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Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Plainedge

F’dale’s band season underway

Pets: What’s in a dog’s breed name?

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VOL. 112 NO. 30

AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

APPLY ONLINE AT MPTRG.COM/HERALDN OTE OR CALL 516.715.1266

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MSD’s spring champs honored By MIKE POLANSKY Senior Correspondenrt

Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Five spring championship teams were honored at the June Massapequa Board of Education meeting following a 2025-26 school year in which Massapequa teams won 11 county, Long Island and state championships and earned recognition from multiple athletic organizations.

Massapequa School District’s athletic programs earned state and national recognition following a 2025-26 school year that included 11 county, Long Island and state championships. •Massapequa finished second overall in the New York State Sports Writers Association’s 2026 Kerr Cup All-Sport Championship, behind Rye High School. The Chiefs were the top-ranked Class AAA athletic program in New York and had the state’s highest-ranked boys sports proCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Amityville school district reduces tax levy for 2006-27 By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

The Amityville School Board voted unanimously to reduce the district’s 2026-27 tax levy increase from 1.56 percent to 0.91 percent, providing taxpayers with an additional $436,000 in savings compared with the levy approved by voters in May. “The voters approved a 1.56 percent levy increase, and the district is grateful for the support of the community,” Christopher Nehring, school board president, said at the Aug. 12 meeting. “But after looking closely at our current financial position and the needs of the

district the board decided that School district residents and a 0.91 percent increase was the property owners in East Massapequa are more appropriresponsible ate amount. for 32.42 perThis allows us cent of the to continue budget while supporting our those in Amischools while tyville are also taking the responsible opportunity. for 67.58 perTo reduce the cent. impact on our taxpayers.” The disThe tax levy trict’s 2026-27 represents the budget totals GINA TALBERT portion of the $123,963,246, s c h o o l d i s - Amityville school superintendent an increase of trict’s budget $3.18 million funded through real property over the 2025-26 budget. The taxes, excluding other sources lower tax levy is possible in of revenue such as state aid. part because of the district’s

e have deliberated over the options to give meaningful tax relief to our community, which has supported our budgets year after year.

significant fund balance and reserves. The district faced a serious budget deficit in 2023-24 and responded with major cuts, including staff reductions and the elimination of programs. At the end of the 2024-25 school year, the district had a $10.5 million surplus, due in part to those reductions and careful spending. The district is also expecting

an estimated $8 million surplus for 2025-26. That financial position gave the board several options for the coming year, including a zero percent tax levy increase. Trustees Juan Leon and Megan Messman supported that option in April, but it failed to gain majority support. Under the spending plan CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631) 789-2569.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31

•Massapequa Fire District Monthly Work Session: 7:30 p.m., District Administration Building, 1 Brooklyn Ave., Massapequa. For more information, call (516) 798-9849.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

•Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown. Free weekly, in-person meet-

ing of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 332-0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

• Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free weekly, virtual meeting of Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. For more information, call Steve at (631) 3320552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential. The Herald will print public meetings and event notices for not-for-profit organizations at no charge and as space permits. To have an item considered for publication, email dconsola@liherald. com. Please send items two weeks in advance.

Family Fun Day set for Sept. 19 The AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center will host a free Family Fun Day on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the center, 149 Schleigel Blvd. in Amityville. The event will celebrate Grandparents Appreciation Month and the center’s one-year anniversary. Families can take part in free intergenerational activities, including creative arts, brain games and games for children, music, dancing, a scavenger

hunt, face painting, food, balloon artists, a dunk tank, raffles, ice cream and more. Free memory screenings will also be available. Special guests will include New York sports legends Dwight “Doc” Gooden and Wayne Chrebet. Gooden is a New York Mets Hall of Famer, Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion with both the Mets and Yankees. Chrebet is a member of the New York Jets Ring of Honor

and one of the franchise’s all-time leading receivers. There is no entry fee to participate. Autographs and photos with the sports legends will be available from noon to 2 p.m. for a small donation — $25 for one athlete or $40 for both — to support the center’s programs and services for Long Island families impacted by dementia. Donations can be made in advance or onsite. The center offers free, dementiafriendly activity programming for Long Island seniors every day. Pro-

grams include creative arts, music, dance, movement and brain games. The center also offers free support groups for those caring for loved ones with dementia, as well as free memory screenings for the community, with no minimum age or insurance prerequisites. Information about the center’s programs and services is available at AFA Long Island or by calling (631) 223-4000. To learn more or register for the free Family Fun Day event, visit Family Fun Day registration.

Oyster Bay to hold 9/11 memorial ceremony Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board will host the town’s annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at TOBAY Beach. The ceremony will mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and honor Oyster Bay residents who died that day, as well as those who later died from illnesses related to their work at Ground Zero. “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, and to honor those we have lost we invite all residents to join us at our annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony,” Saladino said. The ceremony will feature music, religious readings, a light tribute and a read-

ing of the names inscribed on the town’s 9/11 memorial wall. New names will also be unveiled on the town’s Sept. 11 memorial and its Walls of Honor, which recognize residents who died from 9/11-related illnesses. The town’s 9/11 memorial features a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center and is inscribed with the names of town residents who died in the attacks. The Walls of Honor are updated as additional residents who became ill from exposure to hazardous conditions at Ground Zero die from their illnesses. For more information, visit oysterbaytown.com or call the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Community & Youth Services at 516-797-7925.

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F’dale H.S. marching band begins preseason preparations

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

The Farmingdale High School Marching Band recently completed a three-day preseason training session in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. Band directors, student leaders, and ensemble members gathered to learn foundational marching steps, conduct uniform fittings, and welcome incoming musicians. “Preseason builds our foundational skills, but band camp is where the team truly comes together,” said Band Director Matthew DeMasi. “We cannot wait to take the field and share our passion, pride, and music with the entire community this fall.” The community is invited to cheer on the Marching Band under the Friday night lights during the Farmingdale High School Football homecoming game on October 9. Additionally, the ensemble will perform at the Newsday Marching Band Festival on October 22.

Courtesy Massapequa school district

Farmingdale High School Marching Band Directors, left to right, David Abrams, Matthew DeMasi, and Elena Scarano smile during

Members of the Farmingdale High School Marching Band practice marching formations on the stadium football field during a preseason training session.

Farmingdale district holds active-assailant response drill The Farmingdale School District held its second annual fullscale active-assailant response drill at Albany Avenue Elementary School on July 10, bringing together district personnel, law enforcement and emergency responders for a day of emergency preparedness training. The exercise included several simulated scenarios designed to test the district’s emergency response capabilities and improve communication and coordination among school personnel, law enforcement and security personnel. The training involved the Farmingdale School District, Upfront Security Associates, the Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Police, Farmingdale Village Fire Department and North Massapequa Fire Department. District Board of Education members and administrators also participated. Throughout the day, participants practiced

responding to simulated threats and coordinating with law enforcement and emergency responders. The exercises focused on communication, coordination and post-incident recovery. “Farmingdale is proud to continue efforts towards a seamless response to an active assailant threat by hosting our second annual full-scale active assailant drill in collaboration with local and regional law enforcement,” Assistant Superintendent for Administration Dr. Samuel Thompson said. “We take the safety of our students and staff seriously, and returning to these exercises year after year is vital for continuously refining our communication, coordination, and response protocols.” The district said the annual training is intended to strengthen its emergency preparedness and coordination with law enforcement and emergency responders.

Courtesy Farmingdale school district

First responders and district personnel coordinate during a full-scale safety simulation at Albany Avenue Elementary School on July 10.

CRIME WATCH

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN presents NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

The following incidents have been reported by the Nassau County Police Department and other law enforcement and. emergency service units:

BURGLARY

FREE SUMMER

The Nassau County Police Department’s Seventh Squad is investigating a burglary at All American Hamburger, 4286 Merrick Road in Massapequa, that occurred Monday, Aug. 17, at 4:10 a.m. According to detectives, officers responded to the restaurant after a burglary was reported. Police said a suspect broke the front glass door and entered the store before fleeing. The investigation is ongoing. The suspect is described as a man wearing camouflage cargo shorts, a black shirt, black sneakers and a red face covering. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

CONCERTS MONDAY, AUGUST 31 7:00PM

Photo NCPD

Video surveillance camera shows subject who allegedly broke into. All American Aug. 17

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Self Help/Crisis Hotlines Residential Program: Beacon House

Short-term, long-term and transitional housing is provided throughout Long Island in 58 group homes, emergency shelters, and select single-family residences. Those eligible include homeless veterans, veterans with families, veterans and non-veterans with substance abuse and mental health issues, women in need of supportive housing, and those living with HIV/AIDS. Every veteran resident has access to intensive case management, transportation and daily living essentials. For assistance, call 631 665-1571.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

•Maryhaven Center of Hope-New Hope 24-hr. substance abuse crisis center: 516-546-7070; maryhaven.chsli.org/newhope •N.C. Drug & Alcohol Hotline: 516-2278255 •LI Crisis Center: 516-679-1111 •24/7 Behavioral health helpline:

516-227-8255, namiqn.org/crisis-info •AA Meetings Nassau County: For More Information on meetings and times call 866-504-6974 or go to findrecovery.com/ aa_meetings/ny/nassau-county/

Domestic Violence

N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence Crisis services for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault; group/individual counseling for adults and children; bilingual court advocacy; legal consultation and representation; safe emergency housing; elder abuse services; referrals and systems advocacy; community education. Eligibility criteria: Nassau County residents or non-residents seeking safe housing in Nassau. Will serve undocumented immigrants. Payments accepted free or on sliding scale. Address is 250 Fulton Avenue, Mezzanine West, Hempstead. Call 516-572-0700; 24-hour hotline is 516 542-0404.

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EISENHOWER PARK

■ WEB SITE: www.massapequapost.com / www.liherald.com/Babylon ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: cjames@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 329 E-mail: cjames@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.com ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legals@liherald.com

HOW TO REACH US

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000

Weather permitting, call 516-572-0200 for up-to-date information.

