Oceanside/island park
Alice Moreno/Herald Third Assistant Chief Kevin Kline, 2nd Assistant Chief Sean Lynch and 1st Assistant Chief Sean Costigan after the closing prayer.
Alice Moreno/Herald Third Assistant Chief Kevin Kline, 2nd Assistant Chief Sean Lynch and 1st Assistant Chief Sean Costigan after the closing prayer.
By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent
The dozens of firefighters who were recognized at the first Oceanside Fire Department awards ceremony since before the coronavirus pandemic were honored for risking their lives in several severe fires.
They saved the lives of people pinned down in auto accidents, one stuck under a bus and a choking victim, in addition to saving one another in a massive building fire in the past year.
“Training kicked in,” said Patrick Massimillo, who received both a Heroic Act Award and a Unit Citation for the building fire. “We go down to Mott Street every Wednesday and Sunday for years now, doing the same thing.
Unfortunately, the events happen that we had to use our training in a good scenario, in a real scenario, and we were able to get everybody out.”
The building fire, for which over a dozen firefighters received Unit Citations and eight received Heroic Act awards, erupted at an industrial building where metals are recycled. Several members of the department were stuck inside when some debris collapsed, leaving them injured and disoriented. Their colleagues worked together to get them all out.
“Besides being scared, training is a big vital part of what we do, and it really took place that day,” said Former Chief Patrick Madden Jr., who received a Heroic Act Class
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Oceanside Community Service continued its decades-long tradition of giving, particularly during the holiday season, delivering food to families in need during the annual Turkey Shoot at Oceanside High School on Nov. 26.
The Turkey Shoot, OCS’s annual effort to collect, assemble and distribute food baskets for families in need, has delivered around 5,500 holiday meals, amounting to more than 100,000 pounds of food, since 1986.
Estimates are based on an average of 150 families served per year; the number fluctuates but data has not been stored on exact numbers for each year.
This year, more than 87 local area families received these bountiful baskets, which included turkeys weighing between 15 and 20 pounds, fresh produce, and other Thanksgiving staples. In total, the operation distributed an estimated
8,000 to 10,000 pounds of food. The identities of the families are kept anonymous to preserve their privacy.
The Oceanside High School student government partnered with OCS this year to organize the event, which spanned weeks of preparation, starting after Halloween, with food collection and basket assembly. About 24 student government members assisted in the initiative by packing baskets. The high school’s seniors volunteered to deliver the baskets, alongside staff members, while underclassmen helped load and prepare deliveries.
“This is such a community-wide event that, without the support of the community, this would never happen,” Lisa Comuniello, the high school’s director of student activities, said. “The amount of food is tremendous.”
Volunteers, community members, and even alumni pitched in to make it all come together. Former Oceanside
ConTinued on pAge 7
This December marks the 30th anniversary of A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol, a retelling of Charles Dickens’s holiday classic, which first premiered at a church in Garden City in 1994. Since then, the play has delighted audiences worldwide, including a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run in 2001. Now, the 30th-anniversary production returns to Long Island for five performances, including a one-night-only engagement in Oceanside on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.
Directed by Gayden Wren, who wrote the book and lyrics, and music directed by Stephen O’Leary, the production brings together the same creative team behind the Off-Broadway version praised by The New York Times as “extremely funny” and The New Yorker as “a lot more fun” than traditional retellings.
Set to music from the operas of Gilbert & Sullivan, the show blends Dickens’ timeless story of redemption with the wit and whimsy of Victorian operetta. Beloved songs like “Three Little Maids from School” and “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” are reimagined as “Three Little Ghosts for Scrooge” and “I Am the Very Model of the Mystic Supernatural.”
Presented by the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island, the production stars Chris Diamond as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining
him are Jordan Breslow as Bob Cratchit, Hanna Roth as Tiny Tim, and a talented ensemble cast, including Patricia Gallagher as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Terry Hochler as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Delaney R. Page as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Since its debut, A Gilbert & Sullivan
Christmas Carol has been staged across the globe, from Australia to Macedonia, with productions in cities such as Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia. This December, it returns to Long Island, where it all began The Oceanside performance will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, located at 2701
Oceanside Road. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling (516) 7665916 or visiting First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside on Facebook.. For more information or to schedule interviews with director Gayden Wren, contact gaslocoli.wren@gmail.com or call (718) 777-8486.
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Three determined Oceanside High School seniors are on a mission to ensure that prom—a night to celebrate milestones and create memories before embarking on life’s next chapter for many high school students—is accessible event for all, regardless of financial circumstances.
Through the initiative, “Project Prom,” students Ava Stutz, Arianna Soshkin, and Isabella Santamarina have set out to collect prom dresses and accessories for underprivileged teens in the surrounding communities.
The inspiration for “Project Prom” came after Stutz’s mother saw a news story about a similar drive. Recognizing the financial burden that prom places on families—ranging from tickets and limousines to the ever-important dress—the girls decided to act.
“I feel like, we’re surrounded by areas that have places that may be under the poverty line and we thought it was a good idea to consider our geographics,” Soshkin said.
The initiative is part of a DECA community giving project, which challenges students to create meaningful, serviceoriented endeavors. For the trio, “Project Prom” was the opportunity to blend their passion for service with a chance to compete in DECA’s state-level events in March.
The students began by setting the goal of collecting at least 100 dresses. They organized drop-off locations at the Oceanside Library and the Rockville Centre Recreation Center throughout
November, where they welcomed donations of dresses, shoes, bags, jewelry, and other accessories.
“I wasn’t expecting for us to raise that many dresses and we’ve almost reached 100,” Soshkin said. “The majority of the dresses that we were able to raise were, for plus size people and I feel like our society isn’t always so inclusive, so I feel like it’s helping larger girls.”
To keep everything organized, they used Google Forms to track each donation. The team also promoted their drive through various channels, including an Instagram page, a video shared by the Oceanside Library, and posts in local Facebook groups. Ava’s mother, a
teacher in Rockville Centre, used her network to spread the word even further.
“I feel like this is a really unique project,” Stutz said. “I feel like I’m going to be most proud about helping out the girls and seeing the smile on their faces.”
The centerpiece of “Project Prom” will take place on Dec. 14, when teens will be invited to select dresses and accessories from a curated collection at 2504 Grand Avenue in Baldwin. The venue will offer ample room for browsing and trying on dresses for the day. To ensure the event reaches those who need it most, the students are reaching out to schools and community organiza-
tions in nearby towns.
“We’re working with coordinators and board members from schools in Baldwin and Freeport to spread the word and invite students who might benefit,” Ava added.
The students are also documenting their journey as part of their DECA project compiling a 20-page paper, complete with promotional materials, QR codes for their online platforms, and photos of the donation drive.
This paper will serve as the foundation for their presentation at the DECA State Career Conference in Rochester next March.
They’re great students and leaders,” said DECA coordinator Michael Lowry. “That’s why they’re doing such great things and involved in the community and giving everyone a chance to take part in prom.”
As they prepare for the December 14 event, the students are hopeful that their efforts will have a lasting impact. For these girls, “Project Prom” is about much more than collecting dresses; it’s about fostering a sense of community and empathy.
“I think this is something really good that we’re doing for the community, and just knowing that I was able to help someone who before this had to miss out because of their financial situation, I feel better knowing I could help someone,” Santamarina said.
Donations are still being accepted until Dec. 7. Community members can drop off dresses, shoes, bags, and accessories at designated locations, including the Oceanside Library and the Rockville Centre Recreation Center.
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
For over two decades, Mike Graham has dedicated himself to serving the Oceanside community as a member of the fire department.
