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Maidenbaum lowered our property taxes. We started a vacation fun d.
Changes in BPl programming
Dolly Day at the Baldwin library
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Vol. 33 No. 40
oCToBER 1 - 7, 2026
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Students learn financial skills AP course fulfills new state requirement when and how to incorporate it into their existing programs. The state Education DepartOne month into the school ment has identified five broad year, Baldwin students are get- topics for instruction: budgetting a realistic preview of the ing and money management, financial decisions awaiting credit and debt management, them after graduation, as the earning income, risk manageschool district expands person- ment, and saving and investing. al finance instruction under a The requirement does not new state requireestablish a new ment. diploma or credit The Board of requirement. Regents adopted a Rather than conrequirement for perfining the concepts sonal finance educato a single classtion, which became room, Baldwin has effective in March. incorporated finanStarting this year, cial literacy into public schools must existing subjects begin providing and programs. The instruction to studistrict has also dents in the middle introduced an school grade band, Advanced Place grades five through GREGoRY KEllY ment Business and eight, as well as in Business teacher, Personal Finance high school. The Baldwin High School course at Baldwin requirement will High School, an take effect for kinelective that comdergarten through fourth grade bines business concepts with in 2027-28. personal finance. According to the State EduStephanie Rengifo, Baldwin’s cation Department, schools are assistant superintendent for not required to teach personal instruction, said district staff finance at every grade level. spent the previous school year Instead, students must receive reviewing existing coursework the instruction by the end of and identifying opportunities each grade band, giving dis- to build on the curriculum tricts flexibility in deciding
By CHRISTINA ARloTTA
carlotta@liherald.com
Christina Arlotta/Herald
Brookside Elementary School’s new bike rack, donated by the departing fifth grade class, was installed on June 25.
Brookside rolls out bicycle safety Local advocacy inspires Parent Teacher Association rodeo BY CHRISTINA ARloTTA carlotta@liherald.com
For years, Iesha Troutman-Cameron proposed the installation of a bike rack at Brookside Elementary School in Baldwin — prompted by her son, who wanted to ride his bike to school. Her son, Chase, suggested the rack because the school, at 940 E. Stanton Ave, lacked a place to store his bike once he rode it there. “Where am I gonna park my bike, Mom?” Chase repeatedly asked Troutman-Cameron, the recording secretary for Brookside’s PTA. Sparked by her son’s question, Troutman-Cameron began asking the PTA for help obtaining a bike rack during the 202425 school year. Her efforts finally paid off when the departing fifth grade class donated one to the school. The bike rack and a dedication plaque cost about $900 in total. The rack was installed on June 25 just
inside the school’s main dismissal gate, outside the K-2 pickup area. “For me, it was natural. He said he wanted it,” Troutman-Cameron said of her son. “We scoped it out, and we realized the system wasn’t in place. So, then I kind of just mentioned it to the PTA, brought it up at every meeting. And it took a couple of years, but for me, it’s here. It was second nature mommin’. That’s it, just mommin’.” With students now having a place to park their bicycles, the PTA turned its attention to providing students with lessons on how to safely ride to school. During Brookside PTA’s first meeting of the school year, on Sept. 15, the PTA paired its regular business with a bicycle safety presentation and a bike rodeo aimed at encouraging students to ride while teaching them how to do so safely. Danielle Blanchard-St. Louime, the PTA president, said Troutman-Cameron’s advocacy for her son led the organization to conContinuEd on pagE 8
I
just think that as we move forward, students are going to make better financial decisions.
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October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
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News briefs Flooding eases as nor-easter concludes Coastal high tides, downed trees and suspended train service were among the impacts of a weekend nor’easter that struck Long Island on Friday, including communities along Baldwin’s waterfront. By Sunday morning, the brunt of the storm had moved away from Long Island, but its effects lingered across the South Shore. Power outages and flooding in coastal communities, including Baldwin, Flooding Madison Gusler/Herald affected coastal communi- Baldwin’s coastal neighborhoods were inundated with ties, including Baldwin, high tides and floodwaters over the weekend. while fallen trees and with the storm total expected to reach branches contributed to roughly five inches. widespread power outages. “We’re keeping roadways clear, Coastal flood, high surf and high wind warnings had been issued for the South addressing flooding and working overShore of Nassau and Suffolk counties time to keep you safe during the during the storm. Beach erosion also nor’easter,” he said, adding that high winds brought down branches and trees occurred, officials said. Up to 3 inches of rain fell across parts as saturated ground loosened their roots. Blakeman also noted high winds comLong Island, which remained under a state of emergency declared by Gov. plicated efforts to repair downed power lines because PSEG Long Island crews Kathy Hochul on Friday. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blake- could not safely operate bucket trucks in man said Saturday that forecasts had those conditions. been accurate and that Nassau County — Jordan Vallone & Christina Arlotta had received about three inches of rain,
Herald file
East Meadow residents can get fresh produce at the East Meadow Farm every Wednesday through October.
East Meadow farm is open for the season Fresh, locally grown produce will once again be available at the East Meadow Farm Stand, which will operate every Wednesday through Oct. 28. The farm stand, located at East Meadow Farm, 832 Merrick Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday, offering residents access to seasonal fruits and vegetables. The program is funded by the Nassau County Department of Human Services’ Office for the Aging through
the New York State Office for the Aging. For information about Farmers Market Coupon distribution, residents can contact the Nassau County Office for the Aging at (516) 227-8900. For additional information about the farm stand, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County at nassau@cornell.edu. —Jordan Vallone
Keeping Diwali – and tradition – on the program carlotta@liherald.com
For the past two years, Baldwin resident Subrina Singh has hosted Diwali programs for local youth in partnership with the Baldwin Public Library. This year, however, she learned the celebration would not return in the same capacity. Rather than sponsor the program as it had in 2024 and 2025, the Baldwin Public Library offered Singh the use of a meeting room to organize an event independently, with Singh responsible for its planning and promotion. Singh, a lifelong Baldwin resident, first approached the library in 2024 about offering an educational Diwali program for elementary-age children, featuring an age-appropriate book reading and corresponding craft. Singh said the program reached its roughly 20-person capacity. In 2025, the library invited her back and expanded the initiative into three offerings: one for children in kindergarten through third grade, another for those in grades four through seven, and a teen program for grades eight through 12. The younger programs combined books about Diwali with age-appropriate activities, while the teen program took on the atmosphere of a “mela,” or fair, with food, crafts and a henna station. Teen participants also painted diyas, the small oil lamps traditionally associated with Diwali. For Singh, however, the change this year has raised concerns that extend beyond the Diwali program. She said the larger issue is how the library approaches recurring cultural and educational programming, and whether popular programs that reflect the community can return annually alongside new offerings. “This is so much more than Diwali,” Singh said. “When we look at other holidays, like Lunar New Year, Juneteenth, Kwanzaa… all these holidays, cultural holidays and traditions represent people of this community. That’s what connects us, and I think having certain programs annually is really important.” Elizabeth Olesh, director of the Baldwin Public Library, said the situation
Courtesy Subrina Singh photos
Subrina Singh, right, and Sweety Singh celebrated Diwali at the Baldwin Public Library in 2025. had not been presented accurately, emphasizing that the library seeks variety when developing its programming calendar. “The library, indeed, strives to offer a variety of programming,” Olesh said. “We prefer not to log in our schedule with programs on any one celebration or topic every year, whether it’s Diwali, Juneteenth, Women’s History, or any other cultural or historic issue.” Olesh said the library had not prevented Singh from holding a Diwali event, nothing that she had been offered space to host one at the library. Singh, however, said that offer differed from the arrangement in 2024 and 2025, when the library created flyers and promoted the program through its own channels. Singh also said the library provided a budget for event expenses. This year, she said, she was offered use of a library meeting room to hold the event independently, rather than having it hosted and supported by the
library as part of its programming. “That’s doing a program at the library, not with the library,” Singh said. Sweety Singh, Subrina’s friend who has helped with the programs, said she was disappointed by the change, particularly after seeing the community’s response to the previous events. “I was just, like, disappointed that we can’t offer this program for the community when it’s obvious the community wants it,” she said. For Singh, the primary concern is how diversity is reflected in the library’s programming. While introducing new events is important, she believes recurring programs can also help reflect the cultures and interests represented through-
Herald File Photo
The Baldwin Public Library sponsored Diwali programs organized with Baldwin resident Subrina Singh in 2024 and 2025 but is taking a different approach to the celebration this year.
out the community. “I think their understanding of diversity in programming is linked to this annual understanding, like, diversity means you have something different every year. But that’s not how diversity is mostly understood. Diversity means it reflects the needs and wants of your diverse community meaning they come from different places, and they want to see their traditions and whatnot represented,” Singh said. “I think programming should be different. It’s nice to add a couple new things, but there should be the staples that are really important to the community that should be there.” Singh also stressed that cultural programming is not intended only for residents who observe a particular holiday. Children from a variety of backgrounds attended her Diwali programs in 2024 and 2025, an example, she believes, of how such programs can introduce young people to traditions they may not encounter otherwise. “Programming is not for one community,” Singh said. “I’m always focused on our youth because they are our future and we want to give them the support and the tools and the compassion that they need to be successful, not only here in Baldwin, but beyond. These are their impressionable years.” Singh emphasized that she remains an active library patron and values the resources and programs it provides. However, she hopes the issue can lead to a broader conversation about how the library can balance new offerings with recurring programs that reflect Baldwin’s community. “I love the library. I love the resources it provides,” Singh said. “But again, this is so much more than Diwali.”
