Nassau Herald 03-19-2026

The SHOP, located in Cedarhurst, serves more than 600 families per month, relying on donations in addition to its funding to provide aid to people in need.

Food insecurity creates challenges in the Five Towns

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

As the cost of groceries continues to soar in 2026, many families in the Five Towns are facing increased challenges putting food on their table — and local nonprofits are trying to meet these obstacles head on.

Food prices rose 2.9 percent in 2025 and are projected to increase another 3 percent in 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.

Another hurdle for families involves changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which rolled out stricter requirements earlier this month.

When SNAP payments were suspended during the government shutdown in November, many families turned to the Veterans

Farmers Market, at 275 Lawrence Ave. in Lawrence, a food pantry operated by the nonprofit Rock and Wrap It Up!

Syd Mandelbaum, the market’s founder, said that after working in a soup kitchen on Beach 74th Street in Far Rockaway, in 1988, he saw no reason to ask why visitors came for meals.

“We set up a place to increase dignity,” he said of the farmers market, which doesn’t require visitors to produce identification. “We want people to feel that there’s no shame in coming if you have a situation that you need food.”

While the farmers market is not required to pay rent on the Lawrence Avenue building, which was donated by the Town of Hempstead, it still must shell out $1,300 in

a century of the Nassau Herald

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

For 100 years, the Nassau Herald has chronicled the triumphs, challenges and everyday life of the Five Towns.

From its beginnings as a small weekly newspaper to its role today as part of a multi-platform media organization, the Herald has remained focused on a single mission — telling the stories of the communities it serves.

The newspaper traces its origins to the 1920s, when it was known as the Rockaway Branch Journal, named for the Long Island Rail Road branch connecting Hewlett, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Lawrence and Inwood to Far Rockaway.

the paper with several partners. What they initially believed would be a silent investment soon became the center of their professional lives.

“Over the next few years they gave up their accounting practices, bought out their partners and became the sole owners,” Stuart Richner, publisher, said.

StuAR t RICHNER Publisher

In the early 1930s, readers selected the name Nassau Herald through a contest, giving the publication an identity that has endured for decades.

A defining chapter in the Herald’s history began in June 1964, when accountants Robert and Edith Richner purchased

For the Richners’ sons — Stuart, Cliff and Donald — the newspaper quickly became part of daily life. The family lived in Lawrence, and after school the boys often walked to the Herald’s office near the firehouse. “We grew up in the business,” Stuart recalled. “It was very much an integral part of our family’s life.”

The brothers began helping with small jobs. Over time they learned the mechanics of producing a weekly newspaper, assisting with layout and pasteup.

“Our parents were very hardworking people,” Stuart COnTinued On Page 7

by Jeffrey Rosen (Part

News brief

H-W students win big at LISEF

Three students from Hewlett High School earned top honors at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, the regional competition that determines which students advance to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

Julia Igaunis placed first in the Plant Science category, while Valeria Paez Martinez earned third place in the same category. Ella Findling received third place in the Medicine and Health category.

With her first-place finish, Igaunis will advance as a finalist to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, scheduled for May 9 to 15 in Phoenix. The international competition brings

together high school researchers from more than 70 countries and territories to present original scientific research.

In addition to earning first place, Igaunis received three special awards recognizing excellence in plant biology and STEM research. The honors were presented by the Office of Naval Research, the Society for In Vitro Biology and the GENIUS Olympiad.

School officials congratulated the students for their achievements and dedication to scientific research, and wished Igaunis success as she prepares to represent Hewlett-Woodmere at the international competition this spring.

—

Melissa Berman

Inwood gas station robbery

According to police, two men were arrested on March 14 at 2:30 a.m. after they robbed an Inwood gas station at gunpoint and attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle.

The robbery occurred at the Sunoco station at 471 Sheridan Blvd. Detectives said two men entered the store, and one displayed a firearm and ordered an employee to open the cash register.

pects were taken into custody at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Police recovered a firearm inside the vehicle and determined the Ford Fusion had been reported stolen.

The suspects fled the scene with U.S. currency and other items in a Ford Fusion, police said.

Officers later observed the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the car struck a curb and became disabled on Ocean Parkway. Both sus-

The two men, who have refused to identify themselves, were charged with robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen property and reckless endangerment.

They were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead, on March 15.