Now, with ten years under his belt as a Fire Commissioner, Graham is running for re-election to continue his commitment to keeping the department and community safe, efficient, and forwardthinking.
Graham’s tenure with the Oceanside Fire Department spans more than 20 years, including a decade as Fire Commissioner.
Having initially stepped into the role to fill a vacancy, he has since been reelected twice, and he now seeks a third term in the position.
“I want to continue working for this community,” Graham said. I joined because I want to help the community, and I want to continue that success as a Fire Commissioner up there and continue to keep our firemen and the community safe and provide the best care 24 hours, seven days a week all volunteer.”
As Fire Commissioner, Graham oversees critical decisions on how taxpayer dollars are allocated to fund the fire district.
These decisions directly impact the department’s operations, equipment, and safety measures.
“I’ve been focused on working with
local officials to help with funding for equipment and better, ourselves in any way we can with our local representatives,” Graham said. “Safety is always the top priority. Making sure that the members of the fire department have the best equipment and are always safe and provide the best care for our community, along with budgeting and focusing on the fiscal responsibility of the
taxpayer. Making sure that we’re within our budgets, and we continue to do that and just continuing positively and keeping the fire district successful.”
Recent accomplishments include obtaining grants for new self-contained breathing apparatus packs, which are essential for firefighter safety.
Additionally, the department is currently working on acquiring two new
fire engines through district budgeting efforts.
“I think the biggest thing with being a commissioner and going forward is seeing the future, building and coming up with of list of priorities of what the district needs because the cost of things have gotten so expensive,” Graham noted. “People don’t always realize that it affects government entities too. A fire truck has gotten very expensive. We have to build towards being able to afford those. Each year, budgeting is a way to provide the best for the community.”
Graham’s passion for the role extends beyond budgets and equipment. He views his position as a way to give back to the community that has supported him and his family.
“I’ve been up there for ten years, and I feel successful in what we’ve achieved,” he said. “I’ve had great support from the community, and I’m confident we can keep the department thriving,” he said.
Graham encourages voters to come out and participate in shaping the future of the fire district.
The fire commissioner election will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Oceanside Fire Department’s main headquarters, located at 65 Foxhurst Road.
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III and a Unit Citation for his actions in the building fire. “You can see it. (There was) tremendous support. The assets we had coming to help us were exactly what we needed.”
Madden was one of several firefighters who expressed concern about how the community has treated firefighters in recent years.
“I think we need a little more community support for what we do,” he said. “A lot of us here are put in certain lights, but every day we put ourselves in a situation that could get us to not come home to our families. This was one of those situations. It’s a funny story, because it was my granddaughter’s first birthday the next day, and that would’ve been a terrible story. But this is a different outcome. This was for the better. The community should embrace this department.”
Former Chief Steven Klein expressed similar sentiments.
“I think the public needs to be aware of what the Fire Department does on a day-to-day basis,” Klein said. “We get a lot of bad publicity at times, so it’s nice to recognize the people for what they do.”
Some of the honored firefighters received several awards for their actions in more than one emergency. Capt. Matthew Regan received Unit Citations for saving a woman trapped by an industrial machine; for saving Pauline Hauxhurst, who was stuck under a bus; and for saving two people who were pinned in the front seats of a Mercedes sedan.
“It’s one of those things that you train on constantly,” Regan said. “When the one time comes you actually have to put it to work, it pays off, and it’s a good feeling.”
“We’re responding to more alarms than we have
ever before,” Klein said. “We responded to around 2,000 alarms for this year already. We have another month to go.”
And yet, recruitment isn’t what it needs to be.
“The fire service is always looking for new volunteers,” Klein added. “So if anybody who reads this article is interested in volunteering, they should stop by our firehouse, on Foxhurst Road, and speak to someone about joining and helping our community.”
He explained the process of applying for an award. “When a company does something they feel they should be recognized for, the officer will write up a scenario explaining the actions of the company and what
people in the audience snapped photos as members of the oceanside f ire department group Salamander H.L & B. Co. number one received the unit Citation.
difficulties they encountered,” Klein said. “The committee is made up of three retired law enforcement people, a current fire department officer from the City of New York and two people that work in the health care profession in hospitals. So they’re smart people — they’re very knowledgeable in emergency services.”
Klein also noted the fine line that committee members have to walk when determining who gets an award.
“It’s very difficult to determine,” he said. “You don’t want to award somebody something that they’re not entitled to. But even worse is missing somebody for something that they should’ve gotten.”
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By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
With a largely new roster this season, fourth-year Hofstra men’s basketball head coach Speedy Claxton was expecting that the beginning of the new season could be a bit of a learning curve. The former standout Hofstra and NBA guard then saw quicker chemistry than he anticipated, providing hope that the 202425 campaign could culminate with a banner.
Hofstra won its first four games to start the new season with many new faces including a 49-48 upset victory against Big East foe Seton Hall at the Nassau Coliseum on Nov. 13. The hot start featured a number of scoring contributions with the Pride also finding ways to win games in a variety of fashions in three straight wins against Iona, Seton Hall and UMass after starting with
a blowout of Division III opponent SUNY Old Westbury.
“Those are three good wins and if you would have told me before the season we would get all three I’d be extremely happy and even if you told me I would only get one I would have been happy,” said Claxton, a former NBA guard who led Hofstra to the NCAA Tournament as a player in 2000. “It shows we can compete with anyone.”
The 4-0 start was followed up by stiff competition at Florida State and then 7th-ranked Houston. The Pride then headed to the Bahamas for three games over the Thanksgiving weekend and knocked off Rice in overtime 68-63 and edged Arkansas State 68-66 on a buzzer beater shot from graduate student forward Michael Graham.
Claxton added six transfers and two freshmen to the roster to go along with six returners from last year’s team that went 20-13 and fell to Long Island rival Stony Brook in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) semifinals.
Sophomore guard Jean Aranguren is one of the newcomers shining early as the team’s leading scorer. The Iona transfer registered a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds in Hofstra’s 75-71 overtime win at UMass on Nov. 16.
The addition of Big East transfers Cruz Davis (St. John’s) and Jaquan Sanders (Seton Hall) are also paying dividends early on this season. Sanders was clutch in the Seton Hall win against his old team with 10 second half points while Davis tallied 21 in the UMass victory.
“All three of those guys have been playing well,” Claxton said. “I think that is why we have been performing well in the early part of the season.”
Other transfers added to the roster include Graham (Loyola Marymount), senior guard TJ Gadsden (Canisius) and redshirt sophomore guard Eric Parnell (Eastern Florida State). Graham is the team’s fourth leading scorer and recorded 14 in the dramatic Arkansas State win.
The Pride are also getting a leadership boost from returning players Silas Sunday and German Plotnikov, who both
Newcomer Cruz
saw key minutes last season. The 7-1 Sunday provides a big presence in the paint while Plotnikov is a long-range shooting threat who connected on 47.4 percent of his three-pointers last season.
“They’re both benefiting from being here last year and knowing how we do things,” said Claxton of Sunday and Plotnikov.
Hofstra’s December schedule is highlighted by a Sunday afternoon home game against Temple on Dec. 15 starting at noon. It will also serve as Hofstra’s annual Jewish Heritage Day game.
The CAA home schedule gets under-
way on Jan. 2 against William & Mary at 7 p.m. which will honor the 25th anniversary of David S. Mack Arena. Hofstra’s annual winter homecoming game will take place on Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. against Stony Brook.
Hofstra was picked fourth in the CAA Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll behind Towson, defending champion College of Charleston and UNC-Wilimington.
