Lynbrook and East Rockaway seniors were celebrated by their communities before heading to prom during annual pre-prom events on June 25. In East Rockaway, above, residents gathered at the village waterfront for the annual Pre-Prom Parade. In Lynbrook, at right, the Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual
Party along Atlantic Avenue, where seniors walked the promenade. Stories pages 8,10.
By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Patriotic songs echoed throughout Lynbrook Public Library on June 22, when dozens of West End Elementary School second-graders helped transport residents back to the Revolutionary War era during a special America 250 celebration, while exploring the area’s own role in the nation’s founding.
The evening brought together the library, the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook, the Lynbrook School District and local historians to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The event reached capacity as West End students, their families and community members filled the library’s meeting room.
The program featured presentations from Lynbrook Village Historian Art Mattson and East Rockaway Village Historian Frank Torre, along with performances by the West End
School Patriotic Singers.
“It really was an honor to be part of this,” Jodi Abrams, West End’s general music and chorus teacher, said. “There’s only one time ever that we have a 250th anniversary, and I’m excited it landed on this year and this particular group of students. I am appreciative of the collaboration between the Lynbrook schools, library and historical society.”
Abrams said the opportunity came after Mattson reached out to Lynbrook Schools Superintendent Paul Lynch looking for a musical performance to accompany the presentation. Since Abrams’ second graders had spent the school year learning patriotic songs for their annual spring performance, she volunteered to have them perform at the library.
“They were really excited,” Abrams said. “Usually, community event musical performances tend to include the older students. Our fourth and fifth grade chorus takes part in a lot of community events, so for second graders, they don’t
Continued on page 3
Lynbrook Kindergarten Center students celebrated the end of their first year of school during a moving-up ceremony on June 24 at Lynbrook High School.
The Class of 2038 marked the occasion by wearing colorful caps and performing songs led by music teacher Lauren Behan, including “It’s a Small World,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” “Rainbow Connection,” “Time to Say Goodbye” and “On My Way.”
During the ceremony, members of the Kindergarten Parents’ Club thanked the school’s staff for their support and presented Principal Ellen Postman with a special recognition.
In a letter to the graduates, Postman encouraged students to continue embracing new experiences with confidence and curiosity as they prepare to enter first grade.
— Kayla Dechter
It was a moment of pride for the now-first graders.
ConTinuEd FRoM pAgE 1
always have this opportunity. They were very enthusiastic and joyful to have another chance to perform.”
About 40 students participated, many of them accompanied by their parents, grandparents and siblings. The students opened the program with five patriotic songs, including “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “I Love America.”
As the students rehearsed throughout the year, Abrams said, they also learned the stories behind songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” helping them understand how music reflects American history.
“I think it’s important and meaningful so that they can appreciate our community and feel more connected with it,” she said. “Especially as they continue to learn about American history, they can connect it to their knowledge and understanding of Lynbrook’s rich history.”
Following the students’ performance, Mattson and Torre shared stories about the Revolutionary War’s connections to the Lynbrook and East Rockaway areas, including a little-known armed confrontation between Patriots and Loyalists near what is now Lakeview before the Battle of Long Island.
“Not many people know this, but one of the early engagements of the war took place not so far from Lynbrook,” Torre said.
He also spoke about Robert Davidson, an East Rockaway patriot who served in the Continental Navy, noting that many residents of southern Hempstead at the time remained loyal to the British Crown.
Torre said learning local history helps residents better understand both their community and the sacrifices made by previous generations.
“You have to learn from the mistakes of the previous generation,” he said. “If you forget the trials and tribulations they’ve gone through, you’re never going to learn anything.”
As the nation prepares to celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial, Torre said he hopes residents leave with a deeper appreciation for those who fought for the country’s independence.
“I think how hard people fought for them to have freedom and live in the country they have today,” he said. “It wasn’t easy. It was very brutal, and people forget that.”
The evening also included colonial-era refreshments, opportunities for families to meet costumed
portrayals of George and Martha Washington, and a patriotic singalong to close the program.
Kathy Buchsbaum, assistant director of the Lynbrook Public Library and head of adult programming and outreach, said the event grew out of the library’s longstanding partnership with the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook.
“It was a really successful night,” Buchsbaum said. “People left happy and patriotic, and there was a love of people for this community that gets together. Being together that night was a very special moment for all of us.”
In an email following the event, Mattson said the evening exceeded expectations and credited the students with making the program memorable.
“I am still all aglow following Monday night,” Mattson wrote. “From comments I heard, the crowd was immensely pleased. How could we fail with those second-graders totally stealing the show!”
Superintendent Lynch echoed those sentiments in an email, thanking everyone involved in the collaboration.
“I cannot express how proud the district is to have played a part,” Lynch wrote. “A community partnership like this is what Lynbrook is all about.”
Attending the America 250 celebration at the Lynbrook public Library on June 22 were, from far left, Lynbrook police Chief Brian paladino, nori and Art Mattson, Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach and deputy Mayor Michael Hawxhurst.
been right here on Long Island. We are proud to stand alongside the local organizations, neighbors, and companies that keep our region thriving today.
we are building the next chapter of our story.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited Nassau Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour, highlighting New York’s free community college program for adult learners and the college’s nursing and health care programs.
SUNY Reconnect, launched in fall 2025 under Gov. Kathy Hochul, covers tuition, fees, books and supplies for New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 who do not already have a college degree and are pursuing an associate degree in a high-demand field.
King’s visit also spotlighted a recent expansion of the program. Under the state’s newly enacted budget, adults seeking a nursing degree may now qualify for SUNY Reconnect even if they already hold a degree in another field, a change intended to help address the state’s health care workforce shortage.
“SUNY Reconnect allows us to create life-changing opportunities for adult learners and their families,” King said. “With this initiative, we remove barriers to higher education and reinforce the fact that it is never too late to follow your dreams.”
Nassau Community College Chief Administrative Officer Maria Conzatti said the college will continue to build on the state’s investment.
“Nassau Community College is proud to see the continued investment and confidence from SUNY and our partners in state government,” Conzatti said. “We will continue to support our community and region by offering dynamic programming and providing students of all ages with an affordable option for excellent academic opportunities.”
According to SUNY, nursing and other health care programs were the most popular fields among SUNY Reconnect participants during the program’s first year. Early data also showed students enrolled through SUNY Reconnect had higher fall-to-spring retention rates than other adult learners.
The program funds associate degrees in several high-demand industries, including nursing and allied health,
advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, artificial intelligence, green and renewable energy, technology and teacher preparation in shortage areas. Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, aviation management, emergency management and supply chain/logistics programs will also be eligible.
To support the initiative, Nassau Community College received $220,000 to hire a full-time advisor to assist Reconnect students with enrollment, scheduling and retention, as well as community outreach and tutoring. The college also received $35,000 to purchase advanced simulation and clinical equipment to expand capacity in its nursing and respiratory care programs.
More information about SUNY Reconnect programs at Nassau Community College is available at NCC.edu/ admissions/suny-reconnect.shtml.
—Jordan Vallone
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook or www.liherald.com/eastrockaway
By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Lynbrook resident Jacob Podgorsky never expected a routine doctor’s visit would change the course of his life.
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 28, Podgorsky has spent the past three years learning how to manage a disease that requires constant monitoring, daily insulin and careful planning. Rather than letting the diagnosis define him, however, he has turned it into motivation.
This November, Podgorsky will run his first New York City Marathon as a member of the Breakthrough T1D charity team, raising money to support research, advocacy and programs for those living with Type 1 diabetes. He hopes to raise $5,000 while showing others that a diagnosis does not have to limit what they can accomplish.
“I’ve really tried to do hard things to grow as a person,” he said. “I know there are a lot of Type 1 diabetics that probably wouldn’t attempt to do something like that, and it’s a challenge.”
A lifelong Lynbrook resident, Podgorsky grew up in the village, worked at the Greis Park pool as a teenager and recently returned after spending several years living in Queens. He is now studying to become an emergency medical technician through Nassau Community College with the goal of entering its radiologic technology program. Earlier this year, he also joined the Lynbrook Fire Department as a volunteer with Engine Company No. 1.
“I’ve been here a long time and I love it,” he said. “It’s close to the city, I have my friends here, and there’s always something to do.”
Before his diagnosis, Podgorsky described life as carefree. He enjoyed traveling, working out and staying active without giving much thought to what he ate or
how his body responded. Today, every meal and every workout requires planning.
Managing Type 1 diabetes means tracking blood sugar levels around the clock and balancing insulin with food and exercise. Even marathon training requires careful preparation, from eating carbohydrate-rich meals before long runs to carrying candy to quickly raise his blood sugar if it drops during training.
