Also serving Amityville, North Amityville, Amity Harbor, Copiague, and East Massapequa
CSD student Amara
Jordan recognized Page 8
Carolyn James/Herald
Rev. Father Randolph Jon Geminder, center, is shown with newly installed pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Rev. Dale Wan Wormer, left, and the church’s organist and choir master Joe Guidice, right, at the church’s presentation of mosaic honoring Father Geminder’s 50 years of dedication to the church.
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
St. Mary’s Church unveiled a mosaic of St. John Chrysostom on Sunday, Nov. 10, honoring the legacy of the Rev. Randolph Jon Geminder and his 50 years of service to the parish.
St. John Chrysostom, the fifth-century archbishop of Constantinople, was known as the “golden-mouthed” for his eloquent preaching, uncompromising commitment to truth and tireless pastoral care — qualities parish leaders said echo Geminder’s own ministry.
“His life of teaching, shepherding and sacrificial service stands as a fitting example for us as we honor Father Geminder,” said Joe Guidice, speaking on behalf of the church parishioners. “In gratitude for that ministry, we presented and dedicated this icon, and we
formally name him our rector emeritus.”
The Rev. Dale Van Wormer, who assumed the role of rector Sept. 28, attended the dedication with his wife, Samantha. A native of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Van Wormer is a graduate of Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin and has served as a priest for five years, along with six years in parish leadership.
Geminder reflected on his ministry in Amityville with warmth and gratitude.
“I love St. Mary’s, and I love Amityville; it is a special place,” he said. “I have learned that the old motto of amity and friendship is not a hackneyed phrase. This village cares for its people. Whether you work in a boatyard or are the CEO of a big company, everyone is the same.”
The mosaic will remain on display in the church in Geminder’s honor.
ASD hosts
Grandparents Day Page 9
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Voters in the Copiague and Massapequa fire districts will go to the polls Tuesday, Dec. 9, to elect members of their Boards of Fire Commissioners.
Fire commissioners are volunteers and receive no compensation for their service. They are responsible for establishing policies and procedures within the department, working with the other members to assess and secure equipment and apparatus and for the department’s annual budget.
COPIAGUE
Incumbent Copiague Fire Commissioner Richard Sica is seeking another five-year term. He has served on the board for 14 years.
Sica, a Copiague resident for 27 years, is a retired NYPD officer. He has two daughters and six grandchildren. He is running unopposed.
“In the past five years, we on the Board of Fire Commissioners have made a lot of progress with the upkeep and expansion of the firehouses,” Sica said, noting the construction of a new building adjacent to the Great Neck Road firehouse that provides additional space for equipment and vehicles. “As we have grown, we needed more room for our new ambulance,
our marine unit equipment and our high-water rescue truck.”
In the next five years, Sica said he plans to focus on membership and retention, including testing new programs to attract volunteers and keep current members engaged. “With work schedules today, and everyone working two jobs and overtime to make ends meet, many young people don’t have the time to volunteer,” he said.
He added that efforts such as strengthening the department’s junior program and helping volunteers secure affordable housing and other incentives have helped. “We have a full contingent of 30 junior members, and we believe that if they have an interest in service when they are younger, they will be more apt to join and stay on as adults,” he said.
Sica said he looks forward to continuing to work with the board to maintain high-quality public service, ensure volunteers have the latest equipment and keep costs down.
The department has about 120 volunteers, along with paid EMS personnel on duty 24/7 and supplemented by volunteers. It operates with a $5.4 million budget, which has remained flat for five years. This year, due to rising costs for insurance, fuel and
plished this while keeping the fire tax rate under the New York State Tax Cap.
other expenses, officials expect to propose a minimal increase that remains within the New York State tax cap.
The election will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Copiague Fire Department headquarters, 320 Great Neck Road, Copiague.
MASSAPEQUA
Fire Commissioner Joseph Giordano is running for reelection to a five-year term on the Board of Fire Commissioners. He is running unopposed.
Giordano has been on the board for 11 years after having been elected for the first time in 2014. He has been a member of the department for 41 years.
“The board works cohesively and we are not only colleagues but also friends,” said Giordano. “We all get along and while we may not always agree, we each bring a different experience and ideas, question things, compromise and always focus on doing the right thing for the volunteers and the public.”
In the years Giordano has been on the board, the department replaced three engines, two ladder trucks and two ambulances and built a new firehouse on Front Street to accommodate larger fire trucks. Over the years, it has accom-
Looking ahead, Giordano said the board will be working to replace all breathing apparatus, to continue roof and other building renovations and ensure that Massapequa firefighter and emergency service units have the best and latest equipment. It will also be replacing 6,000 feet of supply hose from 5-inch to 4-inch, which is lighter and more efficient
.The department is served by approximately 390 volunteers on the fire side.
In the past two years, the department has added EMS workers who are on call from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
“This is the toughest time to man an ambulance,” said Giordano. “And we want to make sure that when an ambulance is called, they arrive timely.”
Giordano owns and operates an architectural and consulting business for the past 32 years. He and his wife Kathleen have five children.
The election is December 9, from 2 to 9 p.m., at the Park House Fire House, 259 Front St., Massapequa Park. For questions or more information call 516-7982648.
The annual Town of Babylon Holiday Lights and Market will be taking place on Dec. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Babylon Town Hall. Enjoy the excitement of this year’s holiday market event including vendors, food trucks, face painting, pho tos with Santa and spectacular holiday lights. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the town’s food pantry. Entry is free and the event will take place rain or
Babylon Town Hall is located at 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-4292.
Councilman Terence McSweeney invites you to help make the holidays brighter for local children in need.
Please drop off a new, unwrapped toy, book, or game at Babylon Town Hall any day Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Dec. 15. This
toy drive is in collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots cam
The Babylon Town Hall is located at 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-3081.
Update to rates of subscription plans : To continue providing you with high-quality hyperlocal news in the face of rising costs, as of December 1, 2025, the HERALD's subscription rates will be: annual subscription plan, paid by credit card - $1 per week (billed annually at $52.00); monthly subscription plan, paid by credit card - $2 per week (billed monthly at $8.67); one-year subscription, paid by check - $65 (check made out to "Richner Communications, Inc." and mailed to below address). Subscription plans paid by credit card renew at end of applicable term at then-current rates. Payment can be made online at liherald.com/subscribe, by calling (516) 569-4000 & press 7, or by mail to Herald Subscription Processing Center, 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530.
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
A full house gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Amityville on Nov. 16 for the 2025 Fall Musicale, hosted by the Amityville Historical Society and the Lauder Museum. The event honored the 200th birthday of composer Johann Strauss II, widely known as “the Waltz King.”
Attendees enjoyed a live performance of Strauss’s works, as well as pieces from the 1800s and 1900s, all performed on historic instruments—including an 1893 Weber Victorian grand piano, harpsichord, violin, harp and accordion.
“I thought it was one of the best musicale’s we have ever had,” said Martha Peterson of Amityville, one of the attendees. “The music and the musicians were wonderful and everybody seemed to enjoy being together, talking and have a great Sunday afternoon.”
Born on Oct. 25, 1825, in Vienna, Austria, Strauss II was the eldest son of composer Johann Strauss. Though his father hoped he would pursue a nonmusical profession, Strauss studied violin in secret while working as a bank clerk. In 1844, he made his public debut conducting a dance band at a Viennese restaurant.
Following his father’s death in 1849, Strauss merged their orchestras and began touring across Russia and England, earning international acclaim. He handed leadership of the orchestra to his brothers Josef and Eduard in 1870 to focus on composing. Two years later, he visited the United States, conducting concerts in New York City and Boston.
Musicale musicians include Joe Guidice on Harp and piano, Edmund Needham on harpsicord, Michael Gutenberg on violin, Igor Balaban on piano and
Costa Arlen on
died on June 3, 1899, but his music continues to resonate around the world—and in Amityville, more than two centuries after his birth.
The following incidents have been reported by the Amityville and Suffolk County police departments and other law enforcement and emergency service units:
Copiague: First Precinct police arrested and charged Laurin Perillo, 38, of 735 Willard St., North Bellmore with stealing assorted items from Target, 1149 Sunrise Hwy., at 12:42 p.m., Nov. 17.
ARRESTS
Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired: Christian G. Petrucci, 27, of Braham Ave., Amityville; Parmeshwar Singh, 37 Terry Rd., Ronkonkoma; Saul Salazar Gonzalez, 38, of 16 Prospect Ave., Brentwood.