“The conference is always going to be tough with some really good teams and really good coaches,” Claxton said. “It’s not gonna get any easier once we get into conference play”
High School students Kiersten Elbaz, who is currently attending Tulane University, and Josie Zaccoli, who is enrolled at the University of Delaware, returned home from college for the holiday weekend and visited the high school early Tuesday morning to help Comuniello, their former teacher, with the Turkey Shoot.
“It’s not just about making the baskets — you get to see the impact on the families,” Elbaz said. “The fact that you get to go on the runs where you get to see the impact that you’re making, that’s why it’s the best thing ever.”
Alumni cherish the event as a unique community experience, with many noting it as a defining memory of their time in Oceanside.
“There’s also a lot of people in our community, you don’t know are struggling, and being able to help those people, whether you know who they are or not, it’s just nice to see,” Zaccoli said.
OCS operates like a well-oiled machine, with volunteers and organizers working year-round to address community needs. Thanksgiving is one of its largest undertakings, made possible by a vast network of contributors. OCS’s programs aim to support families in need while maintaining the families’ dignity, including discreet delivery methods.
“We’re taking care of people that want to be taken care of, and that’s all we can do,” Michael D’Ambrosio, Oceanside school board president, said. “We’re taking care of people that need food, and this is the students doing it. We don’t have professional drivers, and whether you’re in Oceanside or Rockville Centre, they have home-cooked meals. They have family. They sit down for a nice dinner. We have a lot to be thankful for, and I think these kids carry it.”
aged meals, including kosher options. These meals, complete with desserts and other extras, were delivered to families, first responders, and even hospital staff.
“It’s about giving people a holiday they might not otherwise have,” Nancy Baxter, Oceanside Community Service Vice President, said. “We don’t know the families we help, and they don’t know us — but that’s what makes it special. It’s pure generosity.”
The tradition of delivering hot meals began years ago under the leadership of the now-disbanded Interfaith Council. When the council could no longer continue, OCS stepped in to ensure this vital service endured.
OCS’s efforts extend beyond Thanksgiving into the Christmas season. The organization runs a massive toy drive, collecting thousands of toys, gift cards, and food cards for children and teens. Partnering with the Oceanside Federation of Teachers and local schools, OCS members ensure that every child on their list receives four to five gifts, tailored to their age and interests.
The community comes together for a wrapping event at Oceanside School Six, where volunteers fill the cafeteria with laughter, wrapping paper and holiday cheer.
“People call me all the time asking, ‘When’s the toy wrap?’” Baxter said. “It’s something everyone looks forward to — it’s a beautiful sight to see.”
Volunteers distribute the toys, along with food baskets, directly to families just before Christmas.
OCS’s generous contributions could be seen not only during the holidays but also throughout the year, operating a weekly food pantry at School Six, where families in need can pick up boxes of food and frozen meat.
Also, on Thanksgiving morning, OCS teamed up with local caterers to prepare more than 600 pre-pack-
Sandie Schoell, school board trustee, said, “You’re doing something for someone who doesn’t know who you are, and we don’t know who they are. We don’t know who they are, but we know we’ve helped somebody.”
“Helping others isn’t just a seasonal thing — it’s a year-round commitment,” Baxter said. “When you think about the impact we’re making, it’s overwhelming. It feels good knowing we’re making a difference.”
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By: Maureen Fitzgerald
Reworld™ is searching for Long Island’s next generation of environmental innovators to receive the first-ever 2025 Student Sustainability Champion Award. This prestigious award honors one outstanding student from Nassau County and one from Suffolk, with each winner receiving $2,500 to support their education or future sustainability projects – presented to the student recipients at the upcoming 2025 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island.
Nominations are now open, inviting the community to recognize young changemakers under 16 who are making a positive impact. Submissions should highlight the student’s leadership, innovative contributions, and dedication to sustainability. Entries should include a brief description of their achievements and motivation, along with a photo or example of their work—be it a community garden, recycling initiative, or creative environmental solution.
This award is part of the larger 2025 Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, presented by Reworld™ and hosted by the LI Herald and RichnerLIVE, which will take place on February 26th at The Heritage Club in Bethpage.
The event will bring together community leaders, advocates, and changemakers who are driving innovative environmental solutions and fostering sustainable tomorrows across Long Island.
Despite Long Island’s environmental challenges —coastal erosion, water quality, and balancing development with conservation—stories of innovation and hope thrive. Local nonprofits restore habitats, educators inspire, and leaders prioritize sustainability. From renewable energy to advanced recycling, these efforts showcase the region’s spirit. With Reworld™ fostering this innovation and community empowerment, they’re driving Long Island toward a greener future.
“Reworld™ is honored to partner with RichnerLIVE and the Herald to recognize the inspiring efforts of our young changemakers,” said Dawn Harmon, East Region Area Asset Manager at Reworld™. “This initiative aims to empower Long Island’s future leaders and celebrate the innovative strides our community is taking toward sustainability.”
For more information or to submit a student nomination, visit www.richnerlive.com/reworldcontest. Let’s celebrate the bright minds and groundbreaking innovations shaping Long Island’s sustainable future.
1. Trusts can shield your assets from the high cost of home care making you eligible for home health aides through the Medicaid program.
2. Trusts start the five year “look-back” for institutional care, making you eligible for Medicaid benefits to pay for a nursing home.
3. Trusts can ensure the inheritances you leave will stay in the bloodline for your grandchildren and not end up with in-laws and their families.
4. Trusts can provide who takes over if you become disabled – guaranteeing you get the person you choose instead of a court-appointed legal guardian.
5. Trusts can avoid a will contest from heirs you leave out or ones that receive less than they think they are entitled to.
6. Trusts give you immediate access to assets on death unlike wills which can take months and
sometimes years to probate.
7. Trusts can provide supervision and protection for special needs and other children who have issues with handling financial matters.
8. Trusts can reduce and often eliminate estate taxes for couples with taxable estates.
9. Trusts can avoid guardianship proceedings for gifts made to grandchildren.
10. Trusts can avoid the problems of locating unknown heirs or dealing with heirs abroad.
11. Trusts can move assets out of your estate for income and estate purposes.
12. Trusts can avoid the expense, delay and publicity of a probate court proceeding for your property in New York and out of state.
13. Trusts can protect the inheritances you leave from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.
Nominate a student under 16 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.
Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability:
The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February.
Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!
What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
Avi Posnick, a Rambam Mesivta High School alum, went from learning to leading in combating antisemitism.
Now serving as Northeast Regional Director of StandWithUs, Posnick, who grew up in Oceanside, is the face of the global organization, from New Jersey to Maine, where he educates and empowers Jewish people and stands up for Israel.
“We are honored to count Avi Posnick as one of our graduates,” Hillel Goldman, principal of Rambam wrote in an email.
Posnick spoke with the Herald about how he found his way to StandWithUs and his inspiration for his work:
Herald: How did you go from attending Rambam to holding a directorial role at StandWithUs?
Posnick: After I left Rambam, I went to college at Yeshiva University and I majored in Political Science.
I got involved in all of the various international affairs, Israel related, political science clubs and groups that I could get involved with.
I actually founded something called YUPAC. At that point, it wasn’t called a political action committee, but it’s really was a club that was meant to motivate students into action and lobbying their elected officials.
At Rambam, we would have rallies and demonstrations outside the homes of Nazi war criminals who were living in the United States, rallies for Israel and other issues related to the Jewish community.
My start really began in high school, and I took a lot of what I learned and applied it while I was in college through all the various clubs and initiatives, and then I came to StandWithUs right out of college.
H: Was this always the direction you wanted to go?
P: This was something that I cared about, so it was
definitely something that I thought about certainly going into professionally.
