to reduce eligibility for federally funded meal programs.

Funding impact

The potential rollback of programs like the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program under Project 2025 could exacerbate the lack of access to food on Long Island. In recent years, the number of food-insecure individuals on the island has surged, increasing by 58.3 percent since 2021, with an estimated 65,000 children affected, according to a Long Island Cares report.

Over 60 percent of students in lower-income districts like Brentwood and Hempstead qualify for free lunch and breakfast, indicating a substantial reliance on federal aid programs, according to Meals Count data. Meanwhile, wealthier districts like Jericho and Great Neck in Nassau County, where less than 10 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, would be less affected by federal cuts, according to state data.

“In the schools that I’ve worked in, 80 percent of students were receiving free and reduced lunch,” Gaeta said. “If you take away that ability, you now have 80 percent of your kids hungry. You can’t educate those kids; they’re struggling because all they’re focusing on is how their bellies aren’t full.”

Long Island is also seeing a surge in school lunch debt, according to a Healthy School Meals for All report. The Lindenhurst school district reported nearly $50,000 in unpaid school lunch fees and South Huntington said meal debt doubled from $20,000 after the pandemic. Wealthy districts often benefit from higher property tax revenues, which can be used to supplement educational programs. Low-income districts typically struggle with limited funding and resources, making it challenging to provide basic services, let alone additional support for meal programs.

But it’s not just lunch — early childhood education

A portion of Project 2025 aims to roll back progress made on programs and laws that are designed to protect and serve vulnerable people such as the LGBTQ community.

programs are also on the chopping block under Project 2025.

Whither Head Start?

Head Start is a federal initiative that promotes school readiness for young children from low-income families. It serves children aged 3 to 5, focusing on cognitive, social, and emotional development alongside health screenings and nutritious meals. The program is critical in preparing disadvantaged children for elementary school and fostering long-term academic success.

“Early education programs ... are foundational for a child’s ability to thrive in school, and also for their economic security, that they are able to read and write and develop those skills at an early age,” Gaeta said.

In Nassau County, the availability of Head Start programs is concentrated in districts with higher rates of low-income families. Out of eight Head Start locations, many are in areas with higher child poverty rates.

The Head Start programs in Hempstead, Freeport and Roosevelt illustrate this trend. Hempstead, with a child poverty rate of nearly 21 percent, and Roosevelt, where nearly 17 percent of children live in poverty, highlights communities that heavily rely on these educational resources. Freeport, with around 14 percent of children living in poverty, further emphasizes the critical need for support in these districts. The figures are based on Census Bureau data.

Child poverty rates in Westbury (14 percent), Lawrence (10 percent), and Long Beach (6 percent) demonstrate a varied landscape where families may still benefit from Head Start programs, although the urgency may differ.

More affluent districts like Garden City, Syosset, and East Williston, which report child poverty rates of less than 5 percent, do not have any Head Start locations. Wealthier families often have access to private preschools and other early childhood programs.

Title IX fallout

Another proposal of Project 2025 includes a rollback of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, including sports.

“Title IX, which allows girls to play sports and opens up opportunities for young girls, is also supported and protected by the federal government,” Gaeta said. “So if you eliminate the Federal Department of Education, you’re eliminating all those benefits that our kids need to have successful schools.”

Rolling back Title IX could also disproportionately

impact non-binary and transgender students as the project aims to “define ‘sex’ under Title IX to mean only biological sex.”

“Long Island is already seeing pieces of Project 2025 being enacted,” Kiana Abbady, board chair of Long Island Progressive Coalition, said. “[Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman] already passed a transban, where individuals cannot play sports if they identify as transgender.”

In Nassau County 10 school districts — Island Park, Jericho, Lawrence, Locust Valley, Long Beach, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Oyster Bay and Port Washington — are set to lose funding, based on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2025 executive budget.

“If any parts of Project 2025 are enacted, we will see large swaths of Long Island’s communities, predominantly black and brown, predominantly working class, lose significant funding for public schools,” Abbady said. “We already see that. ”

Extracurricular activities, such as sports, are typically the first to be cut when schools experience dips in funding, and this could have adverse effects on students. Research indicates that participation in sports is linked to numerous benefits for both girls and transgender youth, including improved academic performance, higher self-esteem, and greater overall well-being.

In underfunded districts, girls often have 1.3 million fewer opportunities than boys to engage in athletic programs, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Exclusionary policies for trans youth like Nassau County’s Legislature and Project 2025 Title IX reforms could exacerbate rates of depression, school absenteeism and suicide in trans students, which are already significantly higher than for cis-gender students.

Without the federal enforcement of Title IX and adequate funding, the gap in opportunities between wellfunded and underfunded schools could widen, leaving many girls and LGBTQ youth without access to the necessary resources for their athletic and educational advancement.

Gaeta said this is ultimately the goal of Project 2025.

“It is designed to benefit wealthy, wealthy white men,” she said. “All of the projects, all the policies in Project 2025, will hurt low-income families, will hurt middle-class families, will hurt women and girls, will hurt LGBTQ families, will hurt people of color. It is designed that way.”

Jenna Zaza and Lori Saxena are reporters 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 George Giokas

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20 • 6:00-9:00PM

The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

MICHAEL J. DOWLING

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NORTHWELL HEALTH

ACCOUNTING:

JOHN FITZGERALD

Managing Partner

Citrin Cooperman

GURJIT SINGH

Chief Information Officer

Prager Metis CPAs

DIANE L. WALSH

Chief Marketing Officer

Prager Metis CPAs

BANKING & FINANCE:

STUART H. LUBOW

President & Chief Executive Officer

Dime Community Bank

DAVID A. PERLMUTTER

Managing Partner

Forest Hills Financial Group

MARK SANCHIONI

Senior Vice President & Chief Banking Officer

Ridgewood Savings Bank

JOSEPH TEDESCO

President & Chief Executive Officer

Ocean Financial Federal Credit

JOHN BURKE

Managing Director

Global Head of Business & Professional Services

Citi Commercial Bank

BIOPHARMA:

PATRICIA ECKERT, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Enzo Biochem, Inc.

COMMUNICATIONS:

ANDREW RAINONE

Senior Vice President, Business Sales

Optimum Business

EDUCATION:

MARIA CONZATTI, EdD

Chief Administrative Officer Nassau Community College

TIMOTHY E. SAMS, Ph.D.