Criminal Possession of a Weapon: Tevis Angus, 22, of 143 Madison Ave., North Amityville; Kimmarley Hamilton, 41, of 938 Islip Ave., Brentwood; Albert Tusa, 61, of 202 E. Granada Ave., Copiague.
Petit Larceny: Vincent J. Weber, 48, of Greenlawn Terrace, Copiague; Leontis C. Jackson, 46, of Trouville Rd., Copiague; Cordell Goodwin, 43, Broadway, Amityville; Tara Rubino. 49 of QW. Minerva Rd., Lindenhurst; Michael. J.
Lafata, 53, Bucknell Dr., Massapequa; Kevin Purnell, 51, Nathalie Ave., Amityville; Agata Kozlowska, 60, of 3 24th St., Copiague; Darielle Arrington, 29, 5 Sejon Dr., Sayville; Diana France, 25, of 576 Granny Rd., Medford; Shaylee Fernandez, 20, of 1511 N. Gardiner Dr., North Bay Shore; Timothy Catone, 35, of 143 LaBonne Vie Dr., West, East Patchogue; Karen Nitschke, 55, of 3 Middlebury Rd., Hauppauge; Mark Donadeo, 58, of 361 Catskill Ave., Lindenhurst; Lee Nekoro, 42, of 21B Hart Pl., Dix Hills; Burglary: Amanda Gleason, 44 of 52 Hollywood Ave., Selden. Grand Larceny: Lloyd E. Berger, 63, Bristol St., Lindenhurst; Kimyan Lawrence, 31, of 13470 Bedell St., Jamaica. Menacing With a Weapon: Alan Mena, 19, of 375 Clift St., Central Islip. Criminal Mischief: Julia Badagliacca, 21, of 31 34 St., Copiague.
Assault: Steven A. Lawrence, 33, Polo Club Circle, Islandia; Shakim Berry, 29, 88 Woodside Rd., Mastic Beach; Cristhian Cordova Chileno, 29, 101 Le Grande St., Brentwood.
Food Pantry/Clothing Closet
Offered by Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI), Food Pantry and Clothing Closet work together to alleviate hunger, address food insecurity, and fulfill the basic need for clothing within the surrounding community. By offering a diverse selection of food items and clothing options, we support individuals and families facing economic challenges while promoting dignity, sustainability, and community support in times of adversity. For more information, go to: www.hali88. org or call 631-234-1925. HALI is at 159 Brightside Ave., Central Islip. Residential Program: Beacon House - Short-term, longterm and transitional housing is provided throughout Long Island in 58 group homes, emergency shelters, and select single-family residences. Those eligible include homeless veterans, veterans with families, veterans and non-veterans with substance abuse and mental health issues, women in need of supportive housing, and those
living with HIV/AIDS. Every veteran resident has access to intensive case management, transportation and daily living essentials. Services are made possible through funding from NYS OTDA, Veteran Administration, HUD, and Suffolk County. For assistance, call 631 665-1571.
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
•LICADD substance abuse 24-hour hotline: 631-979-1700; licadd.org
•Talbot House: 24-hr. substance abuse crisis center: 631-589-4144; catholiccharities.cc/our-services/chemicaldependence
•Response Crisis Center, suicide prevention, 631-751-7500; responsecrisiscenter.org
•VIBS: Domestic violence, sexual assault, 24-hour hotline, 631-360-3606; vibs.org 24/7 Emergency Hotlines
•N.C. Drug & Alcohol Hotline: 516227-8255
• LI Crisis Center: 516-679-1111
• Response Crisis Center: 631-751-7500
• S.C. Drug & alcohol hotline: 631-9791700
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
•Suffolk County First Precinct Community Meeting: Noon, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, 1 Lee Ave., Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 854-8100.
•Amityville Rotary Club Meeting: 8 a.m., Brownstones Coffee, 55 Merrick Road, Amityville. For more information, please call President Carolyn Dodd at (631) 374-8712.
•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com.
•Town of Babylon Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting: 6 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-3012.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust
Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.
•St. Mary’s Thrift Shop: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 175 Broadway, Amityville, enter from rear parking lot. Lots of collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items. For information, call (631) 464-4899.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com.
•St. Mary’s Thrift Shop: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 175 Broadway, Amityville, enter from rear parking lot. Lots of collectibles, glassware, clothing and other gently used items. For information, call (631) 464-4899.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more informa-
tion, call (631) 789-2569.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
•Town of Babylon Planning Board Meeting: 7 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-4434.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.
•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
•Town of Babylon Rental Board Meeting: 6 p.m., Town Board Room, Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst. For more information, please call (631) 957-4434.
•Amityville School District Board of Education Combined Session: 7:30 p.m., Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School, 140 Park Ave., Amityville. For more information, please call (631) 565-6000.
•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.
•Church Attic Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, Amityville. For information, call (631) 264-0152 or email amitychurch1792@gmail.com.
Calendar items are printed for non-profit organizations, as space permits, or when an event, service or information is being sponsored by a profit-making organization without charge to readers. Submit items to us at Richner Communications, attn: Beacon Editor, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530; or email: dconsola@liherald.com at least two - three weeks prior to the publication date in which the item must appear. Sorry, but open-ended requests without the specific dates of the events are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication of any items. For more information, call 516-569-4000.
Saturday, Dec. 6th, 2025 at 5PM
Rain date Sunday, Dec. 7th at 5 PM At the Village Gazebo, Park Ave. & Broadway Rte. 110
Carols, dance performances & visit with Santa! Bring a nonperishable food item for the Rotary Club’s Food Drive to benefit the St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry
The Babylon Chorale will be performing beginning Nov. 21 through Dec. 7, including the weekends of Nov. 22-23, Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7.
Babylon Chorale will be presenting Making Moments: A Lessons and Carols Celebration on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
and Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s ByThe-Sea Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Road, Bay Shore.
To purchase tickets online and for more information, please visit babylonchorale.org or email info@babylonchorale.org
The Emily Meyer Foundation is accepting donations through Dec. 12. Please donate new, unwrapped toys for children in local hospitals this holiday season.
Unable to bring a toy? Please visit the following link to send your Amazon donation directly to the foundation: shorturl.at/ AQTlX.
Drop-off locations include Apple Bank,
8 Little East Neck Road, Babylon; Coldwell Banker Eastern Properties, 1405 Deer Park Ave., North Babylon; Mangia Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 785 Deer Park Ave., North Babylon; and Pizzaiola North Babylon, 1162 Deer Park Ave., North Babylon, beginning Nov. 29.
For more information, please call. (631) 664-0368.
YES Community Counseling Center will be holding a remembrance ceremony honoring loved ones lost to substance misuse on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Please bring a small, framed photo of your loved one.
YES Community Counseling Center is
located at 152 Center Lane, Levittown. To register, please visit surveymonkey.com/r/lightsofhope2025.
For more information, pleas contact Kathleen Coletta at (516) 799-3203 x 127 or email kcoletta@yesccc.org
The Amityville Junior League will be holding its annual Holiday Homes Tour on Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $25, plus processing fees, and can be purchased at shorturl.at/TGaoG, or at the Tea House at St. Mary’s Church, 175 Broadway in Amityville on the day
of the tour.
All proceeds will go toward the Amityville Junior League’s scholarship award program and various local and charitable organizations.
For more information, please email amityvillejuniorleague@gmail.com
AN ALL-NEW EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED OPERATING ROOMS.
REIMAGINED PRIVATE PATIENT ROOMS.
A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND TRAUMA CENTER FOR THE SOUTH SHORE.
The new Good Samaritan University Hospital is coming. And our South Shore community is about to get a whole lot better.
Learn more at catholichealthli.org/BetterNeverStops
Copiague Middle School eighth grader Amara Jordan was recently honored for her award-winning essay. On Nov. 3, the Town of Babylon officially kicked off Veterans Awareness Week with a ceremony at Babylon Town Hall honoring local students for their participation in its Veterans Awareness Week essay contest. Students in Mrs. Pappalardo’s eighth grade social studies class proudly con-
tributed their work, with Jordan earning honorable mention for her thoughtful and well-written essay. As part of the ceremony, selected student winners were invited to read their submissions reflecting on the importance of veterans and service to our country. She is pictured with Mrs. Pappalardo and Copiague Middle School Principal Andrew Lagnado.
Northeast Elementary School turned learning into a family affair on Nov. 7 as students welcomed their grandparents into the classroom for the school’s annual Grandparents Day.
Visitors were invited to observe lessons and take part in classroom activities throughout the day. Grandparents toured pre-K and kindergarten rooms, joining students at tables and on the
carpet for hands-on projects.
