Bellmore Herald 10-02-2025

North Bellmore resident and former John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School custodian Ray Bernardo turned 100 years old on Sept. 20.

Celebrating a century of memories

Longtime

resident and WWII vet Bernardo turns 100

By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

When Ray Bernardo was born, the world looked quite different. Gasoline cost less than a quarter, Babe Ruth was swatting home runs for the New York Yankees, and F. Scott Fitzgerald had just published his timeless classic “The Great Gatsby.”

A century later, Bernardo — a World War II veteran and longtime North Bellmore resident — can say he lived through eras of transformation, both on a global and local scale. On Sept. 20, he turned 100 years old, surrounded by family and friends who gathered to honor a man who has impacted countless lives.

“It’s more like a shock,” he said of reaching the milestone. “I have all of my faculties, and I don’t forget anything. I have a good memory.”

Bernardo was born in Rockville Centre, the second youngest of 13 children of Francesco and Lena, an Italian immigrant family from Benevento. Ten of his siblings were girls. One of his brothers passed away when Ray was just four months old, but his sister Nicki lived to be 112. His brother George, 94, is his only surviving sibling.

Francesco Bernardo was a builder, but he never became a U.S. citizen after emigrating. That meant his children were automatically citizens of both Italy and the United States. Under Italian nationality law, sons and daughters can claim Italian citizenship jure sanguinis “by right of blood” if their father was an Italian citizen at the time of their birth.

Being born in the U.S. automatically granted Ray American citizenship, but it did not

A memory blossoms into generosity

By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo & JoRDAN VAlloNE of the Bellmore Herald

Joseph Gallart, one of Merrick’s most prolific altruists, has laid out the plans for the third annual Desirae’s Darlings toy drive to bring holiday spirit to those in need.

For almost a decade, Joe Gallart’s holiday season mission has been clear: to ensure that no child goes without a gift to unwrap. Most of Gallart’s donations are given to the national nonprofit Toys for Tots or organizations in Nassau County such as Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

IIn 2023, Gallart formalized his annual tradition into the nonprofit organization dedicated to his daughter, Desirae Gallart, who died in 2010 at the age of 24. During that year, Gallart collected 6,600 toys, which set a new record. That milestone was surpassed in 2024, with over 9,300 donations — in total, Gallart collected and distributed 26,000 toys.

n this little circle of the world, he is a giant.

MARCElo G AllINA

His passion for collecting toys began in 2016 and has grown each year since. In 2017, he wound up with around 150 toys.

Joseph Gallart’s friend

“In 2022, we delivered 5,000 toys,” Gallart said. “I decided, you know what? I’m going to form this charitable organization, in my daughter’s name and memory, and going forward we’ll collect toys each year, and we’ll do it for Desirae’s Darlings.”

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to get on a holiday and not have a toy as a child,” he said. “My goal is to see that doesn’t happen to kids. And I think that it’s the best way that I can preserve my daughter’s memory.”

Gina Bennicasa, Gallart’s wife, commended his leadership in the community.

“He puts so much heart and soul into this — I was so blown away and impressed with the coordination that he had with this huge group,” Bennicasa said. “He works tirelessly. He’s so passionate about it.”

Bennicasa said Desirae would be tremendously proud of her father for what the chariCoNtiNuED oN paGE 12

Kennedy science team wins REACH challenge

Two teams from the John F. Kennedy High School science department have earned national recognition in the International Technology and Engineering Education Association’s REACH Challenge, a competition that tasks students with using STEM skills to improve the lives of individuals in their communities.

The Buddy Basket Team was named the Overall Winner of the challenge, while the Protractatray Team was selected as a finalist — a dual achievement that drew praise during the Sept. 3 school board meeting.

“This project is truly life changing, not only for the person receiving the adaptive

technology, but for the students and their teachers as well,” said board trustee Janet Goller, who commended the students during the meeting.

Working in partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Kennedy students have developed usercentered designs that address real-world challenges. For the Buddy Basket Team, that meant collaborating with Axel, a 14-year-old living with ataxia, a neurological disorder that affects balance and coordination.

To help Axel safely carry items while walking, students engineered the “Buddy Basket” — a lightweight, collapsible

chest-level carrier secured with backpackstyle straps. The innovation gave him independence at school and allowed him to contribute at his family’s restaurant.

“Our students didn’t just design a product — they changed someone’s daily life,” said Barbi Frank, the team’s faculty advisor. “Seeing Axel confidently move through his day, both in school and at work, is the true reward.”

Meanwhile, the Protractatray Team worked with Teddy, a 4-year-old boy with muscular dystrophy whose activity chair trays lacked comfort and functionality. The students designed a custom tray system that attaches to his wheelchair, pro-

viding elbow support and stability while encouraging participation in both learning and play.

At his family’s request, a second tray was also made for use at home.

“This project challenged our students to look beyond the classroom and think critically about how design and engineering can serve real human needs,” Superintendent Michael Harrington said. “It was innovation with purpose.”

The district shared a YouTube video of the recognition, entitled “2024 REACH Challenge Winners” by ITEAA.

— Brian Kacharaba

Homecoming joy fueled by victory

John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore celebrated its homecoming with several days of festivities, capped by a 34-0 football victory over Friends Academy-Roslyn on Sept. 20.

The week featured time-honored traditions such as hallway decorating, a spirited Friday pep rally, and a communitywide festival leading up to the game. Members of the CHAMP program helped energize the crowd by operating the outdoor snack shack under the guidance of teacher Meredith Ober, while the Student Government Association sold spirit wear to boost school pride.

Senior Mikella Rahim opened the game with a powerful rendition of the national anthem, followed by musical performances from the Kennedy High School Pep Band, directed by Walter Avellaneda.

At halftime, the cheerleading squad and kickline team delivered lively routines that kept the energy high. Seniors Logan Cohen and Rahim were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively. The school also hosted its annual Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony, welcoming alumni honorees Dr. Ben Abruzzo, Dan Brous, Patrick Burford, Dr. Carol Eisenstat, Dr. Justin Kaner, Dr. Jordan Rush, John Schmeyer and Art Squillante.

On the field, Anthony Scali led the Cougars with six carries for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Dylan Babek rushed for 95 yards, passed for 30, and threw a scoring strike as Kennedy evened its record at 1-1. Johnathan Mazzio added a touchdown, while C.J. Siegler tallied seven tackles and a sack.

This year’s celebration included a special Hall of Fame induction honoring Robert Soel, former science and STEAM chairperson, as part of the school’s inaugural class. Soel retired at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

— Brian Kacharaba

The Kennedy High School pep band, directed by Walter Avellaneda, got the crowd moving all afternoon.

Protecting Your Future

Taking Back Control with a Living Trust

In the fall of 1990, thirty-five years ago, your writer first heard of the proposition that if you set up a living trust your estate doesn’t have to go to court to settle – the so-called probate court proceeding for wills. Having spent the previous eleven years as a litigation attorney, and having faced numerous problems probating wills, this sounded too good to be true.

At the time, some of the best estate planning lawyers were in Florida. Perhaps you can guess why. In any event, off I went to Florida to train as an estate planning lawyer and, upon returning, closed the litigation practice and founded Ettinger Law Firm in April 1991, to keep people just like you, dear reader, out of probate court.

The reason I was so excited about the living trust, and continue to be so to this day, is the concept of taking back control from the courts and government and giving it back to you and your family. After all, who doesn’t want control over their affairs?

When you go to court, who’s in charge? The judge, right? Now tell me, does the judge

always act in your best interest? Does the judge ever make a mistake? And when the judge says jump, you know what the answer is!

Not only do you pay considerably for this privilege, but it can take many months and often years to complete the probate court proceeding. Meantime, houses cannot be sold, bank accounts accessed, or investment portfolios managed – at least without the judge’s permission which involves additional time and resources to request. Of course, that permission may be denied as well.

With a living trust, your trustee (formerly your “executor” under the will) may act immediately upon death to sell the house, pay the bills and handle the investments – no permission required! An additional benefit is, in the event you become unable to handle your affairs later in life, your trustee may take over by simply getting a letter from your doctor showing you are unable to handle your legal and financial affairs. Essentially then, a living trust gives you back the control your may have thought you had.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com

Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid NO-COST CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 or email info@trustlaw.com

100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success

Other offices in Huntington • Melville • Islandia

News brief

MTA board approves fare, toll hikes

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board unanimously approved fare and toll increases that will take effect Jan. 1, raising costs for Long Island Rail Road riders and motorists using the area’s bridges and tunnels.

The vote came during the agency’s Sept. 30 meeting in Brooklyn following a public comment session.

The proposal, released July 30, marks the first round of increases since 2023, when both fares and tolls rose by more than 4 percent. Officials said the changes are needed to maintain service levels and support a transit system still recovering from the financial strain of the pandemic.

