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HERALD RECoRD
This week’s Pets, Pets, Pets
Obituary: Gilbert W. Hanse
ASD adds student voices to board
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VOL. 75 NO. 33
AUGUST 6 - 12, 2025
$1.00
Alzheimer’s center opens in Amityville By CAROLYN JAMES
Carolyn James/Herald photos
The Rabinowitz family is joined by local officials at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center in Amityville.
cjames@liherald.com
Michael Rabinowitz still remembers the pain of watching his mother, Barbara, slowly slip away. For six long years, Barbara Rabinowitz battled dementia — a fight neither she nor her family fully understood at the time. “I lost my temper with her more times than I’d like to admit,” Rabinowitz said. “My understanding of what my mother was going through was very limited. The last thing on my mind was that she was suffering from some type of disease.” Barbara Rabinowitz died in 2022, leaving behind a family shaped by heartbreak — and determined to help others avoid the same confusion and isolation. “This is not something that only affects the individual,” Rabinowitz said. “It affects the entire family.” In response, the Rabinowitz family partnered with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and longtime friend Charles J. Fuschillo, the foundation’s president and CEO. Together, they launched what they call a much-needed resource for families facing memory-related illnesses.
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Amityville school trustee Fanning resigns after a year on board By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Caroline Fanning announced she is stepping down from the Amityville School Board after a little more than a year of service, citing family and business obligations. “My husband and I are the founders and head growers of a community farm, and this season has delivered several challenges that require our full attention,” Fanning wrote on social media. “My role as trustee, meanwhile, is something I take very seriously. Since July 8, I have not been able to devote the necessary time the job requires. I don’t want to quit—I’ve never
M
y role as trustee, meanwhile, is something I take very seriously. Since July 8, I have not been able to devote the necessary time the job requires. I don’t want to quit - I’ve never quit anything before - but due to the extent I can no longer fulfill my obligations as trustee, stepping down is my only choice.
CAROLINE FANNING Amityville Trustee
quit anything before—but to the extent I can no longer fulfill my obligations as trustee, stepping
down is my only choice.” Fanning was elected in 2024 as part of the self-described
“Champions for Change,” alongside Wendy Canestro and Melissa Messman. The group ran a joint campaign focused on accountability, transparency and addressing the district’s financial challenges. At the time, Amityville was grappling with a $3.6 million budget deficit from the 2022–23 school year, which led to cuts in programs, extracurricular activities, staff and teachers.
Messman unseated longtime board member Jeannette Santos in the 2024 election. Canestro won the one-year seat vacated by former trustee Dr. Terry Fulton, while Fanning claimed the seat previously held by Juan Leon. Fanning is the second member of the trio to leave the board. Canestro chose not to seek reelection in May. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9