Guests helped children color portraits of grandparents, assisted with autumn-themed crafts and settled in for story time sessions. School officials said the event provided opportunities for shared creativity and bonding, strengthening connections among students, families and the school community.
Pre-K and kindergarten students at Northeast Elementary School in Amityville proudly celebrated Red Ribbon Week recently, joining schools across the nation in promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles.
Throughout the week, students and staff embraced the national theme, “Life Is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free,” by participating in a variety of themed activities and spirit days. The celebrations kicked off with a day of wearing red, symbolizing commitment to a drug-free life, followed by neon colors day, a sports jersey day and a cozy pajama day.
A highlight of the week was the pumpkin patch event, featuring pumpkins generously donated by the local Stop & Shop, Suffolk Plumbing and through a sponsorship funded by Northeast’s PTA. Students selected their own pumpkins and enjoyed seasonal fun throughout the week.
On Friday, staff members showcased their creativity in a pumpkin decorating contest, featuring animalthemed pumpkin designs, before students gathered for the schoolwide Halloween parade and assembly. Students wore their costumes and shared in the festive spirit alongside parents and families as they gathered in the school courtyard.
The weeklong celebration served as both a fun seasonal event and a meaningful opportunity for students to learn the importance of making positive choices and supporting one another in living drug-free lives.
Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School students brought “The Outsiders” to the stage for two performances on Nov. 21 and 22. Based on the classic novel by S.E. Hinton, the production explores coming-of-age themes, social divides and the strength of friendship. Students in Ms. Walsh’s Advanced Drama class brought
beloved characters —Ponyboy, Johnny, Cherry, Dally Winston, and more — to life during the two shows in the school’s auditorium. The talented cast and crew delivered a powerful and memorable interpretation of this timeless story, showcasing their hard work, dedication and passion for theater.
New research led by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History finds that most modern dogs carry low but detectable levels of wolf ancestry — genetic traces that may influence traits such as body size, sense of smell and personality.
The study, published Nov. 25 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that this newly identified gene flow may give dogs an edge as they adapt to a wide range of human environments. Wolf ancestry appeared across breeds, from large Shiloh Shepherds to tiny Chihuahuas. Shiloh Shepherds are a long-haired variety of German Shepherd.
JOANNE ANDERSON
“Modern dogs, especially pet dogs, can seem so removed from wolves, which are often demonized,” said lead author Audrey Lin, a postdoctoral scholar at the American Museum of Natural History. “But there are characteristics that may have come from wolves that we greatly value in dogs today and that we choose to keep in their lineage. This is a study about dogs, but in many ways, it’s telling us about wolves.”
Dogs evolved from an extinct population of gray wolves about 20,000 years ago under human influence. Although wolves and dogs overlap geographically and can interbreed, hybridization is considered rare. Beyond a handful of intentional wolfdog crosses, scientists have found little evi-
dence of ongoing gene flow since domestication split their lineages.
“Prior to this study, the leading science seemed to suggest that in order for a dog to be a dog, there can’t be much wolf DNA present, if any,” Lin said. “But we found if you look very closely in modern dog genomes, wolf is there. This suggests that dog genomes can ‘tolerate’ wolf DNA up to an unknown level and remain the dogs we know and love.”
Researchers examined more than 2,700 published genomes from wolves, breed dogs, village dogs and other canids spanning 20,000 years. They found that nearly two-thirds of breed dogs carry wolf ancestry from crossbreeding that occurred roughly 1,000 generations ago. All village dog genomes — from free-roaming dogs that live around human communities — contained detectable wolf ancestry.
Czechoslovakian wolf dogs, which were deliberately bred with wolves, showed the highest wolf ancestry at 23% to 40%.
Among recognized breeds, the Grand Anglo-French Tricolore Hound carried the most wolf ancestry at 4.7% to 5.7%, followed by the Shiloh Shepherd at 2.7%. The Tamaskan, from Finland, and the Saarloos, from the Netherlands — both bred for wolflike appearance — carried about 3.7%.
The team also identified patterns across the data: larger dogs and those bred for specific working roles, such as Arctic sled
dogs, “pariah” breeds and hunting dogs, tended to have more wolf ancestry. Terriers, gundogs and scent hounds carried the least the least on average. The Grand Anglo -French Hound, a scent hound used to hunt boar and deer, doesen’t fit the wolf ansestry pattern.
Some large guardian breeds showed high levels of wolf ancestry, while others — including the Neapolitan Mastiff, Bullmastiff and St. Bernard — showed none. Wolf ancestry even appeared in small dogs such as the Chihuahua, which carried about 0.2%.
“This makes sense to anyone who owns a Chihuahua,” Lin said. “And what we’ve found is that this is the norm—most dogs are a little bit wolfy.”
The study also uncovered key adaptations linked to wolf genes, including enriched wolf ancestry in olfactory receptor genes among village dogs, which rely on scavenging; and a Tibetan wolf-like gene that helps Tibetan Mastiffs withstand lowoxygen conditions on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Himalayas.
“Dogs are our buddies, but apparently wolves have been a big part of shaping them into the companions we know and love today,” said study co-author Logan Kistler, curator at the National Museum of Natural History. “Through the years, dogs have had to solve all kinds of evolutionary problems that come with living with humans, whether it’s surviving at high altitude, searching for their next meal as they freely roam a village, or protecting the herd, and it seems like they use wolf genes as part of a toolkit to continue their evolutionary success story.”
Because of their percentage of wolf ancestry, Tibetan Mastiffs can withstand low oxygen at the high altitudes of the Himalayans.
You may be surprised to learn that tiny Chihuahuas have 0.2 percent of wolf ancestry.
By Roksana Amid
For more than four decades, New York Dance Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” has marked the arrival of the holiday season for thousands of Long Island families. This year, the 43rd annual performance — set for Dec. 20 and 21 at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse — promises to deepen that legacy with an expanded immersive experience, celebrated guest artists and a renewed emphasis on the history that defines the company.
Since 1982, New York Dance Theatre, in partnership with the Ohman School of Ballet, has staged the full-length classic each December. Rooted in the Balanchine tradition handed down from founder Frank Ohman — a former student and soloist under George Balanchine — the production has grown into one of the region’s most recognizable holiday events. Yet for Executive Artistic Director Nicole Loizides, its staying power is not simply about technique or spectacle. It’s about belonging.
• Dec. 20-21, noon and 5 p.m.
• Tickets start at $33, available at ohmanballet.org or (631) 462-0964
• Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead
“We really feed ourselves in tradition,” Loizides says. “Especially around the holidays, people want a place where they can feel comfortable to come home, rest, rela and celebrate together. Our Nutcracker stays rooted in that.”
Long before the overture begins, audience members are invited into the world of the Silberhaus family — the setting of the ballet’s opening scene. When guests enter the Playhouse lobby, costumed Victorian performers greet them, musicians play seasonal melodies and the scent of apple cider wafts through the air.
Children are invited to hang ornaments on a Christmas tree, one of many ways the production blurs the line between audience and story.
Loizides describes it as a “semi-immersive pre-show experience,” one the company has been refining for several years. This season, the lobby experience expands through a new partnership with the Long Island High School for the Arts, whose student musicians perform as audiences arrive.
“As soon as people enter our lobby doors, they’re invited in by characters from our very first act,” Loizides says. “We serve warm apple cider, we have
live music from some of our most talented youth on Long Island, and we try to capture the spirit of the season of giving within our community. Our audiences are growing tenfold because of that comfort.”
The lobby transformation mirrors the company’s mission: to create a space that feels familiar, nostalgic, and welcoming — something Loizides believes people crave amid today’s fastpaced, hyper-digital world.
“So many things get wrapped up in what’s new on social media or what’s trending,” she says “But this time of year, people want tradition. They want to feel grounded. That’s what we offer.”
This year’s production — as always — features an impressive roster of professional dancers. Brittany Pollack, a soloist with New York City Ballet, and Daniel Ulbricht, a principal dancer with the company and artistic advisor for NYDT, take on the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Broadway performers Joseph J. Simeone and Samuel Colina also appear, joining New York Dance Theatre soloists Sandra Cieslak, Olivia Fohsz, Trevor Montgomery, and Craig Wasserman.
Loizides also returns to the stage, portraying Frau Silberhaus. It’s a moment she describes as both personal and symbolic, especially as the company prepares to enter its 50th anniversary year.
North Shore Village Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Moll returns for his third season in the featured roles of Lead Father and Mother Ginger, contributing to the intercompany collaboration that has become a production hallmark.