Despite those challenges, running has become one of the ways he has regained confidence. After completing the Brooklyn Half Marathon in May, he was selected to represent Breakthrough T1D in the New York City Marathon.
The experience has also given him an opportunity to educate others about a disease often misunderstood.
“People think you can only get Type 1 diabetes as a kid, but adults can get it too,” he said. “Everybody’s diabetes is different, and you can still live your life.”
Since being diagnosed, Podgorsky has continued to travel, including spending two months living in Norway, refusing to let diabetes keep him from pursuing his goals. He credits his parents and friends for helping him adjust, whether by preparing meals, helping him access medications or simply supporting him along the way.
Looking ahead to November, Podgorsky hopes his marathon journey encourages others in Lynbrook to challenge themselves, no matter what obstacles they face.
“If people want to do hard things, they should do it,” he said. “Don’t let a diagnosis stop you from doing the things you want to do. Learn about it, take care of yourself and keep living your life.”
Those interested in supporting Podgorsky’s fundraising efforts for Breakthrough T1D can donate through his marathon fundraising page at www2.breakthrought1d. org/goto/JPT1D.
Lynbrook native C.J. Nelson will return to his hometown next month to celebrate the release of his debut novel, The Exterminator, with a book signing at LI Comic Shop in Lynbrook.
The supernatural horror and action novel follows Hudson Dubois, a third-generation monster hunter in Louisiana who is called in when something terrifying begins tearing through farms, families and long-buried secrets. Drawing on Southern Gothic folklore, occult mystery and fast-paced action, Nelson said the book is inspired by the comic books that first sparked his love of storytelling.
Nelson said he struggled with reading as a child until discovering Frank Miller’s Batman and Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing, which inspired him to become a writer. He also credited former Lynbrook teachers with encouraging his interest in literature and creative writing.
“In middle school, Mr. Fausto made Shakespeare fun. He’d act out Macbeth and even jump on his desk during class. That’s really what got me interested in the classics,” Nelson said.
A lifelong Lynbrook resident, Nelson said returning to a comic shop in his hometown for the signing is especially meaningful because comics were his introduction to storytelling.
The book signing will be held Tuesday, July 8, at LI Comic Shop, 1 Stauderman Ave., Lynbrook.
— Kayla Dechter
“It feels very full-circle,” Nelson said. “I’m excited to meet readers, talk about monsters, horror, writing and comics, and sign copies of The Exterminator.”
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
It was a banner season for not only the New York Knicks but also for many high school athletic teams in the Herald’s coverage area. Listed are the top team accomplishments, in chronological order.
1. Seaford girls soccer
It was a full-circle moment for Kaylie Conklin and 11 other Seaford seniors. Conklin scored off a rebound in the 11th minute of the Nassau Class A girls’ soccer championship game Nov. 1 and that’s all the offense the Vikings needed to capture their second county title in four years, 1-0 over Plaindege. The lone goal originated from a corner kick off the foot of Meghan Stovall, and Grace Cullingford was credited with the assist. Goalkeeper Caden Calderaro had the shutout.
2. Oceanside girls soccer
Fresh off its first county title in 45 years, Oceanside’s girls soccer engineered another historic victory Nov. 2, fending off surging Syosset, 2-0, to repeat as Nassau Class AAA champions. The Sailors won it behind a lights-out performance from goalkeeper Ella Murray and goals from Ava Bowers and Gianna Visone. Bowers scored unassisted in the 9th minute and assisted on Visone’s insurance goal in the 51st minute. Oceanside also took its first Long Island title, defeating Northport 1-0 on Cathryn Evans’ overtime goal Nov. 8.
3. South Side girls soccer
South Side had to work overtime and beyond to capture its third county title in the past five seasons. For a second straight game, the Cyclones needed some penalty kick magic to emerge as Nassau Class AA girls’ soccer champions. After battling top-seeded Garden City to a 1-1 draw through 80 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of overtime in the final, they outscored the Trojans 4-3 in PKs Nov. 2. Molly Barry, South Side’s sixth shooter, delivered the golden PK goal and immediately jumped into the waiting arms of goalkeeper Abby Gruner, who not only made two dynamic PK saves but also scored.
4.
South Side’s 32-year wait ended. The Cyclones won the New York State Class A girls’ volleyball championship Nov. 22, outlasting Williamsville South 25-22, 18-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-12 in Glens Falls. It was their second state title in program history and first since 1993, when the program captured the Class B crown. The decisive fifth set embodied everything about the Cyclones’ resilience.
They fell behind 5-1 before storming back with a 7-2 run sparked by two kills and a serving ace from Keira Mullaney. They led 8-7 at the side switch, and after Williamsville tied it at 11, the Cyclones seized control by scoring four of the final five points to claim the title.
5. Seaford football
To win a county championship, the Seaford football team needed to exorcise some demons. On Halloween, the Vikings suffered their lone loss of the season to a scary good Plainedge team at their intimidating home stadium. In a true team effort, Seaford put the memories of that defeat to bed by defeating the Red Devils, 21-7, to capture the Nassau Conference IV title Nov. 22. Seaford’s opening statement was a 12-play, 65-yard drive in which quarterback Michael Spinella (165 yards, two touchdowns) went 7-of-8, connecting with Mark Villeck and Peter Barone as well as Brian Falk, who capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Vikings in front.
6. Wantagh football
Down 14 points to Bethpage early in the second quarter of the Nassau Conference III football championship game
Nov. 22, Wantagh didn’t flinch. The fourth-seeded Warriors cut the margin to one by halftime and eventually built a 14-point lead of their own before holding on for a 28-21 victory over the Golden Eagles. Luke Martini had three offensive touchdowns and an interception on defense. It marked the first time in program history Wantagh has captured back-to-back county titles. It lost 19 players from last year’s Nassau Conference IV and Long Island Class IV championship team.
7. Massapequa football
Massapequa’s football team made history Nov. 28, defeating Ward Melville, 14-12, to win the Long Island Class I title. The Chiefs joined William Floyd as the only teams in the Long Island Championship’s 33-year history to win three consecutive Class I crowns. The Colonials did so from 2005-07. And Massapequa, which topped Oceanside for the Nassau Conference I crown, did it by going undefeated for the ninth time in program history and the second time in the last three years.
8. Plainedge girls basketball
The No. 4 seed in the Nassau Class A girls’ basketball playoffs left no doubt
who’s No. 1. Junior-led Plainedge capped a sensational county tournament run March 6 with a resounding 48-28 victory over Floral Park in the championship game. “It’s really amazing and unbelievable,” said Allison Younghans, who led all scorers with 17 points. It’s the second county title in five seasons and third all-time for the Red Devils, who beat Shoreham-Wading River for the L.I. title. Maddie Belz scored 10 points off the bench, and Peyton Wise and Michela Netto added 9 and 7 points, respectively.
9. South Side boys basketball
In a packed Farmingdale State College gymnasium March 7, South Side gave Roslyn a taste of its own medicine, dropping a season-high 82 points in capturing the Nassau Class AA boys basketball championship game by a 15-point margin. Roslyn averaged 75 points but was held to 20 in the opening half and 67 on the night as the Cyclones captured their second county title in four years. South Side went on a 22-2 run from the last bucket of the first quarter to the end of the opening half, to take a 32-20 halftime lead. Trevor Walsh recorded eight of his career-high 23 points during the surge, while Ryan Schmitt, John Pericolosi, Connor Erickson and Kieran Vetter combined for the other 14 points.
10. Baldwin boys basketball
It was a freak accident at a practice in early January when Rian Gittens heard the pop in his knee and immediately thought the worst. “I thought my season was over,” the senior forward said. It was another example of adversity in a season full of it for the Baldwin boys basketball team. So when the Bruins were slow coming out of the gate and trailed by 13 in the second quarter of the Nassau Class AAA championship game March 7, it was just the latest obstacle for Baldwin to hurdle. Enter Gittens, who in his first game back from a torn MCL provided the needed offensive spark to help top-seeded Baldwin defeat Port Washington, 47-40, to win a sixth consecutive county title.
11. Baldwin girls basketball
In a Baldwin’s once-comfortable 19-point lead over Walt Whitman in the Long Island Class AAA girls’ basketball title game whittled down to five with less than three minutes remaining when its lone returning starter from last season’s state championship team made sure it wouldn’t be her high school finale. Senior guard Alyssa Polonia’s long trey from the top of the key with 2:46 to go provided the dagger in Baldwin’s 54-46 victory March 11. Her four free throws in the final minute sealed the program’s
eighth L.I. crown in head coach Tom Catapano’s 17 seasons at the helm. Polonia had a team-high 17 points, Malia Robinson added 11 and Ajeya Nicholas chipped in 8.