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August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

The Massapequa Herald Post USPS 333440, is published every Wednesday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Massapequa Herald Post, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Newsstand Price: $1. Annual Subscription Rates, $52 per year auto-pay or $65 one-time payment within Nassau County or $76 outside of Nassau County. Copyright © 2026 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

What’s in a breed name? At times, the person who developed the breed

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

Pets, Pets, Pets...

English fox hunter who developed a terPointers are not named after the rier with the stamina to run alongside Pointer Sisters, nor are Shepherds horses and the courage to go to ground named after actress Cybill Shepherd. when hounds drove a fox into a hole. In Usually, breed names reflect a dog’s purpose (Pointer), place of origin (New1819, he purchased a white-and-tan foundland) or both (Labrador Retriever). female terrier from a milkman who But some breeds were named for the became the foundation of the breed. people who developed them: The Parson Russell Terrier became Dober man Pinscher: First referthe AKC-recognized name in 1997, while enced in 1863 as the “Thuringian Pinthe Russell Terrier was recognized in scher,” the breed was renamed “Dober2012. All three breeds bear the Rev. Rusmann Pinscher” in 1889 after Louis sell’s name. Dobermann, a German tax collector who Treeing Walker Coonhound: The wanted protection from robbers while Walker family refined this hunting JOANNE collecting taxes. He crossed Rottweilers, hound, which traces its ancestry to two ANDERSON Black and Tan Terriers and German Pinfoxhounds, “Rifler” and a pregnant schers. Greyhounds and Weimaraners female named “Marth,” imported from were later used to refine the breed. Dobermans England in 1857 by William Jason Walker to Kenwere shown in Germany in 1897 and recognized by tucky. the American Kennel Club in 1908. Plott: The official state dog of North Carolina, Gordon Setter: Named for the Dukes of Gordon, the Plott Hound is unusual among American huntparticularly Alexander Gordon, the fourth duke, ing hounds because it was not developed primarily and George Gordon, the sixth duke, who favored from foxhounds. The Plott family imported its Gerblack-and-tan setters. During the 1820s, the Gordon man ancestors in the mid-1700s. family refined the breed’s physical traits and huntHenry Plott moved to western North Carolina ing ability. around 1800 with five red Hanoverian scent hounds, I believe the sole remaining pet tombstone at Bel- a type of bloodhound. In the southern Appalamont Lake, where the Belmont mansion once stood, chians, the family crossed the German imports with belongs to “Robin,” a Gordon Setter entered by local hounds, developing the running, baying and August Belmont Jr. in the first Westminster Kennel raccoon-treeing breed we know today. The AKC recClub Dog Show in 1877 as both a Gordon and Eng- ognized the Plott Hound in 2006. lish setter. “Robin” apparently had traces of white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: A favorite of on his black-and-tan coat. Belmont got away with King Charles II of England, the breed reportedly this double-dipping because show dogs did not yet was allowed access to all public places, including have AKC registration numbers. Parliament, by royal decree. Jack Russell, Parson Russell and Russell TerSt. Bernard: Saint Bernard of Aosta (c. 996-c. rier: The Rev. John “Jack” Russell was an avid 1081) founded hospices at two dangerous Alpine

Photo Joanne Anderson

King Charles II signed a decree allowing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels into Parliament. passes, where monks provided hospitality and used specially trained dogs to rescue travelers. The Great and Little St. Bernard passes, and eventually the breed, were named for him. Keeshond: The name comes from “Kees,” the nickname of Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer, a Dutch patriot and political leader during the French Revolution. The Keeshond became a symbol of the Dutch Patriot movement and the middle class that supported it.

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HERALD SPORTS Hofstra looks to kickstart winning season By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Hofstra University’s women’s soccer team encountered plenty of gridlock during last year’s 6-5-7 season that featured seven straight ties and is seeking a breakthrough fall that yields a deep postseason run. The Pride’s historic draw streak lasted a month from Aug. 28 to Sept. 28 as part of a frustrating campaign in which Hofstra finished 3-3-3 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and qualified for the conference tournament with a 3-2 win at Stony Brook in the regularseason finale. The Seawolves ended Hofstra’s season four days later with a 2-1 overtime win in the CAA North Division quarterfinals created plenty of hunger for the Pride’s 14 returning players. “They were disappointed in the way it ended,” said 21st-year Hofstra head coach Simon Riddiough. “They have all worked very hard and had good energy in the preseason but we are very young with a lot of new players.” Hofstra will look for more wins with a largely new roster that includes 13 newcomers. The Pride lost nearly 80 percent of last year’s scoring. The top returning scorers are junior forward Hailey Moschitta and senior defender Alexia Des Croisselles, who each tallied two goals apiece. Riddiough said he hopes for a collective scoring effort this fall with a number of potential goal scorers in Maggie Peterson, Kendyl Peterson and Jadyn Hsu at the forward position along with freshman midfielder Mia Claro, an AllState player from Kellenberg. Veteran fifth-year midfielder Amy Meadows also could be a key offensive force and she tallied Hofstra’s lone goal in a season-opening 3-1 loss at St. Joseph’s on Aug. 15. Senior midfielder Alexia Bromfield, who came off bench to score a late tying goal in Hofstra’s 1-1 draw with Columbia on Aug. 21, adds to Hofstra’s offensive depth. “We’re going to be relying on a collective team effort,” Riddiough said. “Set pieces are going to be especially important.” The backline is anchored by senior fender Sasha McTiffin, a preseason AllCAA honorable mention selection. The defense also returns Des Croisselles, junior Emma Johnson and sophomore Jessica Martin. Senior Jill Conlon, a former two-time All-County player at Calhoun High School in North Merrick, adds depth to the defensive roster after missing last season with an injury. Freshman Ryann Zydor, who earned All-State honors at Oceanside High School, is another local product who could see playing time on

Hofstra’s defense is anchored by senior Sasha McTiffin, a preseason All-CAA honorable mention selection. the backline. The defense will be aided by the return of junior goalkeeper Lilly Bailey, a Perth, Australia native, who posted four shutouts and 52 saves last season. “She’s very good with her feet and is very athletic,” Riddiough said of Bailey. “She needs to become a bit more commanding with her communication, but outside of that I’m pretty content with how she is as a goalkeeper.” Hofstra will next host Fordham Aug.

Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications

Goalkeeper Lilly Bailey posted four shutouts a year ago.

27 at 7 p.m. and then return home on Sept. 13 to face Ivy League power Brown for a Sunday matinee starting at 1 p.m. The Pride kickoff CAA play on Sept. 20 against Towson at 1 p.m. The Pride were picked to finish third in the CAA’s six-team North Division behind Stony Brook and Monmouth and ahead of Towson, Northeastern and Drexel. A top three standings finish would qualify Hofstra for a 10th straight CAA playoffs and 19th time in 21 years since Riddiough took com-

mand of the program with a chance to earn an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament. “There’s going to be a lot of parity and hopefully by the time conference play starts we’ve got ourselves sorted and we can challenge people and get ourselves into the playoffs again,” Riddiough said. “We’re a young team and we’re going to learn and take our lumps early and hopefully by conference season we’ll be ready to get some results.”

gram. The Kerr Cup ranks high school athletic programs based on postseason success. •Massapequa also finished second among all New York schools in the MaxPreps Cup. Its boys athletics program had the highest score in New York and ranked ninth nationally in the competition, which recognizes high school sports programs based on postseason and other athletic achievements. •Massapequa High School also was named a 2025-26 School of Distinction by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. The designation is awarded to schools in which all varsity teams earn Scholar-Athlete status during their respective seasons. All 33 of Massapequa’s varsity teams achieved a GPA of 90 or higher, according to the district. Massapequa’s varsity teams won 11 county, Long Island or state championships during the 2025-26 school year. •In the fall, boys volleyball won a state championship, football won a Long Island championship and field hockey won a coun-

ty championship. •In the winter, boys wrestling won a state dual-meet championship, gymnastics won a county championship and girls winter track won a county championship. •In the spring, baseball and boys lacrosse won state championships, softball won a Long Island championship, and girls lacrosse and girls track and field won county championships. “I am simply in awe of what our student athletes, coaches and entire athletic program continue to accomplish,” Superintendent William Brennan said. “From state championships and national recognition to excellence in the classroom, our student athletes represent the very best of Massapequa. This success reflects the incredible talent and determination of our student athletes, the culture of excellence developed by our coaches and athletic administration, and the tremendous support of our families and community programs. I cannot be prouder of the way our student athletes represent Massapequa with excellence, character and pride.”

Surplus helps reduce tax rate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

approved for 2026-27, the district expects to use $3.32 million in fund balance to support the budget, compared with $2.95 million used the previous year. Joseph Dragone, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, outlined three tax levy options at the August meeting: a zero percent increase, a 1.56 percent increase and a 0.91 percent increase. He did not recommend the zero percent option, saying it would leave the district with less flexibility to deal with unexpected costs. Dragone provided the board with an update on the district’s finances as the 2025-26 books were being closed. “We are still closing the books on 2025-26,” he said. “The current unexpended balance is $7,001,590, but this could rise as we close outstanding encumbrances or fall as we accrue outstanding liabilities.” Dragone said the district’s revenue is expected to come in at approximately the amount projected in the budget, although the district could receive slightly more than anticipated. “To be safe, I am using $8 million as the surplus from 2025-26,” he said. After the presentation, Nehring deferred to Superintendent of Schools Gina Talbert on what option the district’s administrators recommended. “We have deliberated over the options to give meaningful tax relief to our community which has supported our budgets year after year,” Talbert said. “We would recommend that the board consider option two.” Talbert said the recommended option would provide about $500,000 in tax relief to the community without compromising the district’s educational

FREE SUMMER

CONCERTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 7:00PM

LOS LOBOS

goals.