President

SUNY Old Westbury

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION:

LOUIS BEKOFSKY

Principal, Managing Partner VHB

WILLIAM MAXWELL

Vice President The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

BILLY HAUGLAND II

Chief Executive Officer Haugland Group LLC

ANDREW J. SOLANO

Managing Partner Emtec Consulting Engineers

GAS/UTILITIES:

CHRISTINA ARMENTANO

Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Paraco

JOHN RHODES

Chief Executive Officer

Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)

ROSS TURRINI

Chief Operating Officer

National Grid New York

ENERGY: JIM FLANNERY Chief Operating Officer National Grid Ventures, US Northeast

HEALTHCARE:

ALLISON BERGMANN

Chief Operating Officer

Solutions 4 Community Health

MARIANELA CASAS, MPA

Chief Operating Officer Association for Mental Health and Wellness

STACEY C. JACKSON HARLEY

Chief Operating Officer

Harmony Healthcare

ANDREW MINTZ

Chief Executive Officer

The Smilist

MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT

President & Chief Executive Officer

Parker Jewish Institute For Healthcare and Rehabilitation

AMY SILVA-MAGALHAES

Chief Operating Officer

The Bristal Assisted Living

JOSEPH VERDIRAME

Chief Executive Officer

Alliance Homecare

AMIT SHAH, MD

Partner & Vascular Surgeon

PRINE Health

HOSPITALITY:

MICHAEL LESSING

Chief Executive Officer Lessing's Hospitality Group

LEGAL:

NICOLE JOSEPH

Chief Operating Officer & Finance Director

CM Law PLLC

JULIE WYETZNER

Executive Director &

Chief Operating Officer

Cona Elder Law PLLC

MICHAEL H. SAHN

Managing Partner

Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC

HOWARD M. STEIN

Managing Partner & Co- Chair of the Real Estate Practice Group Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP

NOT-FOR-PROFIT:

PHIL ANDREWS

President Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce

MICHAEL K. BILLIA

Chief Executive Officer Life’s WORC

LISA BURCH, MPH

President and Chief Executive Officer EPIC Long Island, Inc.

RANDELL BYNUM

Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scouts of Nassau County

MATTHEW COHEN

President and Chief Executive Officer

Long Island Association, Inc.

ERIKA FLORESKA

President

Long Island Children's Museum

JEFFREY FRIEDMAN

Chief Executive Officer

CN Guidance and Counseling Services

DAN LLOYD

Chief Executive Officer and Founder Minority Millennials, Inc.

DIANE MANDERS

Interim Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director

Habitat for Humanity of LI

JOHN MCGUIGAN

Chief Executive Officer

AHRC Suffolk

JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, PHD

President & Chief Executive Officer

Family and Children's Association

LUIS VAZQUEZ

President & Chief Executive Officer

Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

REAL ESTATE:

JOSEPH A. FARKAS

Chief Executive Officer & Founder

Metropolitan Realty Associates LLC

RETAIL:

ROBERT KAY

Chief Executive Officer

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

CHRIS R. VACCARO

President & Executive Officer

Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame

TECHNOLOGY:

AMY E. NEWMAN

Senior Vice President, Administration Canon U.S.A, Inc.

TRANSPORTATION:

ROBERT FREE

Acting President

Long Island Rail Road

MARLON TAYLOR

President New York and Atlantic Railway

COREY J. MUIRHEAD

Executive Vice President

Guardian Bus Company

MICHAEL D. TORNABE

Chief Operating Officer

Guardian Bus Company

*List still in formation

GENERAL ELECTION Candidates

Democratic Electors

Amendment to Protect Against Unequal Treatment

This proposal would protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

A “YES” vote puts these protections in the New York State Constitution.

A “NO” vote leaves these protections out of the State Constitution.

Enmienda para Proteger Contra el Trato Desigual

Esta propuesta protegería contra el trato desigual basado en la etnicidad, el origen nacional, la edad, la discapacidad y el sexo, incluida la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y el embarazo. También protege contra el trato desigual basado en la salud y la autonomía reproductiva.

Un voto “SÍ” coloca estas protecciones en la Constitución del Estado de Nueva York. Un voto “NO” deja estas protecciones fuera de la Constitución del Estado.

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Kamala D. Harris (For President)

Republican Electors

Tim Walz (For Vice President)

Electores para Presidente y Vicepresidente

Donald J. Trump (For President)

JD Vance (For Vice President)

Representative in Congress District 4

Representante en el Congreso Distrito 4

Laura Gillen (D,CS)

United States Senator

Senador Estatal, Distrito

Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D, WF)

Diane Sare (L)

Anthony D’Esposito (R,C)

Ellen DeFrancesco

Michael D. Sapraicone (R,C)

ELECTIon’24

Senator District 6

Estatal, Distrito 6

Bynoe (D)

Thomas Philip Montenfinise (R,C)

Senator District 9

Estatal, Distrito 9

James Lynch (D) Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick (R,C)

Member of Assembly District 14

de la Asamblea Distrito 14

Lederer

DeFrancesco (D)

for One (1)

Justice of the Supreme Court

Juez de la Corte Suprema

James F. Matthews, Jr. (D,R,C)

Gregg Roth (D,R,C)

Deanna D. Panico (D,R,C)

Terence P. Murphy (D,R,C)

County Court Judge

Juez del Tribunal del Condado Jeffrey A. Goodstein(D,R,C)

Family Court Judge

Vote for One (1)

David McDonough (R,C)

Member of Assembly District 20

Posterli (D) Eric Ari Brown (R,C)

Juez del Tribunal de Familia

Lisa Daniels (D,R,C)

Chris J. Coschignano (D,R,C)

Alfred C. Graf (D,R,C)

Paul E. Hennings (D,R,C)

Paul M. Hensley (D,R,C)

Andrew A. Crecca (D,R,C)

Joseph Nocella, Jr. (D,R,C)

District Court Judge District 2

Andrea C. Phoenix (D,R,C) Veronica Renta Irwin (D,R,C)

Ryan E. Cronin (D,R,C) Sean Wright (D,R,C)

D’Esposito balances controversy, re-election

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito has his sights set on reelection in the 4th Congressional District, where he will face a familiar opponent amid unfamiliar scrutiny over his hiring practices.

A Republican and a former NYPD detective, D’Esposito won his seat in the 2022 midterms, flipping a district that had been in Democratic hands for 25 years. He defeated former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen that year by a margin of roughly 10,000 votes with a campaign focused on crime, inflation and government spending. He hopes to do it again next week with a renewed focus on border security, crime and the cost of living on Long Island.

