_________________ bellmore ________________
HERALD Page 2 Vol. 28 No. 18
Over 20 Years of Experie nce & Dedication 2300 merrick road office 516 -623-2771 • , merrick, ny 11566 direct 516 -445-0657 gus.lafkas
@elliman.com Residential / Commercia l
$1.00 $1.00
MAY 1 - 7, 2025
licensed associate real estate broker
1289242
Updates on Bedford Avenue
gus lafkas
Bellmore, we’re your local paper
There’s no place like Bellmore — but you don’t need us to tell you that. It’s a community known for its kind people, top-notch schools and programs, beloved restaurants, historical hideaways, and so many other treasures — it’s no wonder Bellmore continues to thrive. Want to spend the day outside? Head to Newbridge Road Park, one of the best parks around, where families gather for everything from casual strolls to championship games. Looking for something to do this season? There’s always an event on the horizon in Bellmore. And speaking of schools — this town has some of the best. From award-winning programs in the Bellmore, North Bellmore, and Bellmore-Merrick school districts to outstanding students who continue to shine in academics, the arts, and athletics — Bellmore’s commitment to education is second to none. The Bellmore Herald is your community newspaper. No one knows this town, its people, and the things they care about more than we do. We’re here for you in the best of times, and the worst of times — and every moment in between. BELLMORE HERALD
Event at Kennedy raises awareness about ghost guns and gun violence By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Emily Weiner, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, recently brought a powerful message to her peers from Robert Gaafar, a survivor of the Route 91 Harvest music festival mass shooting in Las Vegas. by hosting a speaker in the school’s auditorium to raise awareness about gun violence. The event, to raise awareness about gun violence, featured Gaafar, a survivor of the October 2017 tragedy that left more than 60 people dead and over 400 injured. It remains the deadliest mass shooting by a gunman in U.S. history.
Weiner, 16, started a Students Demand Action chapter at Kennedy last school year. Students Demand Action, or SDA, is a network of high school and college students who organize to end gun violence in their communities, started in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018. Weiner connected her work with Kennedy’s SDA chapter to the school’s leadership program, a multi-year course she’s enrolled in that shapes students into young leaders in their communities. Juniors enrolled in the course must orchestrate a civics project, taking initiative to educate fellow students directly about subjects they’re passionate about while ContinuEd on paGE 4
LL M ORE
CH
Kennedy High School junior Emily Weiner, right, with Robert Gaafar, a survivor of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that left over 60 people dead and 400 injured. Gaafar spoke with Kennedy students about gun violence.
BE
AM B
CE
Courtesy John F. Kennedy High School
ER O
F COM
R ME
2025-2026
This week’s Bellmore Herald is being mailed to every home, and includes a copy of our popular annual magazine, the Bellmore Community Guide. Inside, you’ll find the places, people, schools, and events that help make this community such a great place to live. If you’re not a Bellmore Herald subscriber, we hope this week’s edition persuades you to become one. Each week, in these pages and online, we cover the stories that matter most. To keep quality local journalism strong in Bellmore, subscribe today at LIHerald.com/subscribe or call (516) 569-4000, ext. 7. You can also support our work with a one-time or recurring donation at LIHerald.com/donate. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you for your support. We hope you’re enjoying the paper each week. If you’re new to the Bellmore Herald, welcome — our mission is to cover all the news of your neighborhood: from schools to sports, houses of worship to acts of kindness, and everything in between. Enjoy the paper — and thanks for reading!
EATING | PLAYING | SHOPPING
www.liherald.com
Featuring
The best things to do in
Bellmore
year-round
The top features in
Newbridge Road Park The best of
Bellmore's
schools & libraries
Jordan Vallone, Senior Editor