Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 09-25-2025

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Ainsley Martinez/Herald

A selection of Birgit Jacobsen’s portraits, including well-known likenesses of Walter Cronkite and the Queen of Denmark, showcasing her meticulous realism.

Danish-American artist transforms

life into hyper-realistic paintings

By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

For 94-year-old Danish-American artist Birgit Jacobsen, Lynbrook was home for over two decades. She raised her children there, and embraced what was then her new American life. Today, in her studio in Melverne, each brushstroke is a link to her heritage and decades of artistic dedication.

A self-taught realist, Jacobsen has spent years honing her craft, specializing in portraits, animals and occasional landscapes. Her art evolved naturally from family portraits to commissioned works that earned her recognition in art circles.

Her passion for painting came from her father, Walter Nielsen, a master woodworker

and an “old-school cabinet maker,” Jacobsen said.

“He built much of the furniture in our homes,” she said. “He was very creative, and I think I got that creativity from him.”

Her journey into portraiture began with a simple experiment: attempting to draw her children. She and her late husband, George, had two children.

“When I realized I could capture their likeness, I got so excited,” Jacobsen recalled.

“I didn’t know if I could do it at first.” It was then that she realized her gift for realism.

Her son, Lynbrook resident and retired police lieutenant Glen Jacobsen, added that it wasn’t just about an accurate likeness; it was about how “she captured the essence of

Principal earns service award for philosophy

By KEPHERD DANIEl kdaniel@liherald.com

Lynbrook resident Allison Glickman-Rogers, principal of Oceanside Middle School, will be honored with the Oceanside Kiwanis Club’s Special Service Award on Oct. 16 at the organization’s 80th anniversary Charter and Installation Dinner Dance. The installation of officers will be held at Temple Avodah, at 7:30 p.m., and the dinner and cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m.

There in this district,” she said.

his is a very, very spirited school.

AllISoN GlICKMANRoGERS

For nearly two decades in Oceanside, Glickman-Rogers has been an advocate of what she calls the “middle level” philosophy — a model of schooling that emphasizes “relationshipbuilding, developmentally appropriate instruction and structures” that make a large building feel small.

Glickman-Rogers is in her 19th year at the middle school. Her career began at Hofstra University, and it has taken her to the Lynbrook school district, where she taught phys. ed. and health, and to assistant principal positions in Port Washington and at Oceanside Middle School. She served as principal at School Five for a year before returning to the middle school as principal in 2010.

Oceanside Middle School principal

“There is no stronger advocate for our young adolescent students than Dr. GlickmanRogers,” Oceanside Superintendent Phyllis Harrington said. “Her leadership keeps Oceanside Middle School at the forefront of best practices in middle-level education.”

“This kind of recognition belongs to our entire school community, because I couldn’t do what I do here without the overwhelming support for middle-level education that we have

Glickman-Rodgers earned undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees from Hofstra. She teaches a course at Molloy University for aspiring administrators. Under her leadership, the middle school has been rec-

ContinueD on pAge 11

The Langdon to host event for all residents

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

The Langdon at Lynbrook Station, Long Island’s newest transit-oriented development, will celebrate its opening with a street fair at 1 Langdon Place in Lynbrook.

All sponsorship funds from the event will benefit Mount Sinai South Nassau’s expanding cardiac services program.

“With music, food, games, and entertainment, it’s our way of introducing people across the Island and New York City to a $100 million luxury apartment community that is literally steps away from a LIRR station that can transport you to Manhattan in thirty minutes,” said David Orwasher, chief development officer at Breslin Realty Development Corporation.

IBreslin and Fields Grade Development, includes 201 luxury rental apartments adjacent to the Long Island Rail Road station and within the village’s walkable downtown.

“It’s an event that celebrates The Langdon and revitalization of Lynbrook,” Breslin said.

t’s an event that celebrates The Langdon and revitalization of Lynbrook.

JuSTIN BRESLIN Vice President, Breslin Realty

Orwasher said the most significant aspect of the event is that all sponsorship funds from the street fair will support Mount Sinai South Nassau’s growing cardiac services program, which will introduce advanced procedures, such as openheart surgery, to the south shore of Nassau County for the first time.

The Langdon, a partnership between

The leasing office is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The office can be reached at 516-7750001.

Community amenities at The Langdon include a rooftop terrace with skyline views, landscaped courtyard, resident lounge with billiards, fitness center, concierge services, work-fromhome stations, and a lobby café.

Apartment features include floor-to-ceiling windows, in-unit washer/dryers, walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances, wide plank flooring, and layouts designed to offer ample storage.

“It’s great for our businesses, and right in the heart of Lynbrook,” said Polly Talbott, executive director of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on the Langdon, visit TheLangdonLI.com.

The Langdon at Lynbrook Station

■ About the street fair:

The event will feature music, food, games and entertainment to engage with the community and support Mount Sinai South Nassau’s cardiac services program.

Where: 1 Langdon Place

When: 4- 9 p.m.

Phone: 516-775-0001

Mt Sinai South Nassau health care

Valentino Griifths, and Regina Buckman, gather

prior to next month’s family friendly event.

For more than 100 years the American Red Cross on Long Island has helped the community prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Join Us!

HONORING

COMMUNITY IMPACT HERO

Luv Michael

FIRST RESPONDER HEROES

Offcers Timothy Deegan and Matthew Walling

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP HERO

Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025

8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M.

The Heritage Club at Bethpage

DISASTER HERO

Jennifer Keane

MILITARY HERO

Mel Cohen

YOUTH HEROES

Charlie Dubofsky and Sydney Hassenbein

The American Red Cross Heroes Celebration is the signature fundraising event for the American Red Cross on Long Island, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Event Co-chairs: James Quent, Greg Lavine, and Jennifer Solomon

For tickets, sponsorships, journal ads and to learn more, please visit redcross.org/LIheroes

East Rockaway claims victory over Lawrence

East Rockaway High School celebrated its Homecoming on Saturday, with a parade and a 49-19 victory over Lawrence High School. The parade, which began at Centre Avenue Elementary School at 1 p.m., made its way to East Rockaway High School, where festivities continued with a pep rally and the football game.

Seniors Andrew Chen and Valerie Sirchia were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. The East Rockaway Raiders cheerleaders, including those from both the middle and high schools, supported the team throughout the game. East Rockaway’s mascot, Rock Man, also rallied the players during the match.

Tristen Rose, no. 2, scored a touchdown for East Rockaway, contributing to the team’s victory. The game was watched by a large crowd of students and community members who gathered to support the team.

Protecting Your Future

The Farmer’s Daughters

A farmer came in to see us with this dilemma. He had a working farm where his twenty something daughter and her husband were engaged full-time. His other daughter worked in the arts in New York City. He wanted to keep the farm in the family, but didn’t know how.

He initially wanted to leave the farm and his other assets to the two daughters in equal shares. We cautioned against this since, we advised, no one likes to do all the work and then split the profts. Additionally, real estate prices could be considerably higher on his death and there might not be enough money in the estate for the working daughter to buy out her sister. We also had to consider the sweat equity the young couple would be building up over the years working the farm. Here’s how the matter was ultimately resolved to the client’s satisfaction.

We deeded the farm now to the working daughter (not her and her husband quite yet) reserving a “life estate” in the farmer so that he had a right to live there for the rest of his

life while preserving his senior tax exemption on the property. We established the value of the property today, and made a bequest on his death, from the farmer’s living trust, of a like amount in cash to the sister before the balance of the trust was divvied up.

Now the young working couple are secure in their future, the non-working daughter gets her fair share of the estate and the farmer is protected in his rights for life. Most important of all, he has the peace of mind in knowing that the farm will stay in the family.

If you’re a business owner, and have one or more children working in the business, you have the same issues. We generally like to see the “working” children take over the business and other assets used to even out the estate distribution with the “non-working” children. Where there are not enough other assets to make the distribution even, then life insurance or a mortgage can be used for this purpose, or the “working” children can pay off the “nonworking” children over a period of years at a rate the family business can afford.

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News briefs

Five students from Lynbrook High School were selected to participate in the NYSSMA All-State Music Ensembles. They include, in back row, Eric

Ian Fishman, and in front row, Molly Schutzman and Sophia Schoen. They were

by Fine and Performing Arts Director Adriana Schaefer and Principal Matthew Sarosy.

Musicians selected for All-State ensembles

Several Lynbrook High School musicians have been accepted into this year’s prestigious New York State School Music Association All-State Music Ensembles including:

Eric Matern, who was named an alternate for the Orchestra.