For LIRR riders, monthly and weekly ticket prices will rise by an average of 4.4 percent, excluding city zones. Even with the increase, the MTA said the cost of a monthly ticket will remain under $500, still lower than pre-pandemic levels.

The MTA had considered shortening the validity of one-way tickets to four hours after purchase, but after hearing customer feedback, tickets will instead remain valid until 4 a.m. the following day. Riders must activate tickets before boarding, and those purchased on board will carry an additional $2 surcharge.

Discounts will expand as well. The MTA will reduce ticket prices for seniors, people with disabilities and Medicare recipients, regardless of travel time. Children ages 5-17 may ride for $1 when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, including during the morning peak.

A new day pass will replace the round-trip ticket and will also be valid until 4 a.m. the next day. On weekdays, the pass will cost 10 percent less than two one-way peak tickets; on weekends, it will cost the same as two one-way offpeak tickets.

The 10-trip ticket will be discontinued in favor of a “pay-as-you-go” mobile discount. After 10 peak or off-peak trips within 14 days, customers using mobile tickets will receive an 11th one-way trip free in the same period. Unlike the current plan, the new option does not require riders to pre-pay for discounts.

“Transit is one of the few things that makes New York affordable,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber. “And I respect those who oppose the fare increase. But we’re talking about something that is 15 percent of the cost of owning an automobile. In New York, I think the gap between transit and auto ownership is even larger, and because of that, New Yorkers spend a lot less of their household income on transportation than people in the rest of the country. We are determined to keep it that way while also making sure we can fund our operation.”

Tolls at the RFK, Whitestone, Throgs Neck and Verrazzano Bridges, as well as the Queens-Midtown and Hugh L. Carey Tunnels, will rise 52 cents to $7.46 with E-ZPass. The Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges will go up 20 cents to $2.80.

Board member Melva Miller voted for the increases but said she struggled with the decision.

“On one hand, I know our operating budget depends on these revenues, and as a board member, I recognize the importance of this and that approving this increase is the fiscally responsible thing to do and, ultimately, necessary to ensure the long-term health of the MTA,” she said. “But I also know firsthand that I’ve lived the realities of people who ride our system every single day and haven’t always had financial security, myself included, sometimes as I was only a few paychecks away from real vulnerability.”

L et us K now

News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com

LUKE MARTINI

WANTAGH Sophomore FOOTBALL

IT WAS A HISTORIC 2024 for Martini and the Warriors as they captured both the Nassau Conference IV and Long Island Class IV titles. One of a handful of returning starters and a rise to Confernece III, Martini is being counted on to produce even more. So far, so good. He led a 35-7 victory at Elmont Sept. 20 with four rushing touchdowns, all coming in the second half. He finished with 195 yards on the ground with his longest score covering 78.

GAMES TO WATCH

Friday, Oct. 3

Football: Carey at V.S. North 4:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Calhoun at Seaford 5 p.m.

Football: Mepham at Glen Cove

Football: Baldwin at V.S. Central

Football: Plainedge at Lynbrook 6 p.m.

Football: Seaford at East Rockaway 6 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Massapequa 6:30 p.m.

Football: South Side at Bethpage 6:30 p.m.

Football: Farmingdale at Freeport 7 p.m.

Football: Garden City at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Girls Soccer: Garden City at Wantagh 2 p.m.

Football: Syosset at Uniondale 3 p.m.

Football: Lawrence at West Hempstead 3 p.m.

Football: Hempstead at Hicksville 3 p.m.

Football: Manhasset at V.S. South 3 p.m.

Football: Mineola at Sewanhaka 3 p.m.

Football: Wantagh at Clarke 3 p.m.

Football: Hewlett at Division 3 p.m.

Football: Roosevelt at East Meadow 3 p.m.

Football: Jericho at Kennedy 3 p.m.

Football: C.S. Harbor at North Shore 3 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Elmont 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

HERALD SPORTS

Mepham blanks Long Beach, 24-0

By NICK MONGIOVI sports@liherald.com

Mepham’s defense told the tale of last Saturday’s Nassau Conference II football matchup against visiting Long Beach.

Even though sophomore quarterback Adam Erlichman picked apart the Marines’ secondary and tossed two touchdowns, it was the four turnovers forced by the Pirates that highlighted a 24-0 victory.

“We’re coming back off of last year being a two seed this year and I said, ‘we’re gonna have the target on our back,” Mepham head coach Tom Mazeika said. “I tell the kids every day to embrace that pressure. You want the pressure. We want to be in these situations and playing in these types of games.”

Mepham junior defensive back Tyler Gaskin intercepted a pass early in the second quarter, setting up the Pirates (3-0) with solid field position at their own 47-yard line. Erlichman then hooked up with senior Erijon Kraki for a 32-yard pickup, and then junior Lucas Eagleston for a 14-yard touchdown to get the hosts on the scoreboard. Eagleston had eight grabs for 86 yards.

“Playcalling was amazing,” said Erlichman, who completed 16 of 21 passes for 150 yards. “Wide receivers executed, offensive line executed. Blocks were perfect and I just delivered. We knew we had to pass the ball with a run heavy defense and all our receivers did an amazing job and I put the ball where it needed to be.”

Ryan Beyer, who a week earlier kicked a game-winning 29-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to beat MacArthur, gave Mepham a 10-0 halftime lead over Long Beach with a 28-yarder.

Early in the third quarter, senior Braeden Kehoe’s interception continued Mepham’s momentum. Senior Patrick Cloudman added a 1-yard touchdown run in the third, and senior Jack Webber caught a 12-yard touchdown strike from Erlichman in the fourth.

Of the 29 offensive plays run by Long Beach’s offense, Mepham had three interceptions, forced a fumble and allowed just 101 yards. Senior Mike Grizzard recorded an interception, while Junior Paulie

Beach.

Genovese finished with five tackles and one sack. Junior Will Braun recovered the fumble on special teams, with senior Jack Webber and junior Will Entler each recording a sack.

“They have some very good receivers, some electric guys,” Mazeika said of Long Beach. “The biggest thing was just trying to limit those guys and keep things in front of us and not give up big plays. We always say, ‘bend, don’t break,’ and I think we did that today.”

Receiver/defensive back Zack Silva had a fumble recovery and four catches for 35 yards for the Marines, who fell to

1-2. Junior running back Brody Riedel was a bright spot on offense.

“They’re both [Silva and Riedel] both very explosive players,” Long Beach head coach Scott Marti said. “They play really hard. At the end Riedel had that screen play. But Riedel made some big hits, he had some good tough yardage runs and would have liked to get him the ball in the air a little bit more. He’s a leader out there.”

Long Beach will look to even its record this Saturday when it hosts New Hyde Park at the Middle School at 3 p.m. The Pirates travel to Glen Cove Friday for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Seven musicians chosen for All-State

Seven students from the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District have been chosen to perform in the prestigious New York State School Music Association All-State Music Festival this December.

The festival brings together the top high school musicians from across the state for four days of intensive rehearsals and performances in Rochester’s Eastman Theatre. Ensembles are directed by acclaimed guest conductors and include the state’s best bands, orchestras, choruses and jazz groups.

“We are incredibly proud of these talented students for being selected to perform at the NYSSMA All-State Music Festival,” said Cheryl Fontana, the district’s director of fine and performing arts. “Their dedication, hard work, and passion for music truly exemplify the excellence of our district’s arts program. We’d also like to extend a big congrats to their teachers, Mr. Brandofino, Ms. Dimitriou, Ms. Kenyon, and Ms. Pincus.”

Selection is highly competitive. Students must be recommended by their music director, then perform a Level 6 audition piece at the spring NYSSMA festival. Only those earning a score of 98 or higher are considered for allstate honors.

From John F. Kennedy High School, violists Kellan Auyeung and Jason

Lin will perform with the symphony orchestra, while Sam Klein was named a double bass alternate.

Sanford H. Calhoun High School will be represented by Addison Kelson (soprano 2, mixed chorus) and Evan Leicht (tenor alternate).

From Wellington C. Mepham High School, Alexa Jakubowski (alto 1, mixed chorus) and Evan Korman (trumpet, symphony orchestra) earned spots.

The conference has been held in Rochester every year since 1976. The first took place in 1948 in the Catskills.

— Brian Kacharaba

OCTOBER 4, 2025 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Long Island’s best gather for Excellence in Healthcare awards

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Long Island is home to some of the nation’s most skilled medical practitioners, the best of whom were honored at the Herald’s fourth annual Long Island Excellence in Healthcare Awards.

The ceremony — at the Heritage Club at Bethpage on Sept. 17 — brought together almost 40 groups representing hospitals, researchers and independent practices.

Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications and publisher of the Herald, began the gala evening by praising Long Island’s medical community for their unrivaled research and innovative programs and services.

“We’re here tonight to honor the doctors, nurses, hospital executives, educators, caregivers, and so many others who keep our families and our communities healthy, safe and informed,” he said. “Our honorees tonight are sources of both strength and inspiration, walking alongside us at some of the lowest and highest moments in life.”