Also, something that my mother used to always say is, ‘You can’t live life for yourself.’ Before my older brother was born, there was a miscarriage, and she used the grief, the unbearable hurt and pain that she had from that, to counsel over 400 women who suffered from pregnancy losses over the years.
She said, ‘I have this opportunity to help others. I have to always give back.’ And so that’s also a lesson I took, where I have the opportunity to help, to give back, how can I pass up that opportunity?
H: How did you get involved in StandWithUs?
P: I knew someone who was at the time, working for StandWithUs in New York, and I had reached out while I was in college.
I started part time during the second half of my senior year in January 2007. Then it became a full time position that summer, and I have not looked back.
H: How do you think your Oceanside and Five Towns upbringing and education contributed to the work you do today?
P: Growing up in an Orthodox Jewish home, it was something that we talked about, obviously, supporting the Jewish community, supporting Israel, both in Oceanside as well as in the Five Towns.
I think it’s all connected, from an from an early age, then going into high school, where I really was able to start putting some of these things that I felt into action.
H: What does your position at StandWithUs entail?
P: I’m the northeast regional director, so I’m overseeing all of our work from around Central Jersey, let’s say, all the way up to Maine, overseeing our staff, our programs, speaking on behalf of the organization in partnerships, working with any elected officials.
H : I know that the organization works with other organizations in Nassau and Suffolk, how does it feel to be working with the county that you were brought up in?
P: It is really rewarding to be able to work, in many cases, at a at a high level, to deal with a problem and being a part of, for example, a special legislative Task Force in Nassau County to combat antisemitism.
H: How can people get involved?
P: Definitely on our website, StandWithUs.com they can see all the various programs and resources for different age groups. If they’re here in the New York area, they can send an email to infony@standwithus.com and we can connect them with the right programs and team members who can get them involved.
On Saturday the Oceanside High School Class of 1984 gathered for their 43rd annual Turkey Bowl at the football field of Oceanside School Six on Merle Avenue. This long-standing tradition traces its roots back to the early 1980s when the group, then 9th graders at what was then Oceanside Junior High School – Merle, played their very first game on the same field.
This year, the White Team emerged victorious, defeating the Blue Team with a score of 5 touchdowns to 3. The game, once exclusively played by members of the Class of 1984, has since grown to include the sons, nephews, and siblings of the original players, along with participants from other Oceanside graduating classes. This year’s roster featured representatives from the Classes of 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, and 1992, creating a multi-generational celebration of camaraderie and community.
Following the game, the group carried the festivities over to ECP Oceanside on Long Beach Road, where they were joined by about 20 additional classmates and friends for a lively reunion.
The annual Turkey Bowl continues to be a cherished tradition, bringing together old friends, family, and generations of Oceanside natives to celebrate the enduring bonds forged through shared history and sportsmanship.
— Kepherd Daniel
Although many Americans associate Thanksgiving with football, it’s that other version of the sport that receives as much love that day on the soccer hotbed of Long Island. Turkey Bowl alumni soccer games were played on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 28, before the players joined their families to eat turkey with all the trimmings.
Thanksgiving is utilized as people are home for the holidays, providing ample proof that the friendships started on the soccer fields of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association last a lifetime.
Oceanside Park welcomed alumni for its 35th Annual Turkey Bowl, continuing a legacy that has seen two dozen players go on to professional soccer careers.
“The rain was becoming more
EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN NEED
Distributing over 1,000 regular, Kosher and Halal turkeys during the holiday season.
INVESTING IN EDUCATION
Donating over 1,000 backpacks and school supplies for students to thrive.
TRANSFORMING STUDENTS’ FUTURES
Supporting local schools and students through our School Cents program, sponsorships and scholarships.
ENRICHING CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES
Hosting free Kids Club and holiday events.
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
Proudly hosting remarkable community celebrations.
intense, but the turnout was fantastic,” said Steve Evans of Oceanside United.
“This year was especially meaningful as we remembered our friend Alfredo D’Antonio, who passed at 91 earlier this year.”
— Kepherd Daniel
By Alyssa Seidman
The scarcity of sun that marks winter’s return often brings Laurie Berkner back to her musical roots. On cozy winter evenings her family would gather ’round a songbook to recite melodies reminiscent of Christmas and falling snow.
“Music always made me feel safe, happy, and loved, and all those feelings come together around [this] time of year,” Berkner says. “Holiday songs were always something that brought up a lot of really warm feelings for me.”
It’s no surprise, then, that Berkner’s discography includes two bestselling albums about the most wonderful time of the year. Families adore her — she still wears the known as the ‘Queen of Kindie Rock’ — and can tale in her festive originals alongside yuletide classics once again when “The Greatest Holiday Hits Tour” arrives here at the Paramount, on Dec. 15.
Berkner is a veritable dynamo as singer/songwriter, author, lyricist, and founder of Two Tomatoes Records. With more than one billion total streams, over 500 million views on YouTube, and millions of albums, singles and DVDs sold, her songs have become beloved classics for families worldwide.
While working as a children’s music specialist at preschools and day care centers in New York City, she gained an instinctive understanding of kids’ natural rhythms and energy. This enabled her to launch the progressive “kindie rock” movement, a genre that is just as palatable to parents and caregivers.
Berkner has released 16 award-winning albums over the course of her decades-long career. She was the first recording artist to perform in music videos on Noggin — appeared regularly on the network’s “Jack’s Big Music Show” — and helped develop the animated musical preschool series “Sing It, Laurie!” for Sprout TV, now Universal Kids.
Berkner has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the White House, among many prestigious venues. She is regularly lauded by her peers, and has been dubbed “the Adele of the preschool crowd” (The New York Times), “the queen of kids’ music” (People), and “one of the most popular children’s performers in America” (Wall Street Journal).
This is the fifth time “The Greatest Holiday Hits Tour” will grace The Paramount stage. She first brought her holiday concert to Long Island in 2019, and has delighted kids — and kids at heart — every year since, aside from 2020.
“It feels really great to be able to come back each year and make it feel like a tradition,” Berkner says. “It’s that feeling of coming together and doing something that feels really good, fun, and joyous.
“Mostly what I try to do is hit a lot of people’s favorites and put the songs I can’t get to into a medley for the encore. I’ll also be playing my new song ‘Walking With The Penguins,’ so they’ll
Courtesy Jayme Thornton
DoLaurie Berkner is ready to share some holiday cheer with her fans — as only she can. Groove along to festive originals alongside yuletide classics at “The Greatest Holiday Hits Tour.
• Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.
• Tickets start at $20.50; available at LiveNation.com
• A $1 donation to Little Shelter Animal Rescue is included in each ticket
• The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
hear that live for the first time.”
Her concert features original tunes from her popular holiday albums, “A Laurie Berkner Christmas” and “Another Laurie Berkner Christmas.” She’ll also play treasured holiday classics like “Deck the Halls,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” and more.
Of course Berkner’s greatest hits — “We Are The Dinosaurs,” “Waiting for the Elevator” and “Pig On Her Head” — are always in the mix. At that point everyone is sure to be singing and dancing along with their favorite stuffed animal on their head.
The hour-long show fully involves her audience from the get-go; yet two moments in particular stand out to Berkner.
“In every show I do ‘We Are The Dinosaurs,’ and it’s very hard to not start laughing while everyone is screaming. “When I sing ‘My Family’ I will ask people to hug the person they’re there with, and it’s amazing that they actually do it.”
Cultivating these shared experiences for her mixed-age audiences is Berkner’s aim for every performance, but especially at her holiday shows.
“Those events that feel exciting to the kids [yet] still fun and enjoyable for the parents are difficult to find, but my shows fit that bill. I feel really grateful to provide moments where they can connect with one another, and have a sweet, loving memory when they leave.”