District priorities

Also at the meeting, Talbert presented the district’s priorities and her goals as superintendent. Among the priorities are developing implementation plans for each strategic priority, establishing timelines and milestones to measure progress, and strengthening leadership through collaborative planning involving administrators, staff, students, families and community partners. The district is also working to develop a “portrait of a graduate,” a framework designed to bring together curriculum, instruction and student experiences while defining the skills and attributes students should have when they complete their education in Amityville.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the district’s safety and emergency management plan for the 2026-27 school year. • Extended Dragone’s appointment as assistant superintendent for finance and operations through Sept. 30 of this year. • Awarded a contract to Vidcom Filmworks of Massapequa to provide school photography services at no cost to the district. • Approved a $107,369 contract with Statewide Roofing Inc. of Ronkonkoma for roof repairs at Edmund W. Miles Middle School. The project includes removal of the existing roof and installation of a new EPDM roof system. The next school board is Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., at Park Avenue Elementary School, 140 Park Ave. in Amityville.

EISENHOWER PARK

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• FREE ADMISSION • BRING CHAIRS • PARKING FIELD #6

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN presents NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

Massapequa athletes win state and national recognition

Missed Oyster Bay tax deadline? Aug. 31 is next cutoff Town of Oyster Bay property owners who missed the Aug. 10 deadline for paying their 2026 general taxes can still pay through Aug. 31 with a state-mandated 2 percent late-payment penalty, according to Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato.

Pravato said taxpayers who did not receive a second notice with a delinquent tax bill should immediately contact the receiver’s office at (516) 624-6400. Payments postmarked after Aug. 31 cannot be accepted by the town because

the collection warrant will have expired. Those payments must be sent to the Nassau County Treasurer, 1 West St., Mineola. In September, the Nassau County Treasurer will mail notices to property owners

with taxes in arrears. Pravato advises homeowners in that situation to contact the treasurer’s office at (516) 571-2090 to determine the amount due. They may also visit the treasurer’s office at 1 West St. in Mineola.

Oyster Bay town expands online building permit system Oyster Bay Town officials announced that homeowners, businesses and contractors can now apply for additional building permits through the town’s online permit system, eliminating the need for many in-person visits to Town Hall. The expanded Building Division Portal now includes permits for residential swimming pools, including aboveground and semi-inground pools that do not require additional structures other than required fencing. The online system already allows applicants to apply for more than 20 types of building permits, including those for fences, generators,

sprinkler systems and solar panels. “The online permit system allows applicants to submit materials, track progress, schedule inspections and receive updates — all without having to come to Town Hall,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Since the original rollout, we now accept commercial solar, commercial plumbing and residential pool permits. In addition, the online system now accepts elevator license affidavits and renewal payments. We will continue to look toward adding new projects for added convenience to our residents, businesses and contractors.” The online portal also provides step-

by-step instructions, checklists, and a full list of eligible permits. Homeowners can create an account, while contractors

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O’Bay children’s snapper derby Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Clerk Rich LaMarca invite residents to attend the Town’s 4th Annual Children’s Snapper Derby to be featured at the famed Bluefish Tournament on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay. “This fun family event is open to youngsters ages 14 and under with fun prizes and awards for winners, as well as giveaways for all participants,” said Supervisor Saladino. T h e Snapper Derby will take place between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., during the Town’s Bluefish Tournament, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park by

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August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

For Information on advertising here, call Ellen Reynolds at 516-569-4000 Ext. 286

the fishing pier. There is a $15 registration entry fee. Participants are invited to bring their own equipment, including poles and bait, as supplies are limited. Children will be placed into two age groups, ages 7 and under, and 8-14. Winners will be based on number of snappers caught - catch and release only with awards and prizes being given out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each age group. Family fun activities will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is online at www.oysterbaytown.com/sports For more information on registration, residents can contact the Town’s Recreation Office at (516) 797-7945.

Durso campaign continues, with no opponent Senior correspondent

Republican Assemblyman Michael Durso is seeking re-election to a two-year term in the 9th District, and he appears to be a rare candidate who can already celebrate. His Democratic opponent, Christopher Walis, suspended his campaign on Aug. 12. The 9th District stretches along the South Shore from Massapequa, Massapequa Park and South Farmingdale through Amityville to parts of West Babylon, Babylon and West Islip. Durso has represented those communities such 2021. Durso, 46, said that one of his priorities is the passage of Connor’s Law. The bill, named for Connor Kasin, a 17-year-old Massapequa High School hockey player who collapsed and died during a game in 2024, would require cardiac screenings for student athletes participating in school sports. “After Connor’s passing, I came up with the idea for this bill to ensure that student athletes can participate in sports safely and with peace of mind,” Durso said. “Heart screenings are important tools used to detect potentially underlying conditions that may put a child at risk, and should be required in order to participate in school sports.” Durso grew up in a blue-collar family in Massapequa Park, where he still lives, and graduated from Massapequa High School. While in high school, he attended Nassau BOCES’ Barry Tech vocational education program. His wife, Dana, is a village trustee. The couple have two daughters. Durso began his career as a Town of Oyster Bay sanitation worker, and later became a sanitation supervisor. He also worked as a public safety officer at Hofstra University. A former member of CSEA Local

9 th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald

Assemblyman Michael Durso is seeking another twoyear term representing the 9th District. His Democratic opponent, Christopher Walis, suspended his campaign. 881 and Teamsters Local 553, he describes himself as a “Labor Republican.” Now completing his third two-year term in the Assembly, Durso is the ranking member of the Labor Committee, and also serves on the Science and Technology, Health, Consumer Affairs, Racing and Wagering, Transportation, and Skills Development and Career Education committees. Among his other priorities for the next two years, he said, is expanding technical education in public

schools, and encouraging students to develop practical skills they can take into the workforce. “I want to change the mindset that working with one’s hands is a dirty job and beneath people,” he said. Durso said that one of his proudest accomplishments has been building relationships between the Assembly’s Republican conference and organized labor, and helping fellow Republicans better understand labor issues. His biggest disappointment, he said, has been seeing legislation he believes could help New Yorkers stall because of partisan divisions. He added that he is not afraid to voice his opposition to the Democratic majority in Albany. He voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which allows terminally ill adults who meet certain requirements to request medication to end their lives. Durso said he was concerned that the legislation did not provide sufficient protections for vulnerable people. “New York is great at being first, but terrible about doing things right,” he said. Durso said he supports universal prekindergarten, but has criticized legislation requiring local school districts to offer the program by the 2028-29 school year. He said that districts should have greater flexibility in how they use state funding to implement their programs.

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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

By MIKE POLANSKY

August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Courtesy Massapequa school district

Aug. 18 was the first day of Massapequa’s four-day new teacher orientation program, with first-year faculty members gathering at the McKenna Elementary School senior center for introductions.

MSD’s new teachers welcomed to the ‘greatest profession’ Fifty-five new faculty members began preparing for the school year Aug. 18 as the Massapequa school district welcomed its newest educators for four days of orientation at McKenna Elementary School. “The truth is, this is the most fulfilling, greatest career that you could ever enter into,” Superintendent William Brennan told the group. Brennan and Board of Education President Kerry Wachter welcomed the new teachers and discussed the support available from administrators and colleagues. The orientation also introduced educators to the district’s mission and vision and the five competencies that make up its Profile of a Massapequa Learner and Leader. “Every teacher here,” Wachter said, “whether it’s elementary or high school or middle school, you are owning a piece of this mission and vision and helping us get our students to success, that day when they graduate.” The new teachers represent multiple grade levels and subject areas across the district’s nine elementary and secondary schools. Several are Massapequa High School graduates who are returning to the district as educators. Orientation also included an overview of instructional technology led by district administrators and technology learning coaches. Teachers attended sessions on lesson planning and best practices, professional resources and special education, and participated in breakout groups with principals and department supervisors. The four-day program was designed to familiarize the district’s newest faculty members with Massapequa’s schools, instructional practices and resources before they welcome students for the new school year.

Superintendent Dr. William Brennan spoke to teachers about the district’s mission, vision and Profile of a Massapequa Learner and Leader.

Board of Education President Kerry Wachter, left, and Superintendent Dr. William Brennan, right, welcomed back Massapequa High School graduates who have joined the faculty this year.

Gupta seeks easier access to town services Senior correspondent

Democrat Shreya Gupta is challenging Republican incumbent Richard LaMarca for Oyster Bay town clerk, saying she wants to improve efficiency in the office and make its services easier for residents to navigate. The town clerk serves a two-year term as the custodian of town records, and handles a range of services for residents, including Freedom of Information Law requests, licenses and permits. Gupta, 27, faces an uphill battle, with Republicans accounting for 35.5 percent of registered voters in the town, compared with 30.8 percent Democrats and 29.4 percent unaffiliated voters, with the remainder registered with other parties. LaMarca won re-election in 2025 with 64 percent of the vote. He had to run again because of a state ruling that moved many county and town elections to even-numbered years. A Queens native who now lives in Bethpage, Gupta graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in upstate Troy, in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in civil engineering. She works for an international engineering firm specializing in transportation infrastructure. Gupta said that her professional background has shaped both her approach to problem-solving and her decision to seek public office. After hearing concerns from residents and through her own experiences, she said, she believes town government could be more responsive to infrastructure and other quality-of-life concerns. “You shouldn’t have to hit a pothole every time you drive,” Gupta said, referring to the condition of some town roads, which she described as “pretty bad.” Although infrastructure work is not among the town clerk’s responsibilities, Gupta said that such concerns

Oyster Bay tOwn clerk

Carolyn James/Herald

Shreya Gupta said that her engineering background would bring an analytical, problem-solving approach to the Oyster Bay town clerk’s office. fed her interest in becoming more involved in local government. If elected, she said, she would rely on the experience of the town clerk’s existing staff while looking for ways to streamline the office’s operations. Among her priorities would be making Freedom of Information Law requests and the permitting process easier for residents to understand and navigate. Gupta also said she would seek additional funding for the office if needed, arguing that additional staffing could help it handle the volume of requests and

services it provides. Her goal, she said, would be “to make life better for our residents.” Her engineering career, Gupta said, has taught her to approach problems analytically while considering how projects and decisions affect the people who rely on them. “I’m a structural engineer,” she said, “and my job requires me to be a critical thinker, and also requires me to care a lot about the well-being of the people who are affected by what I do. I would bring that to the position of town clerk.” She said she also wants residents to have a clearer understanding of what services the town clerk’s office provides and how they can access them. Gupta said her immediate goal is to serve Oyster Bay and focus on the responsibilities of the town clerk. At the same time, she views the position as a possible starting point for a broader career in public service. “It’s a good place to start for me,” she said, “and I don’t intend on holding on to a position very long if I have outgrown it.” Her candidacy, she said, is rooted in a belief that local government should be accessible and responsive to the people it serves. For her, she added, that begins with making the town clerk’s office easier for residents to navigate and ensuring that its services are delivered efficiently.