The Baldwin Public Library’s past Diwali programs combined cuisine, books and activities to teach Baldwin children and teens about the cultural celebration.
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
By CHRISTINA ARLOTTA
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News brief
Crime briefs Police arrest two after Baldwin shooting
During fall projects, PSEG urges safety With autumn approaching, many Long Islanders are preparing to remove leaves, decorate for the holidays and complete other outdoor projects. PSEG Long Island is reminding customers to take precautions when using electrical equipment around their homes. Before using an extension cord, residents should make sure it is rated to carry the amount of electricity needed and has received UL approval. All electrical cords should also be inspected for visible damage because cracked or frayed cords can pose a safety risk. PSEG Long Island advises residents not to use electric equipment on wet grass, hedges or shrubs or in other damp areas. Outdoor electrical outlets should have waterproof covers because moisture inside an outlet may create a shock hazard. Residents using ladders should keep them away from overhead electrical lines. PSEG Long Island recommends contacting its Building and Renovation Services Department before beginning any project in which power lines are within 10 feet of the planned work area. Customers should contact the department at (844) 341-6378 or PSEG-LI-BRS@ psegliny.com at least 10 business days before starting the project. Additional information about avoiding electrical lines is available through
Herald file
As the fall season approaches, PSEG Long Island is urging electrical safety as people prepare to remove leaves, decorate for holidays and complete other projects. the utility’s “Stay Aware, Stay Alive: Always Look Up” safety campaign at psegliny.com/safetyandreliability/safetytips/proximity. PSEG Long Island is also encouraging residents to develop an emergency plan for their families in case a major storm affects the region. PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s electrical transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. It is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. —Jordan Vallone
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MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/baldwin ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: baldwineditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 269 E-mail: baldwineditor@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com 1355109
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Recurring programs throughout October By CHRISTINA ARLOTTA carlotta@liherald.com
The Baldwin Public Library will offer several community programs throughout October, including a Halloween costume giveaway, a pet food drive and a film challenge for teens and adults. The programs give Baldwin residents opportunities to pick up free children’s costumes, donate pet food and participate in a film challenge in connection with Banned Books Week.
Banned Books Weeks fall film challenge
The Great Give Back: Baxter’s Pet Pantry Pet Food Drive
The Baldwin Public Library will host a fall film challenge for teens and adults in connection with Banned Books Week, which runs Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. To participate, patrons must watch five feature films adapted from frequently challenged or banned books between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31. Suggested titles include “The Hate U Give,” “The Shining,” “The Kite Runner,” and “Ordinary People.” Entry forms are available at the Adult Information Desk and Teen Services Desk. Participants must list their five film choices and contact information, then submit the form by Oct. 31 to be entered into a rattle. Separate prizes will be awarded for each age group.
The Baldwin Public Library will collect pet food throughout October as part of “The Great Give Back,” a statewide public library community service initiative created by the Suffolk County Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, in conjunction with the Nassau Library System. From Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, the library will serve as a drop-off site for Long Island Cares’ Baxter’s Pet Pantry, collecting unopened, unexpired nonperishable food for household pets, including dogs, cats, hamsters, birds and reptiles. The drive aims to assist families facing food insecurity by providing food for their pets.
Halloween costume giveaway The Baldwin Public Library will host a Halloween costume giveaway in the Children’s Room from Oct. 5 through Oct. 31. The giveaway aims to give gently worn costumes a second use while providing local families with a free option for Halloween festivities. Parents can visit during regular operating hours to select a pre-owned Halloween costume for their child while supplies last. The donated costumes are geared primarily toward elementary school-age students. No registration or library card is required.
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BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
things to know Baldwin PuBlic liBrary
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Baldwin battles steep uphill climb By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
EVAN NELSON V.S. CENTRAL Senior FOOTBALL NELSON HAS KEYED the Eagles’ fast start to the season in Nassau Conference II. In the opener he led a dynamic ground attack with 143 yards on just 16 carries as Valley Stream Central cruised to a 30-6 victory over Baldwin Sept. 10. Nine days later, he broke out for 200 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns as the Eagles pulled off a 32-28 upset of New Hyde Park. Nelson sealed that W with a late fourth-and-1 conversion.
games to watch Thursday, Oct. 1 Boys Soccer: Clarke at V.S. South ........................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Seaford at Plainedge ......................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Hewlett at Malv-ERock ...................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Kellenberg at South Side ................5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 2 Girls Soccer: Elmont at Sewanhaka ................4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer: North Shore at Plainedge................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Garden City at Mepham .................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: MacArthur at Calhoun ....................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Baldwin at Farmingdale ..................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Massapequa at Freeport ................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Oceanside at East Meadow ............5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Uniondale at V.S. Central ................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Seaford at Lynbrook ..................5:30 p.m. Football: Massapequa at Hempstead ..................6 p.m. Football: Carey at MacArthur ...............................6 p.m. Football: Lynbrook at Malverne............................7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 Football: Plainedge at Clarke ...............................2 p.m. Football: Baldwin at Kennedy ..............................2 p.m. Football: Farmingdale at East Meadow ................3 p.m. Football: V.S. Central at Mepham........................3 p.m. Football: Glen Cove at Wantagh ...........................3 p.m.
Give knee pain a red card.
Baldwin’s boys soccer team has tackled plenty of adversity in the first month of its season but remains in position for a late playoff push. The Bruins have been without the services of standout junior midfielder Lennix Batres since he suffered an injury after a season-opening 1-0 win against Freeport Sept. 2, and also had senior central midfielder Justin Jarvis sidelined for much of September. Baldwin (2-5-2) has also seen other key players taken off the field throughout the early part of the schedule, but has persevered through the challenges to enter October in contention for a postseason berth in Conference AAA. The perseverance displayed by Baldwin so far was highlighted in a 3-3 tie at Herricks on Sept. 14 in which the Bruins rallied from three one-goal deficits to earn a draw. They appeared headed to a heartbreaking defeat when Herricks’ Jimmy George scored with just 18 seconds left in the second half before Baldwin responded quickly off the ensuing kickoff with junior forward Matt Foster tallying the tying goal just 10 seconds later. “It’s something I have never seen in my career as a player or coach to have two goals that were that meaningful in the last 18 seconds of a game,” Baldwin coach Chris Soupios said of Foster’s late tying goal with just eight seconds remaining “You have to have the luck of the ball land-
Derrick Dingle/Herald
Senior Michael Grannum scored one of Baldwin’s goals in its 3-3 draw with Herricks Sept. 14. ing in the right spot, you have to make the right touch
first and then you have to finish it and he did all three in
that moment.” Baldwin came away with a point against Herricks with Foster’s heroics despite being down one player in the last 18 minutes of the second half. Senior midfielder Michael Grannum and senior defender Kelvin Reyes Santos both netted a goal apiece in the second half off headers from throw-ins by Foster as part of the comeback effort. The Bruins followed up the Herricks draw with a 0-0 tie two days later at Plainview-JFK where the team played without three players due to injury and one due to suspension. Junior goalkeeper Jelani Jean Francois recorded 10 saves. After back-to-back 1-0 losses to Uniondale and Valley Stream Central, Baldwin got back in the win column with a 2-1 home victory against Hicksville Sept. 24. Senior defender Avery Witter, who took over for an injured Grannum in the midfield, netted the game winning goal with seven minutes left off a crossing pass from Jackson Roberts. Giaccomo Madueno Castillo also scored two minutes into the match for a 1-0 lead. Soupios credits sophomore defenseman Joseph Guiracocha with anchoring a Baldwin defense with senior Max Ascencio-Cueva, Reyes Santos, Roberts and Witter that has held opponents to a goal or less in five matches. “This kid has been an absolute warrior,” Soupios said of Guiracocha. “He has been locking up the best players on the other teams.” Baldwin will look to kick off its October schedule strong with a Friday match at Farmingdale. starting at 5 p.m.
