Courtesy John Murphy John Murphy holds a designer home plate for the new baseball field at Saw Mill Elementary School and credits wife Donna, second from left, for coordinating the fundraising that helped build it in honor of their late son Dylan. Fundraising will continue for a scoreboard and pavers.
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
When John and Donny Murphy threw out the first pitch on May 21, 2024, at the new turf baseball field at Saw Mill Road Elementary School, it marked more than just the opening of a facility—it was the fulfillment of a dream born from loss, love, and community strength.
The field, built in honor of Dylan Murphy—who passed away from leukemia at age 12 in September 2018—stands as a tribute to the boy’s love for baseball. A silhouette image of Dylan pitching, displayed inside a white circle with uniform No. 25, was pro-
vided by the Marty Lyons Foundation and now adorns the turf in front of the thirdbase dugout.
The Murphy family spent years rallying community support, raising funds, and working closely with the school district to make the project a reality. Their efforts culminated in a state-of-the-art field where children can enjoy the national pastime—just as Dylan did. The inaugural game brought tears, cheers, and a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community unites for a purpose.
“Seeing the field and then watching the kids play on it for the first time was very
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
The Garden at St. Episcopal Church in North Bellmore is celebrating 15 years of feeding the community with fresh, sustainable produce—particularly benefiting those in need. But beyond being a source of healthy food, the two-acre space tucked behind the church has blossomed into something more meaningful: a sanctuary for family connection, relationships, reflection, and spiritual growth.
In recent years, the church transitioned from a salaried singledirector model to a more teamoriented, volunteer-driven approach. Many helping hands—both young and old— contribute to the garden’s growth. This shift fostered a greater sense of family among the volunteers and strengthened the spirit of shared responsibility.
These volunteers include Beth Baier, Carl Bucking, Annie McPartlin, Camille Gaynor, Tara Ferraro, Diana Cioffi, and Kellenberg High
School senior Chris Healy, all working under the supervision of Rev. Grace Flint.
There are also open volunteer hours at the church on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and individuals or families are welcome to visit the open spaces at any time—no appointment necessary—just to relax and enjoy nature.
Their combined efforts have resulted in one of the garden’s best harvests, totaling around 500 pounds of food, including 100 pounds already donated. Crops, like garlic, onions, and potatoes, are being harvested and will be ready for donation after curing in the coming weeks.
“The weather has been good to us,” Flint said. “But also, just focusing on getting back to the essentials. We planted lots of potatoes, tomatoes, beans—just the basics of what people need to feed their families.”
Also among the crops are cucumbers, squash, zucchini, strawberries, and more beans and tomatoes.
These volunteers regularly plant, water, and maintain the ContinuED on pagE 3
emotional,” John Murphy said. “They didn’t play the first game until we came back from vacation, and we threw out the first pitch. It was very gratifying knowing that all of our hard work and energy—mostly what my wife did with the fundraisers—paid off so we can help the community have a nice field for years to come.”
The field was built in just six weeks and cost over $200,000, with the majority of funding coming from the North Merrick–North Bellmore Little League. Area restaurants and businesses also contributed.
Getting to that point wasn’t easy. Because the funding came from the private sector, the Murphys had to consult with lawyers to determine whether the work would be considered prevailing wage—where labor is paid hourly with benefits—or private wage, where workers are compensated based on the entire project.
The process proved to be time-consuming.
“Once we got that figured out, then everything else went pretty smoothly,” John Murphy said.
Although the field is open, the Murphys’ mission isn’t finished. The family is still fundraising to complete several meaningful additions, including a scoreboard, a commemorative garden with a flagpole behind home plate, and a walk-
way lined with pavers along the thirdbase side leading to the entrance.
According to John Murphy, the scoreboard will cost about $13,000, and the pavers will run another $30,000—unless local firms donate equipment and labor., He noted that $140,000 was already raised for the initial project. To continue the effort, the family is hosting the third annual cornhole tournament at Kellenberg High School on August 23. The entry fee is $150 per team of two and includes a barbecue meal and drinks. There will also be raffles and a craft fair.
“The first one was in 2023, before we even started building the field,” John Murphy said. “It was one of our initial fundraisers. A lot of people came out the first year—everyone was excited about getting the field built. We had a big crowd, and people really enjoyed it. As people were leaving, they were like, ‘When are you having it next year?’”
A trunk-or-treat fundraiser is also being planned for October.
Saw Mill Road Elementary is currently undergoing cosmetic renovations, including work on the parking lots and walkways. These updates are causing temporary delays in finalizing the remaining elements of the field. Still, the Murphys remain committed and optimistic. For them, each completed piece brings the project closer to their vision.
And while they’ve received overwhelming support from the community, the Murphys continue to give back through Dylan’s Dream Team Memorial Foundation. The organization’s mission is to support children with cancer and their families by fulfilling promises made to Dylan—providing toys, meals, and scholarships.
They also sponsor students at Kellenberg Memorial High School and have organized numerous fundraisers to deliver meals, Legos, toys, and ice cream to families facing childhood cancer.
Ice cream, in particular, holds a spe-
cial place in the Murphys’ hearts. Dylan often couldn’t tolerate much food after chemotherapy, but the ice cream soothed him. And knowing that it was always available, brought a sense of routine and normalcy during some tough times.
So, when the family learned last year that both New York Ronald McDonald Houses had their freezers missing, the foundation stepped in to replace them while finding sponsors to provide a month’s worth of ice cream—ensuring other children could enjoy their special treat the same way Dylan did. Through every pitch thrown, every laugh shared on the field, and every dollar raised, Dylan Murphy’s spirit lives on—not just in the game he loved, but in the kindness and determination his family continues to spread. For the Murphys, the field is more than a tribute; it’s a promise kept, a place where joy grows, and a reminder that even in loss, a community can build something lasting and full of life.
“It makes me feel good that our friends and family and local acquaintances—or people that we didn’t even know who just heard about us—come out to our events to support us,” John Murphy said. “The fact that they’re taking that step to help support us, it makes you feel good that there’s still good in the world.”
space, each bringing their own skills and experiences. The collaborative effort not only strengthens relationships within the congregation but also ensures the garden remains a vibrant and sustainable part of church life.
“What I like the most is the people I’m surrounded with when I’m here—the camaraderie, being outside doing what I love, and being able to help take care of the community,” said Ferraro, who was responsible for planting the numerous fig trees on the property. “It was just meant to be. I drove past this place for 30 years and never saw [the garden] before.”
Healy, a dedicated gardener, was tending to the potatoes on Aug. 4, while Baier was repairing tomato vines damaged by a hungry animal. McPartlin and Gaynor found healing through the garden after losing their husbands years ago, and Bucking is often seen during the church’s many farmers’ market events.
Recent federal cuts to USDA funding have created significant strain on efforts to combat food insecurity, and St. Francis has not been immune. With many Long Island food pantries now receiving fewer resources, the demand for fresh, locally grown produce has surged—placing added pressure on the church’s volunteerrun garden to help fill the gap.
“That’s one of the reasons we were so focused on productivity this year,” Flint said. “Potatoes and beans—things that are very nutritious and filling—because we know more and more people are experiencing food insecurity, and it’s going to be harder for them to access fresh food.”
The church is doing everything it can to help ease the burden.
“We accept Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons, so people experiencing food insecurity can come and shop at our
farm stand. Ultimately, we’re happy to give it away. This is not a money-making venture. It’s a way for people to learn about us.”
The FMNP is a federal program that provides low-income individuals with coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown produce at participating farmers’ mar-
kets, farm stands, and mobile markets. There is a branch for women, infants, and children, and another for low-income seniors.
St. Francis’s food donations primarily go to St. Frances de Chantal Church in Wantagh every Monday by 2 p.m.
Now in her fourth growing season,
Flint often reflects on how the garden has evolved.
“I also think about this space in terms of the societal moment we’re in,” she said. “There’s not a lot of space to come together across differences, and the garden is a third space—it’s not work, school, or home. It’s a place where you can come and build relationships. We have great diversity in thought about many, many things, but having a common goal of helping our community really brings us together—and it makes a difference.”
by David Cravit and Larry Wolf
Subtitled “Getting Older Without Getting Old” this new book starts with the premise “... imagine bringing a whole lifetime of knowledge, experience, skills, talent, relationships, wisdom (and, let’s face it, money) to two or three more decades ahead of you in which to leverage all those assets into an ongoing wonderful experience.” With the Baby Boomer generation far outliving and “outhealthing” any prior generation, we are in the era of the “superager”, founded upon seven pillars.
Attitude: Believing in exciting new possibilities, optimism is a major life extender. Purposes and goals are a result of an active curiosity about the potential for the gift of these years. Practice a positive thinking booster program everyday. Search for “positivity apps” and get daily positive quotes. They work!
Awareness: Whereas older adults previously accepted the advice of professionals as gospel, today’s superagers are avid consumers of information. The challenge today is the approach to information gathering and the curating of the “informational torrent”. Tips and techniques for searching and filing your information are provided.
Activity: Keeping fit, mentally and physically delves into the nine components, arising out of the Blue Zones Project, for extending longevity — move naturally, have a purpose (worth an extra 7 years!), downshift, the 80% rule for eating, plant-based diet, moderate alcohol, faith-based community family, social networks.