12. MacArthur flag football
Alexa Coppola caught a pass through the heavy rainfall from junior quarterback Gina Iannuzzi and toe-tapped in the back of the end zone to secure MacArthur’s first flag football county title May 23 at LIU Post over Plainedge, 13-9, in the Class B championship game. On fourth and goal from the 9-yard line, Iannuzzi rolled right and found a leaping Coppola, who got one foot down with just a few turf pellets between her toe and the white out-of-bounds line. The Generals went on to capture the L.I. Class B crown.
13. Massapequa girls lacrosse
Massapequa girls lacrosse ran away with the Nassau Class A championship May 27, defeating Syosset 13-5 to take the county title in convincing fashion. Savanna Appleton led the way with four goals and four assists. In a three-game playoff stretch that also included victories over East Meadow and Port Washington, Massapequa outscored opponents 43-10, a commanding run as the top seed. The Chiefs have won nine county championships in the last 11 years, including six straight since 2021.
14. South Side girls lacrosse
Tara Cody was unfazed when South Side’s girls lacrosse season hung in the balance in the final minute of the Nassau Class C final against Wantagh May 28. The senior goalie squared up for her
second free position shot in a matter of minutes in a tie game, but unlike the first attempt Cody made a crucial low stick save. Cody’s clutch stop, one of her eight on the day, set the stage for more heroics at the other end of the field when freshman Juliet Diorio scored with just 2.3 seconds left to propel South Side to an 8-7 victory and a repeat county title.
15. Massapequa softball
Dropping three straight games to Oceanside didn’t faze defending Nassau and Long Island Class AAA softball champ Massapequa. The Chiefs, who fell twice to the Sailors during the regular season and dropped the best-of-three county finals series opener, stayed alive with a wild come-from-behind victory in Game 2 and kept the momentum going in the third and deciding game for a repeat. Samantha Dolan went 3-for-4 with five RBIs, Sienna Erker scored three runs and pitcher Alexa O’Mallon scattered five hits as Massapequa squeaked past Oceanside, 7-6, May 29 for its fifth county title in six years.
16. Wantagh boys lacrosse
Wantagh captured its third straight Nassau Class C boys lacrosse championship June 1, rolling to a 15-7 victory over South Side. Warriors goalie Gianni Passaro came up huge, making 15 saves. Martini, Matt Giacobello and Sean Stachlik each had three goals and one assist, Joe Nicholson and Carter Loughman had two goals and two assists apiece, and Devin Paccione had two goals to lead Wantagh’s high-octane offense. The Warriors advanced to beat Sayville, 12-11, for their second straight Long Island title.
17. Wantagh softball
It was fitting the Long Island Class A softball championship game ended with a strikeout from Wantagh’s Lucy Olore. The junior pitcher fanned 12 and provided all the offensive support she’d need with a two-run single in the top of the first inning of the Warriors’ 3-0 victory over two-time defending champion Miller Place June 6. It was Wantagh’s third L.I. title and first since 1990 — also won on the same date that year.
18. Calhoun softball
Five days after capturing their first Nassau County title, the Colts added another chapter to the history books. Calhoun had never played for a Long Island softball title before June 6, but the Colts proved more than worthy of sharing the same stage with defending Class AA champion East Islip. Featuring a wicked curveball, sophomore pitcher Sophia Nicastro was dialed in. She struck out 14 and allowed only six baserunners in a dominant performance to lead a 7-1 victory.
19. Kennedy baseball
It was a dream season for Bellmore JFK baseball. After dramatically winning their first county championship, the Cougars claimed their first Long Island crown, defeating Hauppauge, 9-3, to win the Class AA title June 6. Ryan Yormack set the tone with a leadoff double in the first inning and scored on an error. A sacrifice fly by Matt Toliplano gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead. Dylan Babek got the win on the mound and Derek Yormack retired all six batters he faced for the save.
20. Plainedge baseball
With Plainedge’s Taylor Nitsch and Kings Park’s Everett Zarzicki on the mound, it wasn’t going to take many runs to come away with the Long Island Class A baseball championship June 6. And it was the bat of an unlikely source, Dylan Loccisano, who provided all the offense the Red Devils needed to capture their first L.I. title since 2012. The backup catcher’s two-run, basesloaded single to right with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning was all Plainedge needed to secure a 2-0 victory.
21. Massapequa baseball
Massapequa ace Jack Scannapieco was back and made sure the Chiefs were back on top of the mountain, defeating Liverpool, 7-1, to capture the New York State Class AAA baseball championship at Binghamton University June 13. Scannapieco earned the win, allowing one earned run on five hits, while striking out five with one walk in five innings. Joe Genova went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored for Massapequa, which defeated Port Washington for the Nassau County title and Connetquot for the Long Island crown.
The freight train known as Massapequa’s boys lacrosse team made one final stop in Geneva. The Chiefs’ offense hummed like a locomotive once again, producing at least four goals in every quarter of their 19-9 victory over West Genessee in the New York State Class A championship game June 14. Rocco Spallina had four goals and Nolan Wieczorek and Jake Byrnes added hat tricks.
East Rockaway seniors were celebrated by family, friends and community members during the village’s annual Pre-Prom Parade at the East Rockaway Waterfront on June 25 before heading to prom.
Students and their dates walked along the waterfront, stopping for photos and greeting spectators as residents gathered to wish them well on one of the biggest nights of their high school careers.
Hosted by Mayor Gordon Fox and the Village Board of Trustees, the annual event provides a safe and scenic setting for graduates to celebrate with the community before leaving for prom.
— Kayla Dechter
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The Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce welcomed graduating seniors and their guests to its annual Pre-Prom Party, a community tradition that has been held for more than 25 years.
Before heading to prom, students walked the Atlantic Avenue promenade, greeted family, friends and community members, and appeared on Lynbrook TV while showing off their formal attire.
The annual event gives residents an opportunity to celebrate the graduating class and wish students well before one of the biggest nights of their high school careers.
–Kayla Dechter
Two Lynbrook students attending Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts were recognized for their achievements in the performing arts after being inducted into prestigious honor societies during a ceremony held earlier this spring.
Giovanna Cerino was inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, which recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding artistic merit, leadership and academic achievement while promoting dance as an art form. Sophia Schoen was inducted into the International Thespian Society, an organization that honors students for excellence in theater and encourages continued involvement through educational programs, workshops and scholarship opportunities.
Cerino and Schoen were among 49 Long Island High School for the Arts students representing 26 Nassau County school districts who were inducted into one of four distinguished national and international honor societies.
The honor societies celebrate students who have excelled in their artistic disciplines while also demonstrating leadership, service and strong academic performance. The annual induction ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of students across a range of performing arts programs and highlights their commitment to their craft both inside and outside the classroom.
— Kayla Dechter
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Hempstead Town Councilwoman Laura Ryder, left, congratulated Elizabeth Canty and Lyla Gaffoor of Troop 2168 after they received the Girl Scouts Gold Award during a recognition ceremony. Also pictured at right is Lynbrook Village Trustee Rob Boccio.
Hempstead Town Councilwoman Laura Ryder joined family members, friends and local officials on May 29 to recognize two local Girl Scouts who earned the organization’s highest honor, the Gold Award.
Ryder congratulated Elizabeth Canty and Lyla Gaffoor, both members of Troop 2168, during a recognition ceremony held at the Vulcan Firehouse in Lynbrook. The Gold Award recognizes Girl Scouts who demonstrate leadership, dedication and a commitment to
making a lasting impact through community service projects that address issues affecting their communities. Lynbrook Village Trustee Rob Boccio also attended the ceremony to honor the recipients and celebrate their achievement. The event recognized the hard work, leadership and service that Canty and Gaffoor demonstrated throughout their time in Girl Scouts and in completing the requirements necessary to earn the prestigious Gold Award.
— Kayla Dechter
The Lynbrook Fire Department earned several top honors during its 125th Anniversary Parade and the Fourth Battalion Parade on Saturday, taking home Best Appearing awards for its membership, Ladies Auxiliary and Junior Fire Department.
Valley Stream Fire Department was named the overall parade winner.
The awards were presented during a ceremony following the parade. Lynbrook’s
chiefs accepted trophies on behalf of the department, while members of the Ladies Auxiliary and Junior Fire Department were also recognized for their winning entries.
The parade celebrated the Lynbrook Fire Department’s 125 years of service while bringing together departments from across the Fourth Battalion.
— Kayla Dechter
Celebrate America’s 250th at the Cradle of Aviation Museum!
Summer 2026 Starts Here.
See a real Lunar Module
Watch a Giant-Screen Movie
Walk the Air & Space Trail
Discover Aviation History
Sit in an Airplane Cockpit
Eat Astronaut Ice Cream
This year, skip the airport lines, expensive hotels, and rising travel costs. America’s 250th anniversary is happening right here in your own backyard.