Nicholas Sferrazza, who will perform in the Mixed Chorus.

Ian Fishman, who will perform in the String Orchestra.

Molly Schutzman, who was named an alternate for the Chorus.

Sophia Schoen, who will perform in the Mixed Chorus.

These students will perform in December.

— Ainsley Martinez

Police respond to high school fight

Police responded to Lynbrook High School on Monday following a “serious physical altercation between two students,” according to a message sent to parents by Principal Matthew Sarosy.

Sarosy said officers arrived within moments of the incident, which prompted the school to enter a Hold in Place for approximately one hour and 20 minutes while medical attention was provided to the students involved.

“There was no stabbing,” Sarosy

wrote, directly addressing rumors circulating about the altercation.

Police confirmed the incident was “an isolated dispute between specific individuals,” and that there is no ongoing threat to the wider school community.

Sarosy added that any student who wishes to discuss the incident can speak with a member of the school’s support staff.

— Ainsley Martinez

■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/lynbrook or www.liherald.com/eastrockaway ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: lyn-ereditor@liherald.com

■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460

■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

sTEfANo BoRsELLiNo HEWLETT Senior FOOTBALL

A TWO-YEAR STARTING safety, Borsellino is no stranger to the high school gridiron. Only this year, he’s stepped into Hewlett’s starting quarterback role. So far, so good. In his first-ever start under center, Borsellino guided the Bulldogs to a 35-12 win over visiting Mineola in the Conference III opener Sept. 12. He passsed for 181 yards and two touchdowns and added 109 yards rushing and a score. He also booted three extra points.

GAMES TO WATCH

Friday, Sept. 26

Boys Soccer: Uniondale at Freeport 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Lynbrook at V.S. South 5 p.m.

Boys Soccer: V.S. North at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Football: Uniondale at Westbury 5 p.m.

Football: Elmont at Manhasset 6 p.m.

Boys Volleyball: Elmont at Sewanhaka 6:15 p.m.

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

Football: Herricks at Farmingdale 6:30 p.m.

Football: Freeport at Syosset 6:30 p.m.

Football: North Shore at Malverne 7 p.m.

Football: Lawrence at Carle Place 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27

Girls Soccer: South Side at MacArthur 10 a.m.

Girls Soccer: Massapequa at Garden City 10 a.m.

Girls Soccer: Syosset at Oceanside 10 a.m.

Girls Soccer: Manhasset at Long Beach 1 p.m.

Boys Soccer: Glen Cove at Hewlett 1 p.m.

Football: Kennedy at Calhoun 2 p.m.

Football: East Meadow at Garden City 2 p.m.

Football: Hewlett at Wantagh 2 p.m.

Football: Long Beach at Mepham 2 p.m.

Football: Carey at South Side 2 p.m.

Football: Port Washington at Oceanside 2 p.m.

Football: Sewanhaka at Clarke 6:30 p.m.

Nominate a “spotlight Athlete”

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

Rockin’ Mules are contending

By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com

The good vibes for the Malverne/East Rockaway girls’ soccer team have carried over from last year’s stunning turnaround campaign.

After inheriting a program that went winless the year before, head coach Alexa Adduci and assistant coach Kacie Curran have rapidly changed the culture into a winning one.

They have raced out of the gate this fall to a 5-1-1 record following an 8-4-3 season a year ago, good for third place in Conference AAA/AA-5.

What’s the winning formula?

Fun + development = success.

“I think that all the girls have a really great bond together, and it really shows on the field. It transfers over,” Adduci said. “They really do have a great foundation, which leads to our success, which is really great.”

Other tenants include selflessness with Paulina Cuthbert leading by example. A talented three-sport athlete who also competes for the basketball and flag football teams, she volunteered to play sweeper to help shore up a defense that conceded 10 goals through the first five matches, third fewest in the nine-team conference.

Also helping anchor the backline is Danilynn Fardella, who has shown tremendous growth and is now one of the senior captains who has the flexibility to also play forward if needed.

Goalkeeper Kiera Stephens is the returning conference goalkeeper of the

year and excels in her communication, making sure her teammates are in the right position, and then makes saves that defy logic.

She made 45 saves in the team’s first six matches, including a season-high 11 in a defeat to unbeaten Valley Stream Central and 10 in a

3-1 victory over Roosevelt. Alysha Lopez, who transferred into Malverne a year ago, opened the season with a hat trick in a 5-0 win over Westbury and has seven goals and one assist through the first five games of the year.

But her contribution goes beyond the scoresheet — it’s also in leadership and communication as another selfless star.

A year ago, Brianna Gonzalez was essentially relegated to a team manager as she recovered from an ACL injury suffered in flag football. But now healthy, she has been shot out of a cannon as one of the team’s top players up front, while sometimes featuring in the midfield.

An unsung hero has been freshman Arianna Chinchilla, who pulls the strings in center midfield and is willing to sacrifice her goal-scoring if it means another win.

As good as the seasonopening win over Westbury was, the signs Malverne/East Rockaway has taken a step forward as a potential conference championship contender came in the other results — a 1-1 draw against Freeport and a 5-3 defeat to Valley Stream Central, a team widely considered the favorite in Conference AAA/AA-5.

Those teams are the top two in the standings and Malverne/East Rockaway held their own against both squads.

“I think that it really showed us that communication is key and building that team foundation is what we needed in order to be able to find each other and work with one another,” Adduci said.

Hempstead Town Board reappoints Ferretti

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

The Hempstead Town Board reconfirmed the appointment of Interim Supervisor John Ferretti at its Sept. 16 meeting, a move officials said was necessary to protect taxpayers from a lawsuit challenging Ferretti’s initial appointment last month.

Ferretti was initially appointed on Aug. 5, the day Supervisor Don Clavin resigned. Town officials said the reappointment was meant to shield taxpayers from what they called a “frivolous and politically motivated” lawsuit filed last month in Nassau County Supreme Court by Democratic supervisor candidate Joseph Scianablo.

The lawsuit claims Republican officials violated the state’s Public Officers Law, which requires 24 hours’ public notice for resolutions scheduled at meetings. Scianablo contends that the appointment was prearranged, pointing to Ferretti’s acknowledgment that both Clavin’s resignation and his appointment were planned days earlier.

The agenda for the Aug. 5 meeting did not list the resignation or appointment, but it did reallocate Clavin’s salary to cover Ferretti’s new role, according to Scianablo.

Brian Devine, the town’s director of communications, said Ferretti’s original appointment was “proper and lawful,” and described Scianablo’s lawsuit as “meritless.”

“By confirming the appointment of Supervisor Ferretti and reaffirming all resolutions from Aug. 5, the Town Board has rendered this cynical lawsuit moot and protected residents from unnecessary costs,” Devine stated in a news release.

State Supreme Court Justice Gary Carlton had scheduled a Sept. 18 hearing and approved subpoenas for Hempstead officials and records, but Steven A. Loquestro, an attorney representing town officials, filed to stay the proceeding on Sept. 16, arguing that Ferretti’s reappointment made the case moot.

Before the vote, Ferretti recused himself while the board discussed the resolution. Councilwoman Laura Ryder said the reappointment was not necessary, maintaining that the Aug. 5 meeting had followed the

law, but supported the reappointment to put an end to what she called a “frivolous lawsuit.”

“We will not let our residents suffer financially to perpetuate someone’s political agenda,” Ryder said. “That’s why I support taking this action openly and transparently, to make clear that our supervisor has been properly appointed.”

During the public comment period, several residents weighed in on the resolution. Some supported Ferretti, saying he had earned the position, while others argued that the appointment was improper and invalid.

Among the speakers was Scianablo, who called the Aug. 5 appointment a “backroom deal,” claiming the resolution to reappoint Ferretti was “an unmistakable admission” that the board had broken the law.

“The fact that we’re standing here today for a revote proves it,” Scianablo said. “Ferretti and every council member who voted for this sham appointment must be held accountable.”

Scianablo, of Garden City, is a Marine veteran and a former New York City police officer. The Nassau County Democratic Party says he brings leadership, integrity and compassion to the race.

Devine said that Ferretti, of Levittown, has been leading “with integrity and commitment” to Hempstead residents. Ferretti previously represented Levittown, Bethpage, North Massapequa, and parts of Farmingdale as a Nassau County legislator.

“The people of Hempstead deserve government that works for them — not baseless distractions or political games at their expense,” Devine said. “The board’s decisive action today ensures that we can continue to move forward without interference from frivolous litigation.”