— Melissa Berman

Morton’s of Cedarhurst celebrates 95 years in business

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

For nearly a century, Morton’s Official Camp Outfitter has been a familiar stop for families preparing for summer — a place where campers pick out trunks, duffels and gear before heading off to sleep away camp.

This year, the Cedarhurst retailer is celebrating its 95th anniversary, marking three generations of family ownership and decades of connection with the community.

The business traces its roots to founder Morton Silverman, who established the store with a simple goal: provide families with quality camp gear at reasonable prices. Over time, that approach helped the store become a trusted destination for generations of customers.

“My father started it,” said Mel Silverman, Morton’s son. “I worked there to learn the business, and then Steven took over and learned to run it. Because of Steven, it’s been a very successful operation.”

In the early years, the store built its reputation on competitive pricing and customer service — a strategy that resonated with families in the Five Towns.

“The popularity came from the idea of selling things at lower prices,” Mel said. “The prices in the Five Towns were too high, so the idea was to run discounts. Big businesses do the same thing today, we just did it on a smaller scale.”

Over time, the business became a staple in the community, particularly for families preparing their children for summer camp.

Today, the store is run by Steven Silverman, the founder’s grandson, who represents the third generation guiding the family business.

“It means that I’m steering the ship,” Steven said. “Morton’s is a third-generation business, and I feel like I’ve taken it in a good direction and kept it relevant in the community.”

That sense of continuity began early for him. Like many family businesses, the next generation learned the ropes by working in the store from a young age.

“My grandfather and my father had a very strong work ethic,” Steven said. “They always felt it was our responsibil-

ity as kids to work in the business, even when we didn’t know what we were doing.”

After graduating from college, Steven initially pursued other opportunities, working in the computer systems and entertainment industries before returning to the family store. Joining the business full time meant working closely with his father, Jerry, something that occasionally led to spirited debates but also valuable lessons.

“My father had really good instincts,” Steven added. “He was very disciplined and very smart. I learned a lot from him, especially about maintaining quality and always carrying the best items for customers.”

Over the decades, Morton’s has built strong relationships with families

throughout the community. Many customers who once came in as campers now return as parents — and even grandparents — bringing their own children to prepare for summer.

“It’s almost like a family when you walk in,” Steven said. “We know our customers, we know their kids, and sometimes we know multiple generations of their families. That’s a good feeling.”

Chris McGrath, 67, who lived in Inwood and graduated from Lawrence High School, worked there from 11th grade throughout law school.

“I worked for Morton himself and Steven’s father Jerry,” McGrath said. “My favorite part was working for a family. Steven’s father Jerry cared about you as much as he would any employee.”

McGrath said one of his fondest memories is Jerry telling him to go home and study for his math test even though the store was packed.

“What other boss would do that,” he said. “There was nobody like him. I attribute a lot of my success as a lawyer to working with him, he taught me how to work with people and was a great role model for anybody who worked there.”

For the Silverman family, reaching 95 years in business is both a milestone and a source of pride.

“There’s a lot of pride in being part of something that’s lasted this long,” Mel said. “You feel, in your own way, that you’re part of something important

Atlantic Beach residents raise concerns over impaired driving

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

More than 31,000 impaired driving arrests were made across the state in 2024, highlighting the continued prevalence of drunk driving, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research. The ITSMR also found that of the over 3,400 crashes involving an impaired driver in New York State, 15 percent occurred on Long Island.

In Atlantic Beach, that risk became clear last December when a driver leaving a nearby holiday party collided with a car carrying a family of three. The driver, a 30-year-old Brentwood man, had a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit of 0.08 percent and Delta-9THC in his blood, according to Nassau County prosecutors. The crash forced an 11-year-old boy and his mother to be airlifted to Cohen Children’s Hospital. The father sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Accident reports and impaired driving arrests often fall on the desk of John Rofrano, a police officer at Nassau County Police Department’s Fourth Precinct. He addressed concerned residents at the village meeting on March 9, saying that the fight against drunk and impaired driving is an uphill one felt countywide.

“DWIs are happening at all hours of the day,” Rofrano said. “The police department is constantly trying to figure out the best solution.”

For drunk drivers who choose to get behind the wheel, their actions before their arrest or accident are scrutinized.

Investigators examine where drivers were coming from, including whether they had been served at a bar or restaurant.