Join us for a summer-long celebration of aviation, innovation, exploration, and discover with special exhibits, family events, and full-dome films on Long Island’s largest screen!
From early air fields to the Moon, Long Island helped shape America’s story. Come celebrate where history took flight. Scan the QR code or visit www.cradleofaviation.org/celebrate250 for a complete list of ongoing celebrations and special events.
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Cynthia Nuñez Legislator 14th District
Dean Castagnaro Inc.
General Contractor
DciRemodeling.com
DGNY Property Management
Melville dgnypropertymanagement.com
Donna M. Ferrara
East Rockaway
The Awakening Summit
Donna Stefans Woodbury StefansLawGroup.com
Dr. Glen Shanock Long Beach
Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth
Dr. Helen Hsieh
Vibrance 360 Vibrance360.co
Dr. Jamie Rockwin, P.T., DPT
Merrick
Therapeutic Solutions
Physical Therapy
Dr. Kimon Bekelis
The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island strokecarelongisland.com
Dr. Paul C. Carey, D.D.S. Massapequa
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Dr. Ron Mark
Founder & CEO
Mark Medical Care markmedicalcare.com
Elisa’s Restaurant N Jerusalem Rd. Bellmore ElisaRestaurant.com
Episcopal Health Services
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Eric Wiggins CEO, Didit Marketing didit.com
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Lynbrook
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Liberty Coca Cola
Gaby Paulino
West Babylon
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George Martin
The Original
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George Martin’s Strip Steak
George Martin Group
Great River
Geri Barish, Executive Director
Hewlett House
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Greg Massimi
Bethpage
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Hapi Auer
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Lynbrook
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Irving J. Kaminetsky
Sanitary District 1
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Ivania Flores, Realtor
Medford
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Elmont
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Freeport
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Jennifer DeSena Manhasset
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Joseph Petraro
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Joshua Marino CFP®, ChFC® East Moriches
Edward Jones
Ken Dookram, Agent
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To read the Declaration of Independence see the editorial page.
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Maxine Mayreis, DC, DACS
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Melissa A. Matassa Insurance Agency Owner
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By HUNTER FENOLLOL hfenollol@liherald.com
Joe Gaeta remembers spotting mines off Normandy
When Joe Gaeta looks at the American flag today, the feeling is simple.
“I’m proud of myself,” he said.
The Wantagh resident turned 99 on March 9, making him one of the last surviving members of the generation that fought and served during World War II. More than eight decades after helping support the Allied invasion of Normandy, Gaeta still carries memories of the war — and of the unlikely journey that took him there.
Gaeta grew up in the Ravenswood section of Long Island City during the Great Depression. Life was difficult. His family of five lived in a one-bedroom apartment, and there was no refrigerator, only an icebox, filled with blocks of ice delivered to the neighborhood.
“We didn’t have heat,” he recalled. “We had kerosene, and all our clothes stunk of kerosene.”
His parents worked at a local cigar company, as did many of their neighbors. Gaeta attended P.S. 83 but never went to high school. Instead, he entered the workforce and later became a laborer in construction.
At 17, with many of his older friends already serving, Gaeta decided he wanted to enlist.
“All my friends were gone,” he said. “I told my father I wanted to go.”
His parents were not thrilled by the decision, but they signed the paperwork, allowing him to join the U.S. Navy.
Gaeta served aboard a ship that transported troops to Normandy during the D-Day campaign. While thousands of soldiers stormed the beaches, he spent much of his time below deck in the engine room, making sure gauges and equipment were functioning properly.
“I didn’t see nothing,” he said with a laugh. “I was in the engine room.”
But he certainly heard the battle. During breaks, the sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed around the ship. After the invasion, his vessel helped recover American soldiers from the water.
“We picked up a lot of dead bodies,” he recalled quietly. “I was 17-years-old.” Gaeta was among the youngest men aboard his ship. While many of the sailors around him worried about wives and children back home, the teenager’s concerns were much different.
“A lot of guys had families,” he recalled. “Me, I’m 17-years-old. I’m talking about the Yankees and the Giants.”
Decades later, he still remembers viewing the war through the eyes of a teenager.
“To me, it was a great adventure,” he said. “It really didn’t dawn on me until I was about 21 what I did.”
T o me, it was a great adventure. It really didn’t dawn on me until I was about 21 what I did.
— JOE GaETa
One of Gaeta’s most important contributions came because of his exceptional eyesight. Navy officials recognized his ability to see long distances and frequently assigned him to the crow’s nest whenever the ship entered dangerous waters.
Twice, he spotted enemy mines.
The discoveries allowed naval crews to destroy the mines and alter the routes of ships following behind, helping protect countless service members.
“They made all the ships behind us take a different route,” Gaeta said proudly.
For his efforts, he received a reward that still makes him smile more than 80 years later: a day off and a steak dinner with the ship’s chef.
“They made a big deal out of me,” he said.
After the war, Gaeta returned home to a difficult job market as thousands of veterans searched for work. He found a path into the bricklayer’s union and built a career in the trades.
Today, he remains active with veter-
an’s organizations, including AMVETS and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During local parades, he often rides at the front.
“I’m the only World War II veteran,” he said. “When I walk in there, they make a big deal out of me.”
For Gaeta, service was never about recognition. But he hopes younger generations appreciate the sacrifices made by those who wore the uniform.
“You’re giving your life for your country,” he said. “It’s not something everybody does.”
Seaford Legion leader on service, sacrifice after 9/11 return to duty
For David VanderWerf, military service wasn’t a single chapter in his life — it was something he returned to when the country called again.
VanderWerf, adjutant of Edwin Welsh Jr. American Legion Post 1132 in Seaford and first division commander in the Nassau County American Legion, first enlisted at 17 in the National Guard and Reserve. But after the Sept. 11 attacks, he found himself drawn back to active duty.
“The impetus behind joining the regular Army was 9/11,” he said.
Raised in Glen Rock, N.J., VanderWerf said his interest in the military began early through a love of history and military simulation games with his father. Family members also served, including an uncle who flew bombing missions in World War II and another who spent decades in the Army Reserve.
After reentering service in 2003, VanderWerf deployed to South Korea,
where he spent nearly three years stationed near the Demilitarized Zone. There, he worked in combat arms on M1 Abrams tanks, serving as a driver, loader, gunner and briefly a tank commander.
A typical day, he said, began with physical training before long hours maintaining and repairing tanks in the motor pool. But the job also came with moments of high tension. He recalled monthly alerts simulating a potential North Korean attack, including one during the period when North Korea conducted its first nuclear test.
“We didn’t know why we were on alert at the time,” he said. “We were just ready.”
He also remembers the heavy responsibility of training soldiers who were later deployed to Iraq, some of whom were injured or killed in combat.
Despite those experiences, VanderWerf said morale among troops remained strong, grounded in camaraderie and shared purpose.
Today, VanderWerf has continued that sense of service through the American Legion, where he helps veterans navigate benefits, assists with community programs and participates in military funeral honors.
“Veterans and their families sacrificed a lot,” he said. “Freedom’s not free.”
For VanderWerf, the transition back to civilian life led him into leadership roles in restaurants and, later, continued community service on Long Island. But he said the core lesson of his military experience remains the same: service does not end when the uniform comes off.
As Wantagh residents gathered to honor veterans this Memorial Day, one of the community’s earliest patriots was remembered once again: Thomas Jackson, a Revolutionary War soldier whose roots run deep in the history of the hamlet.
Born on Dec. 24, 1754, in a house that once stood near present-day Jones Avenue, Jackson became an active supporter of the American cause during the fight for independence. Historical records show that he signed Queens County’s “Petition of Association” on Jan. 19, 1776 — a local declaration of support for the colonies’ break from British rule.
Jackson served as a private in the 4th Regiment of New York troops and helped defend local interests during the Revolutionary War. On Aug. 13, 1776, he received bounty funds for men assigned to protect livestock in Queens County before the Battle of Long Island, preventing supplies from falling into Brit-
ish hands. He also participated in the capture of Fort St. George in 1780.
Following the war, Jackson remained a prominent local resident. In 1803, he built a large home in what is now Wantagh.
Jackson died on Nov. 29, 1842, and is buried in the Jackson Cemetery on Wantagh Avenue. More than 180 years later, his grave continues to serve as a reminder of Wantagh’s connection to the nation’s founding and the sacrifices made by its earliest patriots.
Reflecting on service during ‘forgotten war’
For Anthony Heckl, memories of military service stretch back more than seven decades, but some moments remain as clear as ever.
Heckl, a longtime Seaford resident and member of the Edwin Welsh Jr. American Legion Post 1132, served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War. Though he was only 19 when he enlisted, the experience left a lasting impression.
