_________________ BALDWIN ________________
HERALD Have a night out on Aug. 5
New leaders at Board of Ed.
Luminaria Relay for Life
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VOL. 32 NO. 30
JULy 24 - 30, 2025
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Baldwin library is serving free summer lunches they’re not in school and don’t have access to regular meals.” The library is considered an Children in Baldwin and “open site,” meaning any eligisurrounding communities can ble child can stop by without enjoy free, nutritious lunches having to sign up. The food is this summer thanks to a part- delivered each morning by a nership between the Baldwin vendor contracted by Island Public Library and Island Har- Harvest, stored at the library and distributed by library staff. vest. Watson, a Baldwin resident In the Summer Food Service herself, said the Pro g ram, ba g g ed library staf f has lunches are being taken the lead on distributed at the managing the prolibrary, on Grand gram locally. “It’s Avenue, until Aug. just us — we handle 22. They are availthe logistics, storable Monday age and distribut h r o u g h F r i d ay, tion,” she said. from noon to 1 p.m., Menus rotate o n a f i r s t - c o m e, weekly, and meals first-served basis — are designed to be no registration is KAySHA WATSON healthy and appealrequired. The pro- Assistant library ing to children. A gram is open to chil- director typical lunch might dren and teens 18 i n cl u d e a h o n e y and under. Assistant Library Director mustard chicken sandwich on Kaysha Watson, who helps whole grain bread with fruit, coordinate the program, which vegetables and milk. Other began July 14, said it was off to recent options included chicka strong start. More than 55 en Caesar salad, a soy-based lunches were distributed on spread butter-and-jelly sandwiches, and barbecue chicken each of the first two days. “Food insecurity is a big wraps. “We’re offering something part of why I do what I do,” Watson said. “I don’t want to very similar to what kids would see children go hungry, espe- receive during the school year,” cially during the summer, when Continued on page 8
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
Courtesy Angela Lucas
Pickleball, anyone? Hangout One Happy Place raised $600 for its Summer Slam Pickleball Tournament this past weekend. The money raised will go towards the non-profit organization.
Local group, Musically Inclined
set to release album next month By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Four years after debuting virtually at the Baldwin Public Library, local jazz and R&B fusion band Musically Inclined is preparing to release its first full-length studio album — a 24-track, self-titled project that reflects years of creative growth and collaboration. The group, led by Ronnie Roddy Jr., of Baldwin, recently released its lead single, “Groove Street,” a deeply personal track inspired by his family’s ties to St. Louis, Missouri. “My dad is from St. Louis, and I’ve got a lot of family still there,” Roddy said. “Even though I haven’t been back in a while, this was a way of showing love to them — a musical postcard, you
could say.” The single, which blends layered saxophone harmonies with a smooth groove, is one of three songs the band released ahead of the album. The other two — “Backyard Song” and “Outback” — showcase the group’s diverse musical range, featuring contributions from guest musicians and longtime collaborators. “We’ve been meeting and recording pretty much every other weekend at the Sound Cellar in Huntington,” said Joe Gallagher, of Baldwin, who plays drums for the group. “It’s been a really fun process, but also a little challenging with everyone’s schedule. That’s part of why we decided to drop a smaller project with just three songs first — to give people a taste while we finContinued on page 7
F
ood insecurity is a big part of why I do what I do.