Accomplishments: Viewing post-65 as a continued opportunity to grow and achieve goals, this section outlines myriad ways to continue personal growth. As the authors point out, “Accomplishment, promoted by longevity, produces even further longevity.”
Attachment: The health risks of loneliness are well documented. Superagers reach for more connection, often digitally. New adult communities are arising right on college campuses, creating exciting new intergenerational possibilities.
Avoidance: Avoiding ageism, especially against oneself, means challenging your own and society’s outdated views on aging — stereotypes as to what older adults look and act like.
Autonomy: The dazzling new array of living options, and various means for affording them are explored, including using the home as an asset. For more, visit superagingnews.com.
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By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
A 2-year-old boy was airlifted to a local hospital on Aug. 2 after a neardrowning incident at his home in South Bellmore.
According to Bellmore Fire Department First Assistant Chief Eric Ozechowski, a 911 call was placed at approximately 2:16 p.m., reporting that a child was drowning in an inground pool at 2527 Riviera Lane in South Bellmore.
A Bellmore Fire Department medic, who lived just two blocks away, responded immediately and arrived at the scene alongside Nassau County police officers. Upon their arrival, the boy had already been pulled from the pool by his parents, who performed resuscitative measures.
When emergency responders reached the child, he was breathing and coughing, Ozechowski noted.
A police helicopter was dispatched and a landing zone was created in the rear parking lot of Shore Road School. The toddler was transported by ambulance to the helicopter and then flown to
Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park for further treatment.
No further information on the boy’s condition was immediately available.
The incident highlights the importance of water safety, especially for families with young children during the summer months.
Throughout Nassau County in the summer of 2024, authorities have documented nine drowning or near-drowning incidents—most involving children under age five in residential pools. By late July this year, two non-fatal near drownings were reported, with both children surviving.
Water safety experts emphasize that drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children up to age 14.
Parents and guardians are urged to practice vigilant, undistracted supervision around water. They recommend installing four-sided pool fencing with self-latching gates, teaching children how to swim, using Coast Guardapproved life jackets, and learning CPR.
DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2025
Space is limited - first come, first served • $25.00 discount
Open registration will end on SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. Please register as early as possible. After that date a $25.00 late fee will be assessed and you will be put on a waitlist.
Grades 3rd - 8th
Grades 2nd - 12th
Online Registration is quick and easy by visiting our website WWW.NBNMBBALL.COM
Coaches for all divisions and teams are needed 65
We’re a community basketball league committed to giving every child the chance to play, learn, and grow through the game we all love. But to keep things running smoothly—and to grow the league the way YOU want to see it grow—we need your help!
We’re currently looking for volunteers to take on a few key roles:
• Division Directors for both Boys and Girls Divisions
• Support with Security/Facility Oversight
These are vital positions that allow us to expand the number of teams and divisions we can offer. We’re especially in need of support with the girls divisions. Without additional volunteers, we will be forced to limit the girls' program to just two divisions (3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade)—and no one wants to turn players away due to a lack of support!
If you’ve ever wanted to be more involved, make a meaningful impact, or just help ensure your kids and their friends have a great season, this is your chance! Please inquire within or contact us to learn more—we’d love to welcome you to the team!
Together, we can build something even stronger for our kids and our community.
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame will hold its 2025 induction ceremony Oct. 7 at the Crest Hollow County Club. For more information and tickets, go to www.sectionviii. org. Here’s a list of local honorees.
Ray Adams (Long Beach)
For the past 28 seasons, the Long Beach wrestling program has achieved remarkable success under the direction of Baldwin alum Adams. During that span, the team has a dual meet record of 328-110-1, winning the New York State Dual-Meet championship in 2016 and 2017. Adams has led Long Beach to an incredible 16 Conference titles and five Nassau County crowns.
Adams’ dedication to developing athletes at a very high level is palpable by the 168 All-County wrestlers he has coached. Of those, 11 went on to become state champions, 48 became Nassau County champions, and 42 were AllState wrestlers. Adams’ impact on wrestling goes beyond wins and championships. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2022), has been greatly recognized for his contributions, earning him Nassau County Coach of the Year three times.
Steve Costello (MacArthur)
Costello has been one of Nassau County’s elite baseball coaches for more than three decades at MacArthur High School. His teams have consistently won and have experienced deep playoff runs, resulting in three Nassau County championships, two Long Island titles and a New York State Class B title in 1994 with a record of 29-0.
Costello’s incredible success throughout the past 32 seasons has made him one of the premiere baseball coaches in county history. He is in the top five all time in career wins with over 575. He also earned the Michael Kostynick Memorial Award Coach of the Year honors three times. Additionally, Costello would take over the role as MacArthur’s varsity girls soccer coach in 2022. It was no surprise that in his first year at the helm, the Generals would go 15-1-2 and capture Nassau and L.I. Class AA championships.
Gina, Vicky and Rosie DiMartino (Massapequa)
It is a genuine honor to have one member of a family become a high school soccer star.
So what is there to say about a family that produces not one, not two, not three, but an astounding four All-Long Island players. That’s what made the DiMartino sisters so special. Each was a star in her own right. Each led teams to
championships. Each earned multiple individual honors. Gina, Vicky and Rosie DiMartino followed elder sister Christina into soccer stardom. Each proved to be winners while leading Massapequa to Nassau and New York State crowns.
Gina was a sensation at Massapequa. She led the Chiefs to two state soccer titles. She set the school scoring record. She won the Mike Clarke Award as the best player in the county. She was a two-time All-Long Island selection and has been inducted into the Long Island Soccer Players Hall of Fame. Victoria (Vicky) was an All-Long Island firstteam selection as a junior in 2005 and led Massapequa to the county, regional and state titles as a senior. She was chosen for the United States Under-17 World Cup team in New Zealand.
Ronald Gustafson (Wantagh)
A common theme runs throughout
the career of “Gus” Gustafson when competed as a member of Wantagh High School’s cross-country and track & field teams: Unprecedented success. As “leader of the pack”, Gustafson’s running career was impeccable. In cross country, he led the Warriors to two Nassau County Class B team championships and he was a three-time individual champion from 1962-64. Wantagh would win the New York State cross country team title in 1962 and he would win the NYS individual championship in 1963 and 1964. In track, Gustafson was a threetime Nassau County champion in the 3200-meter race.
William ‘Bill’ Hedgecock (Wantagh & Lynbrook)
Hedgecock was a fixture in Nassau County track & field and cross country for 41 years. His former players describe Coach Hedge as more than a coach –he’s a legend, a mentor, and someone
who left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know him. He exhibited an extensive knowledge of both sports at Lynbrook and Wantagh. His career began at Lynbrook for 11 years from 1969-80.
In 1981, Hedgecock moved over to Wantagh, where he was the head coach in cross country and spring track for the next three decades. During his tenure, Bill’s teams amassed a staggering 1,207 wins (819 in XC and 388 in track) with only 102 losses. He led his teams to 50 undefeated seasons, two New York State cross country championships at Wantagh (boys in 1986, girls in 1992) and 37 Nassau titles between the two schools.
Quint Kessenich (Lynbrook)
Aside from being an extraordinary three-sport star at Lynbrook, Kessenich, a 1986 graduate, was also a bit of an introvert. All of which is ironic since he is now a vocal ESPN broadcaster for lacrosse, wrestling, football and other sports. Kessenich was an outstanding athlete in high school. He starred as a soccer player and was a two-time Nassau wrestling champion for the Owls. However, it was on the lacrosse field that he was truly extraordinary.
Kessenich was considered to be the top high school lacrosse goaltender in the country as a junior and senior, and twice was named All-American. He starred at the collegiate level at Johns Hopkins, becoming a rare four-time AllAmerican for the Blue Jays. He also was twice the recipient of the Ensign C. Markland Kelly Award, given to the best goaltender in collegiate lacrosse.
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Herald Community Media held its first ever Health & Beauty Awards of Long Island Gala, presented by RichnerLive on July 16, people from across the Island flooded into the ballroom of The Heritage Club at Bethpage to get a glimpse of the beautiful honorees this year’s had to offer.
“This evening we celebrate the people and organizations shaping the future of health and beauty,” said Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications and publisher of Herald Community Media, “Those whose innovation, leadership and dedication are making a lasting difference in our community.”
Regarding launching this new program, RichnerLIVE Executive Director Amy Amato shared, “This is a remarkable group of professionals who do more than just excel at what they do. They uplift, empower, and heal our community every single day. Whether helping someone feel beautiful, recover their strength, or simply feel seen and supported, this work touches lives in profound ways. It’s an honor to recognize that impact here tonight.”
Over 40 honorees were presented with awards in various categories pertaining to the health and beauty industry on Long Island, including Spa 505, Tranquility 3 Spa & Salt Cave and more.
Following the VIP cocktail hour which offered networking and a shopping and vendor experience for attendees, event emcees Krista Bennett DeMaio, founder of Pretty Local and Mae Caime, CEO and transformational architect of aMAEzing Midlife and Beyond kicked off the evening’s program and ceremony with a panel discussion on the industry.