Children’s roles are danced by students of the Ohman School of Ballet and the School of American Ballet, the official training academy of New York City Ballet. For many young performers, “The Nutcracker” is their first experience dancing alongside professionals, a tradition that honors Frank Ohman’s commitment to nurturing the next generation.
NYDT’s devotion to tradition is not abstract — it lives in the steps, sets, props, and costumes that have shaped the production for decades. Ohman secured permission from the George Balanchine Trust to use the original Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux, grounding the show in Balanchine’s distinctive style. He also created supplementary scenes and dances that appear in no other staging, adding 10 to 15 minutes to the ballet and expanding opportunities for young dancers.
“What Frank added doesn’t exist anywhere else,” Loizides says. “It gives more solo moments to our youth, especially the young Clara, and it brings additional cultural dances into the second act. It’s something very special.”
Many of the costumes and props used onstage were gifted directly from Balanchine and former New York City Ballet crew members and are now entering formal archival preservation. Some pieces, Loizides notes, are still durable enough to appear in performance.
“That tradition dates back over 50 years,” she says.“These items are a direct link to Balanchine himself. They’re part of our history.”
As the company prepares to embark on its 50th anniversary, she is focused on balancing innovation with the artistic values that first shaped the organization.
“For us, even with new opportunities and initiatives all year, the Nutcracker stays rooted in tradition,” she adds. “This is where our community gathers. It’s where people feel at home.”
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music at the 9th Annual Allman Betts Family Revival! This extraordinary concert is hosted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of Allman Brothers Band legends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts. Inspired by the legendary Last Waltz, this tour features a revolving cast all coming together to honor the timeless legacy and rich catalog of the Allman Brothers Band. This year’s amazing lineup features the Allman Betts Band, the iconic Jimmy Hall, former Wet Willie singer and Allman Brothers alumni; alongside Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires, G. Love, Judith Hill, Jimmy Hall, Cody & Luther Dickinson, Alex Orbison, and others. Special guests may also join in. Set against the backdrop of the famous Allman Brothers Brotherhood of Light show, blending electrifying music with stunning visuals, it’s an unforgettable night that honors the rich history and timeless catalog of the Allman Brothers Band.
Sunday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. $108.75, $64.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Swing into the holiday season with Home for the Holidays with the Future of Jazz Orchestra presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Under the musical direction of Joe Block, expect to hear refreshing takes of your favorite holiday tunes. Joining the orchestra are vocalists Katie Oberholtzer and Imani Rousselle. Oberholtzer, a recurring figure at Birdland, the Jazz Club at the Aman, and Dizzy’s Club, has captivated audiences with her cross-genre performances. Rousselle, recently seen in Broadway’s “Good Night and Good Luck,” is celebrated for the warmth and poise she brings to stage. The Future of Jazz Orchestra is a young big band collective curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center that is comprised of musicians at the start of their jazz career. Pulling from local education programs at Juilliard, Temple, Manhattan School of Music, and more, the orchestra showcases musicians who are fresh on the jazz scene in NYC.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Wendy Klemperer: Wrought
Vanderbilt Museum welcomes everyone to enjoy the exhibition of outdoor sculpture at the historic summer estate of William Kissam Vanderbilt II. Klemperer’s sculptures. a haunting assemblage of animal forms that span imaginary, endangered, familiar, and exotic species, celebrate natural history and the nonhuman world through evocative interactions with the surrounding environment. Using materials salvaged from scrapyards, she composes ecological narratives that respond to the history and collections of Suffolk County’s first public park and museum. Her brilliant use of gestural lines captures the spectator’s attention and invites museumgoers to reflect on the relationship between an interest in animal life and the incessant push of human industry. Visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grounds.
• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport
• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Contact: vanderbiltmuseum. org or call (631) 854-5579
Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for its latest exhibit. It features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. The exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director and renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan) is a completely immersive experience. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets. The sets include the living room, the kitchen, and other areas of the house. Visitors will also be able to see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare out-takes and a range of videos related to the show, will play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater.
• Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook
• Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888
Thrift Shop
DEC
5
Stop by Simpson United Methodist Church’s Thrift Shop for some unique finds.
• Where: 30 Locust Ave., Amityville
• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 789-2569
can still attend as these workshops are designed so you can attend independently. Registration required.
• Where: 79 County Line Road, Amityville
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Contact: Stephanie Goldreyer at (631) 822-7979 ext. 3 or infotristate@sos.org
Kid Zone Wednesdays
First Presbyterian Church in Babylon holds Kid Zone Wednesdays through December, with a two week break during Christmas. Evenings include dinner and fun activities while learning a Biblical message each week. The theme is Community Heroes.
• Where: 79 East Main St., Babylon
• Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 587-5838
DEC
Winter Bingo at Anchor Coffee
Amityville Public Library hosts bingo at Anchor Coffee. Enjoy delicious drinks and snacks. Winners will receive great prizes.
Join in the holiday fun,. Bring the family to a tree lighting with carols, dance performances and a visit with Santa. A nonperishable food item for the Amityville Rotary Club’s food drive to benefit St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry is requested. Rain date is Dec. 7.
• Where: Village Triangle, Broadway and Park Ave., Amityville
• Time: 5 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 264-6000
Join the Town of Babylon for their Christmas tree lighting, 5 p.m., and stay for the holiday market that follows. Enjoy the excitement of this year’s holiday market event. The evening will include vendors, food trucks, face painting, photos with Santa and spectacular holiday lights. Entry is free but bring a non-perishable food item for the town’s food pantry.
• Where: Babylon Town Hall, 200 E. Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst
• Time: 5-8 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 957-3000
Visit Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium for a family-friendly program with an astronomy educator. Tour the night sky from right here in Centerport. Topics vary depending on the time of year, but can include seasonal constellations, visible planets, galaxies, nebulae, and more. $22, $18 seniors and students, $16 child 12 and under.
• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport
• Time: 2-2:45 p.m.; also Dec. 7
• Contact: vanderbiltmuseum.org or call (631) 854-5579
7
Copiague lights up the season
Copiague welcomes all to a night of holiday magic and community fun with a holiday light parade, hosted by the Copiague Fire Department, and a tree lighting, hosted by the Copiague Chamber of Commerce. The parade begins at 5 p.m.; with tree lighting at Gateway Park. At 6:45 p.m., enjoyfun at the North Firehouse including photos with Santa, holiday music and delicious refreshments.
• Where: Copiague Fire Department South, 320 Great Neck Road, Copiague.
• Time: 5 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 226-2956
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Close out 2025 with some laughs with comedian Elon Gold, best known for his relatable takes on being Jewish and getting through the weirdness of life. Considered by many to be this generation’s Borscht Belt King, he’s no stranger to those who watch Netflix. His act brings laughs to both Jews and non-Jews alike all over the world, including sold out shows in England, Sydney and Johannasburg. He’s made dozens of memorable appearances on late-night talk shows and TV series, especially his hilarious recurring role as Head of Hulu on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” opposite Larry David. His one hour Netflix stand-up special, “Elon Gold: Chosen & Taken” received wide acclaim from audiences and peers alike and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He has made ten appearances on the “Tonight Show” and recently performed on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” His routines have gone viral and are shared by millions around the globe. He has starred in FOX’s “Stacked” and developed and starred in the NBC series, “In-Laws.” Prior guest star credits include “Crashing,” “Frasier,” “Chappelle’s Show,” and “Chelsea Lately” among others. He was also a writer/performer on ABC’s “The Dana Carvey Show.” Most recently, Elon can be seen in a recurring role on Season 11 of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and will be in the upcoming Kal Penn feature, “Trust Me, I’m A Doctor.” He has also just wrapped filming the titular role in the upcoming feature “The Badchan,” from renowned Israeli director Gidi Dar. $76.25 and $54.25..
Stop by Science of Spirituality for a meditation and spiritual gathering with video selections and readings, followed by a vegetarian meal weekly on Sundays.
• Where: 79 County Line Road, Amityville
• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: Stephanie Goldreyer at (631) 822-7979 ext. 3 or infotristate@sos.org
Copiague Memorial Public Library hosts a beginner’s English class. Registration is required.
• Where: 50 Deauville Blvd., Copiague
• Time: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Contact: copiaguelibrary.org or call (631) 691-1111
In this seven-part workshop series, Science of Spirituality harnesses the “innergy” of the soul to connect to the divine presence within. Learn how to tap into your own inner light source through the power of meditation with presenter Andrew Vidich, PhD. If you miss any of the workshops, you
• Where: 215 Broadway, Amityville
• Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
• Contact: (631) 264-0567
Children’s Winter Solstice Workshop
Bring the kids to Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum to celebrate the winter solstice. Learn about solstice traditions and how people adapt to fewer hours of sunlight. Explore the collections, see a planetarium show, create a wreath using materials collected on a nature walk, and make a lantern to light the long nights. $20, $18 members.