But D’Esposito’s re-election bid is under a cloud, with an ethics probe questioning whether he improperly hired his fiancée’s daughter and a woman he allegedly had a personal relationship with for taxpayer-funded positions in his office. During a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 10, D’Esposito made it clear that he views the allegations as baseless. “There is absolutely nothing that was violated ethically, and my personal life is my personal life,” he said, asserting that if there had been any ethical questions, he would not have made those hires.

In spite of the allegations, D’Esposito remains focused on issues central to residents of his district. He emphasized that he has been instrumental in securing millions in federal funding for local infrastructure projects ranging from water filtration systems to police training facilities. “In the last 18 months, I’ve been able to bring close to $40 million back to the district to help with infrastructure,” he said.

D’Esposito has also positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israel, and has been vocal in his support for sending more aid to Israel in light of renewed con-

Anthony D’Esposito discussed his re-election campaign in the 4th Congressional District amid controversy over his hiring practices at a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 10.

flicts with Iran and Lebanon following the attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.

“I think the United States of America needs to continue to provide every resource necessary to Israel to eradicate Hamas and any terrorist organization,” he said, criticizing the Biden administration for what he views as a lack of urgency.

Another key issue is the ongoing border crisis. “We have a border security problem,” D’Esposito said, emphasizing the need to shut down the southern border and implement a more stringent asylum process. He noted a Department of Homeland Security briefing where it was revealed that over 420,000 people who

crossed the border illegally had been convicted of crimes in their home countries, including over 13,000 convicted murderers. D’Esposito argued that the Biden administration’s handling of the border has been inadequate, claiming, “The Customs and Border Patrol agents don’t have the resources that they need.”

He remains critical of the administration’s economic and energy policies, and advocates for energy independence, saying, “We need to focus on being more energy independent and stop relying on foreign countries for power.” He also expressed concerns about the national deficit, arguing that it is unsustainable and could have long-term consequences for future generations.

D’Esposito has framed himself as a bipartisan problem solver, willing to work with both sides to achieve results for his district. But he is also aware of the tightrope he walks within his party, having been labeled both a MAGA extremist and a “Republican in Name Only” after calling for the removal of former U.S. Rep. George Santos. D’Esposito said he understands the balance between his own values and party expectations, and will do what he feels is right, regardless of how it may be perceived. “It seems to me I’m doing the right thing and playing the middle,” he said.

As the district becomes a focal point in the national battle for control of the House of Representatives, D’Esposito remains confident in his leadership and his track record of securing federal resources for Long Island.

Laura Gillen prioritizes reproductive rights

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, is running on a platform focused on tackling the rising cost of living on Long Island, reproductive rights and immigration reform.

“It’s really expensive to live here, and people want relief,” Gillen said during a Herald Roundtable on Oct. 7, adding that this concern came up in nearly every conversation she has had with voters in the district. She is particularly critical of her opponent, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito for not restoring the state and local tax deduction on income taxes, which was capped during the Trump administration. “My opponent said he was going to restore our SALT deduction. He’s been in the majority for almost two years and has completely failed to do that,” Gillen said, emphasizing that reinstating the deduction, a key issue for many homeowners in Nassau County, would be a top priority if she were elected.

Reproductive rights are also central to Gillen’s campaign, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 decision, ending nearly 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion rights. Gillen stresses the need to protect access to reproductive health care, including abortion, in vitro fertilization and contraception.

“Protecting a woman’s right to choose, protecting the right to access IVF and the right to contraception are things we never thought we’d even have to talk about before the Dobbs decision,” she said. Gillen also pointed to the broader implications of the decision, noting that Republicans are continuing to push for fed-

Tim Baker/Herald

Laura Gillen, the Democratic challenger in the 4th C.D., discussed the rising cost of living, reproductive rights, the country’s border problems, the mental health crisis, Israel and more with the Herald.

eral restrictions on reproductive rights.

Health care, particularly for mental health, is another key focus of Gillen’s campaign. She noted that the country is facing a growing mental health crisis, which affects people of all ages. “It’s affecting our young people, our seniors, our veterans and our law enforcement officers,” she said.

Gillen advocates increasing resources to make mental health services more accessible, reducing the long

wait times many patients face. “Families shouldn’t have to wait weeks to get an appointment for a loved one in crisis,” she said, calling for improvements in insurance coverage for mental health care and for expanding access to care.

Immigration reform is a pressing issue, Gillen said, criticizing Congress for its inaction on the border crisis. She said she is committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform that secures the border while facilitating citizenship for immigrants. “We’ve seen nothing get done to secure our border, to stop the flow of fentanyl, or to create a pathway for citizenship for people who want to come here legally,” she said. Her proposal includes deploying more border agents, using advanced technology like anti-tunneling systems, and improving the asylum process, which she described as “completely broken” due to the long delays in adjudicating claims.

Gillen has also taken a strong stance on national security, particularly in regard to Israel and the increase of antisemitism in this country. “We’ve seen an incredible rise of antisemitism, even before Oct. 7,” she said, referring to last October’s attacks on Israel by Hamas.

Her bipartisan approach to solving these issues grew out of her experience as the first Democratic Hempstead town supervisor in over 100 years. Despite facing a Republican-controlled Town Board, Gillen managed to implement sweeping reforms, including ethics legislation, cutting taxes and modernizing the town’s infrastructure.

“I got things done, and that’s what I plan to do in Congress,” Gillen said. “People want problem-solvers in Congress … We need to get things done and reduce the partisanship that’s holding us back.”

Juan Lasso/Herald

By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker

Havana Munsuz

Age 9, Locust Valley

My mom (Lenia Matias). I think she would make equal rights for every person. She supports LGBTQ rights, and she’s also a woman. All the presidents are boys, and we should have a girl as a president. We read a book about the election together.

If you could choose anyone, who would make a good president? Why?

Nicholas Kemp

Age 5, East Rockaway

I want Aaron Judge to be president but I (also) don’t want him because he’s playing baseball and he won’t hit any more home runs. If he was president I think he would be so happy.

Michael Lutz

Age 7, Rockville Centre

My dad (Eric Donohoe) because he’s basically like Donald Trump. Also, my mom (Shannon Donohoe) because she’s technically almost the same as my dad. She would get more jobs in America, put the prices down so if it was $3 it would be $2 and she would get more American-made products

Amelia Geraghty

Age 8, East Meadow

I think John F. Kennedy because if he ever did something wrong, his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy would have stood up for civil rights for women. I don’t think he would do anything wrong. And he was also young (when he was president). The older you are, the more you forget. I’ve read a lot of books about him and Jacqueline Kennedy.

and Taha Laghroudi

Tasnim, age 8; Taha, age 10, Wantagh

My teacher Ms. Sanders (my third grade teacher) would make a good president because she’s really fun and she’s very serious so we do our work instead of just playing around the whole time. Teachers are hard working and they’ve been through a lot of lessons and teachings, and they’re responsible for people in their class.