Featured panelists included Dr. Luis Fandos, founder and CEO of Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center, Dr. Helen Hsieh, founder and medical director of Vibrance 360, and Catherine Canadeo, CEO and founder of Health and Wellness Corp, who all also received awards later in the evening.
“With the new technology that we now have available, we can identify abnormal cellular processes that are going on,” Fandos said, “And by correcting those, any beauty treatments that you do will have a much longer lasting effect.”
Hsieh discussed common myths within the health and beauty industry. “More is not always better. Just the right amount is better than more. If you eat too much, it’s not good for you,” she said.
Canadeo mentioned the importance of addressing stress for one’s health. “It’s very important to be mindful of ourselves. We get distracted on a day to day basis and our emotional wellbeing is crucial. It is essential to glow from within,” she said.
Atul Bhatara, founder and CEO of Atul Skincare was amongst the honorees for the Achiever category. His skin-
care focuses on using safer ingredients in their products. Being born with cerebral palsy, he’s been able to defy the odds and be a voice for the disabled community.
“Throughout this journey, a lot of people didn’t believe in me. Don’t let somebody else’s opinion of you become your reality,” Bhatara said, “You control your own reality. Fear is false evidence appearing real, fear does not exist. It’s just something that comes up in your mind when you get overwhelmed.”
Constance Korol, CEO of Meta 180, received an award in Holistic Integrative Health. Her business centers around helping individuals dealing with issues from anxiety to physical ailments with a holistic approach both in-person and virtually. “Most of my clients, when I’m with them for some time, they’ll say ‘I just never knew that I could feel this way.’ That’s really the best part is seeing my clients grow,” Korol said.
Honoree, Dr. Linda Harkavy, was a recipient of the Science & Skin award. Harkavy is the president and medical director of Form & Function Aesthetics
and Wellness, which uses different devices and equipment to treat various physical issues. Harkavy said, “It’s a broad based aesthetic and wellness practice. The aesthetics came along with me because looking beautiful is a part of feeling great.”
These honorees were nominated not only by RichnerLive, but by people with-
in their communities as well. To see a complete list of the winners, visit RichnerLive.com/health-beautyawards/2025-honorees.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Maurer Foundation. For more information on the event or other events by RichnerLive, visit RichnerLive.com.
Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District students in grades 7–9 recently participated in the district’s annual summer STEAM camp, an engaging program designed to immerse young learners in the interdisciplinary fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
STEAM education encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration by integrating artistic expression into traditional STEM subjects. This holistic approach helps students understand how these disciplines connect in real-world applications.
Incoming seventh-grade students were introduced to foundational concepts in coding, explored the mechanics of flying drones, and experimented with 3D printing technology. Eighth- and ninth-grade students built upon their prior knowledge by deepening their coding skills and working hands-on with VEX robotics systems, preparing them for more complex engineering challenges.
The camp experience culminated in a dynamic mini hack-a-thon and robotics competition, where students showcased their problem-solving abilities, creativity, and teamwork.
Beyond academics, the camp also provided a welcoming and inclusive environment where students could build friendships, collaborate with peers, and explore new interests in a fun and supportive setting.
The district extended its sincere appreciation to Danielle Caliendo, the district’s chairperson of mathematics and computer science, for her leadership and coordination of this year’s successful STEAM camp.
— Brian Kacharaba
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Staffing shortages, safety concerns, the need to update equipment and aircraft noise were the topics when U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen met with Federal Aviation Administration officials and air traffic controllers in Westbury last week.
“I think everyone can agree TRACON/N90 and other air traffic control towers are understaffed, have outdated technology, long hours and compulsory overtime, which is contributing to wider spread burnout and fatigue,” Gillen said on July 29 outside the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control facility that is known by its acronym.
TRACON/N90 manages aircraft approaching and departing from the metropolitan area’s airports, generally within a 30- to 50-mile radius.
in Philadelphia.
“I’m so glad the inspector general is finally looking into the impact of moving N90 air traffic controllers, and what this has done to New York airport cancellations and the safety of our passengers,” Gillen said.
The FAA relocated air traffic controllers who monitored Newark Liberty Airport, one of the busiest in the country, from TRACON/ N90 to Philadelphia. Controllers overseeing Newark subsequently experienced a roughly 90-second blackout of radar and radio contact with air traffic due to a burned copper wire on April 28. Another 90-second outage followed on May 9, caused by failures of communication infrastructure.
U.S. Representative
Gillen put pressure on the FAA and federal Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that resulted in an audit of a decision last year to relocate a dozen air traffic controllers from TRACON/N90 to an air traffic control center
“The FAA’s reckless decision to relocate Newark air traffic controllers from N90 on Long Island to Philadelphia put our safety at risk and made it more difficult for our air traffic controllers to manage the nation’s busiest airspace,” said Gillen.
The incidents raised concerns about system redundancy, controller staffing and training and operational resilience. The audit will also review the FAA’s
planning and risk-assessment process and its operation response to flight delays, safety incidents and cancellations.
Gillen said she was also determined to address the issue of low staffing of air traffic controllers and the risks it poses to passenger safety.
“I will continue to work with Secre-
make sure we are keeping the skies over the busiest airways in the country safe — safe for passengers, and to minimize cancellations and delays,” she said.
During a discussion of air traffic safety at a July 16 hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Duffy said, “Our goal is to make air travel not just safer, but also more
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
The North Bellmore School District is continuing its multi-year plan to modernize and enhance its elementary school buildings, with major construction projects already underway at Park Avenue and Saw Mill Road schools.
Late last week, construction crews were seen repaving driveways and parking lots and updating walkways at both facilities, as temperatures approached 100 degrees. The buildings will also undergo chimney reconstruction and receive new underground piping, HVAC systems, ceilings, lighting, and modernized electrical systems.
The exterior work and ADA-compliant bathrooms at Park Avenue and Saw Mill are being funded through a voter-approved capital reserve fund, established to support long-term improvements to school buildings and infrastructure. Electrical upgrades at both schools will be funded through the regular budget.
“They’re doing beautiful work,” Superintendent Marie Testa said. “It’s extraordinary. It’s all part of the capital reserve project, which doesn’t impact voters in terms of increasing taxes.”
The last time an HVAC overhaul was included in a bond vote was in 2008, but the proposal did not pass. The driveways and parking lots were also long overdue for improvements.
“When you came up to the schools,
could you see that the blacktop needed work? Yes,” Testa said. “So, this is a very significant project that the Board of Education has undertaken to update and enhance all of the facilities.”
These current projects closely mirror upgrades completed last summer at the John G. Dinkelmeyer and Martin Avenue schools. Next summer, Newbridge Road and Jacob Gunther— currently leased to the Wee Friends Too nursery school and day camp and home to the North Bellmore Teachers Center and additional office space— will receive similar enhancements.
Most of the district’s buildings were constructed in the 1950s, with the exception of Newbridge Road, which is just over 100 years old.
“This is a complete overhaul,” Testa said. “It involves digging down to the dirt, removing the water wells used for runoff, and replacing them. Most likely, the last time this was done was when the schools were originally built.”
Each building—except Gunther— will also be outfitted with security vestibules and perimeter fencing when the project begins.
In July 2022, the district released the findings of a mandated building condition survey. These surveys, required every five years by the State Education Department, assess facility needs. North Bellmore’s inspection was completed in 2020 and submitted to the state in March 2021.
“It’s as though I’m stepping from razor blade to razor blade.”
“It feels like my feet are under attack by fire ants.”
“Like I’m walking on wet paint with rolled up socks.”
And you’re in this kind of pain all the time.
“It’s relentless, keeping you up at night and preventing you from doing even the most mundane tasks. Things that I used to take for granted, like wearing shoes and going grocery shopping. Two of my three children were getting married last year and I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to attend their weddings,” shares Rose W.
Rose was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2015, a degenerative condition affecting almost 5% of people over the age of 55.
“My doctor sat me down and said, ‘Rose I’m so sorry to tell you this, but you have peripheral neuropathy. I’m going to prescribe you gabapentin to manage the discomfort but overall, neuropathy is untreatable.’ My first thought was, ‘we can cure cancer but you can’t stop my feet from hurting?’ It felt like a cruel joke.”
While neuropathy can be caused by a number of things including diabetes and chemotherapy, over 23% of neuropathy cases are classified as idiopathic. In layman's terms, the cause is unknown.
This was the case with Rose. “Basically every question I had was met with an ‘I don’t know.’ It was depressing to say the least.”
Eventually, Rose was forced to quit her job because the numbness had started to set in and prevented her from driving.
Fortunately for Rose, she came across an article in the local newspaper featuring Jae Won Kim L.Ac and his innovative approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. “At first, I thought it had to be a sham. After so many specialists told me there was no hope, here was this acupuncturist in the article claiming a 90% success rate in treating neuropathy! I just had to call, and I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I did.”
Jae Won Kim, founder of Westbury Acupuncture, says that cases like Rose’s are
incredibly common. “Almost all of my neuropathy patients have been told at one point or another that there is no hope. I like to think I specialize in offering hope.”
To quote the New York Times, “Chinese medicine proves itself where Western medicine fails.”