LaMarca touts a modernized clerk’s office By MIKE POLANSKY Senior correspondent

Republican Richard LaMarca, who is seeking his fourth two-year term as Oyster Bay town clerk, points to the modernization of the office and expanded online services as accomplishments he hopes to build on in another term. Republicans account for more than 35 percent of registered voters in the town, compared with just under 31 percent who are Democrats. LaMarca, 61, won re-election in 2025 with 64 percent of the vote. He has to run again because of a state ruling that moved many county and town elections to even-numbered years. LaMarca, a lifelong Oyster Bay resident, lives there with his wife, Justine, their 10-year-old twins and three adult children. He graduated from Oyster Bay High School, where he played running back and defensive back on the school’s 1982 county co-champion football team. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Villanova University. LaMarca began his career in financial services, and eventually joined New York Life, where he served as acting head of human resources. His work took him around the world before he finished his career with the company in domestic operations. He entered the public sector in 2012 as the town’s director of labor management. He also served as president of the Oyster Bay Civic Association and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors. After Joseph Saladino became town supervisor in 2017, LaMarca worked with his administration on several initiatives, including efforts to increase transpar-

Carolyn James /Herald

Richard LaMarca points to the digitization of town records and expanded remote services as key accomplishments of his tenure as Oyster Bay town clerk. ency at Town Hall. Two years later, Saladino asked LaMarca to run for town clerk on the Republican ticket. He won that November, and has served in the position ever since. “This job has fulfilled my life,” LaMarca said. “I love what I do and I love helping people, and this job lends itself to that, not only in the office but in the

things I can do for local communities.” LaMarca said that one of his greatest challenges — and accomplishments — came shortly after he took office, when the coronavirus pandemic forced the town to change how it provided services. “I was going into the office seven days a week by myself,” he recalled. The pandemic accelerated LaMarca’s push to make more clerk services available remotely. When Town Hall was unavailable for weddings, he began performing ceremonies at the bandstand and gazebo at Oyster Bay Beach. Since then, he has overseen the digitization of vital records, including marriage licenses and death certificates. He said he is now working toward a system that would allow residents to complete licensing and permitting processes online without visiting the clerk’s office. His biggest disappointment, LaMarca said, is that it has taken six years to reach this point. He is also working to convert a town-owned building on Spring Street into a museum where historic town documents and artifacts could be displayed for the public. LaMarca said he expects the clerk’s office’s 2027 budget to come in slightly below its 2026 total of $1.752 million. Several longtime employees are expected to retire, he said, and their replacements would likely begin at lower salaries. As he seeks another term, LaMarca said, his top priorities remain expanding access to town services, preserving town records and helping residents resolve problems they bring to his office. “The greatest thing I can get is the compliment that ‘You made my day, and thank you for getting this done for me,’” he said.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

By MIKE POLANSKY

THINGS TO KNOW Five things parents should know as children head back to school

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Back-to-school tips for families in Babylon, Amityville and Massapequa Five ways parents can help children adjust to the school-year routine s summer winds down, families are shifting from relaxed schedules to earlier mornings, homework and extracurricular activities. While shopping for school supplies often gets the most attention, preparing children emotionally, physically and mentally for the transition is just as important.

Ease back into a school routine before the first day

Many children stay up later and sleep in during the summer, making the first week of school difficult. Pediatricians recommend gradually moving bedtimes and wake-up times earlier by 15 to 30 minutes each day beginning about a week before school starts. Parents can also reintroduce school-year habits by serving breakfast at a consistent time, limiting late-night screen use and practicing morning routines. A predictable schedule can reduce stress and help children arrive at school rested and ready to learn.

Talk about feelings — excitement and anxiety are both normal

Not every child looks forward to returning to school. Some are excited to see friends and teachers, while others may worry about new classmates, academic expectations or unfamiliar surroundings.

Parents should encourage honest conversations rather than dismissing those feelings. Asking questions such as, “What are you looking forward to?” or “Is there anything you’re nervous about?” can help children express concerns before they become overwhelming. For younger students, reading books about the first day of school or visiting the building beforehand may ease anxiety. If anxiety persists or begins affecting daily life, parents should speak with a teacher, school counselor or pediatrician.

Prioritize healthy habits from day one

HGood nutrition, adequate sleep and regular physical activity can help children concentrate and perform better in school. A healthy breakfast provides energy for the morning, while nutritious lunches and snacks can help students stay focused. Experts also recommend encouraging water instead of sugary drinks.

School-age children generally need nine to 12 hours of sleep each night, while teenagers typically need eight to 10 hours. Daily physical activity also benefits physical and emotional health.

Stay involved with your child’s education

Research shows students tend to perform better when parents remain involved in their education. That doesn’t mean helping with every homework assignment. Parents can establish homework routines, communicate regularly with teachers, monitor assignments and attend school events when possible. Reviewing school policies, transportation plans and classroom expectations before classes begin can help prevent confusion. As children get older, parents should encourage greater independence.

reveal challenges that weren’t apparent over the summer. Parents should watch for changes in behavior, including frequent headaches or stomachaches before school, difficulty sleeping, declining grades, withdrawal from friends or reluctance to attend class. While occasional nervousness is common, ongoing changes may signal emotional, academic or social difficulties. Early communication with teachers can help identify concerns before they become larger problems. Schools also have support staff who can help students facing challenges. Every child adjusts at a different pace. Patience, encouragement and consistent support can help children begin the school year with confidence. — Carolyn James

Watch for signs that a child may need extra support

The start of a new school year can

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STEPPING OUT

Jolson ’ Story is timeless

Jolson Festival marks 80 years By Iris Wiener

or many, Al Jolson is forever embraced as “The World’s Greatest Entertainer,” and honoring his legacy has become an annual tradition. Celebrating him every year is an unmissable moment for so many. As Jolson himself once said, “A responsive audience is the best encouragement an actor can have.” Judging by the enduring enthusiasm for his music and legacy, there will be no shortage of that encouragement at this year’s celebration. Fans of legendary entertainer Al Jolson will travel from as far away as Kentucky, Ohio, Massachusetts, and New Jersey when the Long Island • Saturday, Sept. 26, Jolson Festival returns next 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • To purchase tickets and for month, on Sept. 26. The more information, call Jan annual celebration takes Hernstat at (516) 678-3524 on added significance as it • Lambrou’s Catering Hall, marks the 80th anniversary 4073 Austin Blvd., Island Park of “The Jolson Story,” the beloved film that inspired generations of Jolson admirers and serves as the theme of this year’s event. With the 27th festival in a span of more than 32 years, the event has grown into a national gathering for devotees of Jolson’s music and legacy. Jan Hernstat, who has served as president of the Al Jolson Society for more than 24 of those years, expects visitors from to make the pilgrimage to Lambrou’s Catering Hall in Island Park with gusto. According to Hernstat this year’s milestone anniversary has inspired even more people to attend. “Because this is the 80th anniversary of ‘The Jolson Story,’ it’s really about the movie and the love for Al Jolson,” he enthusiastically says. For Hernstat, the connection is deeply personal. As a child home sick from school, he stumbled upon “The Million Dollar Movie” and repeated television broadcasts of “The Jolson Story,” and found himself captivated. “They used to play the same movie eight or nine times in a row,” he recalls. “I must have watched ‘The Jolson Story’ five or six times, and that was it. I was hooked.” He notes that while Jolson dominated Broadway from 1911 through the mid-1920s, few living fans remember those performances firsthand. Instead, it was the Academy Awardwinning film that introduced audiences to his remarkable story and unforgettable songs. “Nobody’s alive to say they saw him on Broadway,” Hernstat says. “Why are people alive who can say they are Jolson fans? Because they saw ‘The Jolson Story.’ That movie took this old guy who was no longer relevant and made him

a superstar all over again.” Courtesy Jan Hernstat This year’s Al Jolson in a scene from his film “The Singing Kid” in 1936. It entertainment lineup has was his final lead role in a musical film. been carefully built around that cinematic celebration. Tony Babino, known as “The Heart of Al Jolson,” is back, performing the film’s signature hits, while Richard Halpern will sing the songs featured during Jolson’s childhood scenes in the movie. Music historian Ed Greenbaum will present rare outtakes and songs that were considered for “The Jolson Story” but never made the final cut, offering fans a glimpse into what might Courtesy Iris Wiener have been. The festival Tony B., joined by Society President Jan Hernstat, left, wows also features Brian Gari, the crowd with his lively take on Jolson standards. grandson of entertainer Eddie Cantor; Noah Diamond portraying Groucho Marx; Bob Greenberg performing as Lou Costello, Curly Howard, Ralph Kramden and Oliver Hardy; Angelo Capone as Jerry Lewis; and comedian Jeff Greenberg. Hernstat especially enjoys his own playful interaction with “Groucho Marx” throughout the annual auction portion of the day. The inclusion of Jerry Lewis is especially fitting. Lewis and Dean Martin were lifelong Jolson admirers, and Lewis famously said that meeting Jolson was the only time he had ever been speechless. Hernstat relates that Jolson’s influence stretched far beyond one generation of entertainers. “He was the first superstar before the phrase was even coined,” he says. “He had universal appeal. He was a star in Europe and all over because of ‘The Jazz Singer.’” Yet even after decades of studying Jolson’s career, Hernstat still finds new discoveries. “You would think I’ve heard every song he ever recorded, but I haven’t. I don’t rush to hear and see everything, because when I discover something new, it’s exciting.” Looking back over more than three decades of organizing the festival, Hernstat shares that the greatest reward has been the people. He treasures the opportunity to meet classic entertainers who have attended over the years, along with the friendships formed among fans who return annually. He has begun to appreciate the broader impact of his work. “I am doing something that is making people feel good and helping people,” he reflects “I never looked at it like that when I started doing it, but now I know that’s what it is.” As the lights go up on another Long Island Jolson Festival, the celebration honors more than an entertainer — it will celebrate the film that ensured his music, charisma, and remarkable story would live on. Eighty years after “The Jolson Story” rekindled America’s love affair with Al Jolson, fans continue to gather for the same reason Hernstat did as a child: to relive the movie that first made them believe they were witnessing the world’s greatest entertainer.