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
Laura Smith and Stacey Rose, whose ancestors have served in the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War, were named the co-grand marshals of the Village of Freeport’s Memorial Day Parade. Despite the parade being cancelled due to rain, the pair were honored during an indoor ceremony.
I’m just proud to know that I’m part of these courageous people’s bloodline, and it informs me.
StACEy RoSE
Co-grand marshal, Freeport Memorial Day Parade
Smith is an attorney who lives in Seaford and has many ties to Freeport, including owning a home in the village. She is a descendant of Revolutionary era figures Adam Smith and Benjamin Raynor, the latter the namesake of Raynortown, which eventually became Freeport.
Adam Smith joined patriotic brigades along the Long Island’s North Shore at 44 years-old, while Raynor was only 20 when he joined the fight for American independence.
Laura Smith said that she was tremendously honored by the invitation to be one of the grand marshals, and hoped that the values her family, and so many others, have fought for are maintained today.
“These guys kind of bucked a trend, since it was very loyalist around here on the South Shore,” she said, referring to
“I was 19 when I went in and 22 when I came out,” Heckl said.
A native of Manhattan, Heckl said his path into military service began almost by accident. During a New Year’s Eve gathering in 1950, a friend in the National Guard challenged him to enlist. Two days later, Heckl and another friend signed up.
His service took him from California to Korea and later Japan. Assigned to a construction engineer unit, he worked in supply, helping ensure soldiers had the equipment and clothing they needed.
The memory that stayed with him most was not the military work itself, but the devastation he witnessed in Korea.
“When I got there, it was the poverty and the devastation,” Heckl recalled. “It made me wonder what it’s all about. Why war?”
Korea’s harsh winters presented another challenge. Heckl remembered shortages of winter clothing and boots, making it difficult to keep troops supplied during the bitter cold.
One of his proudest accomplishments was helping make sure soldiers in his company had the gear they needed.
“We were trying to keep the troops in clothing,” he said.
Not every memory was difficult. Heckl fondly recalled helping build a 250-bed hospital in the city of Taegu. When the project was completed, he and his fellow soldiers were thanked by the nurses.
“At the end of it, all the nurses kissed us,” he said with a laugh.
Returning home after the war was not always easy. Unlike veterans of other conflicts, many Korean War veterans felt their service received little public recognition.
“At least the Vietnam veterans got cursed at,” Heckl joked. “They didn’t even know I was gone.”
Today, after more than 60 years on Long Island, Heckl remains active with the Seaford American Legion, where he continues to honor the friendships, service and sacrifices that defined his generation.
Smith and Raynor. “It was kind of a dangerous thing to do, and certainly unpopular that they did go against the tide.”
Smith also added that the legacies of
her ancestors inspire her to want to see the values of independence and fair representation upheld in today’s America.
“The government should be behold-
en to the people and should adhere to what it is that the people want, and not to forget that it’s for the people of the country,” she said. “Some people, they seem to be forgetting that.”
Rose, who has lived in Freeport for 40 years, is a substitute teacher at John W. Dodd Middle School, also in the village. She is a descendant of Benjamin Lattimore Sr., an enslaved Black man who was freed and later served in continental armies in New York during the Revolutionary War.
Lattimore’s descendants leading up to Rose have been very involved military service, abolitionist movements and civil rights. She speaks highly of the inspiration that her relatives provide and boldly works with her family to honor their legacy through publicly discussing the harsh treatments that Black U.S. service members and citizens often faced during the past 250 years.
“There’s a lot of Black American’s who have served in various capacities,” Rose said. “(President George) Washington didn’t want us in the military, but we were losing.”
Despite the wounds of persistent racism, Rose added she is honored to “give voice to my ancestors and give voice to everyone who served and continues to serve.”
“I’m just proud to know that I’m part of these courageous people’s bloodline, and it informs me,” Rose said during the Freeport ceremony. “It informs me the work is not over. Democracy is always a work in progress, a fragile idea. Today’s patriots are those who give military service for our country. … Our 250th anniversary is a time to reflect and think about the sacrifice of those who are no longer with us.”
By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
During the 250 years of its existence, the United States has experienced many domestic and global triumphs in large part due to the sacrifices and contributions of the millions of individuals who served in the military in various capacities.
In recognition of the ongoing service active-duty military members and veterans have offered this nation, several Long Island veterans shared their reflections on their service and what the celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary signifies to them.
Bill Morris, North Bellmore
Morris served in U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965, and was stationed in Arlington, Virginia, as a part of the Old Guard that watches over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial serves as a symbolic resting place for the many soldiers who died and whose remains were unidentifiable due to the state of the body, poor record keeping or technological limitations of the time.
Despite all of our differences, the country goes on — and we celebrate our heritage and our victories.
— BILL MoRRIS
He expressed that it was an honor to be a part of the Old Guard and serving the country in a unique way. In addition to guarding the tomb, he was a part of different ceremonies at the White House and parades at the Washington Monument. Morris also was a part of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in 1963 when JFK was assassinated in Dallas. When asked about what America 250 signifies to him, he reflected on how much history he had been a part of.
“It signifies that I’m getting old, because I remember the 200th anniversary,” he joked. “(The 250th) anniversary just shows that the country, despite all of our differences, goes on and we celebrate our heritage and we celebrate our victories.”
Photos courtesy Bill Morris
Bill Morris said he’s been “honored” to have participated in several emotional ceremonies, including the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.
Bill Morris has received several recognitions and awards for his service in the Old Guard.
Morris added that he hopes to see the U.S. government provide additional support for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and encourages the country to care more for veterans.
“There’s way too many veterans on the street,” he said. “Too many on drugs. They need more care, they need more mental health (resources), they need more benefits. And I know the Veterans Affairs are trying to do that.”
Lomonaco Angelo, Lynbrook Angelo, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1951 to 1955, also worked as a New York City police
years before serving as an American Legion chaplain.
Deliah Roberts/Herald
Herald reporter Andrew Francis with U.S. veteran Marie Carmel Houanche at the 2026 Freeport Memorial Day Ceremony at Freeport High School.
officer for 20 years. He said that the nation’s 250th birthday is “meaningful” and he also hopes to see the legacy of veterans honored better.
“People, don’t forget the veterans,” he asks, mentioning “the different eras to World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, until the present.”
Angelo does his part to try to honor fellow veterans by volunteering at the New York State Veterans Home in St. Albans.
Marie Carmel Houanche, Freeport
Houanche was a nurse in the U.S. Army for 20 years being sta-
tioned in Houston, Texas and other areas of the country. Despite retiring from the military in 2011, she has remained tied to it by serving as chaplain at the American Legion’s William Clinton Story Post No. 342 in Freeport.
Despite having not been a typical soldier, Houanche said that her experiences were transformative since she was required to still meet the same physical fitness requirements that regular soldiers met. She also learned how to speak French, Korean, French, Creole, Spanish, English and a bit of Russian throughout her life of service.
Houanche said that America’s 250th anniversary is both a celebration of progress and independence.
There’s way too many veterans on the street. They need more care, more mental health resources and more benefits.
— BILL MoRRIS
“The reason that we celebrate the 250th anniversary is because we have our freedom and independence, and if it wasn’t for the military, all the different branches working together, we wouldn’t be free today.”
Stephen Nicolino, Freeport
Nicolino, who recently celebrated his 94th birthday, was a U.S. Air Force traffic controller from 1952 to 1956. After graduating from high school, the same day as the Korean War started, he reported to basic training at the now closed Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca Lake, New York, and went on to be stationed at bases in Massachusetts and England. Following his service, he went on to graduate from Hofstra University with a degree in business administration. When asked about America 250, he said that he and his family have loved the U.S. for over a century.
“My parents came from Italy in 1921 and never looked back,” Nicolino said. “He became a citizen within five years of being here in the United States.”
Nicolino’s family ties to service and patriotism extends to his brother Benedetto Nicolino, who was a Suffolk County police officer in the 1950s and 1960s who would become the first Long Island police officer with a K-9 dog.
By Abbey Salvemini
Excitement is building as we head into Fourth of July weekend. All ages can find meaning and inspiration in this milestone 250th anniversary: even play takes on a patriotic twist. Long Island Children’s Museum provides young visitors a hands-on way to connect with America’s story as only kids can — by building and imagining. Through creativity and play, children can explore the country’s landscapes, wildlife and enduring symbols that are found in the museum’s “Red, White & Blue Blocks” exhibition.
At its core, the exhibit, which runs through Sept. 6, is built around a concept children readily understand. For Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president of program and visitor experience, the best way to introduce young visitors to the 250th anniversary was to frame it as a birthday celebration — one on a truly grand scale.
“Birthdays are such a big part of what kids love,” Terzulli says. “We wanted to recognize and really lean into the celebration.”