Emmy award-winning investigative journalist Kristin Thorne, the creator of Hulu’s first true crime series “Missing,” emceed the ceremony.

Keynote speaker Dr. Purna Prasad, CEO of Vedi Robotics in Hicksville, led off the night’s awards segment preceding the distribution of honors.

“Our evolution in Vedi Robotics has made us who we are today,” he said. “We identified one problem that is always a challenge for healthcare: a deficit of workforce.”

During his tenure of 30 years at Stanford and Northwell, Prasad observed machine learning and artificial intelligence mature as a field of study. After two and a half years, his team produced a robotic platform that is ready for deployment; it can check in patients, process their paperwork and take their vitals.

“That whole concept of home-grown, state-of-the-art technology — you could say we are a flagship for that,” he said.

Vedi Robotics received the Trailblazers in Technology special award.

“What we’re trying to do is we’re trying to bring a curated artificial intelligence into the arena that is only going to be beneficial,” Vedi Robotics COO John Power added.

A portion of ticket proceeds from the event will benefit the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Center at Stony Brook University. The LEND program, recipient of the Community Health Champions special award, provides interdisciplinary training to prepare the next generation — along with professionals, families and self-advocates — to lead in their fields as providers of high quality care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities.

“Our team truly excels, in an interdisciplinary fashion, to deliver health care for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families,” LEND Program Director Michelle Ballan said. “We offer hundreds of hours of training for people with disabilities and healthcare professionals to learn how to work effec-

tively with this group.”

Kerri Anne Scanlon, president of Northwell’s Glen Cove, Syosset and Plainview hospitals, received the Healthcare Visionary special award alongside CEOElect John D’Angelo; Northwell CEO Michael Dowling was honored with the Healthcare Legacy special award.

“I think the foundation of Northwell is really the incredible culture,” Scanlon said. “It’s a culture that truly invests in its employees. It’s a culture about worrying about someone as much as yourself, and then building that engagement so that we can give the best care to our patients.”

Carolyn Quinn, the director of Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center, received the Community Health Champions special award. The pediatric hospital was honored for providing outstanding long-term care for children.

“The team is just over the moon,” she said. “They are an amazing group of women, just an amazing group made up of three nurses and three certified holistic nurses and four Reiki Masters who are also certified and gifted in other holistic services. There’s quite a menu of services that we offer.”

Anne Petraro. founder and CEO of

The team is just over the moon.

CAROLyN QuiNN Director of Cohen Childrens’ Medical Center

Mending Hearts Counseling in Elmont, was honored with a Community Health Champions award for establishing an Article 31 MHOTRS clinic during the pandemic to aid underserved communities, specializing in brain care.

“I would love to change the face of mental health,” she said. “There’s so much stigma against it. And I guess by starting this agency, we’re kind of coming with a different approach, more of like a private practice feeling where everyone feels at home.”

Co-founders Linda Harkavy and Mitchell Goldstein of Form & Function Aesthetics and Wellness in East Meadow received the Power Couple special award.

“We’re focused on now, rather than disease management and crisis management, keeping people well and getting them well and having them enjoy their best lives,” Harkavy said. “We engage in wellness, not only body but mind.”

Their practice now offers Exomind, an advanced non-invasive brain therapy designed to help patients with depression, anxiety and OCD.

“We’ve been doing health care here in Long Island for 40 years, and it’s been our great pleasure helping so many people over these decades,” Goldstein said. “We’ve taken it now to the next level with state of the art medical care and devices to improve people’s longevity and wellness — Nassau County deserves that.”

The following individuals were each recipients of Excellence in Healthcare awards.

Alla Shenkman is the former medical

director of PM Pediatrics in Syosset. After 10 years in the role, she stepped down to return to work as a regular physician.

“It’s my passion,” Shenkman said. “I love it. PM Pediatrics is a great — probably largest — urgent care for pediatric patients in the country, and I’ve been there since day one. I certainly want to thank all my colleagues. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. It was a mutual effort to bring PM Pediatrics to where we are today.”

Howard Goodman, better known as the Long Island Weight Loss Doctor, is the recipient of numerous Herald honors: two Long Island Choice, one Long Island Health and Beauty, and now two Excellence in Healthcare awards.

“All these awards put us on the map,” he said.

Goodman uses all-natural methods to help patients reach their ideal weight while combating common internet misinformation.

“We’re fixing the damage that’s caused by these erroneous medications,” he said.

Brian Caberas is the COO of the People’s Arc of Suffolk, a nonprofit that provides services to people with disabilities across Suffolk County.

“We offer them residential alternatives and the ability to find jobs out in the community and a multitude of other services as well,” he said. “We want the People’s Arc of Suffolk to become the premier provider for people with disabilities.”

Sponsors of the event include Northwell Health, Episcopal Health Services, Henry Schein, Cohen Children’s Medical Center Northwell Health, The Speech Language Place, Brightview Senior Living, Stony Brook University LEND Center, Mending Hearts Counseling, Veda Robotics, LiveOnNY, People’s Arc of Suffolk, Long Island Nurses Honor Guard, PM Pediatric Care, Bellmore Dermatology, The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island, Harmony Healthcare Long Island and the New York Institute of Technology.

To view a complete list of honorees and photos, visit richnerlive.com/healthcare-awards/honorees.

Dinklemeyer goes gold for student

By ISABELLA PLANTE Intern

John G. Dinklemeyer Elementary School hosted its annual Gold Day on the last Friday of September, wrapping up Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

Each year, students across the North Bellmore School District wear gold shirts in honor of children fighting cancer. This year, the day carried extra meaning.

One Dinklemeyer student, Vincent Aglio, has been battling leukemia for the past two years and is expected to complete treatment in February before beginning remission care. The school dedicated this year’s initiative to him as he nears the end of his fight.

Principal Danica Brugge said Gold Day took on new significance after the school learned of Vincent’s diagnosis in October 2023.

“Everything we do does go back to our mission statement, with students contributing to the global community with compassion and creativity,” she said. “I think that when we honor days like this, that’s our hope — to see the world that we live in and have a vision for that.”

She added that the mission’s values of perseverance and empathy are embodied in Vincent.

“When we think about perseverance, that’s who he is,” Brugge said.

The community has rallied around Vincent and his family, organizing meal trains, donating board games and toys to the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop, and even arranging a birthday parade through the nonprofit Smiles Through Cars.

For the first time, Gold Day shirts were offered to the broader community in addition to students and faculty. With the help of 10 parent volunteers, more than 200 shirts were created and sold, raising $934 for Vincent’s treatment center.

Vincent’s mother, Gina Aglio, said the support has been overwhelming.

“I’m not surprised about how North Bellmore shows up, because I have been a North Bellmore resident my entire life,” she said. “So, it does not surprise me that everyone has done so much for us, but it fully reminds me how lucky I am and how very grateful I am to live here.”

Town proposes 18 percent tax cut for 2026

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Just under six weeks before Election Day, the Town of Hempstead unveiled an 18 percent tax cut in its general fund as part of its 2026 budget.

The tax cut is anticipated to reduce the overall tax levy by $5 million, according to town officials, by “directly putting that money back into the pockets of every single taxpayer,” said John Ferretti, who was appointed town supervisor on Aug. 5 after Don Clavin resigned.

The announcement was made at Hempstead Town Hall on Sept. 25, 50 days after Ferretti was appointed.

“This budget is the result of fiscal responsibility, bipartisan collaboration and a deep commitment to preserving the suburban quality of life that makes the Town of Hempstead so special,” he added.

The budget was crafted to provide relief to families struggling with inflation and rising costs, Ferretti said, without compromising essential town services.

He described unfunded state mandates totaling $15 million as a significant challenge to town finances. Those services and programs, which the state requires but doesn’t pay for, directly impact the town’s budget.

“I’m intently focused on preserving

18 percent tax cut for the proposed 2026 budget.

our community’s suburban dream of an affordable quality of life,” Ferretti said.

“The town’s $576 million budget still manages to cut taxes while preserving vital services, investing in infrastructure and supporting residents of all ages.”

Joe Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for supervisor, agrees that Hempstead residents deserve lower taxes, but he contends that they also deserve more

the rate is less than 1 cent per dollar for those living in incorporated villages. Town services include maintaining 1,200 miles of roadway; managing over 200 parks and recreational facilities; and providing sanitation services for 85,000 homes, clean water for over 121,000 customers and programs for more than 200,000 senior residents, as well as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, building permits, code enforcement, and much more.

Oceanside resident Danielle Asher said she was perplexed about how the town could cut taxes 18 percent now, after a substantial tax increase was implemented earlier this year.

“I need an explanation of how the problems were resolved that made them raise our taxes 12 percent in the first place,” Asher wrote on Facebook. “If the budget is remaining flat, then who is splitting the bill?”

transparency from the town.