• Where: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport
• Time: Nature Walk and Solstice Wreath, 10 a.m.-noon; Dec. 30, Solstice Lantern and Planetarium Show, 10 a.m.noon
• Contact: vanderbiltmuseum. org or call (631) 854-5579
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar 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 kbloom@ liherald.com.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY.
JAMES MORAN, Pltf. vs. ROBERT P. KIRK, JR. A/K/A
ROBERT KIRK JR. A/K/A ROBERT P. KIRK, et al, Defts. Index #615461/24. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Oct. 21, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on December 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 2 Sixth Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735 a/k/a District 22, Section 48, Block 257, Lot 57, Group Lots 5760. Approximate amount of judgment is $35,597.65 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
AMANDA BARONFRANK, Referee. BRONSTER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 156 West 56th Street, Suite 703, New York, NY 10019. File No. 720530.002 - #102630
25-416. 11/2, 19, 26, 12/3
Notice of formation of SMITHOLDING LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on April 5th, 2024. Office located in Suffolk county. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 85 East Drive, Copiague, NY 11726. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
25-422. 11/19, 26, 12/3.10, 17, 24
Notice of formation of Bare Skin Aesthetics LLC
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/06/2025
Office location, County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.
SSNY shall mail a process served to: Bare Skin Aesthetics LLC, 179 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701
Purpose: any lawful act.
25-405. 10/29, 11/5, 12, 19, 26, 12/3
Board of Trustees
LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing in the 3rd floor court room of Village Hall, 21 Ireland Pl., Amityville, NY at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 8, 2025 to consider the following: Introductory Local Law No. 6 of the Year 2025, a local law to establish a temporary moratorium for the approval or construction of new or additional multiple dwellings within the Village. By Order of the Board of Trustees Catherine Murdock Clerk/Treasurer 21 Ireland Place Amityville, NY 11701
November 26, 2025 25-426. 11/26. 12/3
The Town of Babylon Rental Review Board will hold a Public Hearing at The Town of Babylon 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York (East Wing Board Room) on Wednesday,
December 10, 2025 at 6:00pm NEW APPLICATION
1. Suraj Puri
46 Walnut Ave. E. Farmingdale NY 11735
SCTM NO: 0100-47-1-92
2. John Davis
97 Albany Ave. Amityville NY 11701
SCTM NO:
0100-168-1-49
3. Inderpal Ahuja
366 Great East Neck Rd. West Babylon NY 11704
SCTM NO: 0100-216-4-41
4. Murat S Sel & Aysel Aran
786 N. Wellwood Ave. Lindenhurst NY 11757
SCTM NO:
0100-217-2-77 RENEWALS
1. Frank Arduini
35 45th St. N. Lindenhurst NY 11757
SCTM NO:
0100-206-2-14
2. DP Industrial Prop
134 E. 1st St. Deer Park NY 11729
SCTM NO:
0100-63-4-7
3. 7 Seaman Place LLC
7 Seaman Place Deer Park NY 11729
SCTM NO: 0100-43-2-111
4. 11 Seaman Place LLC
11 Seaman Place Deer Park NY 11729
SCTM NO: 010043-2-112
5. Julio Delgado
29 Parkway Blvd. Wyandanch NY 11798
SCTM NO:
0100-80-1-5
6. Erin Marie Rice
20 Cherwal St. West Babylon NY 11704
SCTM NO:
0100-220-2-16
7. Anna Spingola 21 Fulton St. Deer Park NY 11729
SCTM NO:
0100-23-4-57
8. Yared Samuel 34 S. 31st St. Wyandanch NY 11798
SCTM NO:
0100-54-4-13
9. Arjun Sikka 44 Franklin Ave. Deer Park NY 11729
SCTM NO: 010090-1-22
10. Kassim Williams
16 Linden St. Wheatley Heights NY 11798
SCTM NO:
0100-14-1-71
Rental Review Board
Agenda, December 10, 2025 25-427 12/3
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AND/OR INFORMATIONAL HEARINGS BY THE TOWN OF BABYLON PLANNING BOARD
Pursuant to Chapter 186, Site Plan Review, and Chapter 213, Zoning, of the Babylon Town Code and Section 276 of the Town Law, notice is hereby given that the Town of Babylon Planning Board will hold public and/or informational hearings(s) at the Babylon Town Hall, Town Board Room, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York, on the Monday, December 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time or as soon thereafter as can be heard to consider the following application(s): PUBLIC HEARING/ SITE PLAN REVIEW/LIFT TOWN BOARD
COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS
JOB# 23-44AI; InterCounty Realty, LLC:
SCTM# - 0100-04501-002, 0100-045-01003, 0100-045-01005.002, 0100-045-01009: Zone – Industry G: SEQRA – Unlisted Action, Uncoordinat-
ed Review: Applicant proposes to construct a 40,041sf (GFA) addition with four (4) new loading docks to an existing 111,477sf (GFA) warehouse building, along with associated site improvements and to lift Town Board Covenants and Restrictions: Property is located on the north side of Long Island Avenue, approximately 393’ east of Commack Road, Deer Park, Suffolk County, Town of Babylon, New York
JOB# 25-19A; Dominic Associates, LLC: SCTM# - 0100-06701-010.002: Zone – G Industry: SEQRAUnlisted Action, Uncoordinated Review: Applicant proposes to construct two (2) 7,043sf single story industrial buildings, along with associated site improvements: Property is located on the southerly terminus of Lucon Dr, approximately 796.5’ south of Grand Boulevard, Deer Park, Suffolk County, Town of Babylon, New York
All interested persons should appear at the above time and place by order of Patrick Halpin, Chairperson of the Planning Board, Town of Babylon, North Lindenhurst, Suffolk County, New York
PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS
Amityville Record: 12-03-25 25-428 12/3
NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Village of Amityville will hold a Public Hearing in the Court Room of Village Hall, 21 Ireland Place, Amityville, NY at 7:00 P.M. on THURSDAY, December 18th, 2025, to consider the following applications: Application of Sara Maitland. Applicant seeks a special excep-
tion to install a 6 foot vinyl fence pursuant to Section 183-139 A. (3) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the North side of Sterling Place approximately 735 feet East of County Line Road in a “Residential B” District known as 131 Sterling Place a/k/a SCTM# 101-31-40.
Application of Jeffrey Bates. Applicant seeks a special exception to maintain a 6 foot vinyl fence pursuant to Section 183-139 A. (3) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the South side of Bayside Place approximately 475 feet East of South Bayview Avenue in a “Residential B” District known as 38 Bayside Place a/k/a SCTM# 101-126-40.
Application of Laura Gonzalez. Applicant seeks a special exception to maintain a 6 foot vinyl fence pursuant to Section 183-139 A. (3) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the West side of Ketcham Avenue approximately 75 feet South of Cedar Street in a “Residential B” District known as 60 Ketcham Avenue a/k/a SCTM# 101-7-1-11.
Application of Chris Monahan. Applicant seeks to renew a previously approved special exception for a twofamily dwelling pursuant to Section 183-43 C. (6) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the West side of Burch Avenue approximately 100 feet South of Willis Avenue in a “Residential B” District known as 50 Burch Avenue a/k/a SCTM# 101-33-19.
Application of Nicole Blanda on behalf of VRS Enterprises. Applicant seeks a special exception for the outdoor storage of ma-
terials and a vehicle pursuant to Section 183-96 of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the East side of Albany Avenue approximately 60 feet North of Elm Place in an “Industrial” District known as 57 Albany Avenue a/k/a SCTM# 101-4-1-103. Application of Kevin Battcher. Applicant seeks 2 variances associated with a proposed 1st floor extension and 2nd floor addition. Variance 1 is to increase the allowed maximum height from 28 feet to 30.1 feet pursuant to Section 183-46 of the Village of Amityville Code. Variance 2 is to reduce the required front yard setback from 30 feet to 26.15 feet pursuant to Section 183-50 B. of the Village Code. Premises located on the East side of Oldfield Avenue approximately 165 feet North of Cedar Street in a “Residential B” District known as 111 Oldfield Avenue a/k/a SCTM# 101-5-5-67.
Application of Odit Persaud. Applicant seeks a special exception to install a 6 foot vinyl fence pursuant to Section 183-139 A. (3) of the Village of Amityville Code. Premises located on the North side of Towne Street approximately 120 feet East of Bayview Avenue in a “Residential A” District known as 20 Towne Street a/k/a SCTM# 101-8-3-53.