Tasnim

STEPPING OUT

Looking outward from an artistic perspective

Local talents on view at

Museum’s Long Island Biennial

By Danielle Schwab

A tradition since 2010, the popular Long Island Biennial at Hecksher Museum returns with “The Body Politic,” shining the spotlight on our diverse artistic talent throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The latest edition of the juried exhibition — now on view through mid-January — offers an exciting look at what is happening artistically here in our area.

Out of 313 submissions, 79 were accepted from 60 artists, resulting in a vivid assortment of mediums, styles and focuses on exhibit. Curated by Meredith A. Brown, the museum’s consulting curator of Contemporary Art, each piece was reviewed by an expert jury team. The panel included Ian Alteveer, department chair of contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts; Patricia Cronin, artistic director of the LGBTQ+ VR Museum, art professor and sculptor; Grace Hong, assistant director of Galerie Lelong & Co.

The exhibit takes on a theme for the first time — examining contemporary social, cultural and political issues. It’s a snapshot of some of the major national, local and even international matters that compel artists in this important election year.

“Sixty countries — taken together, representing half the world’s population, including the United States — will have held major elections by the end of this year,” Brown says.

“It’s a crucial year. And we thought it would be interesting to see how the people, the artists in our communities, are thinking about these political, social, cultural issues — and representing them through art.”

The exhibit represents a remarkable variety of media, with styles spanning abstraction to hyperrealism, including sculpture, painting, photography, and collage. One pieceis even composed with cut plastic straws and lighters found on a beach.

“I’m always interested in the way artists can combine things that I wouldn’t have thought of, sometimes materials that are ‘non-art’ materials,” Brown adds.

East Meadow’s Karen Kirshner is among the artists featured. Her abstract acrylic painting “The Mission, 2022” employs a “direct painting” technique that enables her to use her emotions to paint onto the canvas.

“I never know what I’m going to paint. I paint in the moment, moment to moment, and then

Mike DelGuidice’s Concert Weekend for Veterans

review and evaluate and adapt and improve,” Kirshner explains.

She was influenced by the war in Ukraine, with so many trying to flee. Her movement of lines, shapes and vibrancy of colors expresses the Ukrainians’ frantic energy.

“I felt in my soul,” Kirshner says. “The mission is to get people out.”

Maria Spector, of Babylon, is represented with two paintings: “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree, 2022 ” and “Candy Girls Under the Sugar-Plum Tree with Boy and the Artists that Painted Women 2020-22.”

In “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree“ contemporary figures of children are mixed with images from art history, fine art and popular culture — all under a tree ‘ripe’ with various candies.

• Now through Jan. 19

• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

• Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington • Visit Heckscher.org for more information or call (631) 380-3230

“By incorporating pop culture, I explore issues of femininity and masculinity through both history and today. The work is meant to challenge our own biases and beliefs,” Spector says.

Another standout, Lynbrook’s Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz captures her vision through photography. “Pink Shoes, 2022” is a testament to freedom of expression without discrimination. The male in pink platform shoes was snapped outside of Fashion Institute of Technology.

“I’ve been photographing people for 50 years. It took me many years to be able to do what I do, which is approach and photograph people on the street,” Kozodoy Silkowitz says. “I think it’s a wonderful thing to see people who are unafraid to express who they are, although some people may disapprove.”

Visitors can contribute their own voice to what’s on view and how they relate to community and identity through a collage of messages on the response wall.

It’s all part of the museum’s effort to encourage artistic reflection through times of great change, inspiring us to engage with narratives in a new light.

As Brown puts it: “It helps the artists and it helps those of us who are not artists to think about the diversity of artists and viewpoints and opinions in these communities in which we live, and in that way, hopefully it can broaden people’s views of their communities, of where we are.”

As always, the exhibit experience is enhanced by related programming. The participating artists will be in the galleries on select Sundays throughout the exhibition period to engage with visitors, as well as taking part in upcoming museum and community events.

Mike DelGuidice, one of Long Island’s celebrated singersongwriters returns to The Paramount, with special guests. The band always gives it their all, especially when playing the iconic Billy Joel songs. DelGuidice leads his ensemble in a rousing concert that highlights the Piano Man’s decades of hits. Like his idol, DelGuidice grew up mastering several instruments including bass guitar, guitar, piano, and drums. He’s renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of the Joel catalog, which caught the attention of Joel himself, who ultimately brought him on stage with him. DelGuidice and his band pack hit after charttopping hit in a high energy show that’s always a crowd pleaser. The concert delights audiences with renditions of classic rock favorites and his own eclectic originals.

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2, 8 p.m. $60, $40, $25, $20. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

America

The perennial classic rock favorite is back on the road again as founding member Dewey Bunnell celebrates the band’s 54th anniversary, appearing on the Tilles Center stage. Billed as “Ride On Tour 2024, it draws on the band’s deep catalog of hits including signature song “A Horse With No Name,” a #1 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1972. Bunnell and America’s co-founder Gerry Beckley (along with former bandmate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of that tune. Forty plus years later, these friends continue to make music together (although Beckley has now retired from touring) thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners discovered there was always much more to America than surface perceptions.

Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz’s Pink Shoes gives a voice to personal expression.

Photos courtesy Heckscher Museum

Maria Spector’s collage “Candy Girls and Boys Under the Jellybean Tree,” is part of a series that explore issues of consumerism, sexuality, femininity, and masculinity — merging the ideas and works of the past with the present.

Karen Kirshner’s “The Mission” was inspired by the war in Ukraine. It conveys the frantic rush to safety by and for the Ukrainians.

Your Neighborhood

THE

Ailey II

Ailey II, which bills itself as “the next generation of dance,” continues its 50th anniversary of bringing “off-the-charts energy” to the stage, with a performance at Tilles Center, Friday, Nov. 8 , at 8 p.m. Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s outstanding and emerging choreographers.