Melissa Etheridge Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Melissa Etheridge (“I’m the Only One” “Come to My Window,” “I Want to Come Over.”) has remained one of America’s favorite female singers since bursting onto the scene in 1988. Etheridge performs songs from her new album, Rise, and her hits. “I chose to survive,”she sings on “Being Alive,” the powerful, exuberant opening song on her 17th studio album. Her concerts usually move between bigger sing-along songs, slower emotional moments, and the kind of tracks that let her voice really take over the room. That balance is a big reason her live shows connect so strongly with the audience. The Rise Tour carries that same feel, with a set that blends the songs fans know best with newer material.

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

Troy Ramey Troy Ramey is part troubadour, part crooner and all heart — an artist who blends emotional depth with timeless soul, captivating audiences with every note. With a voice that moves effortlessly between vulnerability and power, Troy doesn’t just perform — he shares pieces of his life, inviting listeners into the story with him. Raised in a music-ﬁlled household, Troy initially pursued athletics until the sudden loss of his father led him to discover the healing power of music. From singing at open mics in Boston to performing on national television as a Top 12 ﬁnalist on “The Voice,” Troy’s journey has been one of reinvention and resilience.

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet. org or (516) 767-6444. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

‘The

August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Your Neighborhood AUG

‘Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years’

Visit the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame for an immersive exhibit (designed by LIMEHOF Creative Director, renowned designer Kevin O’Callaghan). It features the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s recent 30th anniversary TV special on CBS, never before on display. Visitors can walk into the world of the Barone family and explore their home through original studio sets, which include the living room, the kitchen and other areas of the house. Also see a variety of iconic items, including original clothing, the famous fork and spoon, and the Christmas toaster, among other classic items from the series. Multimedia clips, including behind the scenes and rare out-takes and a range of related videos play in LIMEHOF’s surround sound theater. • Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook • Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. • Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

Westbury House AUG Tour

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “Secrets of the Service Wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: Noon-1 p.m., also Aug. 30-31 • Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

Farmingdale Vendor Fair The Kiwanis Club of Farmingdale hosts a vendor fair. Stop by and check out clothing, accessories, handmade crafts, beauty products, food and beverages, art, home décor and more. • Where: Village Green, 361 Main St. Farmingdale • Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Contact: nassaucountyfairs.com

CALENDAR 0552 or Jill at (516) 220-7808. All calls are confidential.

Nature Connects Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Seasonal Sprouts offers is a LEGO-themed adventure for young explorers. Children (ages 4–10) embark on a guided outdoor tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. Everyone discovers the wonders of nature in a fun and hands-on way. After the tour, kids can unleash their creativity in a LEGO free-play area. $22 per adult, $20 ages 62+, $12 child. Registration required.

SEP

Australian Pink Floyd Show

The Australian Pink Floyd Show arrives at the Paramount on The Happiest Days Of Our Lives – Greatest Hits 26 Tour, bringing the complete Pink Floyd Experience with a stunning laser show, massive inflatables, and more! The Australian Pink Floyd Show will take the stage with a collection of greatest hits that resonate deeply with Pink Floyd fans worldwide. Performing the music of Pink Floyd with note for note perfection, this critically acclaimed tribute show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for nearly 40 years. Striving to reproduce the Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show continues to include a stunning light and laser show, video animations, state-ofthe-art LED screen technology and other special effects. Featuring a new stage set and video animation, cutting-edge lighting, precision lasers, massive inflatables, and impeccable live sound, TAPFS promises to offer an unforgettable experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. The Australian Pink Floyd Show gave its first concert in Adelaide, Australia in 1988. Since then, they have performed in over 35 countries worldwide; played at David Gilmour’s 50th birthday celebration and were even joined on stage by David Gilmour and Rick Wright. Covering music from every era of Pink Floyd’s evolution, this tour highlights TAPFS’s unwavering commitment to the legacy of Barrett, Waters, Gilmour, Wright, and Mason, delivering an authentic and heartfelt tribute to the legendary Pink Floyd productions. In addition and in true Pink Floyd tradition, • Where: The Paramount, 370 huge inflatables include a giant pig, and their own unique Pink Kangaroo. Reproducing the New York Ave., Huntington complete Pink Floyd experience and bringing the music to new audiences, TAPFS inspired a whole new genre of acts. So much more than a tribute band, The Australian Pink Floyd Show • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: ticketmaster.com is the first Pink Floyd tribute show that took the concept into the worldwide arena circuit. or paramountny.com

AUG

Bricknic Weekend

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to festive weekend to enjoy summer’s final days, inspired by Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects: Made with LEGO Bricks. Pack a picnic, explore the award-winning outdoor exhibition, then enjoy live music, LEGO-themed crafts, free-play building stations, lawn games and fun building challenges for all ages. It’s one of the last opportunities to experience the popular exhibition before it closes on Sept. 7. Included with admission. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 11 a.m-5 p.m.; also Aug. 30 • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

Play Music on the Porch Day Amityville will once again be participating in the International Play Music on the Porch Day with an array of live musical performances on porches and front lawns throughout the village.

Where: Throughout Amityville • • Time: All Day • Contact: (631) 264-6000

AUG

In concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomes Grimm Jack. Their acclaimed as one of America’s best rock and roll bands. Whether playing live or in the studio recording, they are a hard-driving but melodic act. The band has often been compared to Guns n’ Roses, Alice Cooper, and Aerosmith, with a bit of southern bluesy flavor thrown in. • Where: 97 Main St., Stony Brook • Time: 3 p.m. • Contact: limusichalloffame.org or (631) 689-5888

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Harmonize with Long Island Harmonizers

Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The Barbershop Harmony Society chapter is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs

four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like — join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together. • Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset • When: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m. • Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org

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Emotional Health Recovery and Support Group

This group meets weekly, in person with Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step support group for anyone experiencing emotional difficulties. • Where: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9592, 55 Hickory Lane, Levittown • Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m. • Contact: Steve at (631) 332-

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 11 a.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

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Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce meets

The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce holds their general meeting. All are welcome to attend. Registration is required. • Where: Palmer’s American Grille, 123 Fulton St., Farmingdale. • Time: Noon-1:30 p.m. • Contact: farmingdalenychamber. org or (516) 200-1228

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Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of “Mossy” by Jan Brett. The new and improved stroll route starts out at the map stand. Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and hands-on craft for each child to take home. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

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.

Registration opens Sept. 2 for Town of Oyster Bay residents

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN presents NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Saturdays, 9 to 10 a.m., beginning Oct. 3 • Zumba: Mondays, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., beginning Sept. 28; Wednesdays, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 30; Saturdays, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m., beginning Oct. 3 • Yoga/Meditation: Tuesdays, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., beginning Sept. 29; Saturdays, 8:15 to 9:15 p.m., beginning Oct. 3 Registration opens at 5 p.m. Sept. 2 for Town of Oyster Bay residents and at 9 a.m. Sept. 9 for nonresidents. Residents who have not previously used the registration portal must upload proof of residency, such as a tax or utility bill, along with valid identification. The registration fee is $75 for Town residents and $100 for nonresidents. Participants must bring their own mats for Yoga, Pilates, Cardio Kickboxing and Yoga/Meditation. Class schedules are subject to change, and if a session is canceled, make-up days will be attempted. For more information, call (516) 797-7945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

FREE SUMMER

CONCERTS TUESDAY,

SEPTEMBER 1 | 7:00PM

EISENHOWER PARK

• FREE ADMISSION • BRING CHAIRS • PARKING FIELD #6

1360468

Weather permitting, call 516-572-0200 for up-to-date information. 1361151

Massapequa residents can register beginning Sept. 2 for the Town of Oyster Bay’s fall fitness classes, with programs for adults offered at the Hicksville Athletic Center. The 10-week programs are open to anyone 18 and older and include ballroom dancing, Cardio Kickboxing, Pilates, yoga, Zumba and Yoga/Meditation. Classes begin Sept. 27. “Our great fall programs provide a fun, energizing way for residents to stay active while joining with friends or meeting new people,” Councilwoman Vicki Walsh said, in a release. “Residents can participate in a variety of activities, including Cardio Kick-boxing, Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Ballroom Dancing, and Meditation.” The fall schedule includes: • Ballroom Dancing: Saturdays, 7 to 8 p.m., beginning Oct. 3 • Cardio Kickboxing: Thursdays, 8 to 9 p.m., beginning Oct. 1 • Pilates: Mondays, 8 to 9 p.m., beginning Sept. 28 • Yoga: Sundays, 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., beginning Sept. 27; Tuesdays, 8 to 9 p.m., beginning Sept. 29; Thursdays, 7 to 8 a.m., beginning Oct. 1;