Women leaders unite for inspiration and change

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

The audience numbered 275 women for RichnerLIVE’s third annual Women’s Summit, an all-day event dedicated to leadership, empowerment and connection, filled the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

This year’s theme, Next Level You, set the tone for the Sept. 9 program, which combined wellness activities, thoughtprovoking discussions, and opportunities to build professional networks. The event featured vendor booths, multiple raffle prizes, and morning sessions of beach yoga, meditation breathwork before attendees moved into panels and keynote talks.

Amy Amato, executive director of RichnerLIVE, opened the keynote lunch session by reminding the audience that the summit is as much about conversation as it is about the speakers on stage. “One of the best parts of the Summit is that it’s not just what happens on stage — it’s about the conversation and connections happening all around us,” Amato said. She credited the event’s sponsors for making the gathering possible and emphasized the importance of support systems. “One of the best ways to reach the next level is by surrounding ourselves with strong, supportive peers. Networks like ours thrive because of women who lead with purpose.”

Among those support networks highlighted was the Women’s Executive Network of Long Island, which Amato described as a premier organization “designed to connect, mentor, and empower leaders like those in this room.”

Stuart Richner, co-publisher of The Long Island Herald and CEO of Richner Communications, echoed that message by tracing his company’s own history of uplifting women’s voices. He noted that the Herald, founded by his parents, Edith and Robert Richner, in 1964, was built on a commitment to community journalism and inclusivity. “In fact, our company was co-founded by an incredible woman in her own right, my mother, Edith,” he said. “And today, women proudly comprise over 60 percent of our leadership team at Richner.”

Richner told the audience that the company’s mission to “lift all voices” continued at the summit, where attendees were encouraged to connect, learn and advance in their own leadership journeys.

The keynote address was delivered by Jennifer Watson, a former Division I athlete, two-time All-American and TEDx speaker who overcame years of depression to become a physical therapist, entrepreneur, coach and healer. As founder of Watson Worldwide, she now works with leaders across industries to reframe resilience.

“Resilience has often been taught as sacrifice, as pushing through until you burn out,” Watson said. “But what if resilience was not about sacrificing? What if it was about expanding — expanding a brilliance that’s already in you?”

Watson shared her own struggles with burnout, describing how the traditional

mindset of “pushing harder” left her disconnected from her work and her team.

“The harder I pushed to be more resilient, the further I was getting away from what I was connected to — what I was giving to the world.”

She urged attendees to listen to their bodies, reframe setbacks as communication, and approach challenges with receptivity rather than force. “When we do, we go from our true maturity to start trusting ourselves, working from honesty, and being resilient from a healthy space.”

Elizabeth Saitta and Kim Cottage — cofounders of the Philanthropy Network of New York — are this year’s recipients for the PointVOIP Community Impact Award. Their work has created real and lasting impact in our community.

The summit also explored topics ranging from financial confidence to leadership mindsets and the future of work with artificial intelligence. Panelists and

speakers highlighted strategies for navigating personal growth, professional advancement and organizational change.

Sponsors, including our beach bag sponsor and photo booth sponsor, CLA, made this year’s event possible; along with lanyard sponsor, People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union; and community impact award sponsor, PointVoIP. Additional supporters included The Stefans Group, Forvis Mazars, Mending Hearts Counseling, Verron Law Group, Valley Bank, Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center, Automatic Industries Inc., Vibrance 360, NHG Law Group, P.C., Nassau Community College, Disruptive Spark Business Academy, Meister Seelig & Fein, PLLC, Prager Metis, Form and Function Aesthetics and Wellness, Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery, PSEG Long Island, Catherine Candaeo Health and Wellness Corp., and State and Signal. And of course, a special thank you to our cof-

fee sponsor – that keeps us going – Elegant King Brew, and our wine sponsor, Farm Wines!

For Amato, the day highlighted the collective strength in the room. “Everyone in this room contributes,” she said. “Together, we can push past limits and step into our full potential.”

To see a full list of speakers and photos visit: RichnerLive.com/wesummit

Jacobsen captures life in vivid portraits

the person.”

Her portraits are meticulously detailed, often taking weeks to complete. “She can take her time, but that’s because she wants everything to be perfect,” her son said. “She works until it’s just right.”

Jacobsen’s process starts with a detailed sketch, using photos provided by her subject. “As long as the photograph is good, the portrait will be good,” she said. “Oil paints give you depth, and once I have the drawing, the painting just falls into place.”

Jacobsen’s works have found a special place in the Danish community. Some of her paintings have even been displayed at the Danish consulate in New York.

Art keeps me young.

Birgit JAcoBsen Danish-American artist

“It’s humbling to see my work there,” she said. “But the most important thing is that I’m able to share these pieces with others.”

One of her proudest moments was in the 1960s, when her portrait of the legendary CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite was displayed at the consulate. She met Cronkite there during an exhibition.

“I told him, ‘I painted you,’” Jacobsen recalled. “And he said, ‘So where’s my 10 percent?’”

Jacobsen’s work is distinguished by its lifelike detail, whether it’s a portrait of a family member or a beloved pet. She layers colors and shadows in oil, creating vivid images.

“Art keeps me young,” she said. “Once I have a commission, I can’t wait to get started. It keeps my mind sharp. I like that rush.”

Jacobsen was born Birgit Nielson in Odder, Denmark, and her early life was shaped by history, music and loss. Her paternal grandfather, Sophus Nielsen, was a symphonic conductor. Her family later moved to Hou, a coastal fishing village, where her maternal grandfather, Niels Hansen, was a craftsman and the owner of Hou’s first movie theater, which brought silent films to the community before electricity arrived in 1914.

In the wake of World War II, while most of Europe was rebuilding, a letter from overseas changed every-

Ainsley Martinez/Herald Birgit Jacobsen in her malverne studio, where her work reflects decades of dedication and a deep connection to her danish heritage.

thing for the 18-year-old Nielson, who had just graduated from high school in Aarhus, Denmark.

Her mother’s estranged brother, who was living in Brooklyn, had reached across decades of silence and thousands of miles with a surprising offer: come to America — for six months, maybe longer.

For nearly a year, Nielson and her parents waited in limbo, wading through paperwork and medical clearances, praying that their application to emigrate would be accepted. One day, as they mailed their final documents, her mother told her, “These are our first steps in our journey to our new life in America.”

The preparations were both exciting and agonizing, she said. Danish immigration policy allowed them to take only the equivalent of $50 per person, so they had to sell almost all their belongings. Parting with her beloved chatol, a carved writing desk given to her by her father, left Birgit heartbroken. It was eventually

News brief

sold to a family friend’s teenage daughter, a small consolation that the cherished piece would remain loved. Years later, her father surprised her with a replica he secretly built in his basement workshop in their home in New York — which symbolized everything they had sacrificed, and everything they had gained.

On Nov. 26, 1949, the Nielson family boarded the MS Batory, a Polish ocean liner, in Copenhagen, joining scores of other emigrants. Birgit recalled the scene at the pier: weeping goodbyes, trembling hands and the quiet resolve of families prepared to gamble everything for new lives.

Ten days later, she stood at the ship’s railing, clutching the cold metal as the Statue of Liberty came into view.

Their first home in the United States was a cramped, windowless “railroad flat” in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, and Birgit was enchanted by the city’s energy. In 1950, she met George Jacobsen, a Danish-American, and they married a year later.

Jacobsen and her mother eventually got jobs at the Danish Home for the Aged in nearby Bensonhurst. It wasn’t glamorous work — cooking, cleaning, and caring for 25 elderly residents — but it gave them income, and a chance to plant roots in a new community, Bay Ridge. Her father joined a carpenters’ union and found steady work.

The rest would become the American chapter of Jacobsen’s life, filled with marriage, motherhood, many returns to her homeland — and painting, which she began as a young adult. It had all started with a family’s shared belief in the possibility of something better.

“The Danish traditions were always a big part of our lives,” Glen Jacobsen said. “The Danish community was vital to our family’s sense of identity, and it’s something my mom has always kept alive.”

She served as president of the Danish-American Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods Lodge no. 325 in Malverne, and was its national president as well.

“I feel American, but deep down, I’m still connected to Denmark,” she said. “That part of me will never go away. It’s something I want to keep alive for future generations.”

Woodland Engine Company 4 wins Fourth Battalion tournament

Firefighters from Woodland Engine Company 4 of the Rockville Centre Fire Department took first place at this year’s Fourth Battalion Tournament, held on Sept. 12, at the Rockville Centre Fire Department tournament course.