“Acupuncture has been treating complicated, chronic conditions like neuropathy for thousands of years,” shares Jae Won. “I start with a foundation based on this time-tested science and my clinical experience. I then tailor treatments based on a number of factors including the severity of your neuropathy, how long you’ve had it, whether or not there are any underlying factors, things of that nature. It’s because of these personalized treatment programs that we’re seeing such incredible results!”
Four months after treatment,
Rose is back at work and thriving. “Being back at work isn’t even the most exciting part,” exclaims Rose. “Not only was I able to attend my son’s wedding, but I could walk down the aisle! It was the most magical moment and I have Jae Won to thank for it. To think, I might’ve missed that.” Rose held back tears.
If you or someone you love is suffering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling, or ‘pins and needles,’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options.
There is hope. Call (516) 500-8281 to schedule an initial consultation or visit WestburyAcupuncture.com to read more incredible success stories.
By Kristen Castillo
Once your day is done, you’re probably tired from work, meetings, phone calls, and more. While you’re not necessarily in the mood to go work out after clocking out, the benefits of exercise — burning calories, flexibility, de-stressing, etc. — can leave you feeling healthy and rejuvenated and ready to take on the next workday. So how do you stay motivated to hit the gym instead of hitting happy hour or the couch? Fitness experts say putting structures in place is key to keeping your after-work fitness plans on track.
Be Ready
Bring your exercise clothes, shoes, a water bottle and snacks with you to work. That way you won’t have take extra time to stop home and potentially get sidetracked or find excuses. Joey Daoud is the founder and CEO of New Territory Fitness, an online fitness coaching company that works with office workers and companies remotely. He says if it takes you more than 15 minutes to get to a gym, that could be reason enough for you to skip working out.
“When exercising after work, you want to keep things as easy and decision free as possible,” he says.
Hit the gym right after work, especially if your employer offers it, or choose a gym location that’s close to your office or home.
“If your office has a gym, take advantage of it,” says Crystal McFerran, a senior vice president at an IT support company. She works out before leaving the office.
“Our office has a phenomenal gym, saving me money on
a gym membership and making it incredibly convenient to work out after work.”
Make an appointment with yourself to sweat. Pilates instructor Caroline Topperman urges you to book fitness into your schedule.
“We don’t often skip doctor appointments, so think of the gym as just that,” she says. “This is an appointment for your health and it’s written in your calendar.”
Structured time keeps you accountable and allows you to look forward to an hour of self-care.
Starting a steady routine ensures that you won’t burn out or drop your plans altogether.
“You can’t just go from zero to hero, or five days a week hardcore,” says certified personal trainer Cat Kom.
Two to three days a week is a reasonable and maintainable goal that will likely help you see fitness time as a treat, rather than a burden.
Set yourself up for success by finding a fitness community to keep you accountable. That could mean working out with a buddy or signing up for group spinning or dance classes.
“Sweating it out together and being able to relate to one another, is key to sticking to a routine,” says Kom. “It also helps you to know you’re not alone throughout the fitness process.”
Think of exercise as an opportunity to disconnect from your desk and connect with people.
Even if you dread working out, and regardless of the intensity of the workout, it’s almost undeniable that you feel accomplished just from sticking to your plan and moving your body. Use that mood and energy boost to keep you motivated.
Working out has many physical benefits, but it’s also great for your brain.
“It’s a great way to decompress after the day, gather your thoughts, process any difficult challenges and take some personal care time,” says Daoud.
If you give yourself time to manage your physical wellbeing, the benefits will show up in all other areas of life as well.
Photo: Treat working out after work as a priority, similar to a doctor’s appointment or any other important meeting.
icks are on the march and heading for you and your family—unless you take precautions.
The Fordham Tick Index, which assesses the risk of encountering ticks in the New York area, was at its highest level of 10 on a 10-point scale as of mid-July, based on an increase in the tick population and the diseases they carry, most notably Lyme disease.
Over the last three years, New York State has averaged more than 17,500 new cases of Lyme disease each year, with more than 19,000 cases reported in 2023, according to the state’s Department of Health. What is more, Suffolk County reported the highest number of Lyme disease cases in the country between 2019 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Long Island’s tick season runs from spring through fall, with peak activity from May to June and again from August to November. Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine, recommends the following steps to protect yourself from illnesses spread by ticks (and mosquitoes):
• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothing and exposed parts of your body (be sure to follow the instructions on the product label for safe and effective use).
• When hiking or gardening, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes/sneakers to reduce exposed skin areas. For extra protection, tuck your pants into your socks when in wooded terrain or thick vegetation.
• Wear light- or bright-colored clothing, like white, tan, yellow, or orange, which makes it easier to spot ticks.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin insecticiderepellent. Do not apply on the skin.
• Ticks congregate in grassy and wooded areas, so stay in the
Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to remove a tick and cleaning the site and your hands thoroughly after removal.
center of trails. Avoid tall grass and leaf litter. Golfers need to be aware of their increased risk when searching for balls in heavy rough and untamed parts of the course.
• After concluding outdoor activities, check your clothing, hair/head and hairline, armpits, between and toes, and entire body for ticks.
• Take a shower as soon as possible, which can help wash off unattached ticks, and consider putting the clothing in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any attached ticks. To remove a tick, Dr. Glatt recommends the following steps:
• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick. Dispose of the tick by wrapping it in tape or flushing it down the toilet.
• After removing the tick, clean the bite site and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
If you are bitten by a tick, Dr. Glatt says to be on guard for these symptoms of a tick-borne illness: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, or a rash.
“In 60-80 percent of Lyme disease cases, a rash with a bullseye center will appear around or near the site of the bite,” said Dr. Glatt. “If this rash develops as well as any other symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent more serious complications, including chronic severe headaches, painful arthritis, swelling of the joints, and heart and central nervous system problems.”
The Long Island flagship hospital of the Mount Sinai Health System, Mount Sinai South Nassau operates 911-receiving emergency departments at its Oceanside and Long Beach campuses and is the only Trauma Center on the South Shore of Nassau County. In a medical emergency, dial 911.
For more information about Mount Sinai South Nassau or a physician referral, call (516) 632-3000 or visit mountsinai. org/southnassau.
mountsinai.org/southnassau
By Kristen Castillo
Not so long ago self-care was considered somewhat self-indulgent. Then the pandemic altered our reality and ever since we’ve turned attention on how we engage with our world and practices to be our best, healthy selves. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself and your well-being.
“Self-care is vitally important because if you don’t take the time to stop and care for yourself, your body will stop you,” says mental health advocate Mark Henick. “If you never let your foot off the gas, you won’t keep driving forever — you’ll either run out of gas or crash. The same is true for the body and mind.”
Henick says self-care is a choice to rebalance your internal resources so you can bounce back from stressors.
Loving yourself
Self-care can range from taking “me time” breaks in your day or chatting with a friend to yoga, exercising, of course, or meditating.
“Often, we posit that self-care is about doing less, but sometimes it is about doing more — at the end of the day, it is about responding to the needs of ourselves before others,” says Darren Pierre, Ph.D., author of
“The Invitation to Love.”
“The work is difficult because we can become easily distracted from focusing on ourselves,” Pierre says, urging people to “remain disciplined in the practice of selfcare.”
Honoring your life
“Self-care is choosing to honor your inner wants and needs in order to fulfill your potential,” says therapist Kimberly Hershenson.
One of her self-care recommendations is to make a daily gratitude list. “Focusing on what is good in your life as opposed to what is ‘going wrong’ helps relieve stress,” says Hershenson, who also suggests reading positive affirmations every morning.
Snooze
Self-care isn’t necessarily tough to do, but finding the time to take care of yourself can be challenging.
“Sleep is one of the best forms of self-care because it gives your body and mind some uninterrupted time to simply repair itself,” says Henick.
Write it down
Author Carrie Aulenbacher, a busy work-
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ing mom, uses journaling as a self-care tool.
“Making time to take care of me is hard,” she says.“But journaling helps me unload and address issues that affected me but got pushed aside throughout the day.”
She says everything ranging from serious writing to doodling to making lists is helpful and counts as journaling.
The business of self-care
This increased interest in self-care is a
business boom, too.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness industry is a $6.3 trillion market, including fitness, mind and body; healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss; and spa treatments.
This figure represents a significant portion of the global economy, exceeding 6 percent of global GDP, according to the GWI. Furthermore, the industry is projected to reach $9 trillion by 2028.
That means increased opportunities for consumers to invest in themselves and their wellbeing. The wellness industry features countless self-care options, ranging from buying vitamin infused waters to planning wellness retreat vacations to scheduling fitness classes like yoga, dance and cycling.
“Schedule self-care time on your calendar,” says Anza Goodbar, a coach, speaker and trainer for entrepreneurs. “If it is not scheduled, it most likely won’t happen.”
She suggests starting a self-care routine in small steps, such as getting up 15 minutes early to start your day with meditation or a quiet cup of coffee or tea.
“The bottom line is to be intentional about taking care of yourself through the different stages of life,” Goodbar says.
Photo: Taking time for yourself, such as meditating or even getting a massage, is healthy, not selfish. Your body and mind will be recharged.