The exhibit features large blue foam building blocks paired with red, white and blue accessories that encourage open-ended creativity. Inspired by the stars and stripes of the American flag, block building lets kids imagine what futures they will build together.
Throughout the first floor gallery space, prompts invite families to build birthday cakes, create monuments and design perches for bald eagles, our national bird.
The museum also incorporated an environmental and geographic component by highlighting animals native to the United States.
Large murals showcase species including buffalo, elk, mountain goats, beavers and alligators, while children can use animal puppets and blocks to create habitats inspired by each creature’s natural environment.
“This country is just so beautiful,” Terzulli says. “There are so many environmental aesthetics and animals that are indigenous just to America.” Everyone is encouraged to study the murals for inspiration and think critically about the environments different animals call home. Some may build rugged mountain landscapes for goats, while others design swampy habitats for alligators complete with rivers
and marshes. What begins as a building exercise often opens the door to deeper discussions about ecosystems and the natural world.
“It’s really beautiful to see families looking at the murals and saying, ‘I don’t know if I’ve spent enough time traveling America’” Terzulli continues. “Our landscape is so unique.”
The exhibit’s open-ended design encourages children to chart their own creative paths. While some build patriotic displays or towering birthday cakes, others tackle ambitious engineering projects, from roller coasters to replicas of famous landmarks. No two building sessions look quite the same.
Terzulli recalls one child attempting to recreate Mount Rushmore with the oversized foam blocks. Other visitors have become fascinated with beavers, constructing dams after discovering the important role the animals play in shaping ecosystems.
• Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• View the events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
“The beautiful thing is they’re organic, and they allow the learning to spring up for whatever the family’s interest is,” she adds.
One particularly popular challenge involves designing perches for bald eagles.
“I’m loving seeing these perches for the eagle, because they get really competitive,” Terzulli says.
A cozy reading area stocked with books on geography, wildlife and state symbols extends the learning beyond the block-building space. The educational approach, according to Terzulli, reflects the museum’s broader vision for its America 250 programming — one that emphasizes exploration and celebration rather than history lessons. Her team intentionally took a different approach from many America 250 initiatives, focusing less on historical interpretation and more on helping children celebrate and connect with the country in age-appropriate ways.
“We’re not really doing the historical element,” she explains. “We felt like we’d leave that to historical homes and foundations. Ours is more about our country’s birthday.”
Beyond play, the exhibit and its companion programs are intended to foster shared family memories that can last a lifetime. Terzulli vividly remembers celebrating America’s Bicentennial in 1976 as a child and relates that today’s young visitors may someday reflect on the nation’s 250th birthday with similar fondness.
“I remember wearing a little bonnet and making a poster that said 1776 and marching with my siblings and cousins in [this] parade,” she recalls. “I want kids to remember where they were; so that when they’re my age, they’ll have a reflective moment.”
At its heart the exhibit is designed to foster the kinds of shared experiences that families carry with them long after the blocks have been put away. Amid the excitement surrounding America’s 250th, Terzulli sees the celebration as an opportunity to pause, connect and find joy together.
As Terzulli puts it: “Coming together and celebrating what makes life full of joy is important.”
Jones Beach is ready to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a spectacular three-day holiday weekend extravaganza. This year’s edition of the FourLeaf Air Show combines beachfront fireworks spectacle with one of the nation’s premier air shows, always an anticipated summer tradition. Festivities begin Saturday fireworks. The 25-minute display, presented by Garden State Fireworks, starts at 9:30 p.m. and will be synchronized to patriotic music. Sunday and Monday bring more excitement with the FourLeaf Air Show, headlined by the returning U.S. Navy Blue Angels. In a historic international tribute, the lineup also features the Royal Air Force Red Arrows making their first New York appearance, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds returning to Long Island for the first time since 2018, and the British Army Parachute Display Team Red Devils, among the exciting lineup. Together this is surely a signature semiquincentennial celebration that brings everyone together for a weekend honoring the nation’s history military service for a once-in-a-generation celebration.
Saturday through Monday, July 4-6. Jones Beach, Wantagh. More details available at fourleafairshow.com.
Fourth of July is so much more than pyrotechnics. Step back in time into the 1800s at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for a more laid back type of holiday. The historic village transforms into a fully immersive living-history experience. Events include a patriotic parade through the village streets, military drills, and historical reenactments that bring the era to life. Guests can watch craft demonstrations showcasing traditional trades, enjoy storytelling sessions, and take in performances by a brass band echoing the music of the period. A reading of the Declaration of Independence offers a powerful reminder of the holiday’s origins, while old-time baseball — played by vintage rules — adds a spirited, hands-on touch of recreation. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and settle in with family and friends.
Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409 for more.
2
Celebrate America
Eisenhower Park welcomes all to the county’s annual July 4th celebration. Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock perform, followed by drone show and fireworks.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Bubble Magic Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to the Bubbles exhibit for some extra sudsy fun! Through playful, hands-on experiments explore what makes a bubble form, what makes them pop, and discover new creative ways to make bubbles at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: East Rockaway Village Hall, (516) 887-6300
Oldies concert
Eisenhower Park goes all out for an Oldies show. E’Stefano diSanto, Johnny Farina, Bobby Wilson, Vito Picone & The Elegants and The Brookly Bridge perform.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time 7 p.m.
Family theater
Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm...must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 8
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
JUL 3 Lights, camera, Long Island!
The Long Island International Film Expo returns, bringing independent cinema from around the globe to local audiences. This year’s festival features 113 films representing countries including Spain, Hong Kong, Ghana, Wales, Singapore, Gibraltar and Nigeria, along with
The Bronx Wanderers visit the Paramount stage for a night of classic pop, rock, oldies and their signature brand of comedy. What do you get when a father, his two sons, and two high school classmates come together to create a show? A wildly entertaining mix of hilarious personal stories, a powerhouse playlist spanning every genre and decade, and one unforgettable family’s journey through life and music. Meet The Bronx Wanderers — a high-energy musical experience that’s been bringing audiences to their feet for over 20 years. With a unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia, modern hits, and dynamic storytelling, this band has mastered the art of connecting with fans of all ages in one sweeping, musical tour de force. The Bronx Wanderers have spent seven years as a Top 5 show in Las Vegas out of 223 productions. They’ve earned 12 “Best of Las Vegas” awards, were named Best Tribute Show by Las Vegas Weekly in 2022, hold a prestigious residency at the South Point Hotel and Casino, and were inducted into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame. Their on-stage chemistry and infectious energy they bring night after night prove they’re still having the time of their lives — and by the end of the show, you will be too.
productions from across the United States and a strong showcase of Long Island filmmakers. The festival opens with student film blocks at 6 and 9 p.m., including “Money Game,” winner of the 2026 Locust Valley Student Film Festival, directed by Justin Kwok. The diverse lineup includes documentaries, feature films, shorts, horror films, music videos and late-night screenings for mature audiences, along with workshops and more. Notable selections include “The Random Guest,” the final film featuring actor Peter Greene.
• Where: Bellmore Movies & Showplace, 222 PettitAve.,Bellmore
• Time: Varied, through July 16
• Contact: For a complete schedule and tickets, visit LIIFE2026. eventive.org
Patriotic B-I-N-G-O
Students in grades 6-12 are invited to celebrate summer with a patriotic-themed game of bingo at Lynbrook Public Library. Participants will play for prizes, and snacks and refreshments will be served. Registration is required on the library’s website.
• Where: 56 Eldert St., Lynbrook
• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: lynbrooklibrary.org or (516) 599-8630
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. Enjoy Disney/Pixar’s “Elio. The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: Movie begins at dusk
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Citizen Science: Monarch Larva
Monitoring Project
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to be a citizen scientist and study monarch butterflies in the museum’s Milkweed Garden. By measuring plants, rainfall, and monarch eggs you will be collecting real data that scientists can analyze! Your data will help them understand butterfly migration and will help conserve this species. Each Wednesday, take a walk through this garden and see how the plants grow as habitat for visiting monarchs! To join, meet at the front desk. For ages 4+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 2-3 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com Hall, 376 Atlantic Ave., East Rockaway
9
Annual Cruise Nights/ Summer Car Shows
Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Cruise Night every Thursday evening along Atlantic Avenue. Check out the classic, vintage and modern cars, entertainment and food and drinks available from local bars and restaurants. Residents and visitors are invited to bring family and friends to enjoy the weekly showcase of vehicles and entertainment in downtown Lynbrook.
• Where: Atlantic Avenue between Stauderman and Merrick Road
• Time: Ongoing Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., through Aug. 27
• Contact: lynbrookusa.com
East Rockaway Village Board meets
The East Rockaway Village Board holds its regular meeting to discuss village business, hear reports from village officials and consider items affecting the community. Residents are welcome to attend and may address the board during the public comment portion of the meeting.