Rockville Centre’s Reliance Hose Company 3 earned second place in the competition. Woodland and Reliance bested teams from East Rockaway, Lakeview, Lynbrook and Malverne in a series of ladder and hose events.

—Ainsley Martinez

fourth Battalion Chairman Joe mihalick, of the east rockaway f ire department, and Battalion Secretary Kevin Bien, of the Lynbrook f ire department, presented the first-place trophy to Woodland engine Company 4 team members. the rockville Centre f ire department’s chief, tony rugolo, joined in the presentation.

Glickman Rogers honored for leadership

ognized with a number of honors.

“We have been designated multiple times over the past 15 years as a School to Watch,” she said, referring to the Essential Elements: School to Watch program coordinated by the New York State Education Department, and noted citations from the Association for Middle Level Education. Glickman-Rogers credited the district’s long history of supporting middle-level education for making the middle school a model for others.

“The spirit — this is a very, very spirited school,” she said. “If you meet anyone that graduated from this middle school, they will tell you what team they were on.”

The school’s teaming and looping structures — organizational features intended to keep middle school students connected and supported — are central to the school’s identity. Roughly 100 students are grouped with the same four or five teachers and a counselor for two years, creating a “small family” and a shared identity within the larger student body. Advisory groups meet daily to build relationships and address social and emotional topics. Those structures, Glickman-Rodgers explained, help students feel they belong and encourage participation.

“The teaming is all about relationships,” she said. “It makes the school feel smaller, and they stay with these students and these teachers for two years. Teachers really get to know the students and the families well.”

One of the initiatives she said she was most proud of was reinstating recess after the pandemic, and expanding the school’s lunch period to 40 minutes for eating, socializing and activity.

ever seen,” she said. “Every kid is engaged in pickleball, volleyball, football, soccer. We have spikeball, we have can jam.”

Service projects are woven into the school year, Glickman-Rogers said. Student groups such as Builders Club, Best Buddies and an active American Sign Language club lead outreach projects; the school hosts monthly awareness campaigns for causes such as breast cancer, men’s health and mental health; and students take part in seasonal food and coat drives, visits to local senior residences, and a Civic Partnership Day that introduces eighth-graders to nonprofits and other community organizations.

“She’s always looking to be ahead of the game rather than to be complacent with good,” said Oceanside Middle School teacher Joe LaTorre. “She wants the kids to be part of the place they live in, and not be bystanders in the community. Just because things are working, doesn’t mean you don’t keep trying to evolve and make it better.”

Outside the building, Glickman-Rogers said family is central to her life. She and her husband, Brian Rogers live in Lynbrook, have four children — Jack, 22, Caden, 17, Max, 14 and Caroline, 12 — and, she said, “I couldn’t do any of this without the support of my family.”

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“We have, I think, the best resource program I have

Glickman-Rogers credits teachers, parents, administrators and students for sustaining the school’s longstanding vision. “I’d like to know how many people would choose to go back to middle school, to be 12 or 13,” she said. “It’s not an easy time, and it’s really important that we’re there to support our kids. I’m proud to be the principal of the school, and proud of all the accomplishments that we have had together as a school and a community. This kind of recognition belongs to our entire school community.”

• Pre-Arrangement Counseling

• Serving All Faiths

• Monuments

• Medicaid Approved Burial Trusts

• Funeral Directors available 24 hours a day

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and

Gold lights the village for Pediatric Cancer Awareness

BY ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN Agriffin@liherald.com

Lynbrook lit up in gold for pediatric cancer awareness last Monday, kicking off Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

Pediatric cancer statistics

Each year in Malverne and surrounding communities, the Mary Ruchalski Foundation lights a tree with gold lights, and wraps a gold ribbon around it to honor the lives of those who have been affected by pediatric cancer, and to emphasize the importance of finding a cure.

The Mary Ruchalski Foundation is a Rockville Centre-based nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and supporting research into pediatric cancer.

Mary Ruchalski lost her life to rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer, in 2018, just two days shy of her 13th birthday. Her mother, Carol Ruchalski, created the foundation in her honor, believing she had a duty to preserve Mary’s legacy.

Her daughter was an exceptional athlete, excelling in lacrosse, soccer and swimming. She was also an outstanding student at St. Agnes Cathedral School, and took part in Math Olympiad competition. Despite her challenges, she was a bright-spirited girl who never let her diagnosis get her down.

Carol Ruchalski spoke about the challenges facing pediatric cancer care. She noted that roughly one in five children will not survive their diagnosis, and that only six drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for pediatric cancer in the past 40 years.

■ 9,550 children in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025.

■ Today, 85 percent of children with cancer survive at least 5 years — a dramatic improvement from the 58 percentsurvival rate in the mid1970s.

■ Childhood cancers affect children from birth through age 14.

■ Adolescent cancers affect youth ages 15 to 19.

■ Survival outcomes still vary widely depending on cancer type and other health factors.

— American Cancer Society

sponsor of the Ronald McDonald House in New York City, sponsoring quarterly meals in Mary’s honor.

“And our proudest achievement is for our oldest daughter, Ashley, who has been appointed to the board of directors of the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute under Charles Keller,” Ruchalski said, referring to the Scientific and Executive Director. “Ashley will have a direct effect on the furthering research for Mary’s cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. Now, if that is not a sign from Mary, I don’t know what is.”

“Most pediatric cancer patients are treated with drugs developed in the 1950s through the 1980s, and are not tailored for children’s unique biology,” Ruchalski said.

She also offered an update on the foundation’s fundraising achievements: It has contributed almost $1 million to research grants, donated $200,000 to families affected by pediatric cancer, and is a proud

“You have taken tragedy and turned it into so much more,” State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said to Ruchalski. “Mary is so proud of you. You have done such amazing things.”

Village residents clapped and cheered as the tree was lit for the season.

To learn more about the foundation, visit TheMaryRuchalskiFoundation.org.

STEPPING OUT

Totally 80s Tribute To The Legends

Prepare to crank up the volume and turn back the clock for a high-energy night of neon nostalgia at Totally 80s — a celebration of the decade that gave us big hair and bigger hits.

American Chamber Ensemble at 60

A legacy of harmony

By Abbey Salvemini

The American Chamber Ensemble (ACE), Hofstra University’s esteemed ensemble-in-residence, reaches a musical milestone: its 60th anniversary. To commemorate six decades of musical excellence, ACE invites everyone to special anniversary concert.

The celebratory performance, upcoming on Oct. 12, at Hofstra’s Helene Fortunoff Theater, is sure to be vibrant musical occasion that exemplifies what the ensemble does so well.

ACE was founded in 1965 by two visionary young Long Island mothers — pianist Blanche Abram and clarinetist Naomi Drucker, a proud member of Hofstra University’s Class of 1957. Driven by a shared passion for music and a desire to continue performing while raising their families, then young mothers Abram and Drucker began presenting intimate concerts in local libraries and churches.

“Touring wasn’t an option for them,” explains current ACE director pianist Marilyn Lehman ’75, who is also on Hofstra’s music faculty. “ACE was the compromise that allowed them to share their artistry with audiences here on Long Island.”

What began as a grassroots effort quickly blossomed into something much greater. Over the decades, ACE evolved into a nationally acclaimed ensemble, with performances gracing prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the National Gallery of Art. Despite this widespread recognition, both founders remained deeply rooted in their community. Abram and Drucker often expressed that the ensemble’s growth and longevity were made possible by the unwavering support of their local audiences — a loyal and appreciative community they credited as the heart of ACE’s enduring success.

“American Chamber Ensemble has been bringing diverse programs to Hofstra University, combining strings, winds, piano and voice for decades,” Tammy Hensrud, coordinator of vocal studies and adjunct professor of voice at Hofstra, shares. Hensrud has been with ACE since its founding and will also be performing that day.

Throughout the decades, the ensemble has delivered exceptional chamber music, while nurturing Hofstra talent and promoting local composers.

“It feels fantastic that we can carry on with our work,” Lehman says. Lehman and Mindy Dragovich — ACE’s clarinetist and assistant director — both studied under Drucker and Abram, who were also their instructors during their time at Hofstra. Both women, who are also mothers, continue to carry on the legacy of their mentors, who balanced motherhood with their musical careers and inspired a new generation to do the same.