Centenarians, people who live to be 100 years young or more, embody a fairly small percentage of the total U.S. population. In fact, only approximately 1 out of every 10,000 Americans are 100 years or older.
This small slice of the population who are surviving to extreme old age lures the attention of not only researchers but also the general public, as we attempt to recognize and learn from the experiences of those who beat the odds of environmental and biological hindrances to which most of us tend to fall prey. Why do some live such long, fulfilling lives, while others don’t? Good question, and one that needs to be addressed!
Your first thought may be: “perhaps these individuals are in some way genetically unique.” But no, the truth is, genetics only play a 25 percent part in their endurance. Guess what the other 75 percent is? Lifestyle!
So, what do we need to do to live to 100, or beyond? What are we doing right? What are we doing wrong?
Urban priorities transformed as we moved towards the industrial revolution due to the fact that infectious disease became such a great risk at that time. How about today though? Well, today, social isolation is the health risk of our time: one-third of the population claims to have two or less individuals who they can actually go to for comfort or help.
In researching centenarians, we’ve discovered that as they age, and, quite frankly throughout their lives, they are constantly surrounded by extended family, friends, neighbors, spiritual advisors, even the mail carrier. The fact is that people are always either with them or dropping by. Centenarians are not left to live lonely lives. Living a solitary life seems to be the norm in the developed world as we age But, it doesn’t have to be and shouldn’t be! Happiness is having a large, loving, caring family and circle of friends.
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York will host its 153rd Annual Convention Thursday through Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Long Island, in Hauppauge.
The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees, including volunteer firefighters from across New York, vendors and dignitaries. It will mark the 15th time the association has held its convention on Long Island since the organization was founded in 1872.
“We are very happy for the return of the FASNY convention to the Long Island region,” the organization’s president, Eugene Perry, said. “We are proud to welcome firefighters and guests from across New York state back to our vibrant and historic convention.”
Organizers estimate that the three-day event will generate about $1.1 million in economic activity for Suffolk County, with nearly 1,500 hotel-room nights expected to be booked as well as dining, social events and other spending.
The association is partnering with Discover Long Island, the region’s official tourism agency, to support the convention.
“Our organization is committed to driving economic impact through tourism, and our dedicated sales team works year-round to bring major meetings and events like these to Long Island,” Discover Long Island’s interim CEO, Mitch Pally, said. “We are proud to host these dedicated individuals who serve communities across the state, and look forward to showcasing Suffolk County’s hospitality, natural beauty and distinctive appeal.”
The convention will open with the annual golf tournament at the Wind Watch Golf & Country Club, adjacent to the Hyatt Regency. Attendees will also take part in training sessions, FASNY’s annual meetings and ceremonies honoring outstanding service.
A highlight of the event will be a keynote address by Chief Patrick Kenny, author of “Taking the Cape Off: How to Lead Through Mental Illness, Unimagina-
ble Grief and Loss.” Kenny will speak on first responder mental health.
“I’ve heard him speak before, and his story is very moving,” Perry said. “Attendees should be ready with tissues.”
Other scheduled events include the annual Heroes Awards and a Friday-evening Tailgate for Heroes and scholarship fundraiser, featuring the Long Islandbased band Peat Moss and the Fertilizers.
Michael Barry, president of the Suffolk County Fire Chiefs Council and a 41-year member of the Medford Fire Department, said the convention is about more than celebration and tourism.
“We hope this event brings out people and they can understand the value of a volunteer fire service and all that it does,” Barry said. “It’s about compromise and sacrifice — giving up time from family to complete training and respond to calls, all to help your community.”
Perry agreed. “This year’s convention promises to be a meaningful celebration of service, tradition and unity,” he said. “We look forward to a memorable and successful event that honors firefighting and inspires the future of volunteer service.”
Perry added that the members of the FASNY board were pleased that Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine recently approved legislation that gives volunteer firefighters preference for affordable housing in the county, which will enable many young recruits to stay on Long Island, make their homes here and continue their volunteer fire service.
FASNY represents approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel statewide. For more information about the convention, visit fasny.com/ events/2025-annual-convention.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
AGENDA:
10AM - 12:30PM PANEL
RAFFLE DRAWINGS*
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald X. Clavin Jr. resigned during Tuesday’s town board meeting, and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti was appointed as the interim supervisor.
After a brief recess, Clavin returned to announce that he was stepping down after holding office since 2020.
“I want to say what an honor and a privilege and a friendship all of you have been. And to the residents, you have always been very kind to me,” said Clavin, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve all of you. Even the critics have been the nicest people in the world to me. And I wish all of you the greatest success, and God bless you and God bless America.”
Clavin, who was in his third two-year term, did not state his reasoning for his resignation. In April, he declined the Republican Party’s nomination for a fourth term and is thought to be considering a run for a judgeship. Ferretti was picked to replace him.
After his final words, he exited the meeting with a standing ovation from attendees and former fellow board members. The meeting continued after he left.
In a statement from Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph G. Cairo Jr., appointing elected officials has been done by officials in the North Hempstead, Hempstead and Babylon towns, the City of Long Beach and other municipalities.
“The Board’s action ensures continuity of
representation for residents of America’s largest township,” Cairo said. “What’s more, both Democrat and Republican majorities in control of local governments have employed this practice. I am confident that Supervisor Ferretti will provide excellent leadership for the town, bringing a solid record of reducing taxes and providing high quality services.”
In June, the Democrats lead by Democratic Supervisor candidate Joseph Scianablo unveiled proposed legislation to ban the practice of appointing town supervisors without a public election.
“This appointment is an insult to every voter in the Town of Hempstead,” Scianablo said in a statement. “Ferretti will now enjoy the perks of office, cars, gas, glossy mailers, and free publicity, all paid for by taxpayers, to run a campaign that was rigged from the start, not to mention a $60,000 raise.”
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, the Democratic candidate for county executive, aimed his anger at his Republican opponent, incumbent County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
“Don Clavin just stepped down as Hempstead supervisor — exactly as we predicted last week — so that Blakeman’s chosen crony could gain an advantage in the upcoming election,” Koslow said in a statement. “This is a shameful attempt to circumvent the will of the voters and dismantle the democratic process.”
Ferretti represented Levittown, Bethpage, North Massapequa and parts of Farmingdale. The Republican candidate for the 15th Legislative District Kayla L. Knight and the Democratic candidate is Stephen Richard Hellman.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14TH | 7:00PM
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Members of the Bellmore Boy Scouts of America Troop 192 took a deep dive into the world of local news during a visit to the Herald newspaper office on July 29.
The visit was part of the requirements for several scouts who are currently working toward earning their journalism merit badge.
The scouts were given a full tour of the facility. They had the opportunity to walk through various departments, meet with editors and staff, and gain an under-
standing of how news is reported, written, and produced.
A major highlight of the visit came when the scouts were brought down to the press area. There, they saw massive rolls of paper, vats of ink, and the plates used to produce each issue. Witnessing the printing press in action proved to be the most exciting.
“The children really enjoyed seeing the printing press in action,” assistant scout master Andrea Mouradian said. “They didn’t think it would have been that large.”
Troop 192 celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
Get ready for an action-packed season with the 2025 High School Football Preview. Your ultimate guide to the upcoming year in local high school football. This special section highlights the teams, standout players, key matchups, and expert analysis of what to expect under the Friday night lights. Don’t miss out, advertising in the Football Preview. Call your Marketing Representative today at 516-569-4000 x 250!
Ad deadline - August 28th Issue date - September 18th
By Iris Wiener
Jerome Vivona knew from a young age that he was meant to tell stories. From performing at his Bayville elementary school, to “West Side Story” and “Guys and Dolls” at North Shore High School, he found there was a freedom in theater that was especially unique.
An accomplished performer, writer, producer, director, and choreographer, Vivona (Broadway’s “Seussical,” “Kiss Me Kate”) returns to the New York stage, Off-Broadway, in “JOY: A New True Musical.” Running now through Aug. 17, it’s based on entrepreneur Joy Mangano. Vivona plays Judge Jeremiah Abernathy (an integral figure in Mangano’s life), and is also a standby for other roles.
Vivona is right at home with JOY, which is mostly set at Mangano’s childhood residence on Long Island. As a teenager, Vivona was an avid athlete working part-time at an East Norwich ski shop (where he once helped Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley), and initially decided to attend college on a soccer scholarship; however, thanks to the encouragement of his teachers, he found that the calling to be a dancer was stronger.
At age 17 he entered a Sea Cliff studio and said, “I want to be a professional dancer.” He trained privately for six to eight hours each day for six months until he had caught up with the more experienced dancers.
“I worked very hard, and with the studio’s tutelage I ended up at the Joffrey Ballet School,” says Vivona. “[Afterwards,] I was very fortunate to tour with ballet companies.”
His life took another incredible turn when, at 23, he first met Jerome Robbins, for whom he was about to audition for “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway.”
“He took a liking to me and I took private rehearsal sessions with him in which I learned all of the ‘West Side Story’ choreography. Working with him and his believing in me was a seminal part of my career.”
