_________________ BALDWIN ________________
HERALD Ice cream with a side of inclusion
Baldwinites earn distinction
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Vol. 33 No. 33
AUGUST 13 - 19, 2026
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Girl Scout is serving up a sense of calm
kits were added because I know how helpful a distracting activity can be,” Brennan said. Her own experiences helped For many families, going out to eat is a routine experience. shape the idea. Brennan said For Sophie Brennan, anxiety her anxiety first emerged in once made sitting through a restaurant settings, where she meal at a restaurant difficult — sometimes struggled to sit a n e x p e r i e n c e t h a t l a t e r through an entire meal because inspired her to make dining out she felt as though her throat more welcoming for children was closing or she could not facing similar challenges. breathe, at times prompting her Brennan, an to leave. 18-year-old Baldwin Brennan, a resident and recent member of OceansOceanside High ide-based Girl School g raduate, Scout Troop 2550, created 18 sensory began volunteering kits for local restauat Camp ANCHOR, rants as par t of the Town of Hemp“ D i n e a n d stead’s six-week Unwind,” her Girl summer day camp SophIE BRENNAN Scout Gold Award for children and project. The kits Member of Girl Scout adults with special are designed to help Troop 2550 needs, when she children with anxiwas 14, and now ety, autism specshe works there. At trum disorder and sensory the Lido Beach camp, she saw issues navigate potentially that people had different ways overwhelming dining environ- of coping with stress or sensoments. ry overload, which led her to Each kit includes noise-can- include several options in each celing headphones to reduce kit rather than rely on a single background noise, along with calming technique. sensory toys, coloring pages She also drew on people and colored pencils that can close to her while developing of fer a distraction during the idea. Her sister, Morgan, stressful moments. who works with her at the “The coloring pages in the
By AllYSoN FERRARI
aferrari@liherald.com
Lauren Chin/Herald
Safety, smiles and summer Baldwin residents gathered at Brookside Elementary School for National Night Out, an annual event that brings families together with law enforcement, first responders, elected officials and community organizations to promote public safety and strengthen relationships with those who serve the community. Nassau County Explorers, from left, Ashley Portillo Areno, Alina Torres, Roberto Sanchez and Christian Morales were among those who took part in the evening’s festivities. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Finding strength far from home By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
When Desmond Ryan walked into the Irish Pub in Baldwin, the room erupted. More than 200 friends, customers, fellow bartenders and bar owners had packed the longtime Baldwin establishment to support Ryan, 35, who was recently diagnosed with Stage I NK/T-cell lymphoma. As he made his way inside on July 26, the crowd began applauding. “I was in complete shock. I was in awe,” Ryan said. “As soon as I walked in, everybody started clapping, and it was like a roar of applause.” For Ryan, who is undergoing chemotherapy and preparing for radiation treatment, simply being in a crowded bar was something doctors had cautioned against because the treatment had
weakened his immune system. But with his mother and sister visiting from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and hundreds gathering on his behalf, he wanted to be there. The From Belfast to Baldwin fundraiser collected about $8,600 in four hours, according to Irish Pub owner Shawn Sabel, through door donations, a 50/50 raffle and more than 30 donated raffle baskets. A GoFundMe created for Ryan has also raised roughly $40,000. The turnout reflected relationships Ryan has built since arriving on Long Island from Belfast about 12 years ago. Ryan originally saw New York as one stop on a longer journey. He hoped to travel to other places including Australia and Thailand, but quickly changed his plans. “Everybody was so nice, hosContinued on page 10
W
e need a little more inclusivity in our world.
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