“If Ferretti and his Republican allies truly wanted to save taxpayers’ money, the first thing they’d do is return the hefty raises they quietly gave themselves,” Scianablo wrote in a news release. “If you are going to set the fire and then claim credit for putting the fire out, then go the entire distance.”

Ferretti noted that 4 cents of every property tax dollar goes to the town, and

Richard Schurin, of Island Park, shared those sentiments. “Their budgeting practice makes absolutely no financial sense and appears to be politically motivated,” Schurin posted on Facebook.

The 2026 town budget will be presented to the Town Board for possible adoption on Oct. 16. Public hearings are scheduled for that day, at 2:30 and 7 p.m., in the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion at Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington St., Hempstead.

HERALD

ATTENTION STUDENTS:

THE HERALD IS HOLDING A CONTEST TO DESIGN HOLIDAY WRAPPING PAPER

THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE PRINTED AS HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP IN 12/4/25 & 12/11/25 ISSUES OF YOUR HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER CONTEST

RULES:

Who can enter: There will be 2 categories:

Students in grades k-5. Students in 6-12

One entry per student

Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m.

Friday, October 31, 2025

Grand prize: Winners will have their design printed as wrapping paper in the Herald and will be featured in an article in their local Herald newspaper.

Entry format: Please use an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of unlined paper. All entries should have the student’s name, age, address, telephone number, email, grade and school printed on the back. Design can be reflective of all religious holidays. Entries will not be returned.

Mail or hand-deliver to:

Wrapping Paper Contest

Herald Community Newspapers

2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 OR Scan and email to: ekimbrell@liherald.com

(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted).

Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 14

HELPFUL HINTS

• Must use 8 1/2 x 11” unlined paper, copy paper or construction paper.

• Be creative & original.

• Use bright colors.

• Fill the entire page.

• Choose paint, crayon, chalk, markers, pens, or other creative materials.

• Remember your design will be used to make a real sheet of wrapping paper.

the “elves,” desirae’s darlings’ volunteers and donors,

toys last year.

Friends rally in spirit of giving

Continued from page 1

ty does in her memory.

“They had such a beautiful relationship,” she added. “She was a beautiful, beautiful person. She would be so psyched. I know she’s looking down on him.”

Local businesses in neighboring towns including Bellmore, East Meadow and beyond, have joined the effort by setting up public facing donation bins for toys in their lobbies.

Shopping from the Amazon registry allows donors to have toys and other gifts delivered directly to Gallart’s home for redistribution.

Community members can make credit cards or Venmo donations to Desirae’s Darlings, or visit Fun Stuff Toys in Seaford, which also accepts donations.

“They can donate monetarily, or they can donate to a local toy store,” he said. “I have a link to a local mom and pop shop: Fun Stuff Toys in Seaford on Merrick Road. Mike Timko is the owner there; he partnered up with me for a few years now.”

Marcelo Gallina, a friend of Gallart’s of over 40 years, helps him coordinate toy distribution while pursuing his own charitable work.

“I lend my help and support to him in any way I can,” Gallina said. “I’m involved with Big Brothers, Big Sisters,

Desirae’s

Bellmore movies and Showplace 222 pettit avenue, Bellmore, nY BYoB — snack bar available. park in the Bellmore Lirr lot. oct. 16, showtime 8:00 p.m. t ickets available for $35 only at desiraesdarlings.org

from myself, and I see the importance of giving back, but he does it on a whole ‘nother level.

“In this little circle of the world, he is a giant,” he continued. “I just think that his level of engagement and everything that he does is just to be commended.”

Currently, the comedy night has about 20 available spaces left.

On Oct. 26, Desirae’s Darlings will also host the 5th Annual Pizza Toy Swap from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at 2057 Sherman Avenue, Gallart’s Toy Garage in Merrick.

To purchase comedy night tickets and make donations visit DesiraesDarlings.org.

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STEPPING OUT

Doing it ‘His Way’ with the Nassau Pops

By Karen Bloom

ANew York moment arrives on the Tilles Center stage when Maestro Louis Panacciuill and his orchestra return with their popular gala musical in support of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County. This year the orchestra welcomes back Tony Danza and his band as their guest performers.

The concert continues to feature the Nassau Pops signature blend of popular and classical music as well as an inspiring moment with Creation, the CP Nassau vocal team. This heartwarming tradition dellights both musicians, guest performers and the audience.

“This is one big lovefest,” says Panacciulli, the orchestra’s longtime musical director. I’m so glad to be back at Tilles Center during our 42nd season. So many wonderful people have crossed this stage. It’s always exciting to be here.”

The connection between the Nassau Pops and CP Nassau is special for Panacciulli and the orchestra. He credits his mother, Panacciulli who was a member of the CP auxiliary in Valley Stream, for this special connection.

“When we first started performing, we decided we wanted to do more than just play music. We wanted to do something meaningful,” he recalls.

“In the past we had done benefits for Special Olympics, pop concerts for hospitals. This came about one day when I was discussing with her the idea of doing a benefit concert for CP Nassau. I’m thrilled to carry on Mom’s legacy. Plus it means a lot to the musicians. We’re leaving something behind long after the notes have faded away.”

And he’s delighted to have Danza, who performed with the Nassau Pops in 2023, back to share the stage.

“Tony dances, plays the ukele, always tells a corny joke or two,” Panacciulli says. “He’s very engaging, a wonderful entertainer.”

This collaboration brings a unique twist to Danza’s acclaimed cabaret show, “Sinatra and Stories.” Combining his trademark wit, charm, storytelling, with a dash of soft

Yes:

‘The Fragile 2025 Tour’

Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening of Yes on the Paramount stage, featuring its existential prog masterworks and instrumental pyrotechnics. Throughout a prolific and enduring music career spanning 45 years and 20 studio albums, Yes has electrified audiences with daunting virtuosity, complex musical textures and powerful lead vocals. The band — currently comprising Steve Howe on guitars and vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jon Davison on vocals and acoustic guitar, Billy Sherwood on bass guitar and vocals, and Jay Schellen on drums — performs their iconic 1971 album “Fragile” in its entirety. “Fragile” holds a special place in Yes’s discography, as it propelled the band to headline status in the U.S.

Tony Danza stars in the return of the orchestra’s gala benefit concert

shoe, he offers up his take on the music of the legendary ‘Ol Blue Eyes, with whom Danza had a personal relationship. Some might not realize that Danza, who grew up on Long Island and attended Malverne High School, is a well-established song and dance man, in addition to his acting chops in television, film and on stage.

Throughout his 60-plus minute set, Danza blends personal anecdotes with Sinatra’s unforgettable tunes.

“He always has a big smile on his face. He’s certainly having a good time. And I guarantee the audience will as well,” Panacciulli says.

The tone is set from the moment the orchestra strikes up their first note.

“We like to start out with something hot and jazzy,” Panacciulli adds.

• Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m.

• Tickets start at $30; available at npso.org/tickets or tillescenter.org

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post Campus, Brookville

Certainly the addition of a sax section gets the vibe going, as the orchestra opens the show with a medley of Big Band tunes.

As always, the musicians are joined by Creation — the singing duo who participate in CP Nassau’s Life Options Program — in a heart-warming segment during the concert’s opening. Each has their moment in the spotlight. David Tindal sings Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration,” while Chris Wawrzonek does “Till There Was You” from the Broadway classic The Music Man.

Tindal and Wawrzonek have ‘grown up’ with the orchestra.

“I’m filled with such a sense of gratitude that I can affect two lives by giving them a chance to perform in front of a full orchestra and a large audience,” Panacciulli says. “We share something special, when we share music together. They’re wonderful people and the audience gives them standing ovations every time. It’s just nice to see how they’ve grown up. They’re always smiling and in good humor.”

And for Panacciulli, a Franklin Square resident, who has been at the helm of the Nassau Pops since 1984 (and is on Nassau Community College’s music faculty where he serves as band director) that surely is the concert’s defining moment.

“Creation is a byproduct the wonderful work that CP Nassau does. It does my heart good to help them and give back to the community through the gift of music.”

Panacciulli gratefully acknowledges Long Island-based credit union Jovia (formerly NEFCU), the gala’s title sponsor since 2012. Proceeds from every ticket sold are donated directly to CPNassau.

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 8 p.m. $152.25, $129.75, $118.75, $108.75, $86.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Roomful of Blues

The renowned, horn powered, Grammy-nominated, houserocking “little big band” is ready to celebrate STEPPIN’ OUT!, their first new album in five years. With this album, Roomful of Blues brings something new to the table. After 19 releases with male singers, STEPPIN’ OUT! is the first to feature a female vocalist, the sublime D.D. Bastos. Her powerhouse, soul-stirring voice and her charismatic stage presence bring a whole new spirit to the Roomful sound. For over 50 years, this beloved, iconic and much honored band has been delivering wildly infectious, hard-swinging blues. Guided by guitarist-bandleader Chris Vachon since 19989, Roomful remains a defining musical force in the blues world, with their sound rooted in tradition, but their sights reaching far into the future.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m. $38. My Father’s Place in Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Tickets available at mfpproductions.com or (516) 5800887.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

On Exhibit 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 in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

Car show

OCT

3

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores and the Town of Hempstead welcome 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. The admission fee for cars is $5.