The 2024-25 repertory features two world premieres by former Ailey II member Alia Kache and by Houston Thomas, as well as repertory favorites and beloved classics. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble and led by Sylvia Waters for 38 seasons, Ailey II has advanced Alvin Ailey’s vision for more than five decades by giving early-career dancers a bridge from world-class training at The Ailey School to the professional stage. Led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper, Ailey II’s dancers bring their technical mastery and emotional depth to works by the most daring established and emerging choreographers. Just as Ailey envisioned, the company continues to develop the next generation of performers and dancemakers while expanding audiences through global touring and community-based performances.

Bottles & Bingo at Friedberg JCC

Friedberg JCC hosts its annual Wingo fundraiser, “Bottles & Bingo,” Thursday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Participants are encouraged to bring their own wine. The evening includes a game booklet, bottled water, and the option to purchase pizza and soft drinks. Additional playing cards are available for $5, with game prizes valued at $100 or more. 15 Neil Court, Oceanside. Purchase tickets at wizevents. com/register/8960. Call (516) 7664341 for more information.

Oceanside Community Services Fall Fundraiser Dinner

The program includes Alvin Ailey’s Streams, an abstract exploration of bodies in space, danced to a percussion score by Miloslav Kabelac; Houston Thomas’ world premiere Down the Rabbit Hole, a continuation of the choreographer’s Follow the White Rabbit (2022) that expands on its themes, examining the relationship between humans and technology; also Francesca Harper’s Luminous, a work that pays homage to the 50th anniversary of Ailey II and the artists who paved the way for future generations. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Oceanside Community Service, Inc. invites all to its Fall Fundraiser Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 7, at 6:30 p.m., at Alias Smith & Jones. Join in supporting the vital work OCS does in the community. $65 per person includes a buffet dinner, cash bar, raffles, and a 50/50 drawing. 2863 Woods Ave., Oceanside. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ocsdinner.cheddarup.

Come to the Cabaret Temple Avodah welcomes all to its renowned Cabaret Night, Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. The entire community is invited to enjoy an evening filled with coffeehouse ambiance and cool jazz, featuring both local and nationally recognized vocalists and musicians. Snacks, beer, and wine will be available. Tickets are $36 per person in advance; $50 at the door. For more information, visit avodah.org or call (516) 766-6809. Temple Avodah, 3050 Oceanside Road, Oceanside.

VFW Auxiliary Post

5199 Buffet Dinner & Dance

VFW Auxiliary Post 5199 in Oceanside hosts a Buffet Dinner & Dance, featuring tributes to Elvis and Diana Ross, Sunday, Nov. 10, 4-8 p.m. $50 per person includes appetizers, beer, wine, and a buffet dinner, with options such as chicken parmesan, linguini in white clam sauce, ravioli with tomato sauce, meatballs, salad, dessert and coffee. 397 Weidner Ave., Oceanside. For reservations, contact Barbra Davis at (516) 236-7128.

On stage

Join Adelphi University’s talented theater students who perform playwright Caryl Churchill’s “Love and Information,” Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m.

The fast-moving theatrical kaleidoscope explores more than 100 characters in over 50 short scenes as they try to make sense of what they know and what they find out. This is a play unlike any other that examines what it means to be human in a modern world and tackles the tension between the concepts of love and information. Tickets start at $30, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, Olmsted Theater, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

On exhibit

‘The Birthday Party’ Looking for something to do this Halloween season that isn’t just for kids? Visit Sands Point Preserve for an exclusive, immersive theatrical production, “The Birthday Party,” held in a secluded opulent mansion concludes Thursday and Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1. For those who attended Archie’s last “Birthday Party,” rest assured, there are new surprises in store.

Guests are blindfolded and escorted to a secret location on the property, Villa Vanitas, to celebrate the enigmatic Lord Archibald Axel Von Finkelshorn Chatterton’s 30th birthday. He is a witless charmer on the cusp of a life-changing revelation, and everyone’s invited to witness his journey on a night that promises to be unforgettable and delightfully unpredictable. Cocktail attire preferred.

$175 per person. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

Having an event?

Knights of Columbus Paint Night Fundraiser

KOC Ladies Auxiliary hosts a Paint Night Fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. Organized by Paint Party Long Island, participants can craft various projects such as mason jar wood boxes and porch signs, with step-bystep instructions provided. Coffee and cake served; attendees are welcome to bring their own refreshments. With a 50/50 raffle. $40 to $60 depending on selected project. 2985 Kenneth Place, Oceanside. To register, visit paintpartyli. com/calendar, or for more details, contact Kim Marchetti at (516) 448-4606.

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.

NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!

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.

Board games from days gone by

Enjoy an evening of learning and playing historic games at Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House, Friday, Nov. 8, 7-9:30 p.m. The Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo takes visitors on journey through 5,000 years of board game history, from its roots in ancient times to more familiar examples from the time of the Phipps family. A brief lecture on board game history includes a presentation of each of the featured games. All are fully playable, and you can try them out yourself.

Games include: Senet, The Royal Game of Ur, Three Man’s Morris, Six Man’s Morris, Nine Man’s Morris, Twelve Man’s Morris, Mancala, Go, Chess, The Royal and Most Pleasant Game of The Goose, Backgammon. The Landlords Game (transition to the modern Monopoly). $15. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Cosplay takes center stage at 7th annual OceanCon

After the grand opening of the Oceanside Library on Sunday, the space was transformed into a vibrant world of fandom as the 7th annual OceanCon brought together fans of all ages for a day of cosplay, comics, and gaming.

The event, which has become a staple for the community, drew an energetic crowd of pop culture enthusiasts eager to immerse themselves in a world of superheroes, anime, video games, and more.

Attendees showcased their creativity with spectacular cosplays, with characters from various fandoms taking over the library’s halls. Both candid and

posed photos captured the spirit of the day, as fans proudly donned their favorite costumes. Alongside the cosplay, visitors enjoyed gaming tournaments, comic book displays, and a variety of pop culture-themed activities.

This year’s OceanCon continued its tradition of offering something for everyone, whether you were a seasoned cosplayer or just looking to enjoy a day of comic fun. The event’s interactive exhibits, photo opportunities, and welcoming atmosphere made it a highlight of the library’s reopening celebrations.

— Kepherd Daniel

It was a barrage of friendly neighborhood Spidermen the Oceanside Libraries seventh annual OceanCon.