Vivona went on to tour with Robbins’ show nationally and internationally, which was followed by a turn in the Paris production of “West Story,” where he met his wife, performer and dancer Michelle Vivona. It wasn’t long before he made his Broadway debut in “Guys and Dolls.”
“JOY” entered his life through the connections and friends he’s made through the years.
Jerome Vivona’s commanding presence is well suited to his latest project.
“My relationships are what brought me back and my friends having a belief that I would be the right fit. I’m really thrilled that [director] Lorin Latarro and choreographer Joshua Bergasse gave me the opportunity because the show is beautiful, powerful and uplifting.”
As he puts it: ‘JOY’ is about the dynamics of a family and how that can change your trajectory in life if you let it. It’s a powerful story about one woman who found herself in a situation where she had her back up against a wall, and she was able to create this mop that allowed her to change her family’s life and the lives of countless others. It really is ‘joy,’ and I think that what we need right now is a story that makes us feel good about humanity.”
As the only native Long Islander in “JOY,” Vivona helped with the authenticity of the actors’ dialect.
“During rehearsals we had a dialect coach who was going to play a recording for the actors to help with their speech,” Vivona says. “Instead … I was the reference for them. Whenever Betsy [Wolfe, who plays Mangano] said, ‘How do you say this?’ they would look for me and ask how to say ‘mop’ or ‘car door.’ They even asked me to record my mom saying a couple of things.”
Vivona also spoke with the production team about local towns, mascots and street names.
“Any time there was something that didn’t ring true to Long Island, I would mention it,” he says. “It feels like home [on stage], and it feels good to be representing Long Island in a show about Long Island and someone as successful as Joy. I’m proud to be telling her story.”
At 58, Vivona stands by the same values he held true when he was raising his children, who graduated from the East Meadow School District.
“I’ve always taught them that you should follow your dreams and believe in what your impact can be,” he says.“This show has taught me that I can continue to believe in myself and that being on stage telling a story is what I’m all about.
When Vivona is not performing, he and Michelle can be found in Mineola, where they own and operate American Theatre Dance Workshop, an award-winning conservatory-type performing arts school.
With new projects on the horizon, Vivona surely wouldn’t mind seeing “JOY” head to Broadway.
“I don’t think you leave the theater without a smile on your face and maybe a tear in your eye.”
“JOY: A New True Musical” is at the Laura Pels Theatre, 111 West 46th St., New York. Tickets are available at joythemusical.com or by calling (833) 274-8497.
‘My Son The Waiter’
Brad Zimmerman celebrates the 10th anniversary of his hit comedy “My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy, with a sequel; “My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & Still Not Famous! His long journey to follow his show biz dream and his parents who suffered through it continues with plenty of laughter along way. Brad moved to New York and “temporarily” waited tables for 29 years, while pursuing his career as an actor. After many years, he finally got a role on the Sopranos and work as a comedian opening for Joan Rivers, George Carlin and Brad Garrett. He tells of his pursuit, along with stories about his childhood, family, and misbegotten love life with warmth, wit, self-deprecating humor, and wicked charm. Zimmerman also examines the trials and tribulations of waiting on tables — particularly for someone not exactly invested in that career, and with little tolerance for persnickety diners.
Friday, Aug. 1, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 3, 2 p.m. Through Aug. 24. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Remember when rock was young? You will when you blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself. With a nostalgic setlist, this is a must-see for Elton John fans — of all generations. Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself. Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics come to life again as Anderson brings you the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. He storms around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. This is a detailedv version of Elton John’s ‘70s shows that’s not to be missed. Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from ‘84.
Friday, Aug 8, 8 p.m. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Nassau County Legislature Legislator Seth I. Koslow is partnering with the Merrick and North Merrick public libraries to host his second annual back-to-school supply drive to ensure local students have everything they need for a strong start to the 2025-26 school year. From now until Aug. 18 during regular library hours, donors can drop off needed school supplies, including but not limited to backpacks, folders, spiral and marble notebooks, loose leaf paper, binders, tabbed subject dividers, pencil cases and sharpeners, pens, pencils (colored and No. 2), highlighters, erasers, markers, glue sticks, lunchboxes, index cards, rulers, safety scissors and more.
•Where: 2279 Merrick Ave. (Merrick Library and 1691 Meadowbrook Road (North Merrick Library
•Time: Regular library hours
•Contact: (516) 571-6205
Live After Five
Don’t miss out on Merrick’s Live After Five. Merrick Community Civic Association hosts an evening dedicated to supporting local businesses. Participating restaurants and shops offer special promotions for the evening for all customers. Enjoy music at the Gazebo near the LIRR (weather permitting).
•Where: Along Merrick Avenue, from LIRR to Loines Ave, and into the Merrick Mall.
•Time: Beginning at 5 p.m.
•Contact: For the most up to date list of participating businesses, check out @ MerrickLiveAfterFive on Instagram
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainmentrelated activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère
•Time: Starting at 11 a.m., through Aug. 10
•Contact: Check limusichalloffame.org for full schedule
The Town of Hempstead’s concert series comes to Merrick Road Park. Relive the raddest decade with Pour Some 80’s On Me. Food trucks will be on-site serving a variety of delicious options, perfect for a casual night out with family and friends. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket for your comfort as you relax and enjoy the scene Admission is free.
•Where: 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
•Contact: townofhempsteadevents.com or call (516) 670-1050
Aug 9
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Former stars of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical “Jersey Boys,” reunited as The Midtown Men, are back with their ‘60s vibe at Eisenhower Park. During their time in the mega-hit musical, these talented artists — Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer — shared the stage for over 1,000 performances. The highoctane musical tour de force that took the Jersey Boys phenomenon to Broadway and beyond, is now rocking the stage as a concert. These Broadway veterans, with their powerhouse band, are realizing the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. The dynamic foursome now celebrates the music that defined the 1960s. The Midtown Men is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show. Not only have they continued to win over audiences of all ages in nearly 2,000 live shows, their selftitled debut album, The Midtown Men: Sixties Hits was met with critical acclaim and garnered five star album reviews across iTunes and was followed by their first radio single “All Alone On Christmas” with producer Steven Van Zandt and members of Springsteen’s E Street Band.
in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.
•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Outdoors at the library
North Bellmore Library’s outdoor concert series continues with Half Step, a devoted collective of Grateful Dead enthusiasts who faithfully recreate the spirit, improvisation, sound, and intricate musical complexity that defined the legendary band. Their authentic approach to capturing the essence of Grateful Dead music has allowed them to bridge generational and musical divides, creating an inclusive experience that honors the original while making it accessible to all. No registration required. Concerts take place on the library lawn. Bring your own chairs or blankets.
•Where: 1551 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: northbellorelibrary.org or call (516) 785-6260
Music in the garden
Join singer Debra Toscano at Merrick Library. She’ll take everyone on a musical journey from the 1920s through the 1970s
with behind-the-scenes stories from growing up in the entertainment business. No registration required.
•Where: 2279 S. Merrick Ave., Merrick
•Time: 6:30 p.m.
•Contact: merricklibrary.org or call (516) 377-6112
Aug 8
The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores and Hempstead Town invites all to the Friday Night Car Show. Weather permitting, attendees are sure to find a wide selection of automotives, whether it be vintage vehicles, vans and buses, or newer models, like sports cars. Spectators can enter free of charge. Admission fee for cars is $5.
•Where: Bellmore LIRR station, across from the King Kullen parking lot
•Time: 5 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 679-1875
Moonlight mile
The Moonlight Mile returns to Newbridge Road Park. Take the gentle curves around the park for a fun, flat 1-mile race or walk.
•Time: 6:30 p.m.
•Contact: events.elitefeats. com/25Moonlight
Rock on at the park
Get in the groove with The Boss Project, the Bruce Springsteen tribute band at Eisenhower Park.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
LIMEHOF music documentary film festival
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame opens its first film festival. On the schedule are 24 feature length and short music documentary films from around the world. The roster, curated by the festival’s Executive Director Tom Needham and Artistic Director Wendy Feinberg, includes a blend of films. The lineup includes a wide range of music genres, including classical, hip-hop, rock, jazz, ska, blues and folk, among others. Other highlights include filmmaker Q&A panels, opening and closing night parties, and expected performances by Billy J Kramer, Guggenheim Grotto’s Mick Lynch, Public Enemy’s DJ Johnny Juice, Naked Blue , Brady Rymer, Jennifer Silecchia-Hackett, Sandra Taylor, and Mega Infinity.
•Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook
Unbox A-Saurus for Us!
Dr. Patricia Osiris visits with young paleontologistsin-training at Long Island Children’s Museum’s new stage production. This interactive theatrical experience invites visitors to join the eccentric paleontologist (a.k.a. “Dr. Patti”) as she attempts to reveal a neverbefore-seen dinosaur specimen — if only she can figure out how to open the crate it’s locked in. Along the way, the audience becomes key players in solving problems, sparking laughter and exploring the world of dinosaurs in a lighthearted “scientific” comedy that blends imagination and learning. $5 with museum admission, $10 theater only.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also Aug 20
•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
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.
Shoppers explored a wide variety of handcrafted items, antiques, and collectibles at a summer vendor fair hosted by Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh on July 20. The event featured exhibitors offering everything from new merchandise to unique bargains, presented by local merchants and individual sellers.