The audience can look forward to a diverse repertoire and perfomances at this concert — featuring dancers, a chorus and current students. ACE offers up a dynamic program, including Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Make Our Garden Grow,’ as well as works by Beethoven, André Messager, Steven Gerber and Schumann. A special highlight is an eight-hand piano piece from Faust, showcasing the ensemble’s collaborative spirit. The performance also includes dancer Jessica Levin, who has choreographed a work to accompany Gerber’s Cocktail Music for solo piano.

• Sunday, Oct. 12, 3 p.m.

• Helene Fortunoff Theater, Hofstra University’s Monroe Lecture Center, California Avenue, South Campus

• Admission is free; registration requested

• Visit events.hofstra.edu or call (516) 463-5669

Special guest artists include the Hofstra Chamber Choir directed by Dr. David Fryling; mezzo-soprano Hensrud, soprano Karen DiMartino ’07, baritone Andrew DiMartino, and violist Todd Lowe.

“I wanted to have a collaboration with the music department because they have supported us for all these years. So I brought back some of my students to perform,” Lehman adds.

Uniondale resident and Hofstra student violinist Jared Mercado earned the opportunity to play with the ensemble through a competitive audition. He joins Lehman on stage to perform a Beethoven sonata. It’s a fun and inspiring experience for everyone, especially for those students in the audience who see their classmates and music faculty perform together.

Neither ACE’s founders nor its current musicians have ever considered their Hofstra residency to be perfunctory.

“Having our home base at Hofstra means students aren’t just sitting in an audience at our concerts,” Lehman says. “They know us. They learn and perform with us, and we build meaningful relationships with them.”

She further emphasizes the value of having a dedicated cultural space within the community where local folks can experience classical chamber concerts.

“Our mission was to bring professional artists and traditional repertoire up close and in the neighborhood,” Lehman continues.

As the ensemble celebrates this milestone, its members also look ahead with renewed purpose. The group remains committed to its founding ideals: bringing world-class chamber music to the community, fostering the next generation of musicians and building meaningful connections through performance.

This 60th anniversary concert is not only a tribute to the past but also a joyful step into the future of an ensemble that continues to inspire, educate and unite through the power of music.

Featuring powerhouse performances by Bon Journey NY, Rock of 80’s and All About Joel, this electrifying concert takes you through the greatest ‘80s hits, from arena rock to synth-pop and everything in between. Keeping the party going between sets, DJ Jeff Nec spins some tracks. In the spirit of honoring creative excellence, the evening also spotlights the recipient of the Ted Fass Music Scholarship, awarded to an incoming music student at Molloy University who exemplifies the legacy of Ted Fass — a pioneer and visionary in the entertainment industry, and cornerstone of the Rockville Centre community.

Saturday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444.

‘…We will rock you’ Get ready to sing along — Queenmania is back on Long Island. Almost Queen, the acclaimed tribute band, returns to the Paramount stage, bringing with them the soaring vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and theatrical flair that defined one of rock’s most legendary groups. Not just another cover band, their performances are carefully crafted to honor the spirit of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor while delivering a concert experience that feels fresh and alive. The lineup features Joseph Russo as the dynamic and charismatic Mercury, Steve Leonard as guitar virtuoso May, Randy Gregg as bassist Deacon, and John Cappadona as drummer Taylor. Together, they recreate Queen’s iconic sound with impeccable four-part harmonies, precise musical interludes, and the kind of stage energy that pulls audiences to their feet.

Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m.

$108.75, $98.25, $76.25, $64.75, $54.25, $48.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

SEPT

25

On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberföte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

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

On stage

Adelphi University’s Department of Theater presents Samuel D. Hunter’s “The Harvest.” The a gripping, emotionally nuanced exploration of faith, family, and identity asks us to open our hearts and minds to the mystery of what it is to be human. Five young Christian evangelicals in a church basement in Idaho Falls are preparing themselves for a mission to the Middle East. One of them, Josh, is reeling after the death of his father, and has bought a one-way ticket with no plans to return. But when his estranged sister returns to Idaho Falls to stop him, the choice to leave becomes more complicated.

• Where: Adelphi University Black Box Theatre, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 6:30 p.m.; through Sept. 28, times vary

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

SEPT

26

Steve Aoki

DJ Set

Get ready to party when multi-platinum DJ and producer Steve Aoki takes the stage, joined by DJ Theo and Untamed at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Yes: ‘The Fragile 2025 Tour’

auditions for new members for their 96th Season. The 2025-26 season includes Let’s Go to the Movies, a celebration of choral music in flm, Schubert’s Mass in G as well as Handel’s Messiah and a variety of other musical performance opportunities throughout the coming year. Auditions are by appointment only and are held Mondays, continuing Oct. 2 and Oct. 6. Whether you’re a lifelong singer or just fnding your voice, you belong here! If you love to sing, consider auditioning to be part of this tradition of musical excellence. For additional information, visit lics. org.

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

Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening of Yes at its best, on the Paramount stage, featuring its existential prog masterworks and instrumental pyrotechnics. A pioneer of progressive rock, Yes has achieved worldwide success through a prolifc and enduring music career spanning 45 years and 20 studio albums. With an ever growing fan base, Yes continues to electrify audiences with its daunting virtuosity, cosmic lyrics, complex musical textures and powerful lead vocals. The band — currently comprising Steve Howe on guitars and vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jon Davison on vocals and acoustic guitar, Billy Sherwood on bass guitar and vocals, and Jay Schellen on drums — performs their iconic 1971 album “Fragile” in its entirety as part of this tour. Fans can look forward to hearing classic tracks such as “Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround,” and “Heart of the Sunrise,” alongside other gems from their extensive and celebrated catalog.

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

“Fragile” holds a special place in Yes’s discography, as it not only propelled the band to headline status in the U.S. but also distinguished itself with its unique blend of musical artistry. According to Steve Howe, the collaboration with co-producer Eddie Offord during this period helped the band reach new creative heights. This tour romises to merge the auditory and visual aspects that have always distinguished Yes as a band. The concert features a video wall displaying AI-generated interpretations of Roger Dean’s iconic album artwork, designed back in 1971. Tickets are $152.25, $129.75, $118.75, $108.75, $86.50. OCT 7

SEPT

Girls Tennis Clinic

Registration is open for the tennis clinic open to Lynbrook girls in grades 1-6. $30.

• Where: 333 Union Ave.

• Time: 10-11:30 a.m.

• Contact: Shari.Bowes@ lynbrookschools.org

Lynbrook Oktoberfest

Kids Fun Run

Participate in the fun run before the annual Oktoberfest. Proceeds benefit Aryn and Kimberly’s fight against cancer. Runners receive a medal and free admission to Oktoberfest. $20 admission fee required.

• Where: Fire Department Headquarters at Wright Avenue

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: lynbrookvillage.net

Oktoberfest

Meet up with friends and neighbors at Lynbrook’s community event to celebrate the German tradition.

• Where: 55 Wilbur St.

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: lynbrookvillage.net

Pollinators

Nassau County Museum of Art invites families to a Super Family Saturday program. Celebrate pollinators with us with museum educators. Enjoy story time, honey tasting, art making, and learn about native plants with a North Shore Audubon expert on the museum’s grounds. $20 nonmember adults, $10 members and children.

• Where: Manes Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Session 1, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; Session 2, 1-2:30 p.m.

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

SEPT

30

Business profle picture session

East Rockaway Library welcomes all to have professional headshots taken and receive three edited PNG fles via email. Appointments required.

• Where: 477 Atlantic Ave.

• Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

• Contact: eastrockawaylibrary. org or call (516) 599-1664

RVC Homemakers Meeting

Local women meet weekly for cooking, crafts and other

proojects. Previous events have been in conjunction with Lynbrook Restorative. Open to neighboring areas and residents.

• Where: 111 North Oceanside Road, Oceanside

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: Karen Alterson at KAltersonk4@gmail.com

Voices needed

OCT

1

Oceanside Chorale is looking for new members in all sections to sing in their next concerts: Veterans Day Concert (Nov. 8), Holiday Concert (Dec. 10) and Light up the Holidays (Dec. 14). Rehearsals are Wednesdays.

• Where: Fulton Avenue School, 3252 Fulton Ave.. Oceanside

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: Marie at (516 )459-8513 or email oceansidechorale@gmail.com for further information

OCT

2

Long Island Choral Society Auditions

Audition now and be part of something bigger, a bold, inclusive future for choral music. The Long Island Choral Society is holding

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

OCT 4

Lynbrook High School Class

of ’75 50th Reunion

Join friends and classmates of the Class of 1975 for dinner, drinks and remembrances.