With a new year on the horizon, Berkner shares some of her plans for 2025.
“I very likely will put out another album next year, but I also have a couple projects I can’t talk about yet,” she says.“There will be new music, new videos, and definitely some surprises — probably more on my plate than I should have!”
Her fans would expect nothing less.
Ltd.’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Visions of sugarplums await when Leggz Ltd. Dance, presents its annual full-length production. Helmed by longtime Artistic Director Joan Hope MacNaughton, it’s as always, accompanied by the South Shore Symphony Orchestra. This year’s production stars Violeta Angelova as the Sugar Plum Fairy, who’s appeared with the Vienna State Oper and Suzanne Farrell Ballet, with George Sanders, who has danced with New York Theatre Ballet and The Little Prince Broadway, as the Cavalier. The gifted young dancers who round out the cast include 9-year-old Vivian Ng as Clara and 11-year-old Matthew Carnaval as The Prince — both Rockville Centre residents.
Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444.
Jason Bonham, son of the legendary Led Zeppelin drummer, showcases his musical journey and family legacy when he visits the Paramount stage. He celebrates his father with hits from Led Zeppelin’s iconic albums, while highlighting his own contributions to rock history. Encompassing tunes from the iconic band’s entire career, including albums “Led Zeppelin,” “Led Zeppelin II,” and “Led Zeppelin IV,” the concert event is a dynamic tribute to a legend. Jason always finds himself at home behind the drumkit. From this spot, he has anchored the tempo of one of the legendary artists of all-time.
Monday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. $99.50, $89.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
Dec. 14
The band brings their distinctive sound back to the Landmark stage, with a “Holiday Stomp,” Saturday, d ec. 14 , at 8 p.m. It’s a raucous Christmas celebration that includes timeless classics and original tunes. The Hot Sardines bring classic jazz standards with their own brassy horn arrangements, rollicking piano melodies and vocals from a chanteuse who transports listeners to a different era with the mere lilt of her voice. Emerging over a decade ago from the underground parties of Brooklyn to touring worldwide and recording a string of albums that’s racked up more than 60 million streams across digital platforms, the Hot Sardines’ own “potent and assured” (The New York Times), “simply phenomenal” (The Times of London) brand of reinvigorated classic jazz landed them at the center of a whirlwind. . In the last two years, the Hot Sardines have been featured at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival, have sold out venues in New York City from Joe’s Pub to Bowery Ballroom and more than 150 tour dates from Chicago to London. They released two albums on Universal Music Classics to critical reviews and a #1 slot on the iTunes Jazz chart in the U.S. and internationally. Their unique recipe blends hot jazz and sultry standards from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s, rich New Orleans sounds, a dash of ’40s Paris flavor, and vibrant musical surprises. It’s all steeped in salty stride piano and the music Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt and Fats Waller used to make. The result is straight-up foot-stomping jazz. Their name says it all: their iconic ‘hot’ styling will paint a vibrant picture with smoky sounds and audiences revel in the steamy, swanky influence of their art form. With their contagious brand of joy, grit, glamour and passion, the 8-piece band invokes the sounds of nearly a century ago, yet stay right in step with the current age. $65, $55, $45. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or by calling (516) 767-6444.
Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House offers a festive glimpse of early 20th century holiday merriment, before it closes for the winter, Saturday, dec. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, dec. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Also dec. 14-15. The “Christmas at Westbury House” celebration reflects what the festive season was like during those opulent decades of the early 1900s when the Phipps family lived there. The period rooms in which John S. Phipps — the eldest son of Henry Phipps, Andrew Carnegie’s partner at Carnegie Steel — and his family resided are impeccably decorated with wreaths, mantelpiece drapes, plenty of greenery, and other horticultural arrangements.
Take a self-guided tour through Westbury House and view specially decorated rooms for the holidays, have cookies and cider on the West Porch and meet and take photos with Santa while listening to ambient holiday music. The gardens will also be open, along with other special holiday events, including Holiday Flute Choir concert, Dec. 8, 2:30 p.m., holiday market, and more. $15, $13 ages 62+ and students, $8 ages 7-17. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or call (516) 333-0048.
The Long Island Choral Society returns its holiday tradition, Handel’s Messiah, Part 1 and highlights from Parts 2 and 3, Saturday, dec. 7, 7 p.m., at Garden City Community Church. For many Long Islanders, the holiday season officially begins with this performance. The chorus is accompanied by a professional orchestra and soloists. $25, $10 youth. Tickets are available via credit card by calling (516) 652-6878 as well as via Venmo at LICS_2022. For more information, visit lics.org. 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City.
Long Beach/Island Park Lions Club hosts a bingo fundraiser, Thursday, dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) at the Island Park Fire Department. The evening includes two game cards, soft drinks, and desserts, with additional game cards available for purchase. Proceeds support the improvement of Waterford Park in Island Park and the Scott Strong Foundation in Long Beach. $20 per person when prepaid or $25 at the door (cash or Venmo). 440 Long Beach Road. For payment details, visit longbeachlionsclub.org.
The 12th Annual Holiday Toy Drive & Adopt-A-Family initiative by the Love Ava Project is underway, now until Dec. 18 New, unwrapped toys, gift cards, board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, and more are being collected to bring joy to local children and families in need. Donations will benefit local families and the Cancer Center for Kids at NYU Langone. Non-perishable food items and clothing are also accepted. Donations will be accepted at drop spots including EGP Oceanside, Empire Nutrition, Red Label Coffee, and more. To participate or become a drop spot, email theloveavaproject@ gmail.com.
Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Holiday Party at J. Paul’s Terrace Café, Thursday, Dec.12, starting at 6 p.m. $65 per person include appetizers, dinner, and dessert, with beer and wine. A cash bar will also be available. Reservations are required, and payments can be made to the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce at 3161 Royal Ave. Oceanside, or via PayPal on their website at oceansidenychamber.org. 239 Merrick Road, Oceanside.
Visit Sands Point
Preserve’s Hempstead House and join in the holiday cheer, Sunday, Dec. 8, 1-4 p.m. The family-friendly event includes activities for all ages. Meet and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy jazz and holiday music with Port Jazz Project, along with seasonal crafts, Dreidel Corner, “nutty” holiday scavenger hunt, reading nook with holiday and winter stories, and puppet shows with Wonderspark Puppets at 2 and 3 p.m. 127 Middle Neck Road. Admission is $40/car, members; $45/ car nonmembers, includes parking. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Oceanside High School students stage “Oklahoma!,” Saturday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. 3160 Skillman Ave.
Having an event?
Bring the kids to celebrate the season at festivities hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Sunday, Dec. 8, noon-4 p.m., at Fox Hollow in Woodbury. Kids ages 4-12, accompanied by their adult guest (Mom, Dad, grandparent, etc.), will enjoy a unique party featuring food, fun and some special guests including princesses, fairies and visitors from a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
With lunch, DJ, magic show, dancing, raffles, games, photo ops, and more, even Jedi-training. Enjoy a sit down lunch and meet characters from some favorite shows and movies. Cost for each child/adult pair is $195. Advance reservation only. All proceeds benefit CP Nassau. Call CP Nassau at (516) 378-2000 ext. 651 for reservations or visit cpnassau. org. 7755 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury.
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.
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.
