__________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD Local helps win NYPA honor Page 2 VoL. 29 No. 30
JuLY 23 - 29, 2026
$1.00
GUS LAFKAS
LICENSED ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER
OVER 25 YEARS OF EXP ERIENCE
COMPLIMENTARY HO
ME VALUATION
2300 MERRICK ROAD Office 516-623-2771 • , MERRICK, NY 11566 Direct 516-445-0657 gus.lafkas@elliman.com Residential/Commercia l
Nonprofit helps launch cleanup campaign She created the organization in 2023 after repeatedly finding discarded balloons littering Merrick resident Cynthia beaches, parks and nature preSeibold is helping lead a new serves on Long Island. Since e nv i r o n m e n t a l c a m p a i g n then, it has grown into the aimed at making community nation’s first nonprofit dedicatcleanups widely accessible ed to balloon collection and while encouraging residents to recycling, par tnering with take a more active role in keep- more than 70 organizations and expanding its ing local neighborprograms to eight hoods, parks and states. waterways clean. Balloon Mission The initiaalso maintains colt ive, “ Ke e p L o n g lection bins at BellIsland Beautiful,” more-Merrick was launched on libraries and area July 1 during the schools, giving resiLong Island Childents a way to recydren’s Museum’s cl e d e fl at e d b a l A m e r i c a ’s 2 5 0 t h loons instead of Birthday Ball Drop sending them to celebration. Orgalandfills or waternized by a coalition ways. that includes Bal- CYNTHiA SEiBoLD “There’s so loon Mission, much good work Reworld, Save the Great South Bay and the Long happening on Long Island, and Island South Shore Waterkeep- this campaign brings it all er, the campaign supports Keep together,” Seibold said in a America Beautiful’s Great news release. “By giving peoAmerican Cleanup while com- ple simple tools and opportunimemorating the nation’s 250th ties to participate, whether through organized cleanups anniversary. Seibold is founder of Bal- and restoration projects, or loon Mission, a nonprofit that DIY in their own neighborprotects wildlife and oceans by hoods, we’re empowering each advocating for responsible bal- person to appreciate and preloon practices and recycling. CONtiNued ON pAGe 11
By HERNESTo GALDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
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Courtesy Merrick-Bellmore Little League
Merrick-Bellmore Little League team members celebrated one of many victories this season. Manager Miguel Ramos top left, and coaches Brett Rinella and Stan Nedzhetskiy. Bottom row, from left, Mila Nedzhetskiy, Hallie Anand, Blayke Rinella, Avery Kalkau, Abigail Goldberg, Courtney Kalkau, Willow Ostrofsky, Melia Ramos, Sophia Battuello and Summer Fong.
Merrick-Bellmore Little League 10U softball team heads to states By JoSEPH D’ALESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
The Merrick-Bellmore Little League 10U softball team capped a historic summer run with a runner-up finish at the 2026 New York State Little League Williamsport Tournament, after winning multiple local titles. The team, comprised of children from Bellmore, Merrick, Seaford, Wantagh and beyond, earned a 6–5 extra-inning victory over Penfield to advance to the championship game on July 17 before falling 4–1 to Great Kills in the finals. This loss ended the Mighty Meatball’s streak of victories, winning the District 31 Little League Williamsport Championship, the District 4 West Sectional Championship and the Long Island championship.
The team began its run defeating Massapequa International to capture the District 31 title. It followed with a win over East Williston at Bruce Gary Memorial Field in Bellmore to secure the District 4 West sectional crown and earn a berth in the state tournament, which began July 14 in Smithtown. In one of the state tournament’s defining games, the team trailed Penfield, 6-0 after the second inning. Merrick-Bellmore rallied with six runs in the next inning. MerrickBellmore went on to win, 8-7, in extra innings. The roster included Mila Nedzhetskiy, Hallie Anand, Blayke Rinella, Avery Kalkau, Abigail Goldberg, Courtney Kalkau, Willow Ostrofsky, Melia Ramos, Sophia Battuello and Summer Fong. Miguel Ramos managed CONtiNued ON pAGe 9
here’s so much good work happening on Long Island, this campaign brings it all together.