• Where: Rocco’s, 71 Main St.. • Time: 7-11 p.m.

• Contact: Liz Chase at nychase@yahoo.com

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create with kids at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art when it resumes following the summer hiatus. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. $20, $10 child; members free.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Noon-3 p.m.

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

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Ryder Cup set to tee off at Bethpage Black

Governor Hochul announces that the

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

After years of preparation, the Ryder Cup is about to begin at Bethpage Black. And Long Island golf fans can anticipate even more championship golf coming to one of the country’s most popular public courses.

While visiting the Farmingdale course on Sept. 17, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Bethpage Black will also host the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2028, and the PGA Championship in 2033.

“I don’t look at it just as an economic boost,” Hochul said. “I look at it as a point of pride.”

Hochul, who added that the PGA Championship will be played at Oak Hill Country Club, in Rochester, in 2035, said that she “could not be prouder,” that the state is a home to golf “and always will be.”

Bethpage Black hosted its first PGA Championship in 2019, when Brooks Koepka won his second PGA title. The last time the women’s championship was played in the state was at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison, in 2015; this is the first time it will be played at Bethpage Black.

“Bringing the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to Bethpage Black is a significant milestone,” PGA of America President Don Rea said, adding that it reflects the PGA’s “commitment to staging this event at premier courses in major markets.”

PGA of America, based in Frisco, Texas, hosts the Ryder Cup and other major golf tournaments in the United States. This year’s biennial tournament, a matchup of the top golfers in the U.S. and Europe, is set for this weekend, beginning Friday.

A week before the first competitors teed off, Ryder

At Bethpage Black on Sept. 17, Gov. Kathy Hochul — above with Derek Sprague, CEO of PGA of America — announced that the course will also host the 2028 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2033 PGA Championship.

Cup Shops hosted a grand opening for the public, last Friday through Monday. Team U.S. fans can choose from over 1,500 items from more than 50 vendors at the 61,800-square-foot temporary pavilion, near Bethpage Black’s main spectator entrance. Tournament tickets are not required, and this week the shops will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Ryder Cup Shops has 70 registers and a large queuing area for customers, so fans can pick up merchan-

dise and get back to the competition quickly. There are 10 full-time staffers, 20 interns and 1,200 volunteers, according to Michael Quirk, the chief commercial officer of merchandising for Legends Global, the company overseeing tournament merchandise.

“We’ve been told the expected number (of fans) for the Ryder Cup is north of 50,000” per day, Quirk said. “When we talk about a structure this big, there’s a reason for it. This is a machine that is really built to make sure that the best premium retail experience is actually possible this week.”

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK TRUST

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, -againstEDWARD J. GORSKY, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Offce of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 18, 2025, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and EDWARD J. GORSKY, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on October 7, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 2 QUAY COURT, EAST ROCKAWAY, NY 11518; tax map identifcation 42-23-220; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT HEWLETT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK . Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index No.: 612044/2021. Brian J. Davis, Esq., as Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310,

Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 155536

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU MATRIX FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, Plaintiff AGAINST MICHAEL HEALEY, KATHLEEN ROSE HEALEY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 19, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 65 Highland Boulevard, 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, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37 Block 135 Lots 18, 19 and 20. Approximate amount of judgment $488,553.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #615187/2023. Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001000 87017 155638

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

LOCAL LAW NO.

61-2025

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to 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 16th day of September, 2025, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 61-2025, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 61-2025, to amend Section 202-52 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “BUS STOPS” at various locations.

Dated: September 16, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 155931

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF WORKSHOP NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a WORKSHOP on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 5:30 P.M. in the Board Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, on the following cases: #1023 - Arlene Gorman, 59 Buckingham Place, #1024 - Edward Vigotty, 16 Melrose Avenue, #1025 - Alva II LLC, 11 Atlantic Avenue 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 155937

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWALTS, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2004-24CB, MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-24CB, Plaintiffagainst- CRISTA A. BELLEAU, MICHAEL D. BELLEAU; MARIA NUNEZ, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 26, 2024 and entered on September 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on October 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, County of Nassau and State of New York; known and designated as SBL# 42-21203-5. Said premises known as 3 DOROTHY PLACE, LYNBROOK, NY 11563

Approximate amount of lien $418,018.83 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 611569/2022.

LINDA AGNEW, ESQ., Referee

Pincus & Tarab Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 {* LYNBROOK N*} 155729

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

Melissa Berman/Herald

the wig room, where women who survived or are currently battling cancer receive one free wig.

Hewlett House marks 25 years of cancer support

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

For 25 years, Geri Barish, a five-time cancer survivor, has been supporting cancer patients and their families through Hewlett House, a free resource center for all throughout Nassau County and beyond.

Barish turned her personal tragedy into a mission by fighting for patients’ rights and learning more about cancers causes. She lost her mother to breast cancer in 1974 and her son Michael to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1986.

Located on East Rockaway Road in Hewlett, Hewlett House’s property is the oldest farmhouse on Long Island, built 387 years ago, according to Barish.

“Everything in this house was donated,” Barish said. “We work with all the Key Clubs and the kids organize the mastectomy bras by size. The teachers also come down and volunteer on the weekends.”

Barish emphasized that the help of the community is everything to her and the patients.

When asked what her favorite room is, Barish said the wig room because she has a special connection with the wigs and calls then her “girls”.

“I love this room because it’s so personal, when we come in I’ll go ‘so girls what’s up today?’ they’re all smiling and all happy,” she said. “They’re gorgeous these girls.”

There are 5,200 wigs organized by length and color stored around the house along with the ones on display.

“We have a storage shed and it’s amazing, every time someone takes one we replace it,” Barish said. “It makes you feel good to know that we’re really helping those in need.”

Women are allowed one wig of their choosing and most come recommended by hospitals and local beauty parlors.

“I ask people to please call if they want a wig because there’s only Ellen and I who know how to do the wigs,” she said. “I want to make sure we’re gentle and it’s clean, I prefer them to call so they can fill out an intake form.”

In July, Hewlett House gave out 304 wigs the most she has ever seen in one month.

She explained that “everyday is a holiday” in the house, decorations for every holiday could be seen throughout the house.

Barish said that 17 years ago, she hosted a full Thanksgiving meal for a patient and his family in July because he was going to miss that the most.

“We had almost 100 people here, patients came at 5:30 in the morning to put the turkey in the oven, it was a fun thing to do and he didn’t know,” Barish said.

She stressed that the community, schools and colleges brings smiles to patients’ faces.

“I’ve never met such wonderful people working through the colleges and the schools,” she added. “The kids write cards and bring holiday cards with sayings inside as part of community service. It’s so nice, the patients’ will come in and look through the bucket and they love it.”

When Hewlett House first opened, they only helped those with breast cancer — now they see people with all types of cancer.

Over the years, Barish has helped push for and create legislation defraying the cost of cancer-related medical bills. She has led environmental studies on Long Island to diminish the use of pesticides and label the carcinogenic ones.

“We try to give as much information a we can, we never turn anybody away,” Barish said. “Here, it’s really a home, it’s warm. I love to come here, it’s peaceful.”

For more information about Hewlett House, call (516) 374-2385.

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Q. Our kitchen is being redone, and we’re expanding into our breakfast area. We’re trying to figure out which kind of heat to put in, since our radiators will have to go to make way for the cabinets. Parts of the kitchen were always cold, and we don’t want to repeat that if we can find a better way. Our contractor said he can put in “toe space” heaters that blow warm air. Our plumber said we could do that, but they can be noisy after the break-in period. He also suggested installing either electric heat mats or water piping in-floor heating, but it could cost a lot. What’s your experience, and what do you recommend we do?

A. Keeping kitchens warm is more complicated than other spaces in your home. Of course, you could always just go stand in the corner, because most corners are 90 degrees! The most important factor in heating a kitchen is making certain kitchen walls and ceilings are well insulated, so that whatever system you choose will be the most effective for staying warm.

Old radiators were oversized as a rule of thumb, because, relatively speaking, energy sources were lower costing. Between larger radiators and smaller rooms, older home occupants were satisfied to walk around in sweaters to compensate. Today we want open spaces, removing the walls in the way to achieve a more spacious look.

Many people fear the cost and effort of a radiant floor, but radiating floors are my first choice, and the best solution. Yes, the initial investment is more, but not so much more that it’s cost-prohibitive. When you consider the time period to pay back the system, based on energy savings, it makes sense.