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Dec. 6, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 10-12, 10:-15 a.m. and noon. Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day & Other Stories” celebrates the joy in the small moments of a child’s world. Experience the wonder of a fresh snowfall, the delight of whistling for the first time, and the awe of finding a special treasure. In this childhood adventure, Keats’ classic books come to life, featuring live actors and shadow puppets telling the stories of “The Snowy Day,” “Goggles!,” “Whistle for Willie,” and “A Letter to Amy.” $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company also known as M&T Bank, successor by merger to Hudson City Savings Bank, FSB, Plaintiff AGAINST Marina Cecere; et al.,
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 15, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 8, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 3358 Ocean Harbor Drive, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 43 Block 219 Lot 64. Approximate amount of judgment $498,265.58 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 608346/2023. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Howard Eric Colton, Esq., Referee
LOGS Legal Group LLP
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: October 31, 2024 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 150282
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for Residential Asset Securitization Trust Series 2006-A9CB Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2006-I, Plaintiff AGAINST
Robert Napolitano Jr. a/k/a Robert Napolitano; Maria Guarino, a/k/a Maria Reese; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 7, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 9, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 22 Quebec Road, Island Park, NY 11558. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in
the Village of Island Park, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 43 Block 041 Lot 117. Approximate amount of judgment
$587,494.67 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 617922/2022. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee
LOGS Legal Group LLP
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff
175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: November 1, 2024 150284
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC INDX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-AR7, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AR7, -againstJENNIFER IADEVAIO, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 14, 2017, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC INDX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-AR7, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-AR7 is the Plaintiff and JENNIFER IADEVAIO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 7, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 61 MONTGOMERY AVE, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572; and the following tax map identification: 43-332-349.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATED, LYING AND BEING AT OCEANSIDE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 019258/2009. Barton Slavin, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for
Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 150286
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR VCC 2020MC1 TRUST, Plaintiff against 3876 CARREL LLC; DANIEL ANTHONY TINEO, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104,Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 19, 2022, 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 January 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 3876 Carrel Boulevard, Oceanside, NY 11572-5917.
Sec 60 Block 78 Lot 6. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Approximate Amount of Judgment is $815,856.61 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 606288/2021. During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 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.”
Brian Davis, Esq., Referee File # 23-000845-01 150280
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders of CWMBS, Inc., CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust 2004-25, Mortgage Pass Through Certificates, Series 2004-25, Plaintiff AGAINST Viktoriya Shtatlender, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 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 January 8, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 31 East Windsor Parkway, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 38, Block: 370, Lot: 564. Approximate amount of judgment $790,701.40 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613281/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must 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”. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. John Boklak, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-091027-F01 83150 150238
LEGAL NOTICE Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX #: 613026/2024 ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC Plaintiff, vs DONNY G. CARDINEAU AKA
The Island Park Board of Education meeting on Nov. 18 saw several students recognized as October Students of the Month.
The learner profile attribute for October was “Critical Thinker,” which recognized those who analyze information and situations thoughtfully and systematically.
The student evaluates evidence, arguments and beliefs with an open and questioning mind, making informed decisions based on careful consideration of facts.
News sources are critically evaluated to distinguish between credible information and misinformation.
These learners understand media literacy, recognizing bias and the influence of media on public opinion.
Students honored for this learner
DONALD G CARDINEAU AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF DONALD E. CARDINEAU, JOHN G. CARDINEAU AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF DONALD E. CARDINEAU, UNKNOWN HEIRS OF DONALD E. CARDINEAU IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; SUCH UNKNOWN PERSONS BEING HEREIN GENERALLY DESCRIBED AND INTENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN 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 WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CITIBANK, N.A., DISTRICT COURT OF NASSAU COUNTY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, NASSAU COUNTY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE IRS, PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK JOHN DOE (Those
profile attribute were Layla Cutietta (kindergarten), Avery Delmas (grade 1), Michael Buzzetta (grade 2), Lucas Attard (grade 3), Ruby Porcelli (grade 4), Ava Collins (grade 5), Rebecca Meyer (grade 6), Isabella Severino (grade 7) and Maxsima Ragnauth (grade 8). Following student recognitions, Superintendent of Schools Vincent Randazzo recognized newly tenured employees.
— Kepherd Daniel
unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s). MORTGAGED PREMISES: 4059 Broadway Island Park, NY 11558 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Donald E. Cardineau Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Jeffrey A. Goodstein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Twentieth day of November, 2024 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclosure a
mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by Donald E. Cardineau (who died on July 8, 2023, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) dated the May 24, 2023, to secure the sum of $150,000.00 and recorded at Instrument No. 2023-32421 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on June 2, 2023. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed March 8, 2024 and recorded on March 21, 2024, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Instrument Number 2024-17335. The property in question is described as follows: 4059 Broadway, Island Park, NY 11558 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: November 25, 2024 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it
employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 83599 150244
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF RITA SONIN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 28, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 9, 2025 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 3518 Frederick Street, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 354 and Lot 149. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,044,748.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #015712/2012. Thomas Scanlon, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 211499-1 150268
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
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Q. We were in Manhattan recently, and learned that tall buildings actually sway back and forth. We stared at the tallest apartment building in the Western Hemisphere, at 432 Park Ave., but couldn’t really tell. Do these buildings sway? How far? Wouldn’t that be dangerous, and how come we don’t hear about it? Why would people put up with that for so much money?
A. Yes, for anywhere from $2 million upward (pun intended) to around $200 million, you, too, can get a continuous amusement ride, or the sensation of always being on a cruise, if you like that sort of thing. When people, mostly at parties, ask me whether I have designed anything tall or famous, I wince, because I’d rather be asked if I’ve ever done anything that people enjoyed seeing or being in.
Few people ever discuss the failings of the most well-known architects. Most of the buildings Frank Lloyd Wright designed leaked. Wright never really was a trained or licensed architect, but he made it to postage stamp status. When the 500-pound windows began flying out of I.M. Pei’s Hancock Tower in Boston, most people, except those who either nearly died or had to clean up the mess, never noticed. The list of the ways in which we learn from building design “aberrations” is endless, but the important thing is that we learn.
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People who can afford to live in those tall buildings, above the crowds of common folk, must have to accept the soft sway of the windswept towers they rest their weary heads in. I have read many articles in technical magazines, and reports about how engineers have been tasked with trying to resolve the problems. In the case of 432 Park Avenue, two “dampers” were designed into the center of the tower, even though there is currently no code requirement for them.
The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, which is much taller than 432 Park Avenue, has features including an aerodynamic shape to cut the wind, and a massive 660-ton pendulum that sways from cables in the core of the building. Even so, on the 163rd floor, the building sways 6½ feet back and forth. There are many different damper systems, flexible, viscoelastic collars and inserts between the rigid steel frame connections that transfer the forces by taking the heat away from the strain of the otherwise rigid joints. Without all of these shock-reducing components, sections would crack and crumble.
As it is, the residents of 432 Park Avenue have complained of air conditioning and heating malfunctions and acoustical discomfort from the creaking walls, whistling wind and stalled elevators. Most of the units are purchased for the beautiful vistas, and you can sell anything to someone who doesn’t do their homework. Many units have been leased and re-leased, bought and sold several times in the three years since the tower opened, with the prices going up and up. Better than buying the Brooklyn Bridge, right?
© 2024 Monte Leeper
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Ihave always been an avid reader of newspapers, and have a great admiration for columnists, particularly Jimmy Cannon, and then Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill. That’s why I so appreciate the opportunity to write a column for the Heralds. All of this came rushing back at me as I was reading the recently published biography “Jimmy Breslin,” by Richard Esposito. Breslin was a unique character. No one understood New York’s people, neighborhoods and streets like him.
Breslin’s New York was Queens Boulevard, not Park Avenue. It was cops, prizefighters, bookies and cold beer (until he stopped drinking, anyway). I started reading his columns years ago, in the old Journal-American, and continued with him through the Herald Tribune, the Daily News and Newsday.