• Where: East Rockaway Village
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Disco grooves
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with Disco Unlimited. When Sista Soul, Sparkle Sista, Joe Cool, Strat Cat Ricky Smooth and The MacDaddy, all hit the stage, you are instantly transported to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits, platform shoes and your very best dance moves. And dance you will –when you experience the magic created when the boogie begins.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
JUL
13
Lynbrook Village Board of Trustees meet Residents are invited to attend the Lynbrook Village Board of Trustees meeting to hear updates on village business, public hearings and other municipal matters. Public comment opportunities are available.
• Where: 1 Columbus Drive, Lynbrook
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: Lynbrook Village Hall, (516) 599-8300
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST WILLIAM G. BREVAIRE, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 9, 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 July 22, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 76 Driving Park Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38 Block 54 Lots 12 and 112. Approximate amount of judgment $698,018.56 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold
subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605725/2023. John Boklak, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-003337 90189 160753
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS SEALED BIDS will be received by the Village Clerk of the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook on or before Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM, at which time they will be publicly opened and read for furnishing the following: 2026 ANNUAL SIDEWALK PROGRAM
Specifications and contracts may be obtained at the Office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, New York, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, or on the Village Website at www.lynbrookvillage.c om. All bids must be submitted on the form supplied by the Village Clerk. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids if they are not in the
By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com
Rhame Avenue Elementary School students spent the month of May discovering that a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about staying active — it also includes exercising the mind through reading.
The school’s annual Pick A Reading Partner, or PARP, program returned this spring with the theme “Reading for a Healthy You,” encouraging students to connect literacy with physical and mental wellness through a monthlong series of activities. Organized by Rhame Avenue’s reading teachers Sherina Lugo, Michelle Rodgers and Anthony Weber, the program concluded on June 5 with the school’s firstever Zumba Challenge after students surpassed their goal of reading 50,000 minutes.
“It’s a celebration of literacy,” Lugo said. “We’ve been doing it each year, and it gets bigger and bigger.”
best interest of the Village. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES John Giordano, Village Administrator Lynbrook, New York 161014
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF WORKSHOP NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a WORKSHOP on Thursday, July 9th, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. in the Board Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, on the following cases: VAR #1030 - 418-420 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook, VAR# 103114 Merrick Road, Lynbrook. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, Ginger Fuentes, Chair Person of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Brian Stanton, Superintendent, Department of Buildings Lynbrook Publish 1X 161013
Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 23rd day of June 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 58-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 58-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations
Dated: June 23, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 160982
AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call
academics, athletics and wellness. A kickoff pep rally featured yoga and meditation led by district Director of Humanities Kristen Anisis and social worker Maureen Shutta, while students also enjoyed Book Bingo, a pajama-themed snack-and-story event, buddy reading with older students and a schoolwide Read Outside Day.
I t’s a celebration of literacy, and it gets bigger and bigger every year
Each week focused on a different wellness theme, including kindness, gratitude, friendship, self-care and mindfulness. Students recognized examples of those traits throughout the school, completed reading journals and gratitude journals, and participated in activities designed to reinforce the connection between healthy habits and reading.
The reading department set milestone goals to keep students motivated. After reaching 10,000 minutes, Principal Jack Bixhorn dressed in a rock star costume chosen by the winning class. At 25,000 minutes, students enjoyed music during lunch, and once they exceeded 50,000 minutes, the entire school celebrated with an outdoor Zumba session led by Rhame parent and certified instructor Susana Tierney. Fred Cange, East Rockaway High School’s security guard and coach for football, girls basketball and girls flag football served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
SHERInA
“We wanted to show students that just as taking care of your body physically and mentally makes you stronger, reading makes your brain stronger,” Lugo said.
Throughout the month, students celebrated literacy in a variety of ways. East Rockaway High School varsity and junior varsity baseball players, accompanied by physical education teacher James Hickey, visited classrooms to read with students and discuss the importance of balancing
“We set small goals and an ultimate goal to encourage them as we went along,” Rodgers said. “Every week they were coming in with more and more minutes.”
Weber said activities throughout the month helped students see reading in a new light, especially when they required pairing up with buddy classes.
“They love hanging out with their older buddies,” Weber said. “Even the sports kids are into wellness, and they loved having the baseball players come.”
Rodgers said the excitement surrounding PARP continues to grow each year, and the team hopes students leave with more than prizes.
“The excitement of reading and having a love of reading,” she said. “That’s what we want them to take away.”
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
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Experience beach living at its finest! Situated on a rare, oversized corner lot in highly sought-after Atlantic Beach, this spacious home features a sun-drenched, open-concept main level. There are three generous bedrooms on this level, including a primary suite with a private bathroom. Seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining is made easy with sliding glass doors that open to a massive deck boasting beautiful ocean views.
Q. We want your opinion. Who should pay for changes to our drawings in order for us to get our permit? We got a list of problems from the building department, and most of them seem pretty simple, but our architect is telling us these are changes, and he wants to be paid for doing the changes. They most include words to change, but there are some other things. The plans are too big for the property by only a few feet, and the height is more, because we want 10-foot ceilings on each floor. Why should we have to pay for changes? The architect should have known about this.
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A. The answer to your question is another question. Whose building is it? Who wants the high ceilings that prompted the extra height? You, the owner, are the driving factor in the direction your plans went, and because of that, and the outcome you want to ultimately reach — approval, legality and a building you started out wanting — there is the price of services by each person you hire.
Many people have a misperception of the process of planning a building. They also have this commonly held belief that the builder knows the laws, the structure, the unique, unwritten requirements of the municipality. Owners place faith in a system they imagine works a particular way, and find out the hard way that things are often not what they assumed they would be.
I have had many experiences in which I warned clients that doing or insisting on certain things was going to get rejected, just to hear them say, naively, “Let’s try anyway,” doubting the advice, only to be turned back. In most cases, they insisted that the architect bear at least part of the cost for the redoing. That’s when you realize the personality of the person you are working for, when they cannot take responsibility for ignoring good advice.
Over the years, there have been many people who insisted that they “knew somebody” who would allow something that wasn’t ordinarily allowed. Very rarely did that strategy work. This question sounds similar, where you don’t want to bear the responsibility, yet the end result should be that you must.
Remember, going forward with the idea that changes may have to be made causes an even bigger problem. The changes have to be as thoroughly and thoughtfully addressed as the first time. Making constant calls to see if the work to change the plans has been done is frustrating, because if any issue, any note, any inconsistency is left that should have been changed, the construction project can take an ugly turn.
I have often wanted to put a note on the plans, in tall, bold letters, that “change is bad.” Changes unravel the best-laid plans. Others reading this should understand that municipalities are consistent, and if the architect, builder, electrician or plumber advises you to think twice based on trying to break a regulation, listen. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
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My plane lifted off from Long Island MacArthur Airport in June 1991. The night before, Jupiter, Mars and Venus had aligned in the night sky above my family’s home in Yaphank, in Suffolk County — an auspicious moment that foretold a journey I’m still on today.
That propeller plane — so loud it rattled inside my brain — was headed to Washington, D.C., where I attended a three-day Peace Corps orientation before traveling to Bulgaria for two years of volunteer service as an English teacher. I had joined the corps at 24, in part out of a longing to see the world beyond my hometown. I never imagined how Peace Corps service would reshape my worldview — an experience that resonates today in my teaching as a Hofstra University journalism professor.
I was among the first two dozen Peace Corps volunteers sent to Bulgaria, only 18 months after the fall of commu-
nism there. At first I felt excited to be living 4,800 miles from home in a society that moved more slowly, more deliberately, with a deep appreciation for food and wine, art and music. Living in Veliko Tarnovo, a thousand-year-old city perched atop steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, I was happy.
I couldn’t escape the feeling, though, that I was a foreigner, an outsider, despite the many kindnesses that Bulgarians showered on me. Language set me apart. Learning Bulgarian — really learning it — might rid me of my sense of otherness, I thought.
I had long known that it was riddled with grammar errors, and I struggled to pronounce many of the sounds unique to the language — but lower intermediate? Nothing like A.I. to offer a harsh dose of reality.
M y Bulgarian fell within the ‘ lower intermediate ’ range .
Then, amid my Peace Corps service, I married Katerina, a Bulgarian who taught — and still teaches — English. I wanted — needed — to feel more connected to her family, who became my family.
Katerina and I have spoken Bulgarian together, on and off, for nearly 35 years. Last summer I measured my listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with multiple A.I.-designed tests. After days of evaluation, A.I. delivered its verdict: My Bulgarian fell within the “lower intermediate” range.
