_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
HERALD Also serving Lakeview
Movie night at Harris Field
History shines in West Hempstead
Celebrating independence
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Vol. 33 No. 31
JUlY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2026
$1.00
Volunteers transform LIRR station properties. His love of gardening and community service gradually expanded from his own cul-de-sac to churches, What began as a handful of residents pulling weeds and public spaces and, eventually, planting flowers has blossomed the Lakeview train station. “Beautify your community,” into a communitywide effort to t r a n s fo r m t h e ove r g row n Small said. “Love thy neighbor, Lakeview Long Island Rail help each other and pass the Road station into a welcoming knowledge that you know from gateway for the neighborhood. this on to your fellow neighFor the past sevbors.” eral years, volunSmall also teers have dedicatspends winters ed their time, clearing snow in his resources and neighborhood with expertise to mainhis own snowblowtaining the station’s e r, a n d s ay s h e landscaping after enjoys helping oththey noticed that WIllIAM A. ers and has never the g rounds had ANdeRS sought compensabecome neglected. President, tion for his efforts. Rather than wait- Lakeview Civic His goal is to ing for someone Association inspire neighbors else to address the to take pride in problem, the comtheir surroundings, munity members took it upon believing that improvements to themselves to improve one of one property often encourage Lakeview’s busiest public spac- others to follow suit. Over time, es, creating a project that has he has watched his own block inspired others to pitch in and become increasingly well maintake pride in the neighborhood. tained as residents embraced Among the volunteers is that same sense of pride. West Hempstead resident Gary If you beautify one place, Small, who has a passion for your neighbor is gonna wanna landscaping. After moving into beautify his,” Small said, “and his neighborhood about two it trickles on.” decades ago, Small started helpThe station beautification ing neighbors maintain their Continued on page 7
By AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN
agriffin@liherald.com
T
his is what community looks like.
Courtesy Don Pupke
Malverne resident don pupke celebrated on July 20 reaching the halfway point of his roughly 750-mile walk across new York State, a fundraiser benefiting american Legion post 44.
One step at a time for American Legion Post 44 By AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
For Malverne resident Don Pupke, every mile he walks across New York State is another step toward preserving one of the village’s most important community institutions. Pupke, 66, began a grueling 750-mile journey on July 3 to raise money for American Legion Post 44 and its nearly century-old hall, which has served generations of residents as Malverne’s primary gathering place for elections, civic meetings and other community events. He added that the fundraiser will help pay for much-needed improvements to the build-
ing, including upgraded lighting, renovated bathrooms and a new kitchen. Pupke said he expected to complete the journey around Aug. 7, ending up back in Malverne, and residents are invited to join him for the final mile to American Legion Post 44. The walk represents the culmination of a goal Pupke had pursued for years. He first considered crossing the state during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, but the timing never panned out. Last year, the plan was postponed after he broke his foot. The following day, he lost his home in a house fire. Rather than abandoning the idea, Pupke Continued on page 9