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October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
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JOB FAIR
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2026
Freeport Recreation Center • 130 East Merrick Road • Freeport 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.- Open early to Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - General Admission
Employers at the event include:
Cox Fleet • Dignity Home Care • Risewell Community Services • Council for Airport Opportunity EPIC LONG ISLAND • New York State Police • The Center for Developmental Disabilities Options for Community Living • U.S. Air & Space Force • Total Orthopedics Spine and Sports Medicine LLC. QSAC • Roto-Rooter • NY Army National Guard • AHRC Nassau • Fresia/Seviroli Foods LLC Fire Department, City of New York (FDNY) - Office of Recruitment & Retention Winston Staffing • NYPD Recruitment Section • Tiegerman School • Doyle Security Services ACLD- Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities CP Nassau • Club Demonstration Services • Schivo Medical Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County Inc. New York State Department of Civil Service • and more!!!
BRING SEVERAL COPIES OF YOUR RESUME! For more information, please call (516) 485-5000, ext. 1100 Co-hosted by:
Mayor Robert T. Kennedy Freeport Village
Registrants will receive an invite via email to attend a pre-event online workshop to prepare for the Job Fair.
John
Ferretti Supervisor
Town of Hempstead Department of Occupational Resources
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register, please visit:
www.hempsteadworks.com/jobfair
Council Members Dorothy L. Goosby • Dennis Dunne, Sr. • Thomas E. Muscarella Melissa Miller • Laura A. Ryder • Christopher R. Schneider
1363762
Visit our website: www.HempsteadWorks.com
Kate Murray Town Clerk
Jeanine C. Driscoll Receiver of Taxes
From rack to rodeo at Brookside Elementary School
October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
ConTinuEd From PAgE 1
sider how it could help all Brookside students ride safely. “The core mission of PTA is advocacy,” Blanchard-St. Louime said, “standing up for your child, having a voice, using a voice and making sure that it’s heard in the environment where our children spend the most time.” The PTA meeting built upon that advocacy by giving students and families a chance to learn about bicycle safety. “We want students to be able to ride their bikes to school, but we don’t want a push back from the community where they’re riding in traffic, and, you know, things you see all over social media,” Jeanette Rottkamp, Brookside’s principal, said. “We want to encourage kids to be outside, but we want them to do it safely.” During the Sept. 15 PTA meeting, held in the school gym, Aisha Darby, an AAA Northeast outreach specialist, led families through bicycle safety basics. About 20 to 25 students and their families attended, along with 10 teachers and staff members. Students learned that bicyclists must follow all traffic rules, and they were told how to inspect their bicycles by checking the ABCs — air, brakes and chains. They also learned how to perform the 2-2-2 helmet check. Starting at the forehead, bicyclists should be able to fit two fingers between their eyebrows and
Christina Arlotta/Herald
Families joined administrators at Brookside Elementary School in Baldwin for the PTA’s first bicycle safety rodeo on Sept. 15. the front edge of the helmet to grant protection without blocking their vision. Next, riders should make a peace sign with their fingers and check if helmet straps properly form a V around each ear. Finally, they should be able to fit two fingers between their chin and the buckled strap. New York state requires bicyclists under 14 to wear approved helmets, while Nassau County mandates riders
under 18 to wear them. “You are sharing the street with a car, so you have to follow all the same rules,” Darby said. Nassau County Police Department First Precinct Problem-Oriented Policing Officer Vincent Conlon reinforced Darby’s plea for safety, reminding children to watch out for cars entering and leaving driveways and to remain alert while riding on sidewalks.
“Nobody’s going to protect you but yourself and the people that you’re riding with,” Conlon said. The rodeo lesson then shifted outdoors, where students were given an opportunity to put bicycle safety into practice at four stations. At the first station, students received free helmets provided by the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board, and at the second, they practiced hand signals. At the third station, Tommy Cuccias, of Valley Stream Bicycle in Lynbrook, offered free bicycle inspections and a 10 percent discount on future repairs if they brought their completed safety checklist inspection slips to the store. At the final station, participants received certificates, reflectors, flashlights and a folder with coloring pages and handouts. Sherine Fraser, a PTA member whose daughter, Samantha, is a Brookside fifth grader, said that she hoped similar programs would accompany future meetings. “I think it’s wonderful,”Fraser, who’s also a Brookside alumna, said. “It encourages engagement, community involvement, and I think it’s just a wonderful way for kids to stay physically fit,” Rottkamp said the program reflected Baldwin’s six Cs: collaboration, creativity, character, civics, community and critical thinking. “We want students to be good citizens,” Rottkamp said.
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Baldwin schools launches “We Are Baldwin”
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026 Photos courtesy Baldwin School District
Baldwin High School students celebrated the launch of the district’s new community pride initiative with trophies and a ‘WeAreBaldwin’ sign tiative inside their buildings as well. Students returning for the new school year were greeted by new wall wraps featuring Baldwin students, updated signage and expanded use of the district’s signature blue and gold colors. District officials said they hope the campaign will reinforce a shared sense of pride and belonging across generations of Baldwin students, educators, families and residents. — Christina Arlotta
A new wall wrap featuring student photos, the district’s signature blue and gold colors and the Baldwin Bruins mascot debuted for the 2026-27 school year
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The Baldwin Union Free School District is launching a community-wide initiative to celebrate the people, programs and accomplishments that drive local pride. Running throughout the 2026-27 school year, the “We Are Baldwin” campaign will invite students, staff, families, alumni, residents and local businesses to share photos, news and memories tied to the district and community. Participants are encouraged to use the hashtag “WeAreBaldwin” on social media and other communications. District officials said the initiative is intended to strengthen local connections between Baldwin schools and the wider community. It also aims to showcase student achievements, dedicated educators, alumni, athletics, arts programs and community partnerships. “We are excited to launch the ‘We Are Baldwin Initiative’ to celebrate the countless points of pride that make Baldwin such a special place to live,” Superintendent Anthony Mignella wrote in a statement. “The success of our schools is intrinsically linked to the strength of our community, and this collaborative effort provides an opportunity to promote the stories that encapsulate the spirit of what it means to be a Baldwinite.” The campaign will also highlight academic success across the district, including Baldwin High School’s 99 percent graduation rate. Baldwin schools are bringing the ini-
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October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
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Baldwin library gets dolled up for Dolly Day The Baldwin Public Library’s secondfloor Community Room was decked out in pink on Sept. 25 as patrons gathered for Dolly Day, a six-hour movie marathon celebrating country music icon Dolly Parton and her film career. Library staff dressed in pink for the occasion, while butterfly decorations, sparkling accents and pink party cups added to the theme. Attendees could also take photos with a life-size standee of Parton. The marathon featured three films starring Parton: the 1980 workplace comedy “9 to 5,” with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin; the 1982 musical comedy “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” with Burt Reynolds; and the 1989 drama “Steel Magnolias,” which follows the friendships and hardships of a closeknit group of women in a small Louisiana town and features an ensemble cast including Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and Julia Roberts. Guests could snack on popcorn throughout the marathon. COBS Bread donated its “Fun Buns” – buns topped with cream cheese icing and sprinkles – for attendees. The free celebration ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No registration was required. — Christina Arlotta
Courtesy of the Baldwin Public Library photos
Dressed in pink for the occasion, Baldwin Public Library staff celebrated Dolly Day alongside a life-size cutout of the country music icon.
Courtesy of Joe Klein
Library patrons enjoyed a screening of the 1989 film “Steel Magnolias,” one of the three movies shown during Dolly Day.
Patrons gathered in the second-floor Community Room for the six-hour movie marathon celebrating Dolly Parton on Sept. 25.
A sign decorated with pink flowers, sparkling stars and butterflies displayed the film schedule for Dolly Day.
A library visitor stood with a life-size Dolly Parton standee at the Baldwin Public Library’s Dolly Day celebration on Sept. 25.