Application of Vincent Shieda. Applicant seeks a variance to increase the allowed maximum area for accessory structures from 500sf to 545sf associated with the maintenance of a shed and cottage pursuant to Section 183-55 of the Village of Amityville code. Premises located on the East side of Lebrun Avenue
approximately 1350 feet South of Richmond Avenue in a “residential B” Distrcit known as 116 Lebrun Avenue a/k/a SCTM# 101-13-9-21.
By order of the Zoning Board, Village of Amityville Catherine Murdock, Clerk/Treasurer.
25-429. 12/3, 10
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a license, number 0524-25-14281 for beer, cider, liquor and/or wine, has been applied for by JORGE ALBERTO MARADIAGA, to sell beer, cider, liquor and/or wine, at retail in a restaurant, under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 688 Horseblock Rd, Farmingville, NY 11738 for on-premises consumption.
DON CAPITAN 09 CORP
DBA: DON CAPITAN BAR & RESTAURANT 25-431. 12/3, 10
Legal notices are posted online and are available to the public at no cost. Go to amityville record. com to access all legal notices.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TOWN OF BABYLON - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to Chapter 213, Article II of the Building Zone Ordinance of the Town of Babylon, notice is hereby given that the Town of Babylon on Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a Public Hearing at TOWN BOARD ROOM
(Located in the East Wing) at Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, New York on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025
BEGINNING AT 6:00 P.M.
6:00 p.m.
1. Application #25185 Oliver P. Coutrier Revocable Trust, Oliver P. Coutrier and Karen A. Coutrier as co-trustees, 300 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY. Permission to increase total building area from 15% to 33% (over by 1,724.9 sq. ft.); increase total building area of the rear yard from 30% to 68.3% (over by 1,165.9 sq. ft.); diminish distance to rear lot line from 10’ to 4.4’ (for gazebo). All in connection with legally maintaining rear decks, paver patios gazebos, and finished basement. Property located on the west side of North 21st Street, 600’ south of Lee Avenue, Wheatley Heights, NY.
SCTM#0100-13-320
Zoning District: Residence C
Subject Premises: 162 North 21st Street, Wheatley Heights, NY
6:05 p.m.
2. Application #25229 Howard and Neisha Holness, 355 Molloy Street, Copiague, NY. Permission to diminish north side yard setback from 10’ to 0’.
All in connection with legally maintaining a carport. Property located on the west side of Molloy Street, 125’ south of Garibaldi Avenue, Copiague, NY.
SCTM#0100-1771-31 and 32
Zoning District: Residence C
6:10 p.m.
3. Application #25225 Thomas K. and Dina Greer, 1453 12th Street, West Babylon, NY. Permission to increase total building area from 20% to 36.07% (over by 1,607.45 sq. ft.). All in connection with a proposed pool and paver patio. Property located on the south side of 12th Street, 600’ east of 14th Street, West Babylon, NY.
SCTM#0100-1365-46
Zoning District: Residence B 6:15 p.m.
4. Application #25227 Lorraine and Melissa Harris, 329 Essex Street, West Babylon, NY. Permission to diminish front yard setback from 30’ to 28.4’ to Lamont Place; diminish west side yard setback from 12’ to 8’; diminish rear yard setback from 40’ to 26.7’. All in connection with the erection of a second-floor addition. Property located on the northwest corner of Essex Street and Lamont Place, West Babylon, NY.
SCTM#0100-1053-13
Zoning District: Residence B 6:20 p.m.
5. Application #25228 James P. and Bonnie M. McKeever, 51 Christmas Street, North Babylon, NY. Permission to diminish front yard setback from 30’ to 22.4’ (for front porch); increase number of allowable accessory structures from two (2) to four (4). All in connection with the erection of a roof over an existing
front deck and to legally maintain an outdoor shower and shed.
Property located on the east side of Christmas Street, 51.27’ north of Wickfield Lane, North Babylon, NY.
SCTM#0100-1533-75
Zoning District: Residence C
6:25 p.m.
6. Application #25230 Wilson and Elizabeth Zhindon, 147 Liberty Street, Deer Park, NY. Permission to increase total building area from 20% to 23.4% (over by 575.59 sq. ft.); diminish distance to west side lot line from 8’ to 3.9’ (for gazebo); diminish distance to east side lot line from 2’ to 1.4’ (for shed); increase allowable square footage of an accessory building from 500 sq. ft. to 521.18 sq. ft. All in connection with legally maintaining a gazebo and shed.
Property located on the north side of Liberty Street, 1,018.6’ east of Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY.
SCTM#0100-21-227
Zoning District: Residence B 6:30 p.m.
7. Application #25226 7-9 Connor Lane DP LLC, 2005 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY. Requesting a special exception permit to operate a public garage auto repair. All in connection with a portion of an existing building. Property located on the south side of Conner Lane, 308.23’ east of Brook Avenue, Deer Park, NY.
SCTM#0100-1183-25.007
Zoning District: Industry G
Subject Premises: 7-9 Connor Lane, unit 9F, Deer Park, NY 6:35 p.m.
8. Application #25224 Manor Park Apartments, LLC
and Tell Avenue LLC, 215 Carlls Path, Deer Park, NY. Permission to increase number of allowable units per acre from 25 to 25.54. All in connection with legally maintaining seven (7) one-bedroom apartments in an existing senior citizen multiple residence complex. Property located on the east side of Carlls Path, 95’ north of Tell Avenue, Deer Park, NY.
SCTM#0100-91-1111.004,111.002, and 100
Zoning District: Senior Citizen Multiple Residence and Residence B ALL PERSONS OR THEIR DULY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE MUSTAPPEAR IN PERSON AT THE ABOVE HEARING. ALL CASES WILL BE HEARD IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE ADVERTISED, TO BE FOLLOWED BY ADJOURNED CASES. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MICHAEL KANE, CHAIRMAN
Dated: Babylon Town Hall Lindenhurst, New York November 24, 2025 25-430. 12/3
Holiday shopping and entertaining involve a whirlwind of activity to round out the end of the year. The holiday season also tends to be an expensive time of year. According to Capital One Shopping, the average spending for holiday travel, gifts and entertainment expenses is $1,638. The National Retail Federation says American consumers spend an average of $997.73 on gifts and other holiday items each Christmas.
For some people, adding an additional $1,000 to their November or December budgets can be challenging, and many individuals seek budget-friendly solutions for their holiday celebrations. The following guidelines can help corral spending this year.
It’s impossible to keep a budget if one is never established in the first place. Determine how much you can comfortably spend on gifts, travel and entertaining, as well as any other holiday expenses. Once the number is calculated, divvy up spending accordingly.
Make a list of everyone you need to purchase gifts for, along with gift ideas and estimated costs. Set a dollar amount for each individual, particularly if you will not be spending the same amount on each person. Having numbers in black and white, and comparing them to what you have allocated for gifts, will enable you to see whether you are overspending or on budget.
Begin holiday shopping as early as possible, even months before the holidays ar-
rive. Such an approach enables you to take advantage of sales as they come up. Also, you will not fall victim to impulse buys or last-minute purchases because you are under a time crunch.
Utilize whatever method works for you to keep apprised of spending. It may be jotting down numbers on a piece of paper or using a budgeting app on a smartphone. Having a clear idea of what you have spent and any dollars remaining will help you keep your overall spending in line with your budgeted amount.
Signing up for stores’ loyalty programs can enable you to receive members-only coupons or digital codes to your phone or email. Compare the discounted final price with other stores’ offers to make sure that you are getting the best deals. Browser extensions also can search automatically for coupons and apply them to the checkout when online shopping.
Credit cards come with various perks, many of which are points or cash back accumulated with each purchase. Utilize a card that works best for your needs, whether it’s to get airline miles or score extra spending money for a particular retailer. Only charge what you can pay in full when the bill arrives; otherwise, the benefits may be negated by high interest rates.
Holiday spending can derail financial plans for those who do not establish a firm budget and commit to spending wisely towards the end of the year.
The Babylon Chorale will be performing through Dec. 7, including the weekends of Nov. 22-23, Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7. Babylon Chorale will be presenting Making Moments: A Lessons and Carols Celebration on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and
Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Road, Bay Shore.
To purchase tickets online and for more information, please visit babylonchorale. org or email info@babylonchorale.org
Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460
E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com
E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com
in Hewlett.
• Must be able to
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•
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• Perform administrative tasks such as filing and correspondence.
Qualifications:
• 3+ years of bookkeeping experience.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks (Desktop or Online).