Held in the temple’s auditorium, the fair welcomed visitors with free admission and brought together people from across the South Shore, including Bellmore and Merrick, in search of unique finds and special items to take home.
— Charles Shaw
Vendors offered jewelry, bags, and other goods at the event.
browsed a collection of jewelry during the summer vendor fair, held at Temple
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: LCCS Solutions Group LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 06/02/2025. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 1870 Monore Ave., N.Bellmore NY 11710 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 154562
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I LLC, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AQ2, Plaintiff AGAINST NEIL
ASTROW, ANDREW J. WEILAND, MD, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 9, 2018, 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 September 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 915 Iris Drive, North Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being
at North Bellmore, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 529, Lot 6. Approximate a mount of judgment $834,093.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #007647/2016. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-003740 86347 154884
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Q. We have a doorbell camera, and understand that it’s a deterrent to would-be burglars, but as we’re renovating our home, can we “design” in other ways to keep people from robbing it? We keep seeing reports on the neighbor app of our door camera about people checking out houses in the area, and we’re very concerned. Any ideas would be appreciated.
A. Continuing from last week, I recommend hurricane glass windows, which are a costly upgrade that resist high winds, flooding and flying debris from blowing in the window and creating instant havoc. Although fire rescue has to use a special tool to get the windows open, since they’re hard to break, the windows will deter a robber by costing them time, if they’re even successful at doing more than creating a small hole in the reinforced panes.
Remember, anything that can delay a burglar for more than 60 seconds is an advantage, because a robber wants to get in and out quickly. Bars on windows can be avoided by using hurricane glass, and I only advise installing them on basement windows, where they are less seen but useful.
If your area is considered a high-crime vicinity, steel security shutters can also be employed. To keep the appearance of your home from being compromised to look like the county jail, steel roll-down shutters can be designed into overhangs above the windows and doors, to be employed when the home is unoccupied. But I think it adds to the message that you’re away, and only advise installing them if it’s your last resort for protection.
Garages are a great entry point, often neglected. Consider that you increase a burglar’s time frame to enter with an attached garage. They lift the door, spend whatever amount of time they need to break the lock on the interior door, and once the garage door is back down, they now have a staging area to sort your jewelry, medications and expensive computers and appliances before packing up to move out. With a cellphone in hand, their getaway car is at the ready, waiting for the call. Installing security pins or locks by drilling into the garage door track(s), and remembering to use them when you’re away for a prolonged time, is a very important deterrent.
If there are roofs under upper-story windows, install alarm devices there as well when you install alarms on first-floor openings. Even though 80 percent of break-ins occur on ground floors, the other 20 percent are either basements or second floors. Burglars dressed as painters and carrying ladders often go unnoticed. According to the National Center for Policing Innovation, 40 percent of breakins use no force at all.
Clear concealing landscaping from the exterior walls of the home, especially near windows and doorways. Limit greenery to no more than two feet in height, and only install fences of the see-through variety.
There’s still more to be covered next week.
© 2025 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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olitics has always been marked by conspiracy theories. There was the theory that President Franklin Roosevelt had prior knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but allowed it to happen to force the United States to enter World War II. In the 1950s, the founder of the John Birch Society wrote a manifesto concluding that President Dwight Eisenhower was a Soviet agent. More recently, there was the Sept. 11 “truther” theory that the administration of President George W. Bush had advanced notice of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and might have actually planned them.
Today, with social media and artificial intelligence, conspiracy theories are more rampant than ever. What allows these theories to thrive is that, by their very nature, they are inherently difficult, if not impossible, to disprove. They are based on assorted often unrelated facts, rumors, conjecture and speculation.
The ongoing furor over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case is a classic example of a conspiracy theory run amok and creating a conspiracy on top of itself. For years the Trump camp peddled rumors that the Biden administration was hiding FBI files to protect prominent Democrats who were involved in the Epstein scandal, and that Epstein’s jail-cell suicide was actually an inside-job murder. Once in office, however, with complete access to all Justice Department and FBI files and records, Trump administration officials had to announce that they could find nothing irregular: There was no secret list of names, and Epstein had in fact committed suicide.
no one was more surprised when Donald Trump was elected than Vladimir Putin.
The illogic of all this was, of course, that if the “files” did incriminate Trump, why didn’t the Biden administration disclose that when it had full access to the Epstein records? If congressional Democrats are so dedicated to transparency and so concerned about full disclosure, why did they do and say nothing when they were in control? And why would candidate Trump have made an issue of Epstein if he thought it would remotely incriminate him? Hopefully the Trump camp will learn that trafficking in unverified conspiracy theories is not only wrong, but it can come back to bite them.
below ground in the Capitol. There wasn’t one bit of evidence connecting the Trump campaign to Russia. There was, of course, the salacious and thoroughly discredited “Steele dossier,” which was in fact a political opposition memo prepared for Hillary Clinton’s campaign and based on false information from a former Russian spy. Yes, Russia had attempted to interfere in the 2016 campaign, as it always has. But Russia’s intention was to weaken Hillary Clinton’s expected presidency.
This caused apocalyptic shrieks of outrage from the fringes of MAGA world, led by the likes of Tucker Carlson. Now Trump officials were being accused by the president’s own supporters of likely collusion with myriad coconspirators such as former President Joe Biden, Israel and Mossad. The Democrats also feigned outrage, insisting that Trump must be covering his own guilt.
To me, the most baseless — and insidious — theory was the false narrative that there was Russian collusion with the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. The main propagators of this “Russia hoax” were former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. I was on the Intelligence Committee during this saga, and sat through endless months of testimony in a secure committee room three floors
Have you ever heard of the term “buyer’s remorse”? It’s been a while since I’ve heard those words, but lately I’ve been hearing them from some of my friends who are Republican members of Congress when they refer to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. He wanted it passed by July Fourth, and he got his way. Now that it is law, some of the Republicans who voted for it are confessing to me that maybe it went a little too far in cutting agencies and programs.
Having served in the State Legislature, I can understand what happens when a member is confronted with having to support a bill that’s nearly a thousand pages long. You may know about some of the provisions, but it’s impossible to know every section when you only have a few hours before the final vote. One of the reasons why these bills are crafted to be so thick is
because leadership knows that some parts of them couldn’t pass if they were presented as single bills. My friends in Congress aren’t alone in their misgivings about the Big Beautiful Bill. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley agonized for weeks over its deep Medicaid cuts, because hundreds of thousands of his state’s voters rely on Medicaid to survive. Hawley was agonizing on behalf of those hardworking citizens who don’t deserve to lose their benefits. Despite wringing his hands and suffering sleepless nights, he voted for the bill when it reached the Senate.
B ut what happens when all these budget cuts are the hot topic next year?
Two more cases in point are Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Both went public with their concerns about the cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides food assistance to more than 40 million people nationally. For days on end, the two senators expressed their concerns about their constituents losing access to food stamps that are a life-or-death necessity. But when push came to shove, they both voted for the cuts.
No one was more surprised when Donald Trump was elected than Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s only now, with much of this information declassified, that I can discuss details that I learned at the time. This hoax was a true threat to democracy, undermining a duly elected president and tying down his administration with intrusive investigations for more than half of his first term of office.
It’s time for Americans to ignore the conspiracy nuts on all sides and address the real and serious issues that confront our nation.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Hawley must have had buyer’s remorse, because a few weeks after the bill became law, he introduced his own bill, which would restore many of the Medicaid cuts. Obviously Hawley’s upset was hypocritical, because you don’t vote for such far-reaching cuts and then introduce a bill restoring them. This was a good example of the lack of conscience surrounding the actions that were taken.
The SNAP program has for years been a target of conservatives who maintain that it and other safety-net programs like it are abused and unnecessary. And there is no doubt that some SNAP beneficiaries have used food stamps to buy beer instead of milk and bread. But the vast majority of people who get food stamps are the aged or have disabilities, and who meet the tests for approval. In the months and years ahead, it will be no consolation to those who lose their benefits that their representatives in Congress voted in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill and then had pangs of guilt about its impact.
There is also no doubt that there are
some parts of the bill that are worthy of support, but mixing the good with the bad results in mostly bad for the needy and good for the people who won’t have any sleepless nights about the tragedies that will happen on the other end of the income spectrum. Few House members who voted for the bill will suffer at the ballot box. Many serve in districts that would elect Attila the Hun if he were nominated for the seat.
The problem for fair-minded House and Senate members is that the program cuts are not a secret, and will be publicized extensively next year at election time. The latest national polls show that the legislation has high negative numbers, which won’t fade from the minds of the people who are the victims of the cuts, or many other voters.
I was surprised that about a half-dozen members of Congress from New York and surrounding states expressed their unhappiness in the Big Beautiful Bill to me. Sadly, however, their buyer’s remorse may be too little, too late come November 2026.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
Established 1994
Incorporating the Bellmore Life in 2013
Brian KacharaBa
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City, NY 11530
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he Firefighters Association of the State of New York will hold its 153rd annual convention in Hauppauge from Thursday to Saturday. While the event is an opportunity to celebrate the service and sacrifice of New York’s 80,000 volunteer firefighters, it is also a moment for reflection — a chance to confront the urgent challenges facing fire protection services in our communities.