Baldwin schools teaching lessons that make ‘cents’ already in place. “We first identified what is the best place for this work to happen, where it doesn’t seem extra, it seems relevant, and we also have the opportunity to make real world connections,” Rengifo said. For middle school students, financial literacy has been incorporated into Family and Consumer Science, or FACS. Lessons on credit, interest and budgeting can culminate in hands-on projects in which students develop and pitch their own businesses. Students can, for example, create a restaurant while considering the careers, education and financial decisions involved in operating one. “Students also have the opportunity to think about their future selves, so ‘who do I want to be when I grow up?’” Rengifo said. “They get to identify career information, like ‘what does it mean to be a chef?’ or ‘what kind of preparation do I need to do?’ It was a really nice opportunity to kind of, like, blend those two, the financial literacy and something tangible, creative, project based and sort of really innovative.” At Baldwin High School, students can take those lessons further through Advanced Placement Business and Personal Finance. Gregory Kelly, the business instructor teaching the new course, said both sections filled this semester. Kelly, who has taught in the district for 25 years, said the state’s new personal finance requirement represents progress in preparing students for decisions they will face after high school, even though the AP course itself is not a graduation requirement. “I think it’s super important, because I feel like so many students leave high school, and they took the foundation classes, but there’s never been a requirement for them to have access to this information,” Kelly said. “I just think that as we move forward, stu-
Courtesy Baldwin Union Free School District
Students engaged in a lesson in the newly introduced advanced placement Business and personal Finance Course dents are gonna make better financial decisions.” The course covers topics including debt, credit cards, taxes and investing, along with broader business concepts. Kelly said those lessons can have an impact well after students leave his classroom. “I got an email from one of my former students like two years ago and he wanted to thank me because I suggested that he start a Roth IRA at a very young age,” Kelly said. “He wanted to let me know Roth IRA hit $10,000.” Kelly has advocated for a standalone personal finance course to be required for graduation. He said the state’s new instructional requirement is a step toward that goal. “Is this a step in the right direction? Absolutely. But is it exactly what we’ve been advocating for? We’re not there yet, but we’re happy we’re seeing progress,” Kelly said. Students in the new AP course also put business concepts into practice by working collaboratively to
develop a business idea and adding components into their business model throughout the course. Senior Gavin Brownell, who is enrolled in the class and wants to be a business management major in college, said it fits closely with his plans after graduation. “This is possibly one of the most perfect classes that can set my mind up for that next level,” Brownell said. “I feel like this is one of the most influential and one of the best APs we’ve ever had.” Baldwin’s financial-literacy instruction, however, predates the new AP offering. Senior Xavier Melendez, who is not enrolled in the course, said previous personal finance and business math classes with Kelly taught him practical skills including completing a W-2 form, filing taxes, budgeting and spending. Melendez later applied what he learned while participating in this year’s inaugural Junior Achievement of New York Stock Market Challenge at Hofstra University. His Baldwin High School ‘Stock Masters’ team took first place. “I took what I learned from Mr. Kelly’s course and brought it to a college level when I was at Hofstra,” Melendez said. “It was really a game changer for me.” Financial literacy is also being incorporated into Baldwin’s School2Career programs. Gabriella Franza, the district’s assistant director of instructional programs, said students can examine the financial side of careers while considering their plans after high school. “It’s always about how we can make everything applicable for students in the real world, how we can move from the theory that’s discussed in the classroom to what everything looks like when planning for careers, ‘cause that, um, you know, is our districts goal, and it’s my own personal goal because I think that that’s so important for students to know and understand,” Franza said. Attorney advertising
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Darkness options are blackout blinds or curtains and covering any electronics that emit light. An eye mask can work wonders too. Outside noises or partners who snore can disturb sleep. Consider “white noise” machines or spa-like recordings to help you sleep. Like the eye mask for light, consider ear plugs for noise. While a firm, comfortable mattress and quality pillows with breathable fabrics are essential, there are other high-tech options that may assist, such as mattress and pillows that adjust their temperature as yours changes. Many people report a weighted blanket works wonders. Diet and Exercise: Caffeine and sugar are stimulants that prevent sleep. While alcohol can help you fall asleep, the sleep quality suffers. Eating earlier and drinking less will both help your body get to sleep and stay asleep. Moving around more, either by doing chores, taking a few trips up and down the stairs or simply sitting down and getting up avoids the sedentary lifestyle that causes insomnia. Few things promote sleep better than a walk outside in the fresh air. To learn more visit purple
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BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
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October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
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Courtesy Metro photos
CN Guidance & Counseling Services has launched a community-based outreach program to reduce drug use, overdoses and related health risks among vulnerable teenagers and young adults.
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CN Guidance & Counseling Services has launched a community-based outreach program to reduce drug use, overdoses and related health risks among vulnerable teenagers and young adults across Long Island. The program, supported by a $700,000 grant from the New York State Department of Health, will provide outreach, engagement, treatment connections and overdose prevention services to young people ages 12 to 24 who are experiencing substance use challenges and other health risks. The initiative uses a mobile, fieldbased model intended to bring services directly into communities where young people are most at risk. Through peer support, community partnerships and trust-building efforts, staff members will identify youth and young adults in need and connect them with treatment, recovery and prevention services. Services will be delivered throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties using CN Guidance’s specially equipped outreach vehicles, including its mobile RV and service truck. Trained staff will engage adolescents and young adults in neighborhoods and areas with heightened rates of substance use and overdose activity. The program’s services include outreach and support for young people who recently experienced an overdose; peer-based engagement by trained specialists with lived experience in recovery; follow-up support for people recently discharged from treatment or health care facilities; distribution of naloxone overdose reversal kits; overdose prevention education; and connections to medical and behavioral health
care, including medication-assisted treatment and medication for opioid use disorder. “Many young people struggling with substance use face barriers that prevent them from accessing the care and support they need,” said Lindsay Ragona, program director at CN Guidance. “By meeting youth where they are and building trusted relationships in the community, we can connect them to lifesaving resources, reduce overdose risks and help them move toward healthier futures.” Jeffrey Friedman, CEO of CN Guidance, said the funding will allow the nonprofit to expand its outreach efforts and provide specialized services for vulnerable young people and their families across Long Island. “We are deeply grateful to the New York State Department of Health for investing in this important initiative,” Friedman said. “This funding enables us to expand our outreach efforts and provide specialized services that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable young people and their families across Long Island.” CN Guidance has provided behavioral health services on Long Island for more than 50 years, operating more than 60 programs and employing more than 400 staff members. The organization works with health care providers, schools, government agencies and community partners to support individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders. More information is available at cnguidance.org or (516) 822-6111. —Jordan Vallone
STEPPING OUT
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Alexander Sovronsky
Bobby Conte
Miyuki Miyagi
From Long Island to Dickens:
‘Copperfield!’
At home on the Off-Broadway stage
By Iris Wiener
W
hat does “home” mean? For Bobby Conte, Alexander Sovronsky, and Miyuki Miyagi, this question is close to their hearts. Each performer brings a unique connection with Long Island to “Copperfield!,” the new Off-Broadway musical now playing at The Duke on 42nd Street at New 42 Studios. Based on Charles Dickens’ coming-of-age classic, the show allows these performers to draw on their families, communities, and artistic experiences that helped shape their journeys to the stage. “Copperfield!” tells the story of a young man looking back on his life and trying to understand family, identity, perseverance, and where he belongs. Before Conte (Broadway’s “A Bronx Tale”), Sovronsky (Broadway’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”) and Miyagi (Off-Broadway’s “Beau the Musical”), found themselves bringing his story to life, their paths were touched by various lessons inspired by their local roots. Conte, who leads the musical as David Copperfield, sees the idea of home through the lens of the people who helped shape him. His grandparents live in Manhasset, and Long Island became an important part of his life, particularly after college, when he lived with them while auditioning and saving money for his first job. “They were the best roommates ever,” he says. His grandfather, who operated a pharmacy in Manhasset and New York City, was also a passionate supporter of the arts. His customers included Broadway performers like Ethel Merman due to his unique concoction of a remedy for sore throats. Conte considers his grandfather a lasting influence on his own decision to pursue acting. “He’s the forever inspiration of anything that I do,” he says. “Whatever life he’s built over 90plus years affords me the opportunity to take a risk and try to be an actor.” For Sovronsky and Miyagi, the Long Island connection began with music. Sovronsky grew up in Syosset, and began playing violin at the age of 3, studying Suzuki violin with the
Children’s Orchestra Society and in programs in Oyster Bay and Glen Cove. He later attended Syosset High School and became involved in theater, eventually finding a way to combine the two disciplines he had been told could not coexist professionally. “I didn’t want to choose,” he sayd. “People said you can’t do both, you have to choose. And I was like, ‘Watch me!’” Miyagi, who hails from Glen Cove and attended Portledge School in Locust Valley, also discovered her artistic identity early. She began playing violin at 3 (potentially crossing paths with future co-star Sovronsky with the Children’s Orchestra Society) and danced throughout her childhood. “I fell in love with theater in elementary school and thought, ‘Well, I’m going to be an actor,’” she says. “No one took me seriously, but I meant it very seriously.” Her parents’ Japanese restaurants —Asahi Tokyo in Glen Cove and later Maguro in Roslyn — provided another lesson in determination. Watching her parents navigate the demands and uncertainty of the restaurant business, she says, prepared her for the similarly unpredictable life of a theater performer. “They trained me to persevere,” Miyagi says. Those Long Island experiences have become an unexpected throughline in a production centered on finding one’s place in the world. But “Copperfield!” is also an unusually collaborative theatrical experience. The production uses an actor-musician approach in which the company members do far more than act. They sing, play instruments, portray multiple characters, and help create the sound and physical world of the story in full view of the audience. “It’s really rare that you get everyone touching instruments,” Sovronsky says. “That’s a really exciting, unifying element.” For Conte, the musicality of the company has been one of the most remarkable parts of the rehearsal process. He recalled watching performers switch instruments during a rehearsal and somehow make the arrangement sound even better. “I’m constantly surprised at the abilities of the people in the room,” he says. “You are watching the creative people create something before your eyes,” Conte says. That philosophy also informs the performers’ work with multiple characters. Sovronsky plays four different roles, using accents, vocal qualities, and physicality to distinguish them. Miyagi, a swing, covers multiple tracks, requiring her to move among characters with their own voices and physical identities. Musically, the production avoids the conventional amplified sound of many contemporary musicals. Instead, the acoustic score incorporates strings, winds, piano, and live Foley effects, creating a soundscape that complements the period setting. Sovronsky sees “Copperfield!” as ultimately a story about “finding your home and finding joy and the positivity in things.” Conte adds that the story’s themes serve as an important reminder: “When you’re dealt the cards you have, can you still find hope, purpose, and a reason to want to connect with other people?” As he puts it, the power of theater may ultimately lie in its ability to remind audiences that everyone is deserving of “grace and patience and forgiveness,” and that, even after a difficult journey, there is always the possibility of finding a way forward. The performers’ Long Island experiences are helping them tell a story about a young man doing exactly what they have done in their own ways: looking at where David Copperfield came from, discovering who he is, and finding the people and places that make him feel at home. “Charles Dickens’ Copperfield! The New Musical” runs through Dec. 6. Visit copperfieldthemusical.com to purchase tickets.