The other solutions are still concentrated places around the kitchen, and radiant heat is uniform to the room. Toe-kick heaters have a horizontal “squirrel cage” fan that rotates like a gerbil’s wheel, and eventually needs lubricating or replacement, unless you don’t mind the whirring sound.

Radiant heat, whether you choose a piping system or the electric matt type, distributes heat silently, and so comfortably that you can walk barefoot on the floor. People have even told me they lie on the floor and warm their sore back like a heating pad. The best part is that it’s the second most efficient type of heat distribution, after radiators (because they warm up the floor structure — even wood flooring — and retain and give off heat slowly after the boiler pauses). Together with a great insulation enclosure in the floor, below the heat, walls and ceiling, the radiant system works best.

Incidentally, the energy codes are moving to a higher performance standard as of January 2026, officials have informed me. There will be stricter adherence to proof, with calculations, of heating and cooling efficiency. Gone are the days of oversizing heating and air-conditioning or, for that matter, paying for more than you need and wasting energy. Good luck!

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In Congress, I’m fighting for Nassau County’s students

As we begin another exciting school year for so many young students across Nassau County, I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Feed Hungry Kids Act in Congress. Earlier this month, I joined educators in Valley Stream to announce this common-sense, bipartisan legislation.

As a mother, the thought of any child going hungry in school is devastating to me. Students can’t reach their full academic potential on an empty stomach. Every one of America’s children deserves a good education that sets them up for a successful life, regardless of their background or ZIP code.

We saw during the pandemic that many families struggled to put food on the table. As families struggle with the costs of health care and housing, many times, one of the first things to go is food. In Nassau County, over 15,000 households currently count on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and other food assis-

Itance to put food on the table. Unfortunately, free and nutritious food still remains out of reach for too many across our country.

dents at no charge. The way it works is simple: If a certain percentage of kids in the school qualify, everyone gets access to meals at no cost.

dents right here in this school district and across the country.

pIncreasing access to no-cost breakfast and lunch has been shown to boost students’ learning, increase test scores and improve attendance and classroom behavior.

rotecting healthy, no-cost school meals is especially important now.

Until recently, however, Valley Stream and other districts like it were not able to provide every student with free breakfast and lunch, no matter what. Two years ago, Valley Stream directly benefited from expanded access to an important federal program called the Community Eligibility Provision.

That’s why I’m introducing the Feed Hungry Kids Act with my Republican colleague, Rep. David Valadao, of California. This bill would protect that federal program, which has helped Valley Stream and more than 17,000 other schools across the United States ensure that they can provide meals at no cost to all of their students.

The Community Eligibility Provision allows underserved schools to offer breakfast and lunch to all stu-

This is so important for so many reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that our kids are fed during the day. Second, and equally important, CEP reduces the paperwork burden facing families and school districts, making sure that kids don’t fall through the cracks and helping our schools focus on what’s really important — educating our kids.

Originally, the threshold was 40 percent, but in the fall of 2023, the federal government lowered the participation threshold for CEP to 25 percent — meaning that if a quarter of kids in the district qualify for free school meals, every kid can benefit.

By reducing the threshold to 25 percent, an additional 17,000 schools across the country, including in the Valley Stream district, became eligible for this essential program.

That’s why I am proud to take the lead on this act, which would codify the 2023 policy expanding access to free school meals into law, ensuring that CEP meals remain available for stu-

Now, earlier this year, some in Congress shopped around the idea of not only returning the threshold for free meals to 40 percent, but raising it even further. In fact, one potential proposal would increase it to 60 percent, literally taking food away from students and schools. That would be devastating to America’s children.

Making sure our students have food in their stomachs should undoubtedly be a bipartisan issue. With this bipartisan legislation, CEP schools won’t have to worry about remaining eligible for the program and being able to keep kids fed.

Protecting healthy, no-cost meals for our nation’s students is especially important now, as we see food assistance programs nationwide, including several that keep Long Island’s children and seniors fed, being threatened by the cruel GOP tax bill passed earlier this summer along party lines.

I’m proud to fight for Nassau County in Congress, and proud to lead this bipartisan bill, to push back against any proposed cuts to food assistance that would hurt our children and our community.

Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

Is our democracy suffering growing pains?

n recent months, and perhaps for the first time in our adult lives, many of us have been worrying about the viability and survivability of the great American experiment known as democracy. It has been the only government we have known, and we assumed, perhaps naively, that freedom would ring forever across our land.

I did. I remember my young self, hand across my heart at an elementary school assembly, looking at the flag and reciting the pledge. It was such serious business. My devotion was uncomplicated. I grew up knowing I was lucky to have been born in my time and place.

My dad schooled us early and often on the opportunity America offered his immigrant parents, who fled pogroms and antisemitism in Eastern Europe. I never traveled overseas without coming back through customs and immigration thinking, “God bless America.” I never visited another country that beckoned me for more than a week or two. I think of myself as a

patriot.

When I was a college student and we philosophized about democracy, there seemed only a few and very sensible boundaries. Like don’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Otherwise, free speech felt like a particularly American right. As kids we chanted, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never harm me.”

W e thought of ourselves as a fairly egalitarian society in the pre-MAGA era.

Now, increasing restrictions on speech are disorienting. Our democracy feels destabilized. How do we speak up and support the least powerful and most in need of American justice without fear of reprisals? How have words — just words, compilations of simple letters — become “triggers” or a forbidden form of expression? Why take a word like d-iv-e-r-s-i-t-y and scrub it from policy language as if it were an epithet? It means, “The practice of including people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds” — a quintessentially American concept we historically have embraced.

These days, I don’t recognize us. America on its best day is far from perfect. As an educated adult, I know this. Any country that sanctioned slavery and the internment of citizens car-

ries that brand forever. But we also preserved freedom in World Wars I and II, beat back dictators and welcomed millions of immigrants who helped build the greatest country in the world. We educated the best scientists and led the world in developing vaccines for the most dreaded diseases.

The good, the bad — all of it is true, and the fabric of our nation today is richly threaded with our triumphs. We are all the stronger because we have survived dark times, like the Civil War, and built a society that has been a beacon for freedom around the world.

Within the generous embrace of America’s democratic government there have always been imperfections. Some argue that hard work pays off; others say that not everyone has equal access to either higher education or good jobs. Corruption sometimes tilts the playing field.

I don’t know how to resist the current threats to democracy, except to write and talk about them, to vote and encourage others to vote, to support fair elections. I do know we have to pay attention. Continuing to educate ourselves and encouraging open political discussions among others can only be a good

thing.

We Americans thought of ourselves as a fairly egalitarian society in the preMAGA, pre-billionaire era. There was a real thriving middle class when I was growing up, attainable through higher education or apprenticeship and hard work. Nothing seemed out of reach. The deal was that people in business or professions or trades could buy homes for growing families.

Today that deal is broken. Homes are out of reach for many young couples. Food prices are eating up family budgets. Now, only 250 years after the Declaration of Independence, we observe increasing class distinction in many elements of our culture.

Can we grow through this?

Can we agree that anyone who wants an education can still get it, and that people starting out can find affordable housing? All of it can be true and workable, but we can’t call ourselves a democracy when free speech and economic opportunity are threatened. A democracy embraces all its citizens, and in the best of worlds, welcomes newcomers.

In my lifetime, our imperfect democracy had room for everyone and was moving, in starts and stops, toward inclusivity. Now it seems stalled.

Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

Next month, adopt a loving four-legged friend

october is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, a time to bring attention to the countless animals in need of loving homes. On Long Island we’re fortunate to have strong networks of shelters working to give dogs, cats and other animals a second chance at life. Yet despite their tireless efforts, too many pets remain behind kennel doors, waiting.

The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter and Town of Babylon Animal Shelter are major lifelines for rescue pets. There are smaller but equally dedicated operations in Long Beach and on the North Shore.

Animal shelters — such as those in our towns — are typically run by municipalities, and house stray, abandoned or surrendered pets. They are often required to take in all animals brought to them. Shelters may have paid employees, but also rely on volunteer support. Animal rescues, on the other hand, are usually nonprofit and volunteer-run. Rescues can be more selective about the animals they accept. Together, shelters and rescues form a network of care that helps countless animals find safe, loving homes.

The message next month is clear: adopt, don’t shop. And even better, adopt from your local shelter.

When people turn to breeders — or worse, puppy mills — for their next pet, they overlook the many dogs already in need of homes. These are animals with plenty of love to give, that simply need someone to open their heart and their home. Shelter pets may not always be purebred, and some may come with personality quirks, but they often make the most loyal companions. Their gratitude is evident in every wagging tail and every snuggle.