• Where: Bellmore LIRR, across from King Kullen parking lot

• Time: 5 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 679-1875

OCT 4

Pro wrestling fundraiser

Join in the second annual BASEBRAWL fundraiser sponsored by Createa-Pro Wrestling and the Merrick Bellmore Little League at Brookside Educational Center. WWE Hall of Famers the Dudley Boys make their return to the ring as well as Long Island’s own Matt Cardona and Brian Myers. Other Create-a-Pro wrestlers also compete. Card subject to change.

• Where: 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 992-1011

OCT 16

Kate Kortum: The Music of ‘Wild Woman’

The events are sponsored by the St. Francis Food Donation Program.

• Where: 1682 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore

• Time: 2:30 p.m.

• Contact: Laura P. at (516) 521-1135 or Pam F. at (516) 606-9335

Sculpture

OCT

10

Stroll

Visit Nassau County Museum of Art for an hour for discovery and conversation. Explore a selection of sculptures sited across the museum property. Each stop on the tour delves into the choices, inspirations and material of the artists and their sculptures. Registration required. $20, $10 members.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 5-6 p.m.

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

Flea market

OCT

2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Support the Alzheimer’s Association their annual walk, the largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, in 600 communities nationwide, including Eisenhower Park.

• Where: Eisenhower Park Parking Lot 6/6A

• Time: 9 a.m. check-in; 10 a.m. ceremony

• Contact: alz.org/longisland

OCT

5

Splish Splash… Animal Bath

Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents” at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Hive Studio’s in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.” Observe animal bath time. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

In concertl

Pianist Philip Edward Fisher returns to Adelphi University for an afternoon of music for solo piano. He performs three of Chopin’s works: Variations Brilliantes, Fantasie in F minor and Sonata No 2 in B-flat minor. The program also include Haydn’s Fantasia in C Major, along with works by Corigliano, Mompou and Scriabin. Fisher is widely recognized as a unique performer of refined style and exceptional versatility. Tickets start at $35, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees.

• Where: Adelphi University’s Westermann Stage, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000

OCT 6

Long Island Choral Society Auditions

Audition now and be part of something bigger, a bold, inclusive future for choral music. The Long Island Choral Society holds its final audition for new members for their 96th Season. The 2025-26 season

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

Tilles Center’s Atrium becomes an intimate lounge, showcasing 23-year-old Kate Kortum, one of the most exciting breakout artists in the jazz world. Hailing from Houston, Texas, her warm, distinctive sound blends bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theater with captivating, storydriven lyrics. Her artistry bridges tradition and innovation, offering audiences a fresh, contemporary take on the jazz vocal legacy. Kortum discovered her passion for music at Houston’s legendary High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied flute and saxophone before ultimately falling in love with singing. She went on to earn a degree in jazz voice from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, studying with some of the leading voices in modern jazz. Critics have praised her ability to revitalize jazz with authenticity and daring. “Wild Woman,” her sophomore album. featuresreimagined standards and originals that explore a woman’s relationship with complex emotions like obsession, promiscuity, self-pride, and hatred. She gives her audience a glimpse into the past, present, and future of jazz through her unique arrangements and improvisatory deliveries.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

includes Let’s Go to the Movies, a celebration of choral music in film, Schubert’s Mass in G as well as Handel’s Messiah and a variety of other musical performance opportunities throughout the coming year. Auditions are by appointment only. Whether you’re a lifelong singer or just finding your voice, you belong here! Visit lics.org for more.

• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City

• Contact: Schedule an audition by calling (516) 652-6878 or via e-mail at audition.info@lics.org

OCT

9

Senior connections

St. Francis Episcopal Church in North Bellmore holds its “Age Well Connection” day on the second Thursday of each month. Attendees can share stories and enjoy healthy snacks and tea while fostering friendships and promoting ‘wellbeing’ in a supportive and joyful environment. Gatherings are free and visitors are encouraged to bring friends and/or family members and a non-perishable food donation to support the initiative to help others in need.

11

Bellmore Lions Club hosts a flea market at the Bellmore LIRR station parking lot (B-2). Weather permitting.

• Where: Bellmore LIRR, across the street from the King Kullen supermarket.

• Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 783-1471

OCT

16

‘Taylors Take the Library’

Author Jen Calonita hosts “The Taylors Take the Library: A Swiftie Event” at North Merrick Library. Kids in fourth grade and up can celebrate all things Taylor just as the new album drops. Bookish fun, Swiftie trivia and more await!

• Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: nmerricklibrary.org or call (516) 378-7474

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.

Memories, milestones, and the meaning of 100

cancel out Italian citizenship by descent.

“Oh, he loved it here in America,” Bernardo said of his father.

Bernardo attended the former Clinton Avenue School, built in 1896 and now home to St. Agnes Cathedral Elementary School.

At age 20, he volunteered for service in World War II. He was stationed in Germany from 1945 to 1947, during the Allied Occupation of Berlin. While not in combat, he served in a supervisory role with his group.

“We would just take care of people,” Bernardo recalled. “I wasn’t in combat. I’m happy that I didn’t have to kill anybody, because I went near the end [of the war].”

In fact, what he did find in Germany was love. He met his first wife, the former Ursula Flick, and they married on Sept. 27, 1947. The couple moved into their home on Waltoffer Avenue in North Bellmore almost a year later, following the birth of their first child, Frank.

At the time, the hamlet was mostly farmland, and Newbridge Road was little more than a dusty two-lane passageway. Their second child, Sue, was born in 1949. But not all of the memories in that home were pleasant. In 1965, Bernardo nearly died at age 40 from a hypertensive crisis. He recalled looking down on his own body, seeing heaven, and speaking with the Almighty.

ray Bernardo, a World War ii veteran, was stationed in germany for two years from 1945-47 during the allied occupation of Berlin.

“I died,” he declared. “I hovered over my body, and I went to heaven, and I guess God was talking to me. God said to me, ‘You have to go back.’ I was thinking that I wanted to stay because I liked it there. That’s why I’m not afraid to die, because I died already. It was very interesting, the voices that you hear.”

Ursula passed away in 1989. Later, Bernardo dated a woman named Pauline for 10 years, but her parents would not allow

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her to marry someone who wasn’t of Greek descent. What seemed like heartbreak at the time turned into a blessing in disguise, because soon after, he met Diane during a chance encounter in Huntington.

Diane, also widowed, had two daughters from her first marriage: Dena Mary Bocchino, now 55, and Jamel Elena Badrieh, 53. Diane and Ray married in 2005.

“He is the type of person who will bend over backwards,” Diane said. “He’ll give you his last piece of bread. He’s very attentive, does a lot of things, goes out of his way. He’s a really good person. He’s true to his word. What can I say? We like each other’s company.”

Badrieh said she took to him immediately.

“I liked Ray right away,” she said. “He was always just the rock. Growing up, my dad was estranged from me, so I never really had a dad. I call [Bernardo] my ‘Pops.’ Stepdad is weird to me because he wasn’t really that. I feel like when he passes, he’s going to be my guardian angel, because that’s who he is.”

Hard work and community have defined Bernardo’s life. He raised a family, ran dry cleaning and tailoring businesses — including the former Ardos store on Newbridge Road in East Meadow — and later worked as a custodian at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School for 14 years. Located just steps from his home,

the school became a second home in many ways.

“My father would work two or three jobs to make ends meet, but he always made time for his children,” his son Frank said in a text. “He was a nurturing and caring father and provided opportunities for his children that he never had.”

Even in retirement, Bernardo remained active. As recently as 15 years ago, he biked from Bellmore to Jones Beach.

To mark his milestone birthday, Bernardo’s family took him on a dinner cruise along the Hudson River, with the New York City skyline as a backdrop. He received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance, according to Badrieh.

These days, Bernardo keeps his mind sharp by doing crossword puzzles and playing his piano keyboard. He enjoys watching game shows like “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” as well as boxing and wrestling.

He has also been a lifelong gardener, raising tomatoes that have gone into his signature sauce — a source of pride in Italian families.

As he reflected on a century of memories, surrounded by loved ones, Bernardo didn’t credit luck or genetics for his longevity, but something much simpler.

“Well, the secret is to have love in your heart and love people,” he said. “I think that’s the secret — not to be angry toward people. That’s what I think anyhow.”

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NORTH BELLMORE FIRE DISTRICT ANNUAL BUDGET FOR 2026

WHEREAS, on the 8th day of September 2025, pursuant to Sections 105 and 181 of the Town Law, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District confirmed that the Annual Fire District Budget Hearing will be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 2026 on Monday October 22, 2025 commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire District Office located at 1500 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, New York and WHEREAS, the Board of Fire Commissioners is required to adopt a proposed budget at least 21 days before October 22, 2025 so that it is available for inspection prior to the budget hearing.