• Experience with payroll processing.
• Hourly rate based on experience.
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour.
For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
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
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must.
Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Richner Communications,
One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
TAX PREPARER WANTED FREEPORT TAX SERVICE INC. Located Sunrise Hwy, Bellmore Hours Are Flexible And Position Requires 20-40 Hours Per Week During Tax Season Possible Future Opportunities Contact Matt At 516-868-9696
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
This stunning oceanfront retreat is perfectly positioned on the Atlantic, offering panoramic water views from private decks on all three levels, including a beachfront deck, a main-level terrace, and an exclusive balcony off the luxurious primary suite. The primary suite also features a cozy fireplace and a brand-new spa-inspired bathroom with radiant heated floors. With five spacious bedrooms and the potential to
Q. There’s a lot of renovation going on around us, and I don’t see one permit sign or window sign. One neighbor told me he didn’t want his taxes to go up, so he’ll get a permit if he gets caught or when he sells. Isn’t that taking a chance? Will taxes definitely go up, and what are my chances of getting caught for adding a roof over my front door and changing out my windows?
A. Whenever a carton of milk is tipped over on the table, there are those who immediately start mopping up the spill, while others quickly grab the carton to stop the spill at its source. Some try to solve the problem, while others try to fix the mess it creates.
Taxes are the biggest worry, it seems, when it comes to renovation, and the number one question I get. I’m not sure if you’ll get caught, but since taxes don’t reduce, it’s safe to say that you could do nothing and your taxes will go up. I have been advocating for years to have a two-tier property tax system in which your house is taxed separately from property taxes. Many municipalities, from Philadelphia and Boston to cities and towns across Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, have explored and adopted this system, in which building improvements are taxed one-fifth of what they would be in your county.
All the savings for your home renovation, no matter how big or small, encourage public safety through permits and improvements. Where penalties for working without a permit are enforced on the builder, as in New York City, builders doing work, and not just the property owner, have a financial stake, and the local economy gets stronger from sales taxes instead of penalizing people, forever, because they wanted a family room, etc. Sadly, what happens in your county is that the system actually promotes unsafe practices, code violations, work needing to be redone once the owner “gets caught,” such as redoing piping, kitchen removal and zoning hearings that could have been avoided if there were planning, permits and strong penalties.
I regularly get questions about whether existing work “meets code,” when people completely misunderstand that building codes are the bare minimum, and do not fully cover the tolerances or behavior of materials, specific life safety issues or special cases requiring more stringent engineering, from resisting freezing to melting, weak soil, explosion or flame spread, to name a few. It’s common because of your local tax and permit system, and almost seems to be encouraged by allowing people to file to “maintain” work, built illegally, in essence mopping up the spill instead of helping people avoid the spill in the first place.
Building departments accommodate hidden work by simply asking owners to have a licensed professional accept responsibility, stating in letters and in plans that the work is code-compliant, as if professionals have a special super power to see through walls. But no use crying over spilled milk, right? Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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There’s good news for those who were dismayed that some Suffolk County officials employed questionable tactics in seeking approval for a countywide referendum that extended their terms from two to four years: The chairman of the Suffolk County Democratic Party has indicated that he will be initiating a lawsuit to have a court declare the proposition illegal. (This even though the Democratic loyal opposition in the Legislature was AWOL on the issue, probably because, deep down, they wanted the four-year terms as well.)
It’s hard to remember a situation in which there was more chicanery by proponents of a resolution. In this case, some legislators were deliberately making the false claim that the proposition would implement or preserve term limits in Suffolk. Term limits were already
on the books, and would have remained whether or not the referendum passed. The actual purpose of the referendum — which was downplayed by these legislators — was to extend their terms from two to four years.
It was just a few years ago that legislators tried to get their terms extended, but the public soundly defeated the proposal by a margin of 2 to 1. So this time around, they repackaged the measure as a term-limit bill, because they knew the overwhelming majority of Suffolk County residents are supportive of term limits.
itwo-year terms. Many legal observers have opined that they cannot have that term magically transitioned into a longer term via a resolution that is passed after the fact.
t’s hard to remember a resolution that involved so much chicanery by proponents.
Being disingenuous does not necessarily violate the law. What is legally questionable is whether term length extensions could be put into effect retroactively.
That’s what it appears they tried to do here.
The candidates who had their petitions signed to get on the ballot this spring did so with an understanding by the public that they were running for
We understand why legislators wanted this extension. The state passed a flawed law last year that shifted local elections from odd-numbered years to even years. It was problematic for many reasons, the first of which is that local town and county races will be obscured by the more high-profile gubernatorial and presidential races in even years.
It will also require legislators run three times in four years — first in 2025, then again in the even-year shift in 2026, and then for their normal two-year reelection in 2028.
The Suffolk County proposition would have been more likely to pass legal muster had legislators put in a provision that would create a four-year term for their re-elections in 2026, thereby obviating the need for them to run three times in four years. But they
didn’t want to run again next year, so they are trying to convert this year’s term into a four-year term retroactively. Rather than running three times in four years, now they would run just once.
The better way would have been to keep 2025 as it was and run again in 2026, with that election — and that election only — being for a four-year term. Once they were in sync with the evenyear voting pattern, the elections from 2030 onward would revert back to the traditional two-year terms.
We hope that a judge indeed throws this flawed referendum out so they can start over. There is a reason Congress, members of the State Assembly and county legislators are elected for two years. It keeps them closer to the people and more accountable to the voters.
And to the state we say: Give us back our odd-year elections, along with frequent and fair elections, just like the Founding Fathers called for.
Steve Levy is president of Common Sense Strategies, a political consulting firm. He has served as Suffolk County executive and as a state assemblyman He can be reached at steve@commonsensestrategies.com.
There’s a highly threatening and new reality for hurricanes.
karl grossman
Unusually, the East Coast of the United States wasn’t struck this year by any hurricanes, those extreme cyclonic storms that first meander as minor low-pressure systems and then, in just a day or so after feeding from waters made ever warmer by climate change, can rise to the worst hurricane level, Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. But it’s just a matter of time. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service defines Category 5 as: “Winds 157 mph or higher. Catastrophic damage will occur. A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks …”
That’s what just happened when Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica. It struck the island with sustained winds of 185 mph and higher gusts.
“Hurricane Melissa moved very slow-
ly across the Caribbean, allowing the storm to gather immense destructive energy over very warm ocean waters,” World Weather Attribution, a consortium of researchers from the U.S., the United Kingdom and other nations, concluded. “When it finally made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, the storm hit a region familiar with hurricanes but unaccustomed to one of such exceptional strength and intensity.”
Emum required for a Category 5.”
ven State Comptroller
Bartels continued, “Scientists know that hurricanes are becoming more severe as climate change accelerates. Warmer ocean water fuels stronger winds, and warmer air holds more water, which can then become rainfall. Meanwhile, rising sea levels make coastal regions more vulnerable to storm surge.”
Tom DiNapoli — who’s from Great Neck Plaza — has a message.
The headline in The Guardian about the consortium’s report was, “Climate crisis means superstrength Hurricane Melissa is ‘dangerous new reality.’” The subhead was, “Winds of Melissa’s strength are now five times more frequent due to the climate crisis, research says.”
“Is It Time to Classify Hurricanes as Category 6?” was the headline last month in Scientific American. Its subhead: “Hurricane Melissa’s powerful winds and drenching rains devastated Jamaica. But is its wrath a sign that we need a new designation for monster storms?”
The accompanying story, by experienced science journalist Meghan Bartels, read, “Scientists are already confident that climate change contributed to the storm’s horrifying strength, which sent winds gusting far beyond the mini-
This very much includes us on the East Coast.
Last month, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office issued a 28-page report titled “Severe Weather Events and Resiliency in New York State.”
An accompanying press release was headed, “Suffolk County Had Most Severe Weather Events.”
The report opened with a “message” from DiNapoli, who hails from Great Neck Plaza. “The incidence of extreme weather events is growing and impacting an increasing share of New Yorkers,” he wrote. “Some have called the more frequent incidence of damaging storms the new normal, but the scientific community and our experiences tell us that this is just the beginning if we aren’t successful in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases globally.”
President Trump has a different position. He called climate change “the
greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September.
The U.S. government did not join nations from around the world at the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP30, that just convened in Brazil. And, as Politico headlined after Trump’s U.N. speech: “Energy Dept. adds ‘climate change’ and ‘emissions’ to banned words list.”
Said Politico of the U.S. Department of Energy move: “It is the latest in a series of Trump administration efforts to dispute, silence or downplay climate change.”