I resolved to improve, and I’ve practiced and studied the language daily since. I talk with Katerina on walks through our Merrick neighborhood; read the Bulgarian-American community newspaper Sega; watch Bulgarian newscasts, TV series and movies; listen constantly to the Bulgarian alternative rock band Ostava; translate children’s books and Facebook posts; and drill with flashcards and grammar guides. Slowly, steadily, I’ve moved up to upper intermediate. Progress has been hard-fought, though, full of minor wins rather than big breakthroughs — recalling an infrequently used word and dropping it into a sentence, pronouncing a tongue-twisting noun, deciphering word order to interpret a text.
I’m often frustrated and always humbled. I can understand 75 percent or so of spoken Bulgarian, but being able to speak it and write it quickly and eloquently is another matter entirely. As a
writer and journalism professor, it’s maddening when I fumble over Bulgarian words, as I often do. Words are my currency, my livelihood. They need to flow. Based on my current progress, I’ll likely need another three to six years of daily study to reach the advanced level of fluency.
Pushing myself to learn Bulgarian at a higher level has made me think of the Latino and Haitian communities that I’ve covered and researched in Hempstead and Uniondale in recent years. I think of the immigrants who must navigate schools, workplaces, doctors’ offices and government agencies in a language they are often still learning, while negotiating an increasingly complicated and precarious immigration system. I set out last year to improve my Bulgarian because I want to understand my wife’s culture on a deeper level, and language is central to culture. I do not, however, need Bulgarian to survive. English, on the other hand, is vital to immigrants’ daily existence in the U.S. It’s a lifeline in an increasingly hostile sea.
Scott Brinton, a former executive editor of the Heralds, directs Hofstra University’s Graduate Journalism Program and coordinates its new Peace Corps Prep Program.
Valley Stream has always been more than a stop on the Long Island Rail Road. It’s a gateway community, a village of families, small businesses, commuters, houses of worship, restaurants, parks, and neighborhood pride. It’s one of the most diverse communities on Long Island, and it has long deserved public investment that matches its promise.
That’s why the announcement that Valley Stream will receive $10 million through New York state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative is such an important victory for our community.
This award didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of local advocacy, planning, partnership, and a shared belief that Valley Stream’s best days are still ahead. I was proud to stand with Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Village Trustee Kevin Waszak, village business owners and residents when this transformational funding was announced.
As the county legislator representing
this community, I’ve made it a priority to fight for the resources Valley Stream needs and deserves. Whether the issue is infrastructure, pedestrian safety, small business support, housing opportunities or quality-of-life improvements, my focus has been simple: Our village should never be overlooked. This award is proof of what can happen when we make our voices heard and bring every level of government to the table.
New York state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative comes to Valley Stream.
I thank Hochul for recognizing our enormous potential, and for continuing the Downtown Revitalization Initiative as a tool for real, community-driven investment. Its strength is that it doesn’t impose a one-size-fitsall plan from Albany. Instead, it gives local communities the funding and support to build on their own vision.
I also want to recognize Solages, the village, local trustees, civic leaders, small business owners and residents who continued to believe in the future of our downtown. This was a team effort, and everyone who helped push us forward deserves credit.
The DRI will allow the village to pursue projects that can make our downtown safer, stronger, more walkable and more welcoming. Proposed improve-
ments include better pedestrian and bicycle access, upgrades to lighting and signage near LIRR overpasses, expanded public and cultural spaces at the Village Green, support for local businesses and new opportunities for mixeduse housing near transit. These aren’t abstract ideas. Better lighting and safer crossings mean that a commuter can walk home from the train with greater peace of mind. Improved public spaces mean that families have more places to gather and connect. Support for arts and culture means that our downtown can better reflect the energy, diversity and creativity of the people who call Valley Stream home. Stronger business corridors mean more customers for local shops and restaurants, more foot traffic, and more reasons for residents to spend time and money close to home.
This funding also comes at a critical moment for housing on Long Island. Too many young people who grew up here wonder whether they can afford to stay.
Too many seniors who spent decades investing in their communities need options that allow them to remain close to family, doctors, transit and the neighborhoods they love.
Valley Stream has an opportunity to
be thoughtful and forward-looking. Expanding housing opportunities near transit doesn’t mean losing the character of our village. It means planning carefully, listening to residents and creating options that help our community remain vibrant across generations.
Of course, winning the award is only the beginning. The next step must be a public, accountable and inclusive planning process. This isn’t a blank check given to the village; this is a measured, inclusive approach that requires accountability and transparency for our residents, business owners, commuters, seniors, young families, homeowners, renters, and civic organizations, all of whom deserve a voice in shaping how these dollars are spent.
My office will continue to work with the state, the village and local stakeholders to make sure this investment delivers real benefits for Valley Stream. We must use this opportunity wisely, with a focus on safety, economic growth, affordability, accessibility, and preserving the character that makes our village special.
This is a win worth celebrating. More important, it is a down payment on the future we can build together. With this funding, Valley Stream has a major new tool to help turn our shared vision into reality.
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The Declaration of Independence was first published on July 6, 1776, in a newspaper, the Pennsylvania Evening Post. We are proud to commemorate that high point in American journalism by reprinting that historic document.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at
places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness of his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our Government:
For suspending our own legislature, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free People.
Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.
The Declaration was signed first by John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, and then by 55 others representing the 13 original states.
over the course of this state legislative session, I focused on the policies my constituents cared about most. Every session presents its own set of unique circumstances requiring legislative action, but this year it was abundantly clear that affordability was a top concern. The cost of groceries, utilities, insurance and housing continues to rise, making it increasingly challenging for many residents to make ends meet, especially on Long Island.
relief.
Since property taxes fund a significant portion of local school district budgets, substantial state support is vital. School districts are continually facing rising costs, and school administrators work diligently to mitigate those costs to avoid burdening taxpayers. One of my top priorities this year was securing increased funding for our schools while reducing costs in order to bolster district budgets.
slence that makes our communities so desirable.
tarting with foundation aid and pausing the zeroemission bus mandate.
But specifically among homeowners, one concern was raised time and again: property taxes.
For many Long Island families, property taxes represent one of the largest expenses in their household budget. Seniors living on fixed incomes worry about whether they can afford to remain in the communities they helped build. Young families trying to purchase their first home question whether they can keep up with the long-term costs of homeownership in addition to child care. The government has a responsibility to address those concerns with practical solutions that provide meaningful and tangible
Record foundation aid investment. Every additional dollar New York state invests in local schools is a dollar that doesn’t need to come from homeowners. This year’s state budget provides historic funding for public education, ensuring that school districts receive the resources they need to educate students without relying as heavily on local property taxpayers.
These investments allow districts to continue funding classroom instruction, special-education programs, transportation services, extracurricular activities, mental health resources and other essential programs. In short, increasing state support for education is one of the most effective ways to make homeownership more affordable while preserving the educational excel-
Framework by Tim Baker
Zero-emission bus mandate for school districts pause. I strongly support responsible environmental policies, but we must carefully consider the financial impact that major mandates can have on local communities. School districts across Long Island expressed concerns about the significant costs associated with purchasing electric buses, constructing charging infrastructure and upgrading facilities. Without additional flexibility, many districts could have been forced to absorb millions of dollars in new expenses in a relatively short period of time. Ultimately, those costs would have landed on the shoulders of local taxpayers.
I fought strongly for a pause in the zero-emission bus mandate because it just isn’t feasible at this time. The decision to pause implementation deadlines by five years gives the state more time to effectively plan a fiduciary responsible strategy of procurement, building the infrastructure and ensuring grid reliability. I will continue fighting to keep this pause in effect until the state agencies involved can lay out a comprehensive plan to implement EV buses, since the cost burden cannot be passed on to taxpayers.
Energy performance contracts. Energy performance contracts are an extremely effective tool that help school districts generate savings on energy upgrades. Currently, state law only allows recovery for up to 18 years, meaning schools often have to pass on projects that would generate longerterm savings. However, my bill A6318 would extend the allowable contract period to 25 years, making it easier for districts to undertake projects that lower costs without requiring large upfront expenditures. I’m proud to report that, for the first time since its introduction in 2019, this legislation passed both houses of the Legislature and is currently awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature.
Real change happens when meaningful action is taken to address the burden of rising costs throughout our communities. Record foundation aid, pausing the zero-emission bus mandate and extending the time for energy performance contracts are just three of the ways to bring financial relief to Long Island families. I will continue fighting for policies that help families keep more of their hard-earned money, strengthen our schools and ensure that Long Island remains a place where people can afford to live, work, play, raise a family and retire with dignity.
Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
KRISTIN THORNE Emmy-Award Winning Investigative Reporter
EMCEE TAMMY J. COHEN Founder & Messaging Strategist TC Brand Consulting
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SUZETTE GORDON President & CEO, SCO Family of Services
THERESA PORCARO Vice President, Growth & Marketing, Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine
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