August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

Public Notices

LMAS1

New York Surrogate's Court OCA Official Form OCA Official Form JA-6 Accounting Citation File No. 2023-1967/A S U R R O G AT E ’ S COURT, NASSAU COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: Grassi Advisory Group NYS Office of the Attorney General Jasper Surety, Attorney in Fact, Arch Insurance Company William B. George Betty Clarke Efthalia Degroot Constantine George any and all unknown persons whose names or parts of whose names and whose place or places of residence are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, distributees, heirs-at-law and nextof-kin of the said Paul George, deceased, and if any of the said distributees named specifically or as a class be dead, their legal representatives, their husbands or wives, if any, distributees and successors in interest whose names and/ or places of residence and post office addresses are unknown and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained. A petition having been duly filed by Nassau County Public Administrator, who is domiciled at 240 Old Country Road Suite 603, Mineola, New York 11501. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Nassau County, at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York, on September 30, 2026, at 10:00 o’clock in the

forenoon of that day, why the account of Nassau County Public Administrator, a summary of which has been served herewith, as Administrator of the estate of Paul George, should not be judicially settled. [X] Further relief sought (if any): 1. Releasing and discharging the Petitioner from all liability, responsibility and accountability as to all matters set forth in the account of proceedings; 2. Allowing the commissions of the Petitioner in the amount of $ 16,555.00 pursuant to SCPA 2307(1) and the reasonable and necessary expenses of the office in the amount of $ 4,185.00 pursuant to SCPA 1207(4); 3. Fixing and determining the attorney’s fees and disbursements of Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O'Brien, LLC attorney for petitioner in the amount of $ 40,840.88 as and for legal fees and $ 3,861.53 as and for disbursements, for a total of $ 44,702.41, of which $ 17,202.41 has been paid and $ 27,500.00 is unpaid; 4. Fixing and determining the accounting fees of Grassi & Co, CPA’s, PC in the amount of $ 7,100.00, of which $ 1,100.00 has been paid and $ 6,000.00 is unpaid; 5. Releasing and discharging the surety; 6. Directing each of you claiming to be a distributee of the Decedent to establish proof of your kinship and show cause why the balance of said funds should not be paid to said alleged distributees upon proof of kinship or deposited with the New York State Comptroller on account for the unknown next of kin of Paul George, de-

cedent, should said alleged distributees default herein or fail to establish proof of kinship; 7. Granting such other and further relief as to the Court is just and proper. Dated, Attested, and Sealed, HON. HON. DAVID P. SULLIVAN JUD GE OF THE S U R R O G AT E ’ S COURT July 29, 2026 Surrogate (Seal) s/ DEBRA KELLER LEIMBACH Chief Clerk Richard T. Kerins, Esq. Signature of Attorney Print Name of Attorney Mahon, Mahon, Kerins & O'Brien, LLC (516) 538-1111 Firm Name Telephone 254 Nassau Boulevard South, Garden City South, New York 11530 rkerins@mmkolaw. com Address Email (optional) NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed that you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you, and you or your attorney may request a copy of the full account from the petitioner or petitioner’s attorney. Estate of Paul George File No. 2023-1967/A Accounting Citation 26-152 8/12, 19, 29, 9/2 NOTICE OF FORMATION of Fran k ie’s C of fe e Beans, LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on (07/30/26) Office location: Nassau C o u n t y. S S N Y designated as agent upon whom process may be served and s h a l l m a i l c o py

of process against LLC to (211 Foster Av e n u e , Va l l e y Stream, NY 11580). Purpose: any lawful act. 26-161. 8/26, 9/2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-26-122919 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 246 Glen Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542, County of Nassau, for on pre m i s e s consumption at Capri 246 Corp. 26-158. 8/26, 9/2 Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0340-26-122932 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail i n a R e s t au r a nt under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 216 Pettit Ave, Bellmore, NY 11710, County of Nassau, for on pre m is e s consumption at Barkley Drury LLC. 26-159. 8/26, 9/2 NOTICE OF F OR M AT ION of JDL PTA WORKS, PLLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on (08/11/26) Office lo c at ion: Nass au C o u n t y. S S N Y designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to (211 Foster Av e n u e , Va l l e y Stream, NY 11580). Purpose: any lawful act. 26-160. 8/26, 9/2, 9, 16, 23, 30

NOTICE OF NAMES OF P E R S O N S APPEARING AS OWNERS O F C E RTA I N UNCLAIMED PROPERTY HELD B Y N e w Yo r k University Federal Credit Union. The following persons appear from our records to be entitled to unclaimed property consisting of cash amounts of fifty dollars or more: Mar y Schaefer 115 Sunset Rd, Massapequa, NY 11758. A report of Unclaimed Property will be made to the Comptroller of the State of New York, pursuant to Article III of the Abandoned Property L aw. A list of the names contained in such notice is on file and open to public inspection at the principal office of the bank, located at 726 Broadway, Suite 110, NY, NY 10003, where su ch ab and one d property is payable. Such ab andone d property will be paid on or before October 31 next to persons establishing to its satisfaction their right to receive the same. In the succeeding November, and on or before the tenth day thereof, such unclaimed property will be paid to the Comptroller of the State of New York, and shall thereupon cease to be liable therefore. 26-162 - 8/26

Read the Legals Stay Informed

Free and reduced school meal policy The following school districts are offering free and reduced price meals for students meeting eligibility guidelines, as set down by the Federal government. Households which currently include children who receive food stamps or Aid to Dependent Children or Food Distribution Program, Indian Reservations, must complete an application listing the child’s name, a food stamp or other number and signature of an adult household member to participate. Households with annual incomes of no more than $29,526 one person, to $103,082 for 8 people, (for each additional member, add $10,508) are eligible for free lunch-breakfast-milk. In addition, households with annual incomes of no more than $29,526 one person, to $103,082 for 8 people, (for each additional member, add $103,082 ) are eligible for reduced price lunch-breakfast. No child may be discriminated against because of race, gender or sexual orientation, color, national origin, age or handicap. If any member of a household believes that they have been discriminated against, they should write to the USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call 202-690-7442 program.intake@usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. To receive an application, call your local school district: Amityville: 631-565-6019 Copiague: 631-842-4015, x530 Massapequa: 516-308-55747 Plainedge: 516-992-7594 Farmingdale: 516-434-5251 Western Suffolk BOCES 631-549-4900 Nassau BOCES 516-396-2925 (All students in Copiague School District, Western Suffolk Boces and Nassau BOCES get free and reduced lunch; no applications necessary) A complete copy of the policy is on file in the office of the School Food Authority District Administrator, where it may be reviewed by interested persons.

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA0370-26-123859 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Bar/Tavern under the

Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol L aw at 1741 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Dinsay Capital LLC. 26-163. 8/226, 9/2

Visit the web @ www. masapequa

post. com

S1 08/27

Employment

CLASSIFIED

To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

LONG B EACH P S UBLIC

SCOPE EDUCATION SERVICES

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS

CHOOLS

Long Beach Public Schools, a diverse district with high expectations for students and staff, is seeking innovative and caring candidates who reflect the diversity that makes our community unique to fill the following positions:

• Account Clerk, PPS

SCOPE IS HIRING

• School Bus Drivers Must have CDL Class B license with P&S endorsement • Bus Aides • Sub Teachers - $150/day

EMPLOYMENT

ROOSEVELT

CHILDREN’S ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Established 2000

Roosevelt Children’s Academy Charter School was the first charter school to be established in Long Island, New York. Now Hiring: Dynamic Educators and Leaders! We are seeking energetic teachers, passionate professionals holding a valid NYS Certification for the following open positions:

POSITIONS AND STARTING SALARIES • RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION Bachelor Cert $54,308.70 Master Cert $59,847.63

• MATH COACH $87,500

• MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL 1360391

RANGE $140,000 - $150,000

Main Location 111 Pleasant Avenue, Roosevelt, New York 11575 516-867-6202 • www.rcacs.org

Help Wanted

LAND SURVEYOR FT

Surveying Firm Seeks Experienced Only. Instrument Operator $20-$30/hr. Call/ Email Resume 516-678-9610; ra@aksurveyors.com

MEDICAL SECRETARY

Administrative Assistant P/T Leading To F/T Various Office Duties Must Be Proficient In Word And Outlook Will Train Right Candidate $21/Hour Email Resume To:

jwpersonal@ wilsoncollegeconsulting.com No Phone Calls Or In-Person Inquiries

BELLMORE UFSD NOW HIRING Permanent, Guaranteed, Everyday, Building Substitutes, Full Time. Applicants applying for this position must have New York State Childhood Education (1-6) or (N-6) certification (preferred) or may be pursuing an Undergraduate/Graduate Degree in Education. Teaching Assistants Full Time with Full Benefits. Applicants applying for these positions must have New York State Teacher or Teaching Assistant Certification Teacher Aides - Part Time and Full Time with Benefits School Monitors - Part Time Send Letter/Resume/Certification: Dr. Joseph S. Famularo, Supt. of Schools, 580 Winthrop Ave. Bellmore, NY 11710. Fax 516-679-3027 or email- bellmore@bellmoreschools.org or apply directly on OLAS

P/T - F/T F/T: 9-12 Saturdays A Must Pediatrician's Office Flexible Days Office Experience Preferred But Not Necessary $17-$20 Per Hour 516-680-5771

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Open the door to a bright future! Check the

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516-569-4000 Press 5

BUS NOW HIRINGIVERS AND VAN DR

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Sign On Bonus $5,000.00 *Some restrictions may apply.

for CDL driver bus and van $500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants

EDUCATIONAL BUS TRANSPORTATION

1359462 1355793

LBPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

1361176

Please apply online at:

www.olasjobs.org

1356440

rdillehay@rcacs.org

(Salary is $17.00 per hour)

• Sub Nurses - $180/day

Hiring Directors, Assistants, Group Leaders and Substitutes. Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships and Employee Referrals Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN ADD TO THE FOCUS OF RCACS PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO

$17.00

• Probationary School Psychologist

For The Before & After School Child Care Programs That Will Be Opening For The 2026 - 2027 School Year In Nassau and Suffolk County Elementary Schools

Grades K-8

$35,360

516.454.2300 Call Today!

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Apply At: www.educationalbusjobs.com/ EOE One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country.

Call the USA Classified Network today!

