________ Franklin square/elmont _______
HERALD May the fourth move with you
Portraits of growth, identity
Care beyond the clinic
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VoL. 28 No. 19
MAY 7 - 13, 2026
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Carmela’s is home again and a brief period under outside ownership, Car mela’s struggled to maintain its A longtime neighborhood f o o t i n g . T h i s y e a r i t fixture is back in business: returned to the family, when C a r m e l a ’ s P i z z e r i a h a s cousin Rick Calia stepped in reopened under new owner- t o t a ke ove r o p e r a t i o n s, ship, bringing renewed ener- deter mined to preserve its gy — and familiar faces — to legacy. Calia, a sanitation worker the Franklin Square commufor the Town of Hempstead nity. A family-run community f o r 3 5 y e a r s b e f o r e h e hub since 1971, Car mela’s retired, and the owner of was founded by Bart Calia, Calia Construction, had no who named it for his wife prior experience in the restaurant business. and built its repuStill, he said he tation on family was motivated — recipes that made especially by his it a welcoming son, Rick Jr. — place for generaand confident in tions of local resithe support of his dents. In 1999 the family. restaurant, on “We just want Hempstead Turnto bring it back to pike, expanded to the way it was,” include an adjoin- RICk CALIA Calia said. “The ing Italian dining Owner, Carmela’s response from the s p a c e, a n d w a s community has overseen by Bart and Carmel a ’ s s o n , A n t h o n y, w h o been unbelievable.” Now run by Calia, his son, played a central role in the business and was widely his brother-in-law and his extended family, the restaupopular in the community. When Anthony died at age rant has returned to a model 32 in 2004, the loss was felt centered on family involvefar beyond the Calia family. ment and longtime staff. SevBut loyal customers contin- eral employees who worked ued to return, holding on to at Car mela’s for decades their connection with both have returned, helping mainthe restaurant and the mem- tain that continuity. The reopening has drawn ories tied to it. Amid a closure in 2024 large crowds. During a soft
By HAILEY FULMER
hfulmer@liherald.com
Courtesy Franklin Square School District
At Washington Street School, the stage echoed with beats from Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.,” a production partnered with Plaza Theatricals, Nassau County’s only professional theatre company.
The district hits some high notes By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
For the fourth consecutive year, the Franklin Square School District has been recognized for its strong commitment to the performing arts, earning the prestigious Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation. NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, is a nonprofit that promotes music-making for people of all ages, supporting music education through grants, research and public programs, and serving as the charitable organization connected to the music products industry. The Best Communities designation celebrates school systems that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. District leaders and educators credited the recognition to passionate teachers, strong student participation and a supportive community that continues to prioritize
the arts. “I think, first and foremost, is our educators,” Deputy Superintendent Maura Gallagher said in explaining how Franklin Square’s continued success in music has been achieved. “Their passion is contagious.” Gallagher said the district has steadily expanded opportunities for students across its three elementary schools — Washington Street School, Polk Street School and John Street School — by putting on annual musical productions, enhancing band and chorus access, and exposing students early on to the performing arts. Christina Tuzzolo, a music teacher at Polk Street, has been submitted for consideration for a Music Educator Award after receiving strong support from the community. Her submission places her in a pool of candidates from which the Recording Academy will select 200 nominees, eventually narrowing the group to 10 finalists. CoNTiNueD oN PAge 5
I
just want to see this place successful again.
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