Five-year old Moira, Four-year old Theodore and Three-year old Atlas Kelly rode in to OceanCon on a dinosaur.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST THOMAS F. CUCCURULLO, JR. AKA THOMAS F. CUCCURULLO, JESSE CUCCURULLO, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 26, 2024, 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 November 20, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 171 Audubon Boulevard, Island Park, NY 11558. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Island Park, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 43 Block 396 and Lot 4. Approximate amount of judgment $745,289.60 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #617699/2022. 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”. Michael J. Langer, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY SAMUEL HAMPTON LLC, Plaintiff against NEVADA VILLAS INC., 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 October 18, 2023, 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 November 26, 2024 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 (no street number) Nevada Avenue, Island Park, New York 11558. Sec 43 Block 70 Lot 485, 486, and 494. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $192,932.19 plus interest, fees, costs and attorneys fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608680/2021. 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.”

Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee File # 11-7175 149605

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-16, Plaintiff against UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW OF LINDA LONERGAN A/K/A LINDA S. LONERGAN, AND IF THEY BE DEAD, 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, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHO AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Leopold & Associates,

PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 8, 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 December 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 1043 Delaware Avenue, Island Park, NY 11558. Sec 43 Block 91 Lot 153 and 154. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Island Park, Long Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $528,351.36 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 601698/2022. 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.” Jared Andrew Kasschau, Esq., Referee File # 7755215 149698

Jaci Zitman/Herald photos

Six-year old Colin Flemen and owner Craig Nusshaum were moving blazing fast in the lightning Mcqueen car.

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

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

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES: Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.

REQUIREMENTS: Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.

POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.

Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various

SANTA CRUZ SERAG Caregivers Provide The Best Male/ Female Caregivers In

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Welcome to 7 Granada Pl in Massapequa. This stunning Fort Lauderdale-style waterfront colonial, newly constructed in 2023, epitomizes luxurious living. Offering 4 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 elegantly designed baths, this property showcases top-tier upgrades throughout. Inside, you’ll find exquisite 6” white oak floors and a show stopping Calacatta quartz infinity island in a gourmet kitchen outfitted with Wolf and Miele appliances. The master suite includes a private Trex balcony, a steam shower, and radiant heated floors for your comfort. The outdoor space is an entertainer's dream, featuring a waterfront view, saltwater heated pool, a serene bluestone fountain, and a brand-new Trex dock equipped with jet ski lifts. This residence offers more than just a home—it delivers a waterfront lifestyle of elegance and ease. For inquiries or to schedule a private viewing, please contact us.

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Q. I’m looking to sell my home, and I’m stunned by the cost of homes these days. My daughter’s family had to move out of the area, not because they needed better jobs, but because their jobs couldn’t pay enough to afford a home, and my wife and I could only help a little. Do you see any hope for housing to be made more affordable? Are there less costly ways to build that could help young people get a foothold on the American Dream? What do you think?

A. Yes, there are many ways to make homes more affordable, but the way to make it happen is very complicated, and I doubt that you’ll see it happen. Think of people, our economy, our system of living arrangements, our communities, separately or combined into large entities, as being like a large woven fabric. There are many threads in this fabric, many colors and textures and many ways the threads are woven, some over, some under and some straight through. Pull at one part of the fabric, poke at another, and the whole composition ruffles, wrinkles, even tears and starts to unravel. Now, think of how much each thread costs, how someone puts a price on that thread because of its location, its color, its finish within the fabric. That one thread is now thought of as more expensive, special and exclusive. Others see that thread and decide their threads are pretty darn special, too. Soon every thread goes up in value, and anyone trying to weave a new thread into the fabric, or trying to buy that thread, must be in compliance with the costs, rules and location.

Regulators who decide where different threads can be placed, how big or small those threads can be and what they can look like, are people. People are threads in the fabric. Your kids are threads who may or may not find a way to be woven into the fabric as other threads disintegrate or are pulled away. Government, financial institutions, property associations, neighbors and you have to all cooperate to make the fabric stay together.

It’s possible that when enough people refuse to buy a thread or be a thread, then the value of threads diminishes. The cost of making a thread — a home or a commercial building — keeps increasing, so the cost of the components has to be brought down. But the people who make those components have to get paid. Do we cut their salaries? It’s all connected, like a complicated woven fabric in which everything has to work together.

There’s currently a nationwide shortage of housing units and a limited inventory of homes for sale, possibly because it costs more for less, so people are reluctant to move. Prices, the cost of materials, the regulated size of homes, and profit margins for sellers and lenders all need to be reduced. Does anyone see that happening, or do we wait for the fabric to become brittle and start to come apart to respond? Good luck!

© 2024 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.

Registration for the free Statewide UPK lottery at the Jewish Early Learning Center of Merrick is scheduled for Friday, 11/1 from 9:00am to 10:00am at 2174 Hewlett Avenue, Suite 100 in Merrick, N.Y. Please bring 2 proofs of residence and your child's original birth certificate. Please also bring a copy of each proof of residence and the birth certificate. Eligible children must reside in Freeport and turn 4 by 12/1/25 to qualify. SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS!

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Vote this year —

and every

year — to fulfill our civic duty

Next week, the residents of Nassau County will join Americans in every corner of the nation — as well as citizens living abroad and the men and women of our armed forces — in casting their ballots in the pivotal 2024 elections.

Yes, the federal elections — for president, U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives — have captured many of the headlines and much of our attention. But we must not lose sight of this year’s crucial elections for the State Senate and Assembly, as well as a special Town Council election in the 5th Councilmanic District and Proposition 1 on the back of the ballot.

The outcomes of these races will impact our lives and the issues that matter most to us, and because of recent changes in state law, it’s easier than ever to be an active participant in

our democracy.

At 27 sites across Nassau County, early voting continues through Sunday. Go to nassauvotes.com or call (516) 571VOTE (8683) to get the full list of early-voting sites and hours of operations. If you prefer to vote on Election Day, cast your ballot at your normal polling place, which you can confirm at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

An active and informed electorate is the backbone of representative government — and your vote is your voice in the process that will chart the course of our future. With Election Day fast approaching, I know that the intensity of this campaign has been exhausting. But there are ways we can break it down and filter it all, one step at a time.

Y our vote is your voice in the process that will chart the course of our future.

ing about candidates’ platforms, and I encourage you to read multiple outlets to gain a fuller perspective. It’s also helpful to look closely at the endorsements and financial support that each candidate has received so that you can match that up against your values and priorities. Nonpartisan organizations like the League of Women Voters are also excellent resources for straightforward presentations on where the candidates stand.

fully enfranchised through the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

These actions were major triumphs in the push to realize the promise of freedom and equality that are at the core of the post-Civil War 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, and the road to that day was marked by tremendous battles that continue to this day.