Queen-mania is coming back to Long Island. Almost Queen’s highvoltage tribute to one of rock’s most legendary bands is complete with soaring vocals, Brian May-style guitar riffs, four-part harmonies and the theatrical swagger that made Queen unforgettable. Fronted by Joseph Russo as the charismatic Freddie Mercury, with Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor, Almost Queen delivers a meticulously crafted recreation of the Queen experience. From the authentic costumes to faithful renditions of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “Somebody to Love,” every detail is designed to capture the grandeur, precision and sheer fun of a Queen concert. It’s a full-throttle trip into the world of Queen. Expect big vocals, bigger guitar and plenty of reasons to get out of your seat.
Saturday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
Curtain up on the Great White Way Broadway’s biggest hits take the spotlight at the Madison Theatre in “Give Our Regards to Broadway: A Salute to the 21st Century Musical.” The focus is on 2000s favorites, with showstoppers from “Wicked,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “In the Heights” and Disney classics. Add Broadway guest stars Nichelle Lewis and Harris Matthew “Molloy University’s talented CAP21 Musical Theatre students and the soaring South Shore Symphony, and the result is a production packed with big voices, memorable songs and Broadway flair.
Sunday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. $45-$65. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444. Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre.
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
‘Havin’ a good time’…
October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
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Your Neighborhood OCT
1
The Great Giveback: Baxter’s Pet Pantry Pet Food Drive
CALENDAR
with a special coffee hour featuring breads from around the world at First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin. Attendees are invited to bring a family favorite or culturally relevant bread to share.
The Great Give Back is an annual community service initiative that enables people to give back through public libraries across New York State. This year, Baldwin Public Library hosts a pet food through Oct. 31 for Long Island Cares’ Baxter’s Pet Pantry, which helps families facing food insecurity feed their pets. Donations should be unopened, unexpired food that does not require refrigeration for any type of pet (dogs, cats, hamsters, birds and reptiles).
• Where: 717 St. Luke’s Place • Time: 10:15-11 a.m. • Contact: (516)223-2112 or firstpresbyterianchurchbaldwin@ gmail.com
OCT
5
Parents are invited to stop by Baldwin Public Library’s Children Room to pick up a pre-owned Halloween costume for their child free of charge. The donated costumes have been previously worn.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave. • Time: During library hours • Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
‘I Do! I Do!’
Plaza Theatrical Productions stages the intimate and nostalgic work by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones (The Fantasticks). Written as a star vehicle for theater legends, Mary Martin and Robert Preston, the intimate musical follows one couple through 50 years of love, quarrels and marriage. This touching story of two soulmates navigating life’s perils is set to a tuneful, charming score. $49.50, $45 seniors. • Where: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont • Time: 2 p.m.; also Oct. 3-4
Meet The Medium
Join psychic medium Samantha DiFronzo at the library for a live group reading as she shares her experience connecting with spirit energy. Attendees must be 18 or older. Registration is required. • Where: 2385 Grand Ave. • Time: 7-8:30 p.m. • Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
On stage
Adelphi University’s Department of Theater presents Nick Payne’s Olivier award-winning “Constellations,” a play about free will and friendship; quantum multiverse theory, love and honey. Roland is a beekeeper. Marianne is a quantum physicist. What are their odds of falling in love? With infinite moments that can change the trajectory of a life, it’s anyone’s guess how cosmic collision is possible. This play moves from the question of “what if,” to a poignant picture of “what is” — in this love story about the odds of a beekeeper and quantum physicist falling in love. • Where: Adelphi University Black Box Theatre, 1 South Ave., Garden City • Time: 7 p.m., through Oct. 4, times vary • Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000
Halloween Costume Giveaway
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• Where: 2385 Grand Ave. • Time: During library hours • Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
A blast from the ‘80s
Tease that hair, dig out the neon and get ready to party like it’s 1985. Jessie’s Girl is bringing its wildly entertaining “Back to the Eighties” concert experience back to the Paramount, with a high-energy blast of pop, rock and pure ‘80s nostalgia. The New York City-based band features top rock and pop musicians and four powerhouse vocalists who transform into the era’s biggest icons, complete with signature looks, choreography and plenty of attitude. Expect hits from the decade’s biggest stars, delivered with a full live band and the kind of over-the-top production that makes Jessie’s Girl a concert — and a party — rolled into one. Add audience participation, colorful costumes, props, bubbles and a • Where: The Paramount, 370 blizzard of confetti, and you’ve got an all-out throwback celebration that keeps the New York Ave., Huntington crowd singing, dancing and reaching for those neon leg warmers. Whether you lived • Time: 8 p.m. through the ‘80s or simply wish you had, Jessie’s Girl knows how to take you back. • Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
OCT
2
Friday Movie
Watch “A Better Life” (2011), a drama about a hardworking father trying to build a better future while reconnecting with his teenage son. The 98-minute film is rated PG-13. • Where: 2385 Grand Ave. • Time: 1-4 p.m. • Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
OCT
3
Defensive Driving course
Take a defensive driving course that can help reduce auto insurance costs or points on your driving record. The fee is $35, payable by check or money order to Martin Hirschfield. In-person registration and payment are required. • Where: 2385 Grand Ave. • Time: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. • Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Grand Baldwin Festival
The Community Coalition of Baldwin hosts the Grand Baldwin Festival, a free community celebration featuring local vendors, food, live music, artwork and family-friendly activities. Dozens of businesses, artists and community
organizations are expected to participate in the annual event, which will take place in the municipal parking lot behind the Baldwin Public Library. Vendor and sponsorship registration is open. Free parking will be available at several nearby Town of Hempstead municipal lots. • Where: 2385 Grand Ave, Municipal parking lot behind Baldwin Public Library • Time: Noon-4:30 p.m. • Contact: GrandBaldwinFestival. com or BaldwinFestival@gmail.com
Storybook Stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of “Too Many Pumpkins” by Linda White. The new and improved stroll route starts out at the map stand. Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and hands-on craft for each child to take home. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
OCT
6
Board of Fire Commissioners meets
The Baldwin Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting in the department’s board room. • Where: 2386 Grand Ave. • Time: 11 a.m. • Contact: 516-223-7670
Zeppelin Reimagined
Groove to the Zep sound with Zeppelin Reimagined. Not just another Led Zeppelin tribute band, the talented musicians merge the timeless power of classic rock with today’s cutting-edge technology With a dynamic stage presence, LED screens, and a visual spectacle that complements their sound, Zeppelin Reimagined offers a fresh take on the band’s iconic music. Their performances are a perfect blend of the old and the new, honoring the legendary hits while introducing unexpected twists and modern interpretations. Each show is a journey through Zeppelin’s catalog, reimagined with innovative arrangements, electrifying energy, and surprises that keep the audience riveted from start to finish. This is a reinvention, a celebration of Led Zeppelin’s legacy for die-hard fans, and a powerful introduction for a whole new generation. • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
OCT
4
World Communion Sunday coffee hour Celebrate World Communion Sunday
AI for Job Seekers: Smarter Search, Stronger Applications
Learn how artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT can help streamline a job search and strengthen applications at Baldwin Library. Attendees will learn how to tailor resumes and cover letters, prepare for interviews with practice questions, research companies and organize and track a job search. The class is designed for all experience levels and will include readyto-use prompts and workflows. Registration is ongoing. • Where: 2385 Grand Ave. • Time: 7-8 p.m. • Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
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.