Volunteer fire departments have long been essential to public safety across the state, which has more than 1,600 of them. On Long Island alone there are nearly 180 volunteer departments, which respond to emergencies of every kind, from house fires and highway accidents to natural disasters and medical calls. And they do it all without pay. It’s no exaggeration to say that these volunteers — and the emergency medical technicians and paramedics who work alongside them — are among the most selfless public servants we have.
Yet despite their critical importance, these departments face steep recruitment and retention challenges. The number of active volunteer firefighters in New York state has declined markedly in recent decades, from roughly 120,000 in the early 2000s, even as call volumes have nearly doubled over the past 30 years, from 750,000 to 1.4 million annually, according to state figures, and training demands continue to rise due to expanded safety regulations.
Balancing work, family and extensive training is no small feat, especially for volunteers. The result is that many departments are stretched thin, struggling to maintain robust crews and
We need more open-minded politicians like
To the Editor:
ensure timely responses to emergencies.
That’s where the state firefighters association steps in — and why its convention deserves more than ceremonial attention. For over 150 years, the organization has served as the voice and support system for volunteer fire service statewide.
FASNY advocates for funding, offers educational resources and legal guidance, provides mental health support, and promotes recruitment campaigns such as Is There a Fire In You?, which encourages everyday New Yorkers to consider joining their local department.
The Hauppauge convention will bring together more than 1,000 firefighters, instructors and leaders. Discussions will focus not just on tactics and technology, but on issues such as firefighters’ mental health, peer support programs and the evolving needs of a modern volunteer force. These conversations matter. They have real-world implications for the safety of firefighters and the resilience of the communities they serve.
Mental health, in particular, is an area that demands greater attention. Of course firefighting is dangerous, but it is also emotionally taxing. Volunteers often respond to traumatic events involving neighbors and loved ones — a severe house fire that kills or injures its occupants, or a disaster like Hurricane Sandy. Without proper support systems in place, these experiences can take a huge toll on emergency responders. FASNY has made great strides in breaking down the stigma around mental health care in the fire service, but continuing community awareness of the
Re U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi’s op-ed, “Why I care about immigration — and why all of us should,” in last week’s issue: Suozzi voiced a clear understanding of the immigration issues and called, once again, for a bipartisan solution to a problem that impacts everyone in this country. He has taken this bipartisan stand on many issues for as long as I’ve been following him, including his previous time in Congress.
I, and many others, are re-energized that Mr. Suozzi returned to Congress. Yes, I would have loved to have him replace Kathy Hochul as our governor, but he can, hopefully, do so much more good if he can generate a following in Congress for more bipartisan solutions to the problems we face.
I consider myself one of those independent voters who try to see both sides of an issue. There are times when I agree with the Democratic platform, such as
challenges these men and women face is crucial as well.
How can you show support for these selfless volunteers?
First, get to know your local department. Attend an open house. Follow its social media accounts. Volunteer departments rely on community awareness to grow their ranks and raise funds.
Second, support the volunteers’ fundraising efforts. Many departments operate on limited budgets, depending heavily on donations and local drives to raise the money to pay for essential equipment. Whether it’s from a resident or a business, a contribution — financial or in-kind — can go a long way toward ensuring their readiness.
Third, talk to young people about the value of volunteerism. FASNY’s Junior Firefighter programs are an excellent way to introduce teens to public service and give them a sense of civic responsibility.
Finally, consider whether you might have “the fire in you.” Even if running into burning buildings isn’t for you, departments have many support roles — from administrative help to public education — for which willing hands are always needed. Simply stop in at a local firehouse or call them to learn more.
Volunteer firefighting is a tradition rooted in community, courage and compassion. As Long Island continues to grow, the need for well-supported fire departments becomes more urgent. The FASNY convention is a timely reminder that while these men and women may serve without pay, they should never serve without appreciation, resources or help.
magine preparing to vote in an important election. You do your homework, weigh the positions of the candidates, and are set to make your voice heard. But before you can cast your ballot, you find out that the decision has already been made behind closed doors, without your input, without a vote, and without any accountability. That is exactly what is happening right now in the Town of hempstead. Supervisor Donald clavin stepped down early, on Tuesday. That is his decision. But what is unacceptable, and frankly unethical, is the Town Board’s plan to skip over the voters and appoint clavin’s handpicked successor, Nassau county Legislator John Ferretti, to the job just months before an election. That is not leadership; it is manipulation.
The strategy is clear. Ferretti is already running for town supervisor in November. Appointed now, he will get to run as an incumbent. That means the full benefits of the job — the title, taxpayer-funded mailers, public appearances and media coverage — all before he has earned a single vote. It is a political cheat code, and it is rigged against the public.
As this plan moves forward, it won’t be the first time. In fact, it will mark the seventh time in the last 11 successions that a hempstead town supervisor was chosen not by voters, but by party insiders. This is not an isolated incident; it is a pattern. And it should concern anyone who values democracy and transparency. When people say the system is rigged, this is exactly what they’re talking about.
w ay too often in the Town of Hempstead, the party bosses usurp the voters.
supervisor. So why look outside the board to appoint a new supervisor? Because a sitting supervisor controls the town’s messaging, appears on every official mailer and gets to shape the public narrative. Giving that platform to one candidate while denying it to the other is not just unfair, it is anti-democratic.
The truth is, this kind of one-party rule is exactly what brought us the largest tax hike in recent history. While the insiders maneuver for power behind closed doors, the public is left with the bill — literally. The same group that wants to install a supervisor without your vote just passed a property tax increase on your home of over 12 percent. That is the cost of unchecked control, and it is time we said “enough.”
reform to ban these kinds of appointments in the future. Under my proposal, if a supervisor steps down early, the deputy supervisor would serve as the interim replacement, and the voters, not the board, would choose a new leader in the next scheduled election or a special one.
Simple, fair, democratic. It is similar to what former supervisor, now U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen proposed, but was rejected by clavin’s allies on the board. That’s why we need new blood.
When the same party holds power for decades, it gets comfortable and careless. It stops asking for your vote and starts making decisions in the shadows. But democracy demands more than backroom deals and power swaps. It demands accountability. It demands integrity. And most of all, it demands that we trust the voters to decide who leads them.
Let’s be clear. There is already someone in place who should step in: Senior councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, the longest-serving member of the Town Board and the current deputy
on gun control, where we have absurdly allowed guns to proliferate across our nation into the hands of criminals and, worse, the mentally ill who are the predominant perpetrators of mass shootings.
And there are times I agree with Republican stands, including the recent government spending cuts, which the bipartisan Government Accountability Office has been touting for years. No, I don’t condone all of the cuts, and I’m hopeful that some will be restored as a clearer picture of what is being done comes into focus.
But the overspending that we have allowed our federal government to do for the past 50 years, under both Democratic and Republican presidents, is absurd. We need to get past the anger at President Trump, who can easily infuriate even Republicans with his outlandish rhetoric, and see that much of what he is doing will benefit the majority of people.
We need to look at the math, and whether it adds up or dilutes the benefits to all of us. I’m not convinced that Trump has done that, but shaking things up and making cuts is long overdue.
And last, I would like Suozzi to run for president in 2028. The Democrats do not have a viable candidate right now, so let me be one of the first, for whatever it’s worth, to endorse Suozzi. We need someone like him, with a vision of bringing both sides of the political spectrum to the table.
If you look at the history of our elec-
tions over the past 75 years, you’ll see that fringe candidates don’t win presidential elections, no matter on which side of the aisle they sit. On the other hand, some of our most effective presidents were those like John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan, who fostered bipartisan politics.
RIchARD S. KAhN Glen Cove
To the Editor:
Jerry Kremer’s column in the July 24-30 issue, “It’s long past time to shut down the cellphone,” highlighted exactly what is wrong with the Democratic Party today. Mr. Kremer spend the first half of his op-ed bemoaning current politics — in particular, the devastating “One Big Beautiful Bill,” especially for the most vulnerable among us — but offered no hint of a remedy. If he is illequipped to lead or advise the next generation of voters, perhaps he should step aside and allow someone who can. Instead, Kremer spent the second half of his column belittling a dynamic young Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani, who has energized voters with policy ideas that address the real needs of New Yorkers — many of whom are the prime targets of the cuts that so distress Kremer. If Mamdani is inexperienced, our veteran Democrats should
This town deserves better than secret deals and insider politics. The supervisor’s office belongs to the people, not the party bosses. That’s why I have proposed straightforward ethics
To every resident in the Town of hempstead: Your vote should never be treated as a formality. It should be the only thing that matters. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
Joe Scianablo is the Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead supervisor.
Framework by Tim Baker
be throwing their weight behind him and offering support and expertise.
I cannot fathom why institutional Democrats such as Kremer would prefer Andrew cuomo, a sexual predator, or Eric Adams, an indicted alleged criminal, over a, yes, young, but moral, galvanizing upstart. Younger Demo-
crats do not want corrupt, lecherous and unrepentant leaders, and we do not want complacency. If Kremer can’t see that, perhaps he should shut down his phone and put down his pen.
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