NOW, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District has adopted a proposed Annual Fire District Budget for 2026 as of this date for purposes of discussion and review at the Budget Hearing to be held on October 22, 2025 and a copy of the proposed budget is available at the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hempstead and at the office of the North Bellmore Fire District at 1500 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY where it may be inspected by any interested person during normal business hours. In addition, copies of the proposed budget will be available for those in attendance on the night of said hearing.

NOW, therefore, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District will hold the Annual Fire District Budget Hearing to be conducted with reference to the Annual Fire District Budget for fiscal year 202 on Wednesday October 22, 2025 commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire District Office located at 1500 Newbridge Rd, North Bellmore, NY .

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the aforementioned budget will be presented to the residents and taxpayers of the North Bellmore

Fire District and to the Board of Fire Commissioners of the North Bellmore Fire District, for their respective consideration at this public hearing and for the purpose of considering the said resolution and hearing all persons interested in the subject concerning same on Wednesday October 22, 2025 commencing at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire District Office located at 1500 Newbridge Road, North Bellmore, NY .

Dated: September 29, 2025

North Bellmore NY Board of Fire Commissioners

North Bellmore Fire District

Town of Hempstead ATTEST:

George V. Kern Superintendent 156071

LEGAL NOTICE

Meeting Notice Change of Location

Please take note that the Bellmore Fire District of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York, will hold its regular meetings for the year 2025 on the second Wednesday of each month at 8:00 pm and Sunday prior to the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am. All meetings start at 9:00 am and 8:00 pm on such a day at the Fire HQTS 230 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore on the second floor. All meetings of the Bellmore Fire District are open to the public. This notice is being posted in accordance with the provisions of Section 104 of the Public Officers law of the State of New York. By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Bellmore Fire District.

John M. Fabian Secretary Bellmore Fire District 156069

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY

COMPANY. NAME: Aligned Mvmnt LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 9/19/25. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 110 Ampel Ave Bellmore NY

11710

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 156002

LEGAL NOTICE

Onetrackmind Vintage, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the New York Department of State on 8/12/2025. Office location: Nassau County. Secretary of State designated Amy Swanteck as agent for service of process, and shall mail process to: 2445 Washington Blvd North Bellmore New York 11710

Purpose: To bring vintage items to retail 155428

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Rayell Strategic Marketing Solutions LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 4/21/25. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 306 Lorraine St. N. Bellmore, NY 11710

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 155426

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST SHAWN WHALEN, JANET WHALEN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 7, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 21, 2025 at 2:30 pm, premises known as 402 Marle Place, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 56, Block 351,

Lot 87-89. Approximate amount of judgment $417,139.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600417/2020.

Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-007424 87005 155747

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York as Trustee for the Benefit of the Certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc. AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2004-2, Plaintiff AGAINST Frank Rosse, Kitty Rosse, the Estate of Joseph C. Sgro, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 1, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 2812 Judith Drive, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 63, Block: 276, Lot: 42. Approximate amount of judgment $1,429,409.42 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #012 937/2006. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Fay Mattana, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-021589-F00 87209 155869

A special Yom Kippur message from area rabbis

As our four synagogues represent the center of Jewish life in Merrick and Bellmore, we wish to take this moment to reach out to all our friends and neighbors. Four angels, one in each direction, escorted him.

When the sun sets on Oct. 2 and we enter Yom Kippur — the holiest day on the Jewish calendar — our Merrick and Bellmore Jewish communities join Jews around the world in a sacred journey of reflection, repentance, and renewal. In the quiet of this day, we are invited to turn inward — to examine our actions, our relationships, and our responsibilities. We step back from the rush of daily life, not to retreat, but to return: to our values, to our communities, and to our best selves.

Yom Kippur is not only a time to reflect on the past, but a powerful reminder of the future we can build together. Teshuvah — repentance — teaches that change is always possible. That healing can happen. That no one is beyond hope, and no mistake is beyond repair.

Here in Merrick and Bellmore, we are

blessed with a diverse and vibrant Jewish community. We may differ in our practices — across reform, conservative, and orthodox traditions — but we are united in our shared commitments: to compassion, to justice, and to the deep bonds of Jewish people hood.

This Yom Kippur, we extend our prayers and blessings not only to our synagogue members, but to all who live in our neighborhoods — Jewish and nonJewish alike. May this sacred day inspire all of us to live with greater kindness, to act with greater courage, and to embrace the year ahead with open hearts.

G’mar Chatimah Tovah — may you and your loved ones be sealed for a year of goodness, health, blessings, and peace.

Rabbi Mickey Baum – Temple Beth Am of Merrick and Bellmore

Rabbi Josh Dorsch – Merrick Jewish Centre

Rabbi Ira Ebbin – Congregation Ohav Sholom

Rabbi Rishe Groner – Congregation Beth Ohr

(the “Judgment”) entered on January 19, 2023.

I, the undersigned Referee will sell in one parcel at public auction to be held at the North Side steps of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York on October 24, 2025 at 3:00p.m., the premises described by said Judgment to be sold and therein described as follows: ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon

erected situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Lots No. 58 in Block 284 on a certain map entitled, “Map of Ocean Village Section No. 8, situated at Bellmore, Nassau County, New York, surveyed August, 1959 Baldwin & Cornelius Co., Civil Engineers and Surveyors, Freeport, N.Y.”, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau May 9, 1962 as Map

No. 7580. Said Premises known as 3142 Shore Road, Bellmore, New York 11710.

(Section 63 Block 284 Lot 58) Approximate amount of lien $2,301,533.06, plus interest and Plaintiff’s advances, costs and expenses, all due as per the Judgment. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the Judgment and terms of sale.

Index No.:

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This custom built brick Colonial home invites you in through a grand foyer, leading to a gracious living room and formal dining room, with beautiful hardwood floors throughout. The huge gourmet kitchen with Caesarstone countertops and stainless steel appliances adjoins a sunlit breakfast room, while off to the side is the casual den with a fireplace, and a half bath. Upstairs you'll find a fabulous primary en-suite, with closets galore & a 4-fixture bathroom, plus a second en-suite, 2 more bedrooms, and a third full bath. At the garden level is a second den, an office, a full bath, a utility room with lots of room to work on hobbies, a mechanical room and a store room. The enticing back yard features a wonderful large multi-level deck. There are 2 central air conditioning systems, a full house generator, and a sprinkler system. This beauty is convenient to everything, beach, shopping, restaurants and public transportation.

The challenges of building next to open water

Q. We were given two options for building a new building next to a saltwater bay where there are great views. The first option is to build a wood building with siding, and the second is to build a metal building that comes in a kind of kit form, with the option to have the company selling the parts also assemble the building. Which type would you recommend, considering the salt spray we will get, and will we need helical piles in the ground? We were told that we could just build on a 6-inch concrete slab.

A. If you remember the story of the three little pigs, you’ll also remember the big, bad wolf, who huffed and puffed … Salt spray is just one of the natural issues you’re dealing with. If you’re concerned about possible rust, verify with the company engineering the metal system that the building will be subjected to salt.

If the steel components are galvanized, zinc-coated, anodized or stainless steel — that is, treated to resist salt — then the best choice is the steel system, for many reasons. Consider all the elements your building must resist, not just salt. Wind, water and weight settlement are also factors that any professional building designer, either an architect or engineer, would examine as well.

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A wood building, by the standards of state building codes, would still require metal connections to hold places where wood parts are joined to meet wind-resistance requirements. Wood-to-steel connections aren’t as strong as steel-to-steel connections, generally, due to the reactions of the dissimilar materials. Those reactions include internal expansion and contraction that can loosen wood fibers, warping, twisting and the loss of fiber strength due to changes in moisture of the fibers. The fibers loosen as they expand with moisture, so metal screws or nails can pull out in extreme conditions.

Metal-to-metal will hold together better, because the reactions are similar in metal-to-metal connections. In similar expansion and contraction, the screw connections will stay connected. After virtually every tornado and hurricane disaster, investigators uncover evidence that steel-to-steel connectors held together, while wood connections often failed.

As for the foundation, consider that a helical pile is like a screwed-down fastener and a tree root system combined. Whoever told you that a building next to an open body of water need only be attached to a concrete slab was misleading and uninformed about the power of any large body of water in motion. Just by researching the height of ocean surges on your smartphone, you can educate yourself to the fact that the ocean height rose as much as 32 feet and moved inland at levels between 12 and 15 feet in Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Once the surge contacts land, it can reduce to 7 feet from that greater surge and spill inland, reducing in height to where some people experienced 3 to 4 feet while others saw only ankle-deep water. Good luck!

© 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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OpiniOns

Trump meets with the king and mixes it up at the U.N.

president Trump’s state visit to Great Britain and his meetings with foreign leaders at the United Nations General Assembly emphasized the continued significance of personal diplomacy in international affairs.