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BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
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Public Notices
News brief
October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
LBAL1 1001
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU SELENE FINANCE LP, -againstNATALIE SOLOMON, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on April 24, 2026, wherein SELENE FINANCE LP is the Plaintiff and NATALIE SOLOMON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on November 2, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 989 CEIL PLACE, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identification: 36-532-8.
Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 7, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 5, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 2725 Fox Road, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 524 and Lot 9. Approximate amount of judgment is $136,350.43 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607250/2024.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BALDWIN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 251924-1 162580
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601464/2024. Brian J. Davis, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 162587 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. LAURIE RIEGER, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order
Gerard DeGregoris, Jr., Esq., Referee
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, -againstANDREA RICHARDS JEAN, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on May 27, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and ANDREA RICHARDS JEAN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501,
on November 4, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2984 VERITY LANE, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identification: 54-542-15.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BALDWIN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 612807/2022. Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq. Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 162591 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2007-OA7, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OA7, Plaintiff againstLINDA A. HACHEMEISTER A/K/A LINDA HACHEMEISTER A/K/A LINDA KATZ HACHEMEISTER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 4, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Section 0054 Block
00216-00 Lots 00057 & 00058. Said premises known as 2616 WILLARD AVENUE, BALDWIN, NY 11510 Approximate amount of lien $142,432.88 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 612445/2024. KEITH CORBETT, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280 2832. DLG# 39714 {* BALDWIN HE*} 162291
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:
legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee for Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust 2022-RP3, Plaintiff AGAINST Elaine Spence, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 14, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 930 Merrick Road, Unit 34 aka Unit 1, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54 Block 195 Lot 139 Unit 1. Approximate amount of judgment $646,532.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #618559/2024. Jared A. Kasschau, Esq, Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24-002445 91427 162430
Christina Arlotta / Herald
A top-prize New York Lottery TAKE 5 ticket was sold at Spetses Enterprises, located at 1757 Grand Ave in Baldwin
Winning TAKE 5 ticket sold in Baldwin A winning New York Lottery TAKE 5 ticket worth $16,505 was sold in Baldwin for the Sept. 21 midday drawing. The top-prize ticket was sold at Spetses Enterprises, at 1757 Grand Ave, according to the New York Lottery. TAKE 5 drawings are held twice each day, at 2:30 and 10:30 p.m. Numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. The winner has up to one year from the drawing date to claim their prize. The New York Lottery contributes pro-
ceeds from its sales to public education across the state. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the lottery contributed $3.8 billion to public schools across New York. Individuals struggling with a gambling addiction, or those concerned about someone they know, can find help by calling New York’s confidential HOPEline at (877) 846-7369, texting HOPENY to 467369 or visiting NYProblemGamblingHelp.org. — Christina Arlotta
Brunner takes Legion Auxillary Post Hempstead Town Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, left, congratulated Baldwin resident Yvonne Brunner after she was sworn in as first vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary’s Department of New York on Sept. 10 at Melverne American Legion Post 44. Courtesy Mike Russo
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU MIDFIRST BANK, Plaintiff AGAINST STEPHANIE LLOYD, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 5, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public
auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 26, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 687 Joy Boulevard, North Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and
improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36 Block 216 Lot 259. Approximate amount of judgment $425,601.78 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index
#613593/2024. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Michael J. Sepe, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24-002080 91361 162432 Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
17
Employment
CLASSIFIED
To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5
Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.
Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.
BUS NOW HIRINGIVERS AND VAN DR
DON’T MISS The Bus!
$5000 SIGN ON BONUS FOR ALREADY LICENSED CDLBPS & CPS DRIVERS!
SEPTEMBER PAYRATES NEW
SCOPE EDUCATION SERVICES
Big Bus
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS
Non-Benefit Rate
SCOPE IS HIRING
For The Before & After School Child Care Programs That Will Be Opening For The 2026 - 2027 School Year In Nassau and Suffolk County Elementary Schools Hiring Directors, Assistants, Group Leaders and Substitutes. Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships and Employee Referrals Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer 1361569 1356440
EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted CODE ENFORCEMENT P/T. Person Wanted For 19 1/2 Hours Per Week. Must Have Valid NYS Driver License And Be Willing To Work Weekends.A;; Interested Parties Please Submit Resume To Inc. Village Of East Rockaway, PO Box 189, East Rockaway, New York 11518 Or Call Village 516-887-6300
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. 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
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@ bellautoschool.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hardhitting 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 N e w Yo r k Ti m e s , N e w s w e e k , 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 wellestablished and re-spected 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 ca-reer goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@ liherald.com
Non-Benefit Rate
We Guarantee 30 Hours A Week
Sign On Bonus *Some restrictions may apply.
$35,360
$5,000.00 for CDL driver bus
and van $500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants
EDUCATIONAL BUS TRANSPORTATION
516.454.2300 Call Today!
$17.00
Positions available in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
Apply At: www.educationalbusjobs.com/ EOE
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales 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 under-stand 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 $35,360 + 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
Make It OffIcIal
(Salary is $17.00 per hour)
Ensure your legal or public notice reaches the community with Herald Community Newspapers.
Contact: legalnotices@liherald.com to place your notice today.
Something for every Kid.
From soccer leagues to library story time—there’s always something happening! Find fun events in our community calendars.
Take us on VacaTion
Bring your local Herald Newspaper with you on vacation, take a photo with the Herald and submit it to jharmon@liherald.com. Submit your photos for a chance to be featured in the Herald Around the World!
OUTSIDE SALES
Established Cleaning Company Looking To Fill Various Positions. $17- $18/ Hr. Will Train. Call 631-2299769 Or Apply On Website www. imperialcleaning.com
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 $35,360 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
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PARTTIME mail-room/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 from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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
HOUSE CLEANER FT
$31.16/hr.
1359462 1355793
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS
$33.93/hr.
Van
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Discover in-depth stories from industry professionals on topics that matter to you. Visit liherald.com and click Spotlight for our expert content series or scan this QR code.
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
HERALD
Homes
HERALD
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
HOME Of tHE WEEK
• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
Atlantic Beach
Beachside Beauty
T
his gracious hi-ranch is immaculate and situated perfectly to enjoy the serene boardwalk and a private beach. The living room flows into a formal dining room and eatin kitchen in an inviting open layout with hardwood floors throughout, and cathedral ceilings with skylights fill the home with natural light and warmth. There are 4 bedrooms, including a primary en-suite, and 3 full baths. The garden level features a den with a wet bar for entertaining ease, plus a large family room with sliders to the back yard with a pavered patio. Two zone heat and new central air conditioning provide year-round comfort, and the garage plus 2 car driveway means parking is never a problem. Come enjoy easy living!
Miriam Gold
Licensed Real Estate Broker Paul Gold Real Estate 1047 West Beech Street, Long Beach 516-432-4900
Small
BuSineSS Shoutout Small Business. Big Impact.
1361975
REAL ESTATE Real Estate WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-7045670
Apartments For Rent CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, In door Parking Space When Available. For Details Call 516-860-6889/ 516-852 5135/ 516-582-9978 MERRICK: 1 BR, 2nd Floor, No Pets. $1,400/ Monthly. 2 Months Security Plus Electric. By Owner. 516-486-6139
Let’s
stay
Our local businesses are the heartbeat of this town. Support them today — shop, dine & share!
Your Ad Belongs
Here!
Proudly Serving
our CommunitieS
SinCe 1964
Trusted news from local events to high school sports, we cover the stories that matter most— because we live here, too.
Reach thousands of local readers every week. Affordable rates, big impact. Contact us today: 516-569-4000 x250 ereynolds@liherald.com rglickman@liherald.com
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October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
18
Don’t Have Your PaPer
HanDY?
Get all the local news, sports, and community updates you need online anytime, anywhere. Visit LIHerald.com for full coverage when you’re on the go.
See Something
Beautiful? Submit your best local photos for a chance to be featured! Email: photos to tbaker@liherald.com
ConneCted Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and for breaking news, event coverage, and more. @liherald @longislandherald
Reach eveRy DooRstep that MatteRs
Richner Printing delivers your direct mail message to your target audience. Choose the proven leader for your next mail campaign. Contact lberger@liherald.com
What’s with all the tall houses?