I first met Breslin in the 1980s, and we became close friends in the late 1990s. My wife, Rosemary, and I would go to dinner with Jimmy and his wife, Ronnie, at least once a month, and he and I would talk at least once a day. When Jimmy wanted to talk, he wouldn’t stop, and it was almost impossible to get off the phone with him, even if you had work to do. I found that the one way to close out a conversation was to compliment him on something. In true Irish fashion, he would get flustered, mumble a rushed goodbye and slam down the phone. Breslin was a great guy to be with. He was tough and cynical, but had endless stories and was a true friend — when he was still your friend. He wrote several columns about me during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment that I will always cherish, and he wrote a great blurb for my first novel (which he probably never read). We commiserated after the 9/11 attacks, attending funerals of mutual friends, giving each other
support in an Irish sort of way. He came to my daughter Erin’s wedding and reception, and stayed to the very end — and that was long after he’d stopped drinking!
W hen he wanted to talk, it was impossible to get off the phone with him.
During these good times, though, I would have in the back of my head columns Breslin used to write when he was living in Baldwin, listing people he would no longer speak with. Though he stopped issuing those lists, I wondered when my number would be up. I found out in March 2003, when Rosemary sent him a heated note, blasting him for comparing President George W. Bush to Adolf Hitler.
That ended it. It was curtain time. No more phone calls or dinners. I did call him once when I heard there was a serious illness in his family.
“Jimmy, I heard the news,” I said. “I’m sorry. I’m thinking of you.”
“Yeah,” he replied, “I’ll be thinking of you, too. Goodbye.”
Later I saw him at the renowned journalist Jack Newfield’s funeral, and
we had a quick handshake. Several years after that, in 2009, Rosemary and I went to the funeral of Breslin’s daughter Kelly at an old church in Lower Manhattan. Afterward we sat and talked with him at a table in the churchyard for 10 or 15 minutes. The conversation was warm and friendly, almost like it used to be. When it was time to say so long, I said, “Jimmy, we should get together.”
“Yeah,” he said. “We should. That’d be good.” We shook hands.
We never got together. I wish we had. Breslin died in 2017, and a large part of New York died with him.
Esposito’s biography brings back the memories not just of Breslin, but of the days when newspapers and their columnists — and the written word — had such a vital role to play in our society. While much of that has died, I commend the Herald for keeping the tradition alive for the people of Long Island.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Eight years ago, about four months into Donald Trump’s first term as president, the Herald published an op-ed I wrote entitled “What American Dream?” in which I lamented the ever-growing financial burden on Long Island’s middle class.
Despite all the hard work I put in, I wrote, I was decidedly worse off than my mother and father were a generation earlier. I laid equal blame on Democrats and Republicans, who had rotated in and out of Washington all my life and done little to stop the downward spiral. “And his promises notwithstanding,” I added, “President Trump will likely do little to change our trajectory.” He did not.
And, in all fairness, neither did President Biden.
Eight years ago I noted that my wife and I worked full time as teachers, but that she had to care for our kids alone during the week, while I tutored after school to keep up with ever-rising expenses.
Today I tutor two to three times as much as I did then. Not out of greed, but necessity. My wife continues to do the lion’s share of the work with the kids, but she, too, has taken on a second job, doing early intervention for specialneeds 2-year-olds. So, eight years ago, we basically needed three incomes to make it. Now we need four.
BSome of my colleagues at school were elated after Election Day that we have another four years of Trump coming, almost as if their team had won the Super Bowl. It has always surprised me how any teacher can support the guy whose Supreme Court appointee, Neil Gorsuch, rendered the decisive vote in Janus v. AFSCME, a case that weakened public-sector unions like the ones we belong to.
House — our lives here on Long Island are not going to get any easier.
That’s because we’ve witnessed a steady erosion of the middle class since 1973, when real wages started to fall against the backdrop of an energy crisis and pronounced inflation. The true death knell was President Ronald Reagan’s taking office in 1980. Reagan slashed taxes for corporations and the wealthy with the idea that the financial benefits at the top of the economic food chain would trickle down to the rest of us. Only they didn’t.
y the time I graduated from eighth grade in 1992, working moms were the norm.
To be fair, others at school were crestfallen.
I, on the other hand, for the first time in my adult life, paid absolutely no attention to this election, and did not watch one minute of election night coverage. Although I voted for Kamala Harris, I did not shed a tear.
That’s because I’ve heard this song before. I know how this movie ends. It doesn’t matter who’s in the White
I’m by no means an economist, but consider this: When I entered kindergarten in 1983, my mother was one of a few moms who needed to get a job to help make ends meet. The embarrassment of getting picked up by another classmate’s mother will forever be etched in my memory. Years later, my mother told me how the guilt I laid on her at the time absolutely broke her heart. Sorry, Mom. I love you.
But by the time I graduated from eighth grade in 1992, working moms were the norm. I can only recall one or two classmates whose mothers didn’t work. Things had certainly changed, and they only continued to get worse.
I’m not piling on Republicans, because there were 20 years of Democratic presidents as well between then and now. My colleagues, both jubilant and dejected after this past Election Day, might remember that the roles were reversed in 2008, when Barack Obama was first elected. Regardless of who has led the country, things haven’t gotten a whole lot better.
That’s because the people at the top — the corporate interests that really run America — don’t want them to. As the late, great comedian George Carlin said, “Our country’s a big club … and you ain’t in it!”
Nobody should have been surprised that Trump trounced the incumbentbacked Harris. Middle class voters have been drowning for 50 years, desperately hoping someone would toss them a life vest that never seems to come.
I wish I shared my Trump-supporting colleagues’ optimism, or even the Harris supporters’ melancholy, but I just don’t. I don’t think any real help is coming, regardless of who is in office.
I will gladly eat my words in four years if my wallet is fatter and prices are lower. But I doubt that’s going to happen.
Nick Buglione is a teacher, a freelance journalist and a former editor of the East Meadow Herald.
then jubilant
eginning with the birth of our nation, Long Islanders have shaped the policies of America as well as our country’s impact on the world. Suffolk County’s William Floyd was one of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. President Theodore Roosevelt, who made his home in Oyster Bay, is often cited as one of our greatest leaders. Bellmore’s William Casey served as President Ronald Reagan’s CIA director during an era fraught with Cold War tensions.
As the Biden administration sunsets and President-elect Donald Trump’s second administration begins to take shape, Long Islanders are once again positioned to influence our nation and the course of human history.
T rump has nominated Howard Lutnick, from Jericho, to serve as secretary of commerce. Lutnick, the chairman and chief executive of the global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, strongly supports the president-elect’s plans to impose tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, which would have dramatic impacts on the global economy.
T rump has chosen Dr. Dave Weldon, a Farmingdale High School and Stony Brook University graduate, to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weldon, a former congressman from Florida, would succeed fellow Long Islander Dr. Mandy Cohen, a Baldwin native whom President Biden appointed to the role last year. (Another Baldwin native, Karine Jean-Pierre, has served as President Biden’s White House press secretary since 2022.)
Given the recent politicization of the CDC, as well as the anti-establishment views of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom
Trump has selected as his secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — which oversees the CDC — Weldon is set to wield unique power in setting public health policy.
Biden named Dr. David Kessler, a graduate of Woodmere Academy (now the Lawrence Woodmere Academy) as the lead scientist on the coronavirus vaccine distribution efforts. Kessler formerly headed the Food and Drug Administration under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
T rump has also named Steve Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff, who was raised in Baldwin Harbor and Old Westbury, is a successful real estate developer and a major benefactor of Hofstra University, where he earned a law degree. (He shares that law school alma mater with Charles Kushner, the father of Trump’s son-inlaw, Jared Kushner, and a convicted felon whom Trump has selected as ambassador to France.) Witkoff’s appointment continues Trump’s selection of Long Islanders for critical Middle East policy roles.