I encourage you to do all you can to cut through the noise on social media, campaign advertisements and partisan media outlets so that you can get a real picture of who is running to represent your community. News outlets like the Herald are excellent resources for learn-

As you might have suspected, I am passionate about voting, and I believe that forgoing this right would be an abdication of our civic duty and a disservice to all who fought so tirelessly to expand that right to all American citizens. Remember, women were not granted suffrage until the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920. And it wasn’t until 1964 that poll taxes — a common tool for disenfranchising Black Americans in the Jim Crow South — were banned. A year later, in 1965, Black Americans were

The advocates who courageously raised their voices and stood firm to bend the arc of history toward justice sacrificed far too much for us to take what they did for granted. They often faced violence and terrorism at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan and other hate-mongering foes of equality, and shed their blood and tears as they fearlessly waged this battle. Far too many of these heroic leaders lost their lives in the pursuit of a greater and more perfect union.

We must never forget what they gave of themselves to secure the right that we are about to exercise — and may each of us honor their legacy by casting our ballot in an election that will shape our collective future.

Debra Mulé represents Nassau County’s 6th Legislative District.

Hurricanes shred lives and property

We did the stupid thing, and we survived.

We did not evacuate our home on a barrier island on the west coast of Florida when Hurricane Helene blasted through in the early-morning hours of Sept. 26.

The first alerts about Helene seemed exaggerated and alarmist: A disorganized low-pressure system, percolating quietly near the Yucatan Peninsula, would gather fearsome energy over the Gulf of Mexico and slam into Florida’s Gulf coast, as a Cat 4 or 5 killer. It was an unusual setup for hurricane in these parts. My part-time residence was long said to be safe by the indigenous people who lived here, protected geographically because of a twist in the coastline. Maybe the ancients are exacting revenge for our careless guardianship of their land.

We are on the eighth floor of a building on the beach, and we have metal wind shutters. So, considering the laborious process of gathering our belong-

ings and food and driving to a safe haven, we decided to stay. Besides, once a storm is on its way, not much time remains before landfall, and it isn’t clear which way to run. Hurricanes often wobble or weaken or, in the case of Helene, turn left over Georgia and North Carolina, destroying everything in their path.

We had water for a week, and food that didn’t need to be refrigerated or heated. We had each other and Lillybee the dog, who had been skulking in our shadows for days. We also felt somewhat jaded by overhyped weather alarms in the past. Epic snowfalls, tornadoes sprouting everywhere, on-again-off-again water spout watches. We would probably be OK.

tioned. Then I walked up. Then I did the same walk, down and up eight flights, for five days, until power was restored. Both of our cars, parked “safely” in the garage, were engulfed by the tidal surge and totaled.

W e were scared straight by Helene, and will never try to ride one out again.

Sometime after midnight on the 26th, the rain and wind came on like a freight train, hammering the shutters against our windows. Within an hour we had no electricity and no internet. Officials on the mainland turned off all water service to the island. The bridge to the rest of the world was closed.

The dog needed to go out, so I grabbed a flashlight and walked down eight dark flights of stairs to get outside. Building generators malfunc-

But we were lucky. We lived through the storm without a medical crisis and with replaceable losses.

We vowed never to stay when the authorities tell us to evacuate. What if one of us got sick during the hurricane? What if the windows blew in, even with the shutters?

Less than two weeks later, we had another shot at hurricane survival. Hurricane Milton developed on the east coast of Mexico, and got himself together in record speed, exploding from Category 1 to Category 5 in one day and taking direct aim at our island as he charged up the west coast of Florida.

This time we obeyed the evacuation orders and moved to a hotel on the mainland with Lillybee. One day later, the hotel was evacuated, sending us on a drive across the state, with thousands of other people. We took refuge with family on the East Coast. And we waited and waited for the hurricane to hit and

do its work so we could begin to build back. Like waiting for surgery.

Milton made landfall on Oct. 9 on the tiny barrier island south of us, wiping it clean of all the charming old Florida cottages that have survived for so long on a spit of land. Cars floated out into the Gulf. A man was rescued clinging to a large cooler from his sunken boat. We came back to our condo four days later. The property was a mess, but we had power and internet. We were on a boilwater advisory, stores were closed, and piles of household belongings and soaked furnishings are piled up along the roads.

We love it here, but it’s crazy to build on barrier islands. Nature always reclaims her own. We were scared straight by the first hurricane, and will never try to ride one out again. We look around at neighbors who have lost everything they own. And we know we are part of a bigger, more frightening human-made disaster called climate change.

Who will gather the will and willingness to stop the rising tides and temperatures? Who will stop the awful gathering storm of wind, rain and fire that sweep across our nation in every season?

Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

DEBRA MULÉ

RANDi KREiss

Herald editorial

The Herald’s pact with you

in recent days, two of the most prominent national newspapers, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, announced that they would not endorse a presidential candidate in Tuesday’s election, breaking from decades of precedent. Many have speculated on the reasons behind these decisions, suggesting that the newspapers favored Kamala Harris but ultimately chose not to upset Donald Trump for fear of retribution if the former president returns to the Oval Office.

For those of us in the news business, these decisions raise questions about the role of newspapers in a charged political climate. We at the Long Island Herald, a proud local newspaper company family-owned for three generations, see this as an opportunity to reaffirm our mission to serve the people of Long Island.

Unlike many national publications, the Herald does not make endorsements of candidates seeking political office, and our reasons are simple yet vital. Our focus is not on swaying voters toward a particular candidate, but on delivering comprehensive and unbiased information about the issues that matter most to Long Islanders. We are not here to tell our readers how to vote for political candidates; rather, we are here to arm readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the

letters

‘Harris shouldn’t even be on the ticket’

To the Editor:

ballot box. For us, the true measure of success is when readers feel empowered to draw their own conclusions based on facts, insights and perspectives they can trust.

Our mission is grounded in the local stories that directly impact your day-today lives — stories about Long Island schools, roads, parks, businesses and community events. It’s easy for national headlines to overshadow these essential local matters, especially in a polarized political landscape. Yet we firmly believe that our responsibility is to stay rooted in the issues affecting our neighborhoods and families. From zoning changes and public safety to neighborhood events and high school sports, we are here to cover what is relevant and timely for our readers.

The one place where you might see opinions about local and national political candidates, however, is in columns on our editorial pages, like those written by Randi Kreiss and Peter King. These essays are distinguished from Herald news content by featuring photos of the authors, making it clear that they reflect the writers’ perspectives and not the views of the Herald. We strive to showcase a diverse array of local voices across the ideological spectrum in these opinion pieces.