Q. A few homes in my neighborhood are much taller. What are the rules for how tall a house can be — like how many floors, and what’s legal? I mostly see only two stories, but the new ones are at least three stories. Is this a new thing that you can build taller? Was it just traditional to only build two stories until now? A. Recently, influences have changed the thinking on allowed height. Hurricane Sandy’s flooding caused New York to promote house-lifting in flood zones. Influence also came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which in essence is really a publicly funded insurance company, covering people in areas where regular home insurance onte eeper companies avoid the risk of insuring. The incentive to lift or build higher is to avoid huge flood insurance cost increases by building above flood levels, with the lowest level only allowed to be for a garage and storage, not living space. By making the first livable floor higher, above the flood level, insurance rates are kept lower. People have shown me that their rates went from $500 to $5,000 a year, increasing annually since Sandy in 2012. Some homes are much higher than codes and incentives intended due to misinterpretation of the reasons to build higher and misrepresentation in the review process. For example, a home’s first floor is no longer a first floor if it’s higher than 6 feet above the ground. Over 6 feet high, the floor level automatically becomes a second floor, meaning the next floor above is a third floor, which requires zoning board approval, interior sprinklers, escape terraces and wind strengthening. I’ve seen home plans misrepresented as being two stories by not correctly showing the floor level heights, or describing a second floor as a first floor and the next floor as a second floor (that’s really a third floor), and even where a fourth floor is shown as a mezzanine or roof-level balcony. There’s a small countryside town in Tuscany, in central Italy, called San Gimignano, that’s famous for its skyline of towers that people built on their homes in medieval times. As the story goes, one prominent homeowner built a tall tower to watch for potential attackers. His neighbor jealously built a tower a little higher, and, not to be outdone, several adjacent homeowners began building towers higher and higher than one another. History repeats itself. Thirty feet from the ground or center of the road is your maximum roof height. The safety code is intended to protect people from perishing in fires. The first code chapter addresses wind resistance, since the taller you build, the more turbulence from adjacent buildings and wind destruction, not just to your building, but to adjacent buildings. With the 75-mph winds we’ve had lately, wind, like flooding, is a real concern. Manhattan towers aren’t wood and nails for a reason. Decisions to build higher have to take community safety and appearance into account, and until recently, they did.
Ask The Architect
M
L
© 2026 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.
Stuff
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wanted To Buy
Costume Jewelry Wanted
Garage Sales
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Finds Under $100
Antiques/Collectibles
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SERVICES
Your Ad Belongs
Here!
Appliance Srvc./Repair
Affordable rates, big impact. Contact us today: 516-569-4000 x250 ereynolds@liherald.com rglickman@liherald.com
0000000
Reach thousands of local readers every week.
APPLIANCE DOCTOR FOR ALL YOUR APPLIANCE REPAIRS! Prompt, Reasonable, Reliable. All Repairs Guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Serving Community 45 Years. $10 OFF Repairs. Seniors $12 OFF. 516-764-7011
• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry
Home Improvement
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Home Improvement AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-877-318-7982
HErald
Crossword Puzzle
DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Re-strictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-2475728 PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5 - Ye a r w a r r a n t y w i t h q u a l i f y i n g purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move. PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496 SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call to-day! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473
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Power Washing
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stay
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AUTOMOBILE & MARINE
ConneCted
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Services PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-877-290-0023 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
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Call 516-534-5907 to schedule your free quote today!
1356085
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
Answers to todAy’s puzzle
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
HERALD
19
HERALD
Market Place • •
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 If Your Plumbing STINKS
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For New Customers Exp.03/31/26 Exp.
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“W
e represent over 2,000 individuals from Nassau and Suffolk counties who have developed four types of cancer — liver, kidney, thyroid and testicular cancers — and also ulcerative colitis, in litigation involving PFAS,” said Jeffrey Guzman, a founding member of the Wall Street law firm Krentsel Guzman Herbert. Guzman knows the issues associated with PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals,” well. He has a home on Long Island where wells have been impacted by PFAS. Thousands of water suppliers across the United States, including the Suffolk County Water Authority, have filed lawsuits against companies involved with PFAS. Last year the 3M Company agreed to a settlement of $10.3 billion. SCWA expects to receive $170 million of that. It got an initial payment of $34 million last year. Smaller settlements were reached with other companies, including DuPont, which developed PFAS in 1938 and patented its creation as Teflon.
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But Guzman noted that this was “remediation litigation seeking money for the cost of cleaning up the PFAS that are already in the water. It did not intend to compensate any individuals who suffered as a consequence of their exposure.” He added, “Those who have suffered health impacts from PFAS are entitled to compensation from these companies, which knew it was carcinogenic.” On the Krentsel Guzman Herbert website, kglawteam.com, there are a series of pages detailing the firm’s PFAS litigation seeking compensation for those victims. They’re titled “Long Island’s PFAS Water Crisis: Your Health’s on the Line.” Under “What Are Forever Chemicals, and Why Are They So Dangerous?” the explanation begins: “Forever Chemicals, or PFAS, are toxic chemicals tainting your tap … Long Island’s drinking water ranks among the most contaminated. A federal database shows 19 water suppliers detected PFAS. In 16 districts, levels exceeded 20 [parts per trillion], one hitting 146 ppt, over double the 70 ppt seen nationwide, per Citizens Campaign for the Environment” — the organization based in Farmingdale. “That’s your water,” the website goes
o
on to say. “You’ve been drinking it for years, cooking with it, and bathing in it. Each sip and shower adds toxins to your body.” Under “The Effects of PFAS on Your Body,” the details continue: “These manufactured chemicals don’t break down — not in the environment, not in your body. They build up in your bloodstream over time, and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) warns they’re linked to serious diseases. Long Island’s exposure is worse than most in the U.S.” Under “Am I Eligible for Compensation for PFASRelated Cancers,” there’s this: “Yes. If you’ve lived on Long Island for years, drinking, washing and bathing in tap water, that’s exposure. Studies show PFAS increase your risk of cancer.” In July, as I reported two weeks ago in “New York state takes on the ‘forever chemicals,’” state Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court, charging corporations involved with PFAS — including 3M and DuPont — with being in violation of many state laws. James cited corporate documents in which the companies acknowledge that they knew about PFAS’ threats to human health and the environment, but still pushed
ne busy lawyer has a home on L.I. where wells have been impacted by PFAS.
products made with the chemicals anyway. Meanwhile, despite action by the state and private litigation targeting PFAS, the Trump administration is moving in the opposite direction. The Environmental Protection Agency — headed by Long Island resident Lee Zeldin, of Shirley — is seeking “rollbacks on regulations,” according to a letter of complaint that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent to Zeldin last month. And the EPA just approved the licensing of “two new pesticides that contain PFAS,” Food & Water Action, a Washington, D.C-based organization, reports. It issued a statement saying, “PFAS don’t readily break down in our environment and are linked to serious health concerns like cancer. They don’t belong anywhere near our food.” FWA included a message that it encouraged people to sign and send to Zeldin, saying, “I demand that you rescind the approval of isocycloseram and cyclobutrifluram, deny future approvals of PFAS pesticides, and update the EPA’s definition of PFAS to fully reflect this dangerous class of chemicals.” Karl 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.
The books that challenge us belong on shelves
n a world driven by the overconsumption of technology and social media, one thing I’ve always prided myself on is my love of books. I was raised to enjoy reading — scouring pages for enjoyment, an escape from reality or, perhaps most important, a new perspective on life. In 2025 I read 70 books, my highest total in recent years and an uptick from 55 in 2024. This year I set out to at least match that accomplishment, but for some reason I’ve found myself consistently dejected by many things I’ve tried to read. I’ve hit a “reading slump” in the past, but never one that’s lasted for what feels like months on end. And don’t get me wrong — there’ve been some gems this year — but mostly I’ve been particularly unmoved by the material I’ve chosen. A few weeks ago, I was compiling a weekly calendar for the East Meadow Herald and included a “Bestsellers Book Discussion” at the East Meadow library. The book of choice for September was
“James,” by Percival Everett, a historical novel that retells Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of one of that landmark book’s two main characters, the enslaved Black man named Jim. Several friends have read and enjoyed “James,” and rightfully so: It was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. I figured if anything were to yank me out of my rut, surely it could be a novel like “James.” I haven’t yet finished the book, but I can tell you that it’s exactly the kind of historical story that normally piques my curiosity. Thus far I’ve been captivated by the way Everett challenges the stereotypes historically used to portray enslaved people, depicts the relationship between a young white boy and a Black man, and explores what freedom truly means. In my early reading of “James,” a thought occurred to me: Could a book like this end up being banned? I turned to Google, where I was informed that no, it isn’t currently widely censored or flatout banned, although the novel possesses the qualities of books that have previ-
B
ously been challenged, including the use of rough language and a raw depiction of slavery. As it turns out, others — lots of readers — had wondered the same thing. Everett spoke with “CBS Sunday Morning” in 2024 about the possibility of “James” being censored, calling the banning of any book a “performative act by small and frightened people in an attempt to control a world that they can’t control.” Everett’s words were powerful. It’s troubling that we live in a world where an author must consider how censorship might affect the reception of his work. I share this with you because we’re approaching Banned Books Week, which will be observed Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” The annual event seeks to bring attention to the issue of censorship, uniting librarians, educators, authors and readers against organized attempts to restrict access to information. PEN America, a nonprofit that protects free expression, has tracked nearly 23,000 instances of books being banned
anned Books Week begins Sunday. I urge you to look up a list of them and read one.