Trump’s royal welcome by King Charles III at Windsor Castle demonstrated the lasting relationship between the United States and Great Britain. (I say this as an Irish-American who severely criticized British policy in Ireland in the years before the signing of the historic Good Friday Agreement in 1998.) The reality is that beyond a common language, Americans and Brits share common values emanating from the Magna Carta. British leaders have demonstrated firmness and strength at key moments in our history.

Winston Churchill stood alone, defending Western civilization against Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in the dark early days of World War II, and then, in the postwar years, alerted the U.S. and the world to the growing menace of Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union’s Iron Curtain.

Margaret Thatcher allied with Presi-

dent Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II to bring down the Soviet empire.

Tony Blair stood with President George W. Bush and America in the aftermath of 9/11. I observed Blair behind the scenes during the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement, and was struck by his extraordinary courage and leadership. That British leadership continues today, as Britain provides weapons to Ukraine and deploys RAF fighter jets to Poland to help the nations resisting Russian aggression.

The state dinner Charles hosted for Trump was more than pomp and ceremony. It was a dramatic affirmation of the special relationship between our nations. This show of unity was particularly vital when totalitarian states — Russia, China and North Korea— threaten world security. In his remarks, Charles urged the U.S. and Great Britain to stand strong against Russian aggression in Ukraine, as we did against Hitler. (My wife, Rosemary, and I met then Prince Charles in Washington in 2011. He was very engaging and down to earth.)

ing, friendly relationship. Their meeting certainly appeared to go well, with Starmer emphasizing the importance of the U.S. and Europe standing with Ukraine.

By all accounts, the president’s visit to Great Britain was a solid success.

F for the General Assembly, a classic performance on the world stage.

The following week, he was in New York for the annual opening of the U.N. General Assembly. Trump was the first major leader to speak, and it was a classic Trump performance brought to the world stage. He began by mercilessly critiquing the U.N. for being consistently ineffective, exemplified that morning by the malfunctioning of an escalator and his teleprompter.

al concessions to Putin).

Just hours after his General Assembly speech — which went three times longer than his allotted time — Trump met with Zelensky, and went beyond just criticizing Russia and Putin. He made a full reversal. Informed by a key adviser, Gen. Keith Kellogg, how weak Russia was after having suffered more than a million casualties, taken control of only 1 percent of Ukraine and with its economy in shambles, Trump hailed Ukraine’s courage and fighting ability. With allied support, he said, Ukraine could win the war and regain its lost territory, and that NATO countries should shoot down Russian planes that violate their air space.

I have supported Ukraine from the start, not just because its position is just, but because it’s in America’s national interest for Russia’s aggression to be stopped.

The following day, Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Though Starmer is a member of the Labor Party and has a number of policy and ideological differences with Trump, the two are known to have a good work-

Not content to assail the organization itself, Trump verbally attacked countries individually and continents collectively. He was particularly critical of Russia and its dictator, Vladimir Putin, for its continued attacks on Ukraine, especially its innocent civilians. Significantly, one country that was spared Trump’s caustic criticism was Ukraine (in stark contrast with Trump’s White House encounter earlier this year with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he criticized for continuing to wage what Trump thought was a futile battle against Russia, because Ukraine had “no cards” left to play and would have to make territori-

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s failure to stop Hitler at Munich because it was a “faraway” war led to World War II and millions of deaths, including more than 400,000 Americans. I believe that Trump’s visit with our closest ally was a reminder of the necessity to follow Churchill’s example, stand with Europe against Russian imperialism and not let the tragic failures of appeasement and isolationism be repeated.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

There are many reasons not to embrace Mamdani

Over the past few weeks, Democrats have been having a slugfest over the question of the obligation of party officials to endorse the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani. The debate was triggered by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to endorse Mamdani. State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs angrily pledged that he would not support Mamdani, in an obvious break with the governor. So who’s right and who’s wrong?

power in the House of Representatives. A state chair’s endorsement of a controversial mayoral candidate could reverberate around the state. and beyond.

First of all, to quote my parents, it’s a free country. You’re entitled to endorse whomever you want, and Jacobs has the right to break from Hochul. She has yet to explain why she endorsed Mamdani, but I have no doubt that she has her own bona fide reasons to do so.

And Jacobs has a lot of reasons to disagree with her endorsement. Next year there will be dozens of congressional races that will decide the balance of

The more I’ve thought about Mamdani’s candidacy, the more I’m convinced that there are lots of reasons why some Democrats will rightly shun him. He made a decision to run for mayor after analyzing the field of potential opponents, and had the backing of the Working Families Party and the Democratic Socialists of America. He had the endorsements of other socialist and progressive groups that have the ability to organize voterturnout operations and have helped elected a number of members of the State Assembly. They’re especially effective when moderate Democrats are sound asleep.

Tmedia and old-time get-out-the-vote operations to win the nomination. He had a story to tell right out of the socialist playbook.

He focused on the high cost of living in the city, and pledged free bus rides, a rent freeze and public grocery stores. While these promises aren’t realistic, they appealed to thousands of young voters, many of whom had never voted in a primary.

he failure of some prominent Democrats to endorse him is no surprise.

Mamdani saw that his Democratic rivals would likely be former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams. Both had a ton of political problems that would affect their chances — indeed, Adams suspended his campaign on Sunday — and that gave Mamdani a clear field to tell his story, and utilize social

Another facet of the campaign is that the vast majority of moderate voters don’t vote in city primaries. They show up in November for the general election, but don’t understand that the primaries determine who the candidates will be in November. It’s no surprise that all of these factors combined to help Mamdani win a decisive victory, which stunned Democratic elected leaders as well as party officials. While they privately conceded that Mamdani won fair and square, they simply couldn’t believe that a socialist might be the next mayor. Aside from the fact that Mamdani wasn’t a moderate candidate, once the primary was over, the media began exploring his views on Israel, and focused on his

Muslim background. He had made numerous controversial statements on the war in Gaza. In the past he has also advocating defunding the police. Post-primary, he has backtracked on a number of previous positions, including that one, but he has failed to satisfy his critics, and he has made other controversial statements that have kept the political pot boiling. In my political lifetime I have often noted that retractions only make things worse, and that the public rarely changes its views after the first missteps.

So the failure of some prominent Democrats to endorse Mamdani is no surprise. Embracing him could be fatal for a moderate member of the party. Other than having won its primary, Mamdani isn’t a traditional Democrat, and there’s no reason to believe that he would act like one come next January. He will temper his past comments now, but he is rumored to be selecting lots of people who are pleasing to him and the socialist movement. In the past, I’ve gone against my party on some major occasions. If I were still in office, I wouldn’t endorse Mamdani, either.

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.

HERALD

Protecting Long Island from invasive species

asilent invasion is making its way across Long Island. From beetles boring through forests to aggressive weeds choking native plants, invasive species pose an urgent and growing threat to the natural beauty, the economy and the very identity of our region.

As these pests encroach on farmland, damaged crops mean higher food prices and struggling farms. Infested woodlands mean fewer tourists and diminished property values. And the loss of treasured natural spaces — from forests and meadows to backyards and parks — erodes the very character of Long Island.

The recent detection of the redbay ambrosia beetle in Suffolk County, likely imported accidentally from Asia and bringing with it a tree-killing fungus, only increases the volume of our collective wake-up call. The question before us is simple: Will we act now to defend our communities, or will we watch as our landscapes steadily degrade and our land-based livelihoods slowly unravel?

Invasive species aren’t a new problem, but their spread has accelerated dramatically in recent decades. Increased global trade, climate change and urbanization have opened doors for pests and plants that don’t belong here, allowing them to thrive in places where native species have no natural defenses. The result is widespread ecological disruption.

In Nassau County, we already know the damage invaders can do. The spotted lanternfly, a deceptively attractive insect with mottled wings, feeds on more than

letters

70 species of plants. Its favorite targets include vineyards, orchards and hardwood forests — ecosystems that support industries that have helped Long Island grow. Left unchecked, lanternfly infestations can cripple agriculture and rob us of the fall foliage many tourists come here to see.

The plant kingdom has its own wellknown adversaries. Japanese knotweed, with its bamboo-like stalks and dense root systems, is nearly impossible to eradicate once it takes hold. It smothers native plants, leaving wildlife without food or shelter, and even undermines human infrastructure, pushing up through sidewalks, driveways and foundations. Its spread is a quiet but relentless reminder that invasive species are as much an economic challenge as an ecological one.

And then there’s the southern pine beetle — a small insect with an outsized appetite that can be found across the Island. This pest can wipe out acres of pine forest, reducing green woodlands to brown arboreal graveyards. The loss is not only aesthetic; forests are essential for carbon storage, stormwater absorption and wildlife habitat.