In a world saturated with news from national outlets, social media platforms and pundits, local newspapers play a

I couldn’t disagree more with Jerry’s Kremer’s viewpoint in his column last week, “Why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.” Harris shouldn’t even be on the ticket. If the Democrats had held an open primary after President Biden was pushed aside, she wouldn’t even have been considered. Her word-salad responses to questions are baffling and her knowledge of the issues is inept. The only thing that rings in her favor is the Roe v. Wade debate. Harris is clueless on the economy, the border, which is a travesty, and her ability to engage with world leaders. Donald Trump is far from perfect, but he’ll put America first, and Kamala, in my opinion, will not.

KEnnY

CULLEn Franklin Square

And Jerry left something out

To the Editor:

In “Why I’m voting for Kamala Harris,” Jerry Kremer forgot to mention what our open south -

unique and irreplaceable role. Our newspaper is here to highlight the concerns and successes of Long Island, to act as a mirror to our community, and to bring a sense of belonging and understanding that no national publication can provide. But to achieve this, we need to hear from you, our readers. What are the topics you care about? What issues are not getting the coverage they deserve? Are there people in our community doing extraordinary things whom we should feature? We encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas and feedback with us. Let us know what you’re curious about, what you feel needs to be addressed, and where you think we can improve. Your voices are essential to shaping a Herald that genuinely reflects and serves your community.

Reach out to us at kdaniel@liherald. com, and let us know what matters to you!

As the election approaches, we understand the intense focus on national races, but our mission remains to illuminate the issues closest to home. We will continue to be your trusted source for local news, not by endorsing political candidates but by informing, listening, and responding to the needs of Long Island.

Together, let’s keep our community well-informed, engaged and vibrant — one local story at a time.

opinions

When did we become so unkind?

ispent a lot of my childhood, and now, consequently, a lot of my adulthood, at my uncle’s lake house in Pennsylvania.

Some of my fondest memories revolve around being there — whether I was fishing with my grandfather, exploring the outdoors with my cousins or curled up with a good book on the beach, taking in my surroundings.

As I’ve gotten older, I find that I love the area for different reasons.

I still like to fish and spend time outside with my family and my dogs. But I also love exploring the Poconos communities around the house, which, in many ways, feel like a second home to me.

Readers of the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds have likely seen my name pop up on their community Facebook pages throughout the almost three and a half years that I’ve been working here. I like to stay involved with community forums,

because they’re not only a great source of information, but also a great place for me to network, and meet the people in the communities that I cover and love.

So just as I do here at home and when I’m working, I’ve joined a few community social media pages in the Pennsylvania region I travel to. Again, I find that it’s a great way to stay in the loop, find new spots to visit, and again, receive a variety of information that I might not know otherwise.

t he world often feels overwhelmingly negative, but we don’t have to make it worse.

A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through a page that I check frequently, and came across a post from a page contributor that read: “NY Trash Destroyed The Poconos.”

It took me a moment to really wrap my head around what I was reading, because for one, the region is economically very reliant on tourism from places like New York, and because I couldn’t believe that people actually felt that way. I’d imagine that everyone has had their own experiences with “outsiders,” but I’d venture to guess that the vast majority of the people who’ve found second

Letters

ern border has done to our country. Maybe that’s because Harris was in charge of the border.

FRANk

VENIS East Rockaway

Harris looks like the smart choice

To the Editor:

Vice presidents are very limited in what they can do in that job. Their job is to support the president’s policies. Think of former Vice President Mike Pence.

Vice President Harris is her own strong person, and she will take what she perceives to be the best aspects of President Biden’s policies, but no vice president is ever a carbon copy of their predecessor. In terms of the southern border, Harris says that she supports having both parties in Congress work together and compromise on solutions, as was recently done with the strict border bill that both parties agreed on. However, Trump intervened and told Republicans to back out.

Trump and his MAGA Republicans prefer a dictatorial approach to solving our country’s problems. They tell us that we are a failing nation that only one man can fix. Beware. That is not democracy.

Concerning our economy, economists

homes in Pennsylvania are just like me and my family — kind, courteous and respectful. Fellow commenters on the thread confirmed my beliefs. Whatever reasons he had to make that post didn’t matter in the long run. In the grand scheme of things, it was just another blip on the social media timeline. It didn’t make any waves, and it certainly didn’t stop “outsiders” from visiting the area, or going to homes that they own.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about that post, not because I took insult in his words, but because I can’t imagine ever going out of my way to post such a ridiculous, negative thing — on any platform, for any reason.

It’s like the age-old saying: “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.”

It doesn’t matter that the post came from a place other than Long Island, because I’m sure we can all think of similar ones. Comments become vicious and people start attacking one another, while ignoring the actual problem: We,

as a society, can be extraordinarily unkind.

There’s a lot going on these days. Things are polarized, and I feel it — the agitation, the stress about the way things are. The world we live in today isn’t perfect, but was it ever?

The point I’m trying to make is, if you have to go out of your way to say something completely unnecessary, take a moment and ask yourself: Is it worth it?

The world today may not be perfect, and often it feels overwhelmingly negative. We don’t have to make it worse. When things feel harsh and disconnected, kindness is a quiet strength, as is thinking about the things we say, or write, before we say them.

We can choose to be mindful of what we say, understanding that our words have consequences. The world may not be perfect, but each of us can make it a little better by simply pausing, reflecting, and opting for kindness whenever we can, because in a time when so much feels out of our control, this is one thing that isn’t.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds. Comments? jvallone@ liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

report that it is doing well. Gas prices are down, unemployment is down and the stock market is flourishing.

One would expect that food and housing costs would continue to improve under Harris. Economists say that Trump’s tariffs would backfire and increase the cost of goods. Also, it seems that most people agree with the Harris plan to have large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, but she will need a Democratic Congress to achieve this.

ELAINE RAuCH Lynbrook

On Election Day, keep it all in perspective

To the Editor:

Beware of all the promises of goodies — or, as I call them, Halloween tricks and treats — promised by candidates running for public office. There is no such thing as a free lunch, or, in this case, free government programs offering benefits to you. Taxpayers always end up picking up the tab.

That’s a good reason why politicians should be changed often, like diapers, because most are full of you know what! Remember this next Tuesday before you vote.

LARRY PENNER Great Neck

At Falcon’s Halloween Yard Haunt — Pierce Avenue, North Bellmore

JorDan VaLLone