in the U.S. since 2021. Florida, Texas and Tennessee lead the country, with the highest volume of restrictions and removals. The books that make those lists often feature LGTBQ themes, discussions of race and racism and big-picture American history, warts and all. Censorship, in any form, undermines everyone’s ability to think freely, explore challenging topics, and learn. As I’ve learned this year, not every book speaks to every reader. But everyone deserves the chance to decide that for themselves. I’m not writing this to tell you to read “James,” although it may just turn out to be the book that gets me out of my slump. I do, however, think it’s the type of book that people who are looking to expand their worldview and interact with diverse perspectives should read. Ahead of Banned Books Week, I urge you to look up a list of novels that have been challenged, removed or restricted. Choose one and read it. Even if it isn’t your next favorite, it might show you something you hadn’t thought to look for. And remember: A book doesn’t have to be comfortable for it to be worth reading. Jordan Vallone is the deputy managing editor of Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
Taking action against ‘forever chemical’ companies
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Herald editorial
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October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
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ational Newspaper Week, Oct. 4–10, is an opportunity to focus attention on something Long Islanders experience every day but can easily take for granted: the value of having journalists paying attention to your own community. Long Island is home to roughly 2.9 million people, divided among two counties and 285 distinct communities, which include two cities, 13 towns, 97 villages and 173 hamlets and two cities. There are hundreds of school districts, libraries, fire departments and civic organizations, too. Being sure that the important stories in all of these municipalities, organizations and more are adequately covered sounds like a job for Superman. In this case, however, the brigade of Clark Kents and Lois Lanes show up in the form of journalists, from newspapers big and small. A reporter covering a village board meeting might be the only journalist in the room when trustees debate a zoning change, a development proposal, a new law or a decision that could affect your property taxes. A reporter covering a school district might follow a proposed budget, ask questions about spending and report on decisions that directly affect students and their families. Those stories may never attract national attention. They may not go viral on social media. But for the people who live in those communities — the readers the Herald serves — these stories matter. The same is true of county government, town boards, planning and zoning
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The strengthofofour ourcommunity community Thestrength community The comes fromopen dialogue. comesfrom opendialogue. dialogue. comes We invite residents tosubmit submit We submit We invite residents toto letters tothe theeditor onissues issues lettersto editoron on issues letters affecting ourneighborhoods, neighborhoods, affectingour neighborhoods, affecting schools,businesses and local schools, businessesand andlocal local schools, government. government. government. Letters name and Lettersmust your name and Letters mustinclude includeyour your name and contact information for verification. contact information for verification. contact for verification. Send Sendlettters lettterstotoexeceditor@liherald.com execeditor@liherald.com Send lettters execeditor@liherald.com Be of the conversation. Beheard. heard.Be Bepart part Be heard. Be part of of the the conversation. conversation.
boards, libraries, parks and recreation departments and local elections. Hyperlocal journalism puts a spotlight on decisions that can have an immediate effect on where people live, work, send their children to school and spend their tax dollars. And that coverage creates accountability. Public officials know that their actions are being observed and reported. School administrators know that budget decisions will be examined. And community members have a place to turn when they want to understand what is happening in their own backyard. That doesn’t mean local newspapers exist simply to scrutinize government. Some of the most important work community journalists do has little to do with politics or public policy. Local newspapers celebrate accomplishments that might otherwise go unnoticed. At the Herald, one of our favorite things to do is introduce readers to neighbors who are making a difference. Local newspapers chronicle local businesses, community organizations, libraries, charitable efforts and cultural events. We cover high school sports, from championship teams to the performance of individual student-athletes. Those stories become part of a community’s history. Years from now, today’s newspaper stories can help residents understand what their town, village or school district was like, who its leaders were, what issues mattered and how the community responded to challenges and celebrated successes. That historical role is easy to over-
look when the newspaper arrives each week or a story appears online. But the cumulative record created by community journalism is one of its most important contributions. Local journalism also provides something increasingly difficult to find in an era of information overload: a trusted focus on place. Readers can find thousands of stories about Washington, Albany, national politics and international affairs with a few taps on a phone. But there is no substitute for a journalist who knows the local neighborhood, recognizes the people involved and understands why a particular issue matters to the community. Supporting local journalism can be as simple as subscribing to the Herald, visiting our website, sharing stories with friends and neighbors and paying attention to the reporting that keeps a community informed. Businesses and civic organizations can support local publications through advertising and partnerships. National Newspaper Week is a reminder that journalism doesn’t happen only in major newsrooms or on national television. It happens in village halls, school board rooms, town halls, courtrooms, athletic fields, community centers and Main Streets all across Long Island. The Herald is there wherever people gather to make decisions, solve problems, celebrate accomplishments and build their communities. If you appreciate our work, please let us know. And if we can do better, let us know that, too. Reach out to execeditor@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 201.
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opinions
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t’s time to turn the spotlight on our roadways toward the growing use of e-bikes and electric scooters. This has become one of the most frequent concerns I hear from residents lately. The increase in the numbers of these vehicles has made driving and walking through our community feel at times like navigating an obstacle course. Riders speed, weave through traffic, ignore stop signs and enter roadways without warning. This endangers everyone who may have only a split second to react. Although much of the concern focuses on young riders, this isn’t just a young-person issue. There are adults operating e-bikes and scooters carelessly, riding against traffic or on sidewalks, and ignoring traffic controls. Everyone operating one of these vehicles must follow the rules of the road and respect those around them. I’ve seen children who appear to be as young as 10 darting across streets with little awareness of other vehicles or
pedestrians. Many aren’t wearing helmets, while others carry passengers on vehicles not designed for more than one person, increasing the possibility that a moment of carelessness will result in serious injury, or tragedy. The number of e-bikes in New York City increased from roughly 96,000 in 2020 to more than 272,000 in 2023. Some doctors are calling the use of e-bikes a public health crisis due to the surge in pediatric trauma cases. Stony Brook University Hospital reports an increase of as much as 900 percent in hospitalizations resulting from the use of “micro-mobility devices,” which in 2025 accounted for 30 percent of all pediatric trauma emergency cases. Although we don’t have specific data showing how many e-bikes and scooters are being operated locally, I believe most residents would agree that we’ve seen a major increase. They are now a regular presence throughout our neighborhoods. These aren’t simply toys. They are motorized vehicles capable of reaching speeds that can cause severe injuries. They must be operated with the same attention, caution and respect for traffic laws that we expect from everyone using our roads.
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In Amityville, the e-bike speed limit is 20 mph, and it’s 15 mph for electric scooters. Scooter operators must also be at least 16 years old. State lawmakers are considering additional protections. Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Jeremy Zellner and Assemblyman William Conrad III would require every e-bike and scooter operator to wear an approved helmet. Safe operation is only one of the riders’ responsibilities. Lithium-ion batteries can create a serious fire hazard if damaged, modified or improperly charged. Owners should only purchase bikes, scooters and batteries tested and certified by an accredited laboratory, use the manufacturerapproved battery and charger, and never leave a battery charging unattended or overnight. Batteries should be taken out of service immediately if they overheat, swell, leak, emit an unusual odor or show signs of damage. There have been two incidents in which improperly disposed-of lithium-ion batteries have caught fire, creating a difficult situation for our Fire Department. Our Police Department shares these concerns. It is actively conducting public outreach and ramping up enforce-
t’s up to parents to know what their child is riding and where it can legally be used.
ment of the laws governing e-bikes and scooters, but enforcement can be challenging. These vehicles are highly mobile, violations may occur quickly, and officers generally must see the unsafe behavior or identify the rider. They can’t be on every street at every moment, which is why education, parental involvement and cooperation from residents remain essential. Officers can respond to complaints, speak with riders and contact the parents of younger riders. It is parents’ responsibility to know what type of vehicle their child is riding, whether they can legally operate it, how fast it can travel and where it may be used. And adult riders must understand that traffic laws apply to them, and that pedestrians have the right to feel safe. The rules should be clear: Wear a helmet that fits properly, obey stop signs and traffic signals, stay off sidewalks, don’t carry passengers, remain visible and never assume that a driver sees you. E-bikes and scooters can be useful and enjoyable forms of transportation. The goal is not to prevent their responsible use, but to ensure that they’re operated safely and respectfully. This is a community-wide responsibility, and every rider must do their part to prevent serious or life-changing accidents. Michael O’Neill is the mayor of Amityville.
Framework courtesy Teresa Eberhart
A destination wedding: Leanne Eberhart, second from right, and Renato Gamboa, of Lindenhurst, with Eberhart’s parents, Darren and Teresa, of Freeport, in Machu Picchu, Peru.
BALDWIN HERALD — October 1, 2026
E-bikes and scooters: Safety is everyone’s responsibility
The Experts at U.S. News Agree: Mount Sinai South Nassau is High Performing
mountsinai.org/southnassau 1348036
October 1, 2026 — BALDWIN HERALD
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