Some people worry that adopting from a shelter is expensive. In fact, it’s often the opposite. The cost of adopting a dog can be less than $100, and cats are typically under $70. Many shelters also offer

letters

Find your local shelter

Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter

3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh Phone: (516) 785-5220

Website: HempsteadNY.gov/179/ Animal-Shelter

Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter

150 Miller Place, Syosset Phone: (516) 677-5784

Website: OysterBayTown.com/ AnimalShelter

Town of Babylon Animal Shelter

80 New Highway, Amityville Phone: (631) 643-9270

Website: TownOfBabylonNY. gov/132/AnimalShelter

Long Beach Animal Shelter (Operated by Posh Pets Rescue) 770 Park Place, Long Beach Phone: (516) 431-7674

Website: PoshPetsRescueNY.org

special promotions for veterans, seniors and first responders, bringing those prices down even further. When you consider what’s often included — spaying or neutering, vaccinations and microchipping — adoption is not only the compassionate choice, but also the practical one. Of course, not everyone is in a position to adopt. That doesn’t mean you can’t help. Shelters and rescues rely heavily on community support. Volunteers are always needed to walk dogs, play with cats, or simply give animals

Support the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center

To the Editor:

In this critical moment for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, we invite the community to join us in our Flash Membership Drive as we celebrate our 31st anniversary.

For more than three decades, the center has educated over half a million people about the lessons of the Holocaust and the importance of tolerance. Today, that mission is more urgent than ever. With rising antisemitism and hate crimes, your support is vital in helping us spread awareness, strengthen understanding and foster compassion.

the human interaction they crave. Fostering is another option, offering an animal a temporary home while the shelter supplements the costs of its care. Foster homes are especially critical for pets that don’t thrive in a kennel environment or who need extra attention before they’re ready for adoption. Fostering a pet doesn’t just save that one animal. It also opens up space for a shelter to take in another one in need.

Then there are the basic supplies that shelters are always in need of: food, blankets, toys. Monetary donations go a long way in offsetting these facilities’ medical bills for sick or injured animals. Even the smallest contribution can make a big difference.

Adopting a dog can change its life forever, and will likely improve yours. Studies cited by the American Heart Association have found that dog ownership is linked to a lower risk of death from all causes, offering benefits to both heart health and overall well-being.

While October focuses on shelter dogs, it’s worth remembering that they aren’t the only ones waiting. Cats — from kittens to seniors — make up a large portion of shelter populations. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, keep an open mind about who that might be.

Next month is a call to action. For anyone thinking about a new pet, consider visiting a local shelter before contacting a breeder. For those who can’t adopt, find a shelter to volunteer with, foster for or donate to. Every effort helps lighten shelters’ load and brighten the future of the animals they care for.

“Saving one dog won’t change the world,” Karen Davison, an animal advocate, rescue supporter and author, likes to say, “but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” Next month, let’s make that change happen — one adoption, one act of kindness and one wagging tail at a time.

opinions

Back-to-school eye exam can set your child up for success

protecting a child’s vision is a crucial part of their overall health and development. Just like regular checkups for their teeth and ears, early eye screenings are essential. Many common vision problems in kids can go completely unnoticed, because a child might not even realize that their vision is blurry or that something is wrong. Catching and treating these issues early is the key to preventing longterm problems that could affect their learning, behavior and social life.

The warning signs of vision problems that parents shouldn’t ignore include squinting at objects; holding books or devices too close; eye misalignment — one or both eyes turning inward or outward, particularly when tired; head tilting; avoidance of near tasks — a reluctance to read, draw or do homework; excessive tearing or light sensitivity, which may signal allergies or inflammation; and difficulty in school — struggling with reading, skipping lines or losing track while studying.

Even one of these signs can indicate that urgent treatment is necessary.

A closer look at nearsightedness in kids. Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is one of the most common eye conditions in children. It’s when a child can see things up close just fine, but things far away appear blurry.

safer than regular glasses. These should be considered essential equipment, just like helmets or mouth guards.

CIf your child’s vision is worsening quickly, there are treatments that can help slow it down. Low-dose atropine eye drops have been shown to be effective in slowing the progression of nearsightedness. And certain types of contact lenses are designed to help slow the worsening of a child’s vision. These treatments can make a big difference in a child’s eye health as they grow.

lear vision is about more than just seeing the board at school.

Contact lenses for kids. For active children, especially those involved in sports, contact lenses can be a game-changer. They eliminate the risk of broken glasses on the playground or field, and can give kids more confidence. That said, not every child is ready for the responsibility. Children must be mature enough to remove contacts before sleeping, and to clean and store them properly every day.

Eye safety in sports. Sports are one of the leading causes of eye injuries in children. To help reduce risks, experts recommend polycarbonate sports glasses, which are impact-resistant and far

Letters

Membership offers more than a year of free access to our permanent and special exhibits — it is a commitment to education and action. Every membership directly supports programs that reach over 30,000 Long Island students annually, as well as training for law enforcement, educators and nurses. These efforts empower our community leaders to make a positive difference in confronting prejudice and promoting inclusivity. Members can also participate in group tours and classes that bring history to life and deepen the conversation about tolerance. Together we can be a beacon of hope, ensuring that the lessons of the past guide us toward a more compassionate future. Join us today and stand with the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

Dr. BErNIE FUrSHPAN Board vice chair, marketing director, HMTC Glen Cove

None of us deserves harm for our beliefs

To the Editor:

I write today outraged at the sense-

Protecting young eyes from the sun. Parents are well aware of the importance of sunscreen, but many forget that UV rays can damage children’s eyes, too. In fact, most lifetime UV exposure happens during childhood.

Wearing 100 percent UVprotection sunglasses when outdoors — especially near water, sand or snow, which reflect UV rays — can prevent damage that may later lead to cataracts or macular degeneration. Making sunglasses a daily habit helps ensure healthier eyes for life.

The dangers of eye rubbing. You may not realize it, but frequent eye rubbing can be a big problem. For kids with allergies, constant rubbing can actually damage the cornea, the clear front part of the eye.

This can lead to a condition called keratoconus, in which the cornea becomes so thin that it bulges forward into a cone shape. This causes blurry vision that can’t be fixed with regular glasses or contacts.

What can we do about it? The good news is that if keratoconus is caught early, there are treatments. A procedure

called corneal collagen cross-linking can help stop the condition from getting worse. Also, using allergy eye drops or oral medication can reduce the itchiness and the urge to rub, protecting the eyes from further damage.

A clear message for parents. Protecting a child’s vision is one of the greatest gifts parents can give. The bottom line is straightforward:

■ Screen early — ideally by age 3 to 5.

■ Watch for warning signs like squinting, head tilting or school difficulties.

■ Protect young eyes from injuries and UV damage.

■ Seek treatment early for conditions such as myopia or keratoconus.

An eye exam for your child is quick and painless, but it can make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Don’t wait for your child to complain about their vision — catching problems early is key. Add an eye exam to the list of things to do early in the school year. Clear vision is about more than just seeing the board at school; it’s about giving every child the best chance at success, safety and healthy eyes for life.

Dr. Carolyn Shih is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and works at South Shore Eye Care, a member of the Northwell Health Eye Institute.

less murder of Charlie Kirk. When did we, as a nation, decide that political disagreement should be met with fists, bullets and blood instead of words? Debate used to be the cornerstone of democracy. Now too often it feels like dissent is treated as a death sentence.

In the late 1980s, I traveled to London, and stumbled on Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park. Anyone could climb onto a soapbox and speak their mind — on politics, faith or even hatred itself. Crowds heckled, argued and mocked, but they did not silence or assault the speaker. The unarmed Bobbies stood by only to keep the peace. It was a living model of what free expression should look like: passionate, messy, even uncomfortable — but never violent.

Charlie Kirk was a lightning rod, and at times I disagreed with his ideas — sometimes very strongly — but other times I agreed with him. That’s how democracy works: We weigh arguments, we challenge one another, we debate. But disagreement is not justification for violence. When I thought he was wrong, I wished for dialogue and enlightenment, not harm.

Instead, we are letting ourselves be manipulated by sensationalist media, rage-driven podcasts and toxic social media that thrive on division. Too many Americans now view someone who holds a different opinion not as a neighbor but as an enemy. That is poisonous — and deadly. None of us deserves harm for our beliefs. If America is to endure as a free

society, we must relearn how to argue fiercely without killing one another. Violence cannot be the answer. Debate must be.