1-800-231-6152

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

HERALD

August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

S2 08/27

Homes

HERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

HOME Of tHE WEEK

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Massapequa

Stunning Neighborhood

iscover refined living in this custom-built Colonial in Massapequa’s prestigious Old Harbour Green community. Built in 2008, this exceptional 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath residence offers 2,715 square feet of beautifully appointed living space and quality craftsmanship. A grand foyer welcomes you into elegant formal rooms, while the chef’s kitchen, equipped with Wolf, SubZero, and Bosch appliances, flows into a spacious family room with gas fireplace. A covered threeseason porch extends the living space to a beautifully landscaped backyard, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The luxurious primary suite is a private retreat with dual walk-in closets and a spa-inspired bath with radiant heat. Hardwood floors, central vacuum, whole-house generator, security system, oversized basement, and attached two-car garage complete this impressive home. Timeless style, modern comforts, and an exceptional location come together in one of Massapequa’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Paul Generosa Licensed Sales Associate 516.581.7175 Jonathan Sanchez Licensed Sales Associate 516.406.4046 Newman Realty 341 Hempstead Ave. Malverne, NY 11565 516.599.2800

REAL ESTATE Apartments For Rent Real Estate WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

MERRICK: 1 BR, 2nd Floor, No Pets. $1,400/ Monthly. 2 Months Security Plus Electric. By Owner. 516-486-6139

Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

Helping you find a HOME or sell a HOME … a place to call your own. Suburb or country, house, condo, townhouse or apartment, our Classifieds can help you find a HOME that fits your style, your budget and Real Estate needs... it’s a MUST SEE!

Call us today!

Your Hometown Newspaper

To Place an Ad Call: 516-569-4000 • Press 5

Do we have to replace all the windows? Q. We have been told that when we add to our second floor, over our one-story garage, we will have to change every window in the house so we can meet the “egress” code. This is going to make our project out of budget, so we have to ask somebody else to know whether this is the case, and whether there’s any way we can keep the windows we have. There is nothing wrong with them, and it seems like a lot of cost when, if we left everything alone, we apparently wouldn’t have to do this. Can you explain this?

A. You don’t need to change every window in your home. You got the easy, simple answer, which was wrong or, at best, only partially right, and misleading. If everything could be explained with a simple answer, like the black-and-white, all-ornothing answer that you received, the world would be a simpler place. But nothing is simple, and, onte eeper unfortunately, regulations on windows, which make sense, were not explained to you correctly. First, the building codes exist for occupant and public safety. You need to be able to escape in an emergency, and you also may need to be rescued. Picture a big firefighter with his equipment strapped to him, trying to get in to save a child who is huddled, as many will do, in a closet. Window size regulations in the building codes for escape and rescue were changed with the issuance of the 2003 version. In that updated code, the previous clear opening size was 4 square feet, but it was changed to 5.7 square feet for floors above or below the first floor. The first-floor windows for habitable spaces were then upgraded to 5 square feet clear opening from 4 square feet. This became required if more than 50 percent of the building was being physically altered, or if the occupancy use of a room changed, such as changing a den to a guest room. All bedrooms are now required, in new construction, to have 5.7-square-foot openings with a minimum height of 24 inches and a minimum width of the clear opening, with the window in the open position, of 20 inches. Now that you have processed that information, the key is “habitable” versus “non-habitable.” Your bathrooms, laundry room and kitchen are not habitable rooms and are not sleeping rooms. The windows in those non-habitable rooms do not have to comply, and need not be changed. Rooms like your dining area, living room and family room may have access to the outside by doors, so those windows do not need to be changed. This leaves the bedrooms, which may need to be changed, but if the area you are adding over your garage does not constitute 50 percent of the dwelling, the new windows need to be 5.7 square feet, but the ones in the old bedrooms do not. Appendix J allows for the existing windows to remain. Calculate the new areas and compare. Good luck!

Ask The Architect

© 2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

S3 08/27

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

T&M GREENCARE

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1359311

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C.J.M. Contracting g Inc.

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MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

HERALD

August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

HERALD

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS

FINDS UNDER $100 Finds Under $100

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MERCHANDISE MART Antiques/Collectibles We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Wanted To Buy

Costume Jewelry Wanted Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets & Rings. Also Buying Gold & Silver. $$ CASH PAID $$ 631-500-0792 Nassau/ Suffolk / Will Travel

S4 08/27

ANTIQUE HIGHBOY, SOLID mahogany, great condition. Photo available. Asking $99.00 516-637-6603 AUTHENTIC LLADRO, DAISA Girl holding hat, rare piece, been boxed only $75.00 (516)579-9089 appraised $200.00

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Cleaning Services

Home Improvement

WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC. Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-877-271-0003

Electricians

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Answers to todAy’s puzzle

opinions

n two weeks we will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — the deadliest attack on American soil in the nation’s history. Nearly 3,000 innocent people were killed that day, and the death and suffering didn’t end there. In the years that followed, thousands more became ill and, in many cases, died from the toxic dust in and around the World Trade Center. Each year, as Sept. 11 approaches, I think back to that day, and how it began so beautifully and uneventfully. I was in Washington, in a car with my chief of staff, Rob O’Connor, heading toward the Capitol. The sky was exceptionally clear — great for flying, I thought. I figured my wife, Rosemary’s, plane would be right on time. That night was to be the annual congressional barbecue on the south lawn of the White House — the first of George W. Bush’s presidency. Most members of Congress and their spouses

would be there. Rosemary was due to land at D.C.’s Reagan National Airport at about 9:40 a.m. The morning traffic wasn’t particularly heavy. The Capitol dome was in clear sight as I scanned the morning paper. Then Rob’s cellphone rang. It was my press secretary, Kevin Fogarty, telling us matter-offactly that he’d heard on “The Today Show” that a commuter plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Then we heard on the radio that the plane had hit high on the north tower, exploding “like a bomb.” That didn’t sound like a commuter plane. I feared that Rosemary’s 8:30 flight out of LaGuardia might have been near Lower Manhattan about the time of the crash. Kevin called back to say that the flight had been held and was on the runway, but he had no further details. My daughter, Erin, called. She had just spoken with her husband, John, who worked four blocks north of the trade center and had seen the crash. “It’s just massive,” he told her. “Flames and black smoke shooting out. Debris flying through the air.”

I got out at the Cannon Building, walked up to my fourth-floor office and opened the door to the reception area. It was 9:03. I looked up toward the television on top of a bookcase, and watched as a huge jet flew directly into a tower and exploded in soaring flames. At first I thought it was a video of the north tower crash, but then I realized it was a second plane. Erin called again. John had seen the plane coming in his direction before it hit the south tower, and he began to run down from his 28th-floor office. Still no word from Rosemary. My calls went directly to her voicemail. I managed to contact my son, Sean, who worked at the Commerce Department. As we were talking, at 9:21, Rosemary called. Having no idea what was happening, she complained about her plane being taken back to the terminal and the airport being shut down. “How am I supposed to get to the White House tonight?” she asked. “New York is under attack,” I told her. “Terrorists have attacked the World Trade Center.” Just then I heard the pilot of her plane making that announcement,

y wife had no idea why her flight from LaGuardia was grounded.

and passengers shrieking. My district office director, Anne Rosenfeld, who was very pregnant, drove to LaGuardia to pick up Rosemary. Erin was concerned that she hadn’t heard again from John. But at 9:35 she called with the good news that he had found a cab that took him to the 59th Street Bridge, and was now taking another cab home. At 9:43, CNN reported an attack on the Pentagon. We were at war. Capitol police were evacuating the Cannon Building, and there was a report of an explosion near the Commerce Department. I called Sean, but his line was dead. He called at 9:55. The report was false, and I breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment I allowed myself to think all was well. But of course, it wasn’t. The next report was of the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pa. For days, weeks and months there would be news of friends, neighbors and so many more who had died. The funerals were endless. Our lives would never be the same. Most important, though, America never wavered. We fought back, and the struggle continues. Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Trump owns the war in Iran. That’s not good news.

ike it or not, the war with Iran will soon enter its seventh month. It may be true that the war was started with the express purpose of taking away Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon, but as of now that goal has proved elusive. Iran has been a clever and resilient foe, and it’s possible that the current battle will last far into the future. The longer it lasts, the longer Americans will pay a hefty price for gasoline, fertilizer and other badly needed consumer products. On numerous occasions, President Trump has displayed a chart highlighting the fact that the Iran war hasn’t lasted anywhere near as long as the Vietnam War, the war in Afghanistan or the Korean War, and on that he is correct. The Vietnam War lasted from 1955 to 1975. The war in Afghanistan lasted 20 years, and the Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953. The problem with the White House chart is that it fails to point out the fact that the wars in Vietnam and Afghani-

stan were total failures, and the Korean War is considered a draw and not any kind of victory. Many of us who were alive during the 20 years of strife in Vietnam still remember the photo of desperate evacuees reaching for a helicopter ladder as the U.S. Army left the capital. By all accounts, Vietnam was a terrible loss. Our military failed to prevent Communist forces from taking over South Vietnam, culminating in the fall of Saigon in 1975 and the unification of the country under a Communist government. Another indelible image from that war is the dramatic photo of children, one of them naked, fleeing a napalm attack. The war in Afghanistan was another embarrassment for our nation. Failing to consider the loss of over 15,000 Soviet soldiers, we forged ahead and ultimately withdrew after 20 years, leaving the country to the Taliban, the same group we tried to oust in 2001. That war cost the lives of more than 2,400 U.S. military personnel, and an additional 20,700 were wounded. An estimated 66,000 to 69,000 Afghan national military and police officers were killed. The Korean War was supposed to

result in the unification of that country, but ended with an armistice agreement. It’s estimated that the U.S. lost 33,700 members of the military, and 103,000 were wounded. When America entered that war, it didn’t anticipate that China would contribute hundreds of thousands of troops, transforming a relatively local battle into an international showdown. The strategic location of South Korea has been of major importance to the United States, which makes the current situation in that country so confusing. Trump recently pulled back U.S. support for strategic war games, apparently as a favor to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Trump is seeking to renew what he describes as a friendship with Kim, which experts agree is, at best, a waste of time. Our adventure in Iraq should be added to the list of doubtful wars conducted by the U.S. military. While we succeeded in removing Saddam Hussein, a brutal dictator, there were setbacks. We started the war with the goal of finding stockpiles of so-called weapons of mass destruction, but none were ever found. In addition, the failure to

e’s compared it with Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan. Not the best idea.