As for severe hurricanes, in a new book, “Category Five: Superstorms and the Warming Oceans that Feed Them,” author Porter Fox writes, “One of the most alarming trends: a sudden uptick in the violence of hurricanes. … The number of major hurricanes, including a new breed of ‘ultra-intense’ Category 5 storms with winds of at least 190 miles per hour, was expected to increase by 20 percent by 2100.”
I would add: This is unless the climate crisis, caused largely by the burning of fossil fuels, is not dealt with rather than being denied.
Carl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
he holiday season carries a reputation for joy, connection and celebration, yet for many adults it also reliably delivers stress, pressure and emotional overload. Between family dynamics, financial expectations, packed schedules and the internal push to be relentlessly cheerful, it’s no surprise that mental health can take a hit.
This year, consider a more intentional approach by reclaiming this time with strategies that help you thrive, not just survive.
Our culture is saturated with glossy versions of holiday perfection: immaculate homes, harmonious families, gourmet meals and coordinated pajamas.
Social media amplifies it, encouraging comparison even when we know better. But perfection is both impossible and unnecessary. A successful holiday isn’t measured by aesthetics or extravagance; it’s defined by what feels meaningful, peaceful and manageable for you.
One of the healthiest mental shifts you can make is letting go of other people’s expectations, whether it’s your extended family’s traditions or the imaginary audience in your Instagram feed. Give yourself permission to scale down, choose differently, or avoid what drains you. The real “perfect” holiday is the one that supports your well-being.
If there is one skill that reduces holiday stress more than anything else, it’s
boundary-setting. The season often arrives with invitations, obligations and emotional expectations that stack up quickly. Saying yes to everything is unsustainable and usually unnecessary.
A “polite no” doesn’t require elaborate excuses. Try simple scripts such as:
“I appreciate the invite, but I’m keeping things low-key this year.”
“That sounds meaningful, but I can’t take on anything extra right now.”
Setting limits isn’t unkind — it’s responsible. Boundaries protect the energy you need for the commitments and people that genuinely matter.
Holiday spending is one of the biggest, and most underestimated, sources of December stress. Gift-giving can be joyful, but only when it’s grounded in reality rather than guilt or comparison.
Create a budget before you shop, not afterward. Consider setting price caps for group exchanges, opting for homemade gifts or planning shared experiences rather than material items. Most important, reject the mindset that whispers that love must be proven through financial sacrifice. Some of the most meaningful gifts cost nothing: time, connection and attentive presence.
During a season of constant invitations, the most radical choice you can make is protecting your routine. Sleep, movement and downtime are the foundation of mental stability. Schedule “empty time” the same way you would
schedule an appointment. Leave room for rest, flexibility and the ability to say yes to what genuinely nourishes you.
If you rely on therapy, journaling, medication or meditation, guard those habits fiercely. You don’t have to abandon mental health routines simply because the calendar gets festive.
For those experiencing grief, loss or estrangement, the holidays can magnify pain. There is no correct way to “handle” grief during a season of what often feels like forced joy. Give yourself permission to feel whatever arises — sadness, anger, numbness or even unexpected happiness. Create rituals that honor lost loved ones, allow yourself space to step back from celebrations, or connect with others navigating similar emotions. You are not required to “perform” cheerfulness.
January often hits like emotional whiplash. Build in recovery time rather than expecting yourself to launch into new-year productivity immediately. Plan a quiet weekend, revisit your budget, reset your sleep schedule and reestablish routines that ground you. The goal is to ease into the new year, not crash into it.
The holidays don’t need to be an endurance test. With realistic expectations, thoughtful boundaries and a commitment to your mental well-being, you can transform the season from chaotic to intentional.
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary meaning of peace is: a state of tranquility or quiet, freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments; or a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity. To achieve true peace, I believe it is important for people to first feel peace internally — a state of tranquility or quiet. Personal peace is often not discussed as much as it should be. If there is peace within oneself, it is easier to find peace in a non-peaceful world. Creating an environment of peace and calm can be challenging when distraction and lack of attention seem to be the default for many people today. Peace is something that can be modeled
Hby our family, friends, mentors, community and leaders. When you see what peaceful behavior looks like from people around you, you start to feel peace. Perhaps that feeling is like a softening in your body, a sense of stability, confidence, grounding and reduced emotional reaction. When you’re in a state of peace, it creates a space, a pause and a chance to breathe and choose a thoughtful response rather than an emotional reaction.
There are many ways for people to develop their own peace. For example, sitting quietly, spending time with a pet, taking a nature walk, talking to a friend, reading, writing, joining organizations with like-minded people and giving back to the community. When people give back, the community benefits, as do those doing the giving, with surges of happiness and feelings of purpose.
the Four Way Test, a reminder to make sure we live up to the Rotary standards of truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship.
elping others makes you happy and gives you a feeling of purpose.
I get this feeling of peace when I work with my local Rotary Club, which offers access to an international organization of like-minded people who believe in fellowship, strengthening communities and overall peace. We begin every Rotary meeting by reciting
To the Editor:
Re last week’s story “Rejection of NCC leader sparks opposition”: As a former member of the Nassau Community College board of trustees, I take exception to the arbitrary and meritless decision by the SUNY board of trustees in denying the application of the college’s chief administrative officer, Maria Conzatti, for a permanent position.
SUNY’s board voted 12-0 to reject Ms. Conzatti’s application without a scintilla of reason or justification for such a monumental decision, impacting almost 18,000 students and over 800 faculty members. By creating this crater in leadership at the college, when public educational institutions face so much uncertainty and financial challenges, SUNY is overtly causing an unnecessary and counterintuitive crisis that could have been avoided.
I have known Maria Conzatti for almost 14 years, and she has demonstrated a clear and unequivocal track record as an effective, dedicated and professional administrator who has earned the trust of the students, faculty and administration over a multi-decade career at NCC.
As a legislator, I, along with my col-
leagues, have an obligation to ensure that our contribution to the college’s budget is being applied judiciously and appropriately. For SUNY to now leave the college rudderless until a permanent leader is found — which, in my experience, can take up to a year — is irresponsible and concerning to me and the taxpayers of Nassau County.
ARNolD W. DRUCkER Plainview
Arnold Drucker is the deputy minority leader of the Nassau County Legislature, and was a member of the Nassau Community College board of trustees until 2016.
Curtis Sliwa didn’t keep Andrew Cuomo from winning
To the Editor:
I was surprised, when reading Peter king’s op-ed “local triumphs on a night Republicans didn’t expect” (Nov. 13-19), by his statement, “Curtis Sliwa siphoned off votes that might have made the difference.”
Even when adding Sliwa’s 7.1 percent of the vote to Andrew Cuomo’s 41.6 percent in the New York City mayoral election, they still fall significantly
If those in warring factions and nations could find ways to develop inner peace, there could be a lot less conflict. In a peaceful state of mind, they might be more likely to achieve a positive outcome for situations in which a collective effort leads to greater benefit, a win-win where the parties gain more than they initially possessed, rather than fixed outcomes in which one side’s gain is the other’s loss. When people just look out for themselves in a zero-sum fashion, they create feelings of isolation and lack of support. This sense of loneliness can also lead to higher levels of emotional dysregulation. Decisions made in a dysregulated, non-peaceful state of mind are often emotionally reactive, not helpful and not thoughtful.
As humans being, we want to thrive in our world — in our nation, in our community, in our group of friends and in our family. To make ourselves feel better, it is essential to support and
encourage one another to be the best we can instead of putting others down. If someone you know gets a big job promotion or achieves something new, you should be genuinely happy for them, not jealous of them. This also creates a sense of peace in ourselves instead of anger, anxiety or comparison.
During peaceful times, individuals, communities and nations can prosper. Being in a constant state of war or violence toward others or oneself leads only to agitation and turmoil. When we’re more connected to one another we are less isolated, feel supported and experience less emotional distress and more peace.
I encourage you to think about ways to connect more, perhaps by joining a community organization, getting involved in a social group or taking up a hobby. Take your attention off a screen, off social media and off parasocial relationships in which you get empty calories, thinking you’ve found peace but are just being led by an algorithm toward a zero-sum conflict. Remember that being a human is messy and difficult, but that is where the true peace of mind, body and soul are found.
Jordan Pecora, who lives in Rockville Centre, is the immediate past president of the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club.
short of Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory. I’m not sure why there’s the need to minimize Mamdani’s popularity. Clearly he’s resonating with a lot of people, and I don’t think pretending
that he’s not will be useful or productive for the next election cycle.