In Trump’s first term, the U.S. ambassador to Israel was David Friedman, who grew up in North Woodmere. The son of Rabbi Morris Friedman, who led Temple Hillel for 33 years and brought Reagan to the synagogue in 1984, David Friedman played a pivotal role in promoting Trump’s Middle East policies, from the decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, to supporting the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
T rump also announced his choice of Garden City’s Kash Patel as director of
To the Editor:
I just finished reading Randi Kreiss’s column, “Dear readers, we can’t keep it in neutral” (Nov. 28-Dec. 4). It seems that Randi is totally consumed by Trump derangement syndrome. Donald Trump is a deeply flawed soul to be sure, but when compared with Hillary and Harris, he is Abe Lincoln.
When he left office, but for the horror of Covid, the country was at peace and the economy was in great shape. Could this country endure four more years of what we just went through? Obviously not! The fake dossier, the disgraceful lawfare, and it goes on and on.
Trump establishes the Depar tment of Government Efficiency and the left mocks him unendingly. When it pays enormous dividends, they will ignore it, as they always do. Thank God the country was sickened by the last four years and overwhelmingly decided to reject it!
RICHARD LAND
the FBI. Leaders on both sides of the aisle, however, have expressed concerns about that choice, because of what they perceive to be Patel’s desire to dismantle the very institution he has been tapped to lead, as well as his lack of relevant experience.
“I categorically opposed making Patel deputy FBI director,” William Barr, who served as attorney general under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Trump, wrote in his 2022 book, “One Damn Thing After Another.” “I told Mark Meadows,” Barr added, referring to Trump’s White House chief of staff, “it would happen ‘over my dead body.’ Someone with no background as an agent would never be able to command the respect necessary to run the day-to-day operations of the bureau.”
Finally, there’s former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who, in 2022, unsuccessfully challenged Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York’s gubernatorial election. Zeldin, an Army veteran who represented New York’s 1st Congressional District from 2015 to 2023, is poised to become Trump’s administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. In that role, Zeldin would have wide-ranging powers to create or eliminate regulations that protect the environment.
Many of Trump’s selections must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. We expect most of them will be, or will serve in interim roles. Regardless, these Long Islanders are a testament to the region’s diverse influence on national politics and international diplomacy. We hope they don’t forget where they came from, and make decisions that uplift not only our country, but also the Long Island communities they once called home.
oute tax recognize funding essential being ties. It’s is a prime When Huntington about quickly weren’t syndrome, disabilities, reality: disability But he couldn’t his own.
our economy thrives on the spirit of entrepreneurship — new businesses solve problems, create jobs and contribute tax revenue. states like New york recognize this, offering programs and funding to support startups. But an essential segment of our population is being overlooked: people with disabilities. it’s time New york state extends its support to include businesses owned by people with disabilities.
Entrepreneurship can be a lifeline for those with differing abilities. it can be lifechanging — not just for business owners, but also for their employees, families and communities. My son, John Cronin, is a prime example.
When John entered his final year at Huntington High school, he was excited about joining the workforce. yet he quickly found that traditional paths weren’t available to him. John has Down syndrome, and like many people with disabilities, he faced an unacceptable reality: Only one in five adults with a disability is employed.
But John is a natural entrepreneur. if he couldn’t find the right job, he’d create his own. so he came to me with an idea:
He wanted to start a business together. That was the spark that led to John’s Crazy socks, a social enterprise that has since grown into a seven-figure business and the world’s largest sock store.
Consider the impact John’s entrepreneurism has had. We’ve created 34 jobs, and 22 of them are held by people with differing abilities. Through our Giving Back program, we’ve donated over $800,000 to organizations like special Olympics New york, the National Down syndrome society, and North shore Animal League America. Over 3,000 students and social service clients have toured our operation, finding inspiration in John’s story. And we’ve seen other entrepreneurs with differing abilities courageously follow his path.
differing abilities represent an extraordinary, untapped talent pool, ready to work and contribute.
To unlock this potential, New york state can take five specific steps:
a disability hasn’t kept my son, Mark, from leading the world’s largest sock store.
1. Certification for disability-owned businesses. The state already certifies businesses owned by women and veterans, which gives these businesses crucial visibility and access to state resources. Establishing a similar certification for disability-owned businesses would send a powerful message and create essential opportunities for these businesses.
people with disabilities? By including them, we could unlock even greater economic potential.
4. Technical support for startups. The state offers technical support through various programs, and coordinating these resources for disability-owned startups would level the playing field for entrepreneurs like John.
5. startup grants. New york provides millions in grants to encourage new businesses. some of these funds should be earmarked specifically for startups owned by people with disabilities.
John’s story shows that entrepreneurship isn’t just an option; it’s an essential alternative for people with disabilities. When given the opportunity, they contribute, uplift others, and bring positive change to our communities. By supporting entrepreneurship for people with differing abilities, New york has an opportunity to address one of the highest unemployment rates among any group. it’s not just good policy; it’s good business. A 2018 Accenture report found that companies leading in disability inclusion perform 28 percent better financially than their peers. People with
To the Editor:
The Nassau County Police Department advises shoppers to be vigilant for their safety and the safety of others this holiday season.
Before leaving home, secure and engage alarms, and leaving lights on in frequented rooms to give the appearance that people are home.
Plan your shopping trips, know where you’re going and, if possible, go with someone else. Let someone know where you’re going. Park in an area that’s well lit, and make sure your valuables are out of sight. Avoid parking near vans or other vehicles with covered cargo areas. Don’t get out of your car unless you feel safe, lock your vehicle, and remember where you’ve parked.
As you shop, keep money and credit/debit cards in a front pocket, and limit the number of cards and the cash
you carry. To avoid identity theft, be careful when exposing your cards and other identification at cash registers and ATMs.
Be aware that thieves use cellphones to capture card and identity information. Be cognizant of distractions that could be staged to avert your attention.
When you return to your vehicle, don’t do so with your arms full of packages. Use a cart. Be ready to unlock your car door. Check the parking lot for suspicious-looking people, and if you see anyone loitering nearby, don’t go to your vehicle. Carry a whistle or other audible device, and if you feel threatened, use it. Before getting into your vehicle, look around and inside it. Once inside, lock the doors, and if you have to, use your horn to attract attention.
Always be aware of your surroundings.
NAssAU
2. set-asides for disabilityowned businesses, New york has created procurement set-asides in state contracts for women-owned and veteran-owned businesses. Extending this to include disability-owned businesses would ensure they have a fair chance to secure state contracts and grow.
3. Expand NysiD programs to include for-profits. New york state industries for the Disabled generates millions of dollars in wages for people with disabilities through nonprofit partners. But this outdated restriction excludes forprofit businesses, perpetuating the false impression that only nonprofits will employ people with disabilities. Why exclude for-profit businesses owned by
People with differing abilities are a vast, often overlooked resource. They are ready, able and willing to contribute to our economy, bringing diverse perspectives, talents and innovations. yet structural barriers have kept many from reaching their full potential. John’s Crazy socks has proven that when people with disabilities start businesses, they don’t just create jobs — they inspire others, spark change and strengthen their communities. New york state has both the resources and the responsibility to foster this kind of inclusive growth. Let’s build an economy that works for everyone. By embracing entrepreneurship for people with differing abilities, our state can show the nation what’s possible when opportunity is available to all.
Mark X. Cronin is a co-founder and president of John’s Crazy Socks, in Farmingdale.
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