Together, these threats underscore a sobering reality: Invasive species weaken biodiversity, strain local economies and diminish our quality of life. Each unchecked outbreak increases the costs borne by everyone from homeowners to landscapers to farmers, while also endangering industries like agriculture and tourism that are the backbone of Nassau and Suffolk’s economies.

A tale of three cities, and two socialist mayors — so far

To the Editor:

Jerry Kremer warns in his Sept 18-24 Herald column, “The battle of egos in the Big Apple,” that “all of New York City and state will suffer” if Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor in November. “Many people, city and suburban voters, have been transfixed by fear about the possibility” of Mamdani becoming the city’s first socialist leader, Kremer notes.

In terms of dynamism and attractions, New York has only a few peers among cities worldwide. London and Paris are two of them. So it could come as a surprise — or, one hopes, a reassurance — to Kremer and others fearful of a Mamdani victory that both London and Paris have been governed by socialists for the past nine and 11 years, respectively.

And voters in those European cities seem quite satisfied with the performance of their progressive mayors. London’s Sadiq Khan was elected to an unprecedented third term last year by an 11-point margin over a Conservative Party opponent. Paris’s Anne Hidalgo won a second six-year term in 2020 by 15 percentage points over a conservative rival.

Khan, a Muslim of Pakistani descent, is a member of a Brit-

The earlier an invasive species is detected, the greater the chance of stopping it before it becomes a living feature of the landscape. Funding for local monitoring programs isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Public education is equally critical. Residents are often the first line of defense against invasive species. With the right tools and training, they can help identify and report harmful insects and plants before they spread out of control. Imagine how much better off we’d be if every homeowner could recognize lanternflies and every gardener knew how to prevent knotweed from hitching a ride in soil or mulch.

State and local governments, environmental nonprofits, research institutions and industry leaders must work together to create a unified strategy. Protecting Long Island’s agriculture, landscaping and tourism sectors requires pooling resources, sharing knowledge and mobilizing communities. A fragmented, haphazard response will only give invasive species more opportunities to occupy new territory.

By investing in prevention, monitoring and education today, we have the power to preserve our island’s future. The rising tide of invasive species is controllable — but only if we act decisively. Long Islanders have always taken pride in protecting our shoreline, parks and communities. Now we must extend that vigilance to these less visible, but no less dangerous, invaders among us. Our environment, economy and way of life depend on it.

ish political organization roughly equivalent to Democratic Socialists of America, to which Mamdani belongs. Hidalgo, a Spanish-French politician, is a prominent figure in France’s Socialist Party.

Has violent crime run rampant in London and Paris under left-wing

leadership? The London police recorded a total of 110 murders in 2023. That’s 10 fewer than in 2015, the final year of Boris Johnson’s tenure as that city’s Conservative Party mayor.

Urban crime rates are difficult to measure in France because such

My grief for my late grandma is love imploding

my 2025 began in a way that no one wants their new year to kick off: I got the flu. I woke up the first Monday of the year with a 103-degree fever, body aches that were almost unmanageable and a headache so intense I could barely keep my eyes open.

The one thing that made me smile that day was a text from my sweet grandma, a nurse, who wrote, “Hang in there. Eat some nice warm soup and toast. Comfort food.”

Grandmas always know best.

In my dreary state, I decided to kick-start my annual reading goal of at least 50 books. I opened up “Sandwich,” by Catherine Newman, a witty tale of a family that has spent nearly every summer on Cape Cod, told from the perspective of its matriarch, Rocky. The book explores love, lost dreams, hope and more, offering a well-rounded glimpse into the many life stages we all experience.

When I read, I highlight lines that leave an impression on me, either by writing them down or using a tool on my Kindle. “Sandwich” was filled with them. I noted several things, but the one I kept thinking about in the days and weeks after I finished reading it was this: “Maybe grief is love imploding. Or maybe it’s love expanding.”

Like everyone, I’ve experienced grief for different things, for different people, but I hadn’t truly encountered its profound weight — the type of grief that makes it hard to breathe.

iCatholic, she was devoted to her church, its people and myriad ministries.

t’s hard to put into words how much those final chats with her meant to me.

My grandma died unexpectedly on May 4, at age 85. She took excellent care of herself, and besides a few minor incidents in her later years, she was generally in great shape. All it took was a brief, serious illness that led to sepsis and eventually organ failure. Her last few days were filled with moments I fear I’ll never be able to comprehend. She was an exceptional woman, as most grandmothers are. She had seven children, 10 grandchildren, and family and friends galore in her neighborhood of Middle Village, Queens. A devout

Letters

tistics are kept primarily on a national rather than the local level. But according to a compilation used by the publication World Population Review, Paris was the 23rd safest city in the world in 2024. Safer than Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona and Rome.

Mamdani, meanwhile, has retracted his call for defunding the NYPD — a stance he took at the height of the Black Lives Matter agitation. He has pledged to make public safety a top priority of his mayoralty, along with making New York City more affordable for all of its residents.

Instead of freaking out over political labels, Kremer and other fearmongers should calm down and see how Mamdani actually governs.

Closer to home: I lived in Burlington, Vermont, when Bernie Sanders was mayor. A socialist who had held no previous elected office, Sanders made Vermont’s largest city a more equitable and prosperous place. Burlington’s business community came to regard him as an outstanding mayor.

KEVIN J. KELLEY Atlantic Beach

The fight against smoking isn’t over

To the Editor:

As partners in the New York State Tobacco Control Program, Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free NY and the

The last day I saw her was April 19, the day before Easter. It was exceptionally warm — over 80 degrees in Queens — and we had lunch and a long chat about baseball. A tried-and-true Yankees fan, she reminded me that she never rooted against the Mets, unless they were playing the Yankees. That day, she told me her favorite Met was Francisco Lindor — who had hit a walkoff home run the night before, much to her delight. I guess we Yankees fans know a thing or two about good shortstops.

It’s hard to put into words how much those final conversations mean to me. I never could’ve imagined that the next time I saw her would be our last moments together.

As I write this, I feel that overpowering sense of grief. This year didn’t start off the way I wanted it too, and really, it hasn’t gotten much better. There have been good moments, of course, but there have been a lot of sad ones, too.

It’s funny, though: As I think about

“Sandwich” — a book I decided to read maybe an hour or so after Grandma sent me well-wishes for the new year — I realize I can feel this way because before grief, there was love.

What I’m feeling is love imploding. I can’t say I’ve enjoyed the experiences I’ve endured this year, but I’m grateful that Grandma loved us so deeply that her absence leaves me with such a profound sense of loss, which is really just a testament to the type of person she was. All of us would be lucky to be loved so deeply, so consistently, by someone like her.

They say time heals all wounds, but I don’t always think that’s fair. The hurt I’ve felt these past few months may fade, but there will always be this void in my heart that only she could fill. I’ll wait forever, I hope, to see her again.

As her love expands in her absence, I hope to carry it with me everywhere — through every book I read, every milestone I reach and every ordinary day in between. If grief is love imploding, then maybe what follows is love reshaping itself, reminding me that she’s still here, in everything I do.

Jordan Vallone is deputy managing editor of Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.

Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island work together to reduce the burden of commercial tobacco use and support a healthier, tobacco-free Long Island.

Since the inception of the state’s comprehensive Tobacco Control Program 25 years ago, cigarette smoking among adults in the state has dropped dramatically, from 23.2 percent in 2001 to 9.3 percent in 2023. Nassau and Suffolk counties have achieved two of the five lowest smoking rates in the state. There has also been a striking decrease in youth smoking since 2000, when 27.1 percent of high school youth reported cigarette use. The latest data show a 92 percent drop, to just 2.1 percent.

Nonetheless, the tobacco industry continues to harm New Yorkers. Industry documents reveal how tobacco companies have deliberately marketed menthol cigarettes to specific populations, including LGBTQ, Black and Hispanic communities, for decades. Data from the Adult Tobacco Survey highlight these disparities: Menthol cigarette use was highest among adults who identify as Black or African American (88 percent) and those who identify as Hispanic (70 percent).

The use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is on the rise, especially among youth. Vaping exposes users to serious health risks such as heart disease, lung cancer, asthma attacks and long-term effects from toxic metals. Nicotine can harm the developing brains of adolescents, and nearly one in five high school students in our state report vaping. Add-

ing to the concern, social media have begun promoting pouches as a cheaper alternative to weight-loss drugs.

The closing of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health puts years of progress at risk. Without this support, states will have a harder time keeping prevention and quit-smoking programs strong. These programs have helped countless families in New York and around the country live healthier lives. The cuts will hit vulnerable communities the hardest.

Here in New York, funding cuts have led to the layoff of more than a dozen key members of the state’s tobacco

control program. This could weaken our free State Quitline services, reduce support for the Health Systems program and limit several other vital tobacco-control initiatives.

It’s imperative that we continue to employ comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco product use and nicotine addiction. The decline in cigarette smoking is worth celebrating, but there is still more work to be done.

FINAL WEEKEND OPEN COLUMBUS DAY