recruit the Iraqi army to our side turned their soldiers into our sworn enemies and triggered a civil war. America lost more than 4,400 troops. The U.S. has won a number of significant conflicts in recent decades — the invasions of Grenada (1983) and Panama (1989-1990) and the Gulf War (19901991). Of course, whether we “win” sometimes depends on how you define a military victory. Occasionally these wins end with political solutions. What would you call the war with Iran? It’s currently a standoff, with the Strait of Hormuz still closed. Trump is now considering declaring the strait some kind of American property, but that idea isn’t exactly acceptable to everyone else in the region. In the meantime, the Iranians feel emboldened by virtue of the fact that there is a stalemate. Trump has declared a number of times that the warring parties are close to a deal, but it never happens. Historians tend to attach presidents’ names to lost wars, and there’s little doubt that Trump will own the Iran War. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

A morning I will never — ever — forget

Herald editorial

Massapequa

HERALD August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST

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Solving the who-needs-to-know mystery

nformation has never been easier to share — and somehow, it has never been easier to misunderstand. A text message can reach a dozen people in seconds. Emails can be forwarded with a click. Group chats keep families, friends and co-workers connected. Businesses communicate through websites, social media, apps and automated messages. Yet confusion remains remarkably common. Often, the problem isn’t that people disagree. It’s that they’re working with different information. One person thinks the family gathering starts at 2, while another was told 3. Two employees complete the same task because no one clearly assigned responsibility. A customer expects one thing, because that’s what a website says, only to hear something different from an employee. A plan changes, but the people affected never get the message. Then come the assumptions. People fill in gaps when information is missing. They guess what someone meant. They assume someone else handled a task. When things go wrong, frustration can quickly become anger or resentment. We should advocate for something simple but too often overlooked: better coordination and clearer communication. That doesn’t mean turning every decision into a meeting, copying everyone on every email or creating another group chat. It means being intentional. Who needs to know? What do they need to know? Who is responsible? Has

letters How much did county residents pay for that presidential rally? To the Editor: Re President Trump’s rally at the Nassau County Police Department’s training facility on Aug. 14 (“A high-profile Blakeman backer pays a visit,” Aug. 20-26): The rally’s theme was public safety, and how Nassau County is the safest county in the U.S. The truth is that our county first achieved that accolade under the leadership of then County Executive Laura Curran. As I watched the rally on television, it sure looked like a campaign event, with everyone running for office on the Republican ticket invited up to the stage to receive the president’s endorsement. The backdrop for all of this was the hundreds of police officers and trainees who were cheering on the same president who pardoned the folks who attacked police officers on Jan. 6, 2021,

something changed? If it has, have the affected people been told? Consider your family. Planning a birthday party, a holiday gathering or a weekend outing can get complicated when several people make arrangements independently. Maybe someone buys food that someone else already bought. A guest is given one time, while everyone else has another. A few minutes spent making sure everyone has the same information can prevent hours of frustration. The same applies to friends and coworkers. When plans change, people need to know. When responsibilities are divided, everyone should understand who is doing what. When there’s uncertainty, asking a question is almost always better than making an assumption. Businesses and organizations have a responsibility, too. Customers shouldn’t have to navigate conflicting information depending on whether they visit a website, receive an email or speak with an employee. If hours change, services become unavailable or procedures are different, that information should be updated where customers are most likely to find it. Clear communication also means acknowledging when something has changed. Too often, people continue operating according to an outdated plan because no one made the extra call, sent the email or had the necessary conversation. A few minutes of communication can head off lots of unnecessary work. Communication is a two-way respon-

sibility. Sending information isn’t enough; sometimes we need to make sure it was understood. That can be as simple as asking, “Does everyone understand the plan?” or “Are we all on the same page?” Clarity builds trust. When people know what is expected, who is responsible and where things stand, they’re more likely to feel respected and confident. When information is unclear, people are left to guess — and guessing is where misunderstandings begin. There’s a broader lesson for our communities. Schools, municipalities, civic organizations, nonprofits and businesses are more likely to earn cooperation when people understand what is happening and why. Clear communication makes it easier for residents and customers to participate and understand decisions. The answer isn’t necessarily more emails, meetings or messages. It is better information delivered to the right people at the right time, with clear responsibility for what happens next. Before assuming someone else handled something or becoming frustrated because someone “should have known,” we should first ask whether they were actually told. In our families, friendships and workplaces and our dealings with businesses and organizations, we can all do a better job of making sure the right people have the right information. It takes little effort — and can save us a lot of time, frustration and aggravation.

opinions

he last column I wrote was an obituary for my husband, don, who died in July. this month I hoped to move on to my usual subjects like politics, or the life and times of my grandkids, or the weird and wonderful touchstones of our evolving culture. In 40 years of column writing, I’ve never been at a loss for words. But this loss is different. I discovered that I’m not myself anymore; more challenging, I’m not sure who I am. When you’re a partner in a 58-year-long marriage, identity becomes somewhat fluid. We were a “we” and now I’m an “I.” the reminders are constant, some profound, some silly. When would I ever buy one banana? How do I change the lightbulbs? I’d like to step out to dinner, but I’ve never sat across from an empty chair. I walk the dog and realize that no one would know if I fell into the bushes and spent the night alfresco.

I’m not feeling sorry for myself, just observing from an emotional distance how the scenery, the characters and the story have changed completely. And I’m not yet sure what part I’m playing. I explored not doing what I ordinarily do. I ate a sweet potato and a bowl of Haagen dazs for dinner. no protein-starch-vegetable pyramid. I stayed up all night and slept all morning. I went to the mailbox in our building and realized I couldn’t reach it. that was donnie’s job. Sometimes I find myself wondering where he could’ve gone. How is this possible? We have A.I. Why hasn’t someone figured this out? I see signs in nature and out of nature, like the perfect, long-stemmed red rose that came floating my way in the ocean. I’m a super-grounded person, yet I’m willing to let my thoughts take flight. of course, I’m reading all the grief literature and, of course, on facebook, thanks to its mind -reading algorithms, everything that has ever been published about grief is on my page. I’ve heard more from elizabeth Kubler-ross

’m told I need to join widows’ groups. But I prefer the couples we hung out with.

Letters at the U.S. Capitol. I wonder how much of our county funds, raised by residents’ taxes, were spent on salaries and overtime to have those police in the stands, provide protection for the president and close our streets and highways for the convoy of vehicles through our county that day. Is that the wisest way to use our county tax dollars? How does this help our citizens and communities? BIll YoUngfert Franklin Square

A stronger grid for Long Island to the editor: this month marked the 23rd anniversary of the northeast blackout that left 50 million residents in the dark. the event is a stark reminder of what can happen when critical transmission infrastructure fails, and why projects like Propel nY are essential. electric transmission is the backbone of our energy system, moving electricity long distances from where it’s generated to the communities that depend on it. While we have made progress since the 2003 blackout, the lesson from that historic event remains clear: our grid is only as strong as its weakest link. the state’s grid operator, new York

in the past month than in my entire life, and she’s been dead for 22 years. “Uplifting” poetry and exotic mourning rituals fill my page. Strangest of all, I’ve heard from people out of the past — the way, way past. People I knew in college or my first job, people who heard from a friend of a friend and just wanted to say what a champ my donnie was. How sweet that so many people stop for a moment and write down words that will land in my mailbox and lighten the weight of these days, even briefly. this is part of what I do now in these early days: I curate the memories of our life together. My kids and I try to figure out the unfathomable. We distract ourselves with activity and open books we never actually read. My other job is saying yes. According to the experts, I must say yes to every opportunity to see people, even though they may be irritating nudniks who were never part of my life. And I need to join widows’ groups, friends advise. But wait; I want to embrace my old friends. I like the cou-

Independent System operator, has been sounding the alarm about growing reliability challenges on long Island and in the downstate region. Winter cold snaps and summer heat waves are putting enormous strain on the grid, requiring emergency procedures to keep the lights on. Without investment, the region faces increasing risk to energy reliability. Propel nY is a key solution to ensure that long Island and the downstate region have the necessary infrastructure to deliver power for our growing needs. Put simply, Propel is designed to avoid brownouts and blackouts while strengthening the local economy and lowering the cost of power. our transmission network operates like a highway system, and it’s now experiencing bumper-to-bumper traffic. Power that could serve the area can’t get here efficiently or economically due to bottlenecks on aging transmission lines. Picture the throgs neck and Whitestone bridges at rush hour, with deadstopped traffic. Propel is the equivalent of adding three new “bridges” between long Island and the statewide grid to create new pathways for power flows. It will reduce congestion, lower electricity costs and significantly reduce the risk of power interruptions. Propel doesn’t rely on one generation source — whatever power is available and less expensive can move on Propel. this provides the nYISo with more flexibility to power the region with modern underground cables, even under

ples, the women and men with whom we dined and hung out. they, especially, share my memories. no friendship possibility need be exclusionary. the categorization of women whose partner has died is problematic. I have always had difficulty with the word “widow.” there is something about the word, which comes from old english and meant “lonely,” “separate” and “divide.” And, of course, the spider. I don’t think we need to be identified by our marital status. recently I was filling out a form, and it asked if I was married, single, widowed, divorced. And I thought, nobody’s damn business. My husband’s death should not change my official identity. except maybe for Social Security. for my next column, I promise, I’ll stay anchored in the everyday world. Maybe back to politics. When I wrote don’s obituary, I received dozens of supportive, loving notes from readers, and I thank you all. this has set a new standard for me. ordinarily when I open an email, I’m expecting big-time political push back. this was a sweet, healing interlude, connecting with readers heart to heart. let it be. Copyright 2026 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

Framework by Emma Bellissimo

On the sand by a beloved amusement park — Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

challenging circumstances. With growing power demand, extreme weather and grid congestion, investing in modern, resilient transmission systems isn’t optional. every mile of upgraded line and every new

substation bring us closer to a future where blackouts are history. JorIS VeldHoVen President, NY Transco

MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST — August 26, 2026

Traveling the road solo and with no GPS

1358647

August 26, 2026 — MASSAPEQUA HERALD POST