“Restaurants and bars that overserve are getting their end of violations,” Rofrano said. “The state comes in, the Town of Hempstead comes in. They will do their checks and issue violations.”

Residents questioned Rofrano about marijuana intervention and the steps taken when suspected drivers are pulled

over. Rofrano explained that officers must prove a driver was operating erratically or exhibiting clear signs of impairment, as the smell of marijuana alone is not enough to justify an to arrest. They then must be taken to the Central Testing Section at the county headquarters in Mineola for a blood test, which Rofrano said most people deny.

“It makes the charges difficult to stick,” Rofrano said of marijuana-related incidents. “We have an uphill battle with that.”

In response, many police officers have been taking cannabis recognition cours-

es offered by the United States Department of Justice, including Rofrano. “They’ve given us all the tools,” he said. “We are out there trying to find it.”

Another question posed by residents was whether their neighbors in Long Beach were doing enough to dissuade drunk driving. While Long Beach has its own police department, Rofrano said officers there do a good job preventing patrons from leaving bars while impaired and that their work benefits the safety of Atlantic Beach residents.

In a later interview with the Herald, Richard DePalma, commissioner of the Long Beach Police Department, said that there are many businesses from surrounding areas that serve alcohol. He noted that dozens of marinas, restaurants and beach clubs operate between Point Lookout and Far Rockaway, including Atlantic Beach.

“Impaired driving is an issue that goes far beyond Long Beach,” DePalma said. “To point the finger at Long Beach is disingenuous.”

To combat impaired driving, NCPD will increase its patrols leading into the summer months. The department will also add specialized checkpoints and decoy cars to deter impaired drivers. Rofrano reminded residents not to drive after drinking and encouraged them to call a friend, take a taxi or use a rideshare service instead.

Hofstra eyes CAA championship stage

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Hofstra’s men’s lacrosse team reached the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) tournament last spring for the first since 2021 and longtime head coach Seth Tierney hopes that building block lays a solid foundation for a bigger climb.

The Pride reached the CAA semifinals and just missed out on the opportunity to play for a conference title with an 11-10 overtime heartbreaking loss at topseeded Towson. Hofstra brought back plenty of key pieces from that breakthrough season looking to write a different script this May, but returning to the four-team CAA postseason stage will come down to crucial regular season contests against closely-matched opponents.

“The CAA games just take on a different meaning and they have a lot of weight because they’re technically playoff games without being in the playoffs,” said Tierney, who is also the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team head coach as it gears up for 2027 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship, in Japan next year. “They’re tiebreaker games and every time that you can get a win then you can get a tiebreaker over that team not knowing how the future is going to play out.”

Hofstra opened CAA play March 13 with a 12-7 setback at Long Island rival Stony Brook which puts even more weight on Pride’s upcoming conference games.

The Pride (2-5) entered the season with plenty of promise seeing three returning players named to the preseason All-CAA team in red-shirt senior attackman Trevor Natalie, red-shirt junior defenseman Austin Clarke and red-shirt sophomore goalie Shea Kennedy. Natalie was also named a preseason USA Lacrosse AllAmerican after a 2025 season in which he tallied 40 points on 28 goals and 12 assists.

Natalie leads Hofstra in goals through seven games with 16 including three in a hard-fought 11-8 loss to Big Ten foe Rutgers on Feb. 28. The Stuart, Fla. native also tallied four goals in Hofstra’s 14-7 season-opening win at Iona on Feb. 2.

The offense is also led by senior attackman Anthony Mollica, who registered a career-best six goals in Hofstra’s 11-10 home win against UMBC on March 7. Mollica, a former Massapequa High School standout, has 11 goals and nine assists so far this season after tallying 50 points as a junior.

“Anthony is this quiet leader who leads by example with a quiet voice,” Tierney said. “He works hard and he is reaping the rewards.”

The Pride offense boasts plenty of other scoring weapons including senior midfielder Trey Parkes, sophomore attackman Drew Bogardus, redshirt sopho-

more midfielder Joey DeYoung and freshman attackman Gus Langtry.

Langtry, who was ranked 94th on Nike/Inside Lacrosse Power 100 Freshman Rankings out of Parker, Colo., is off to a strong start in his collegiate career with 10 goals including three in the Rutgers loss. He has solid lacrosse genes as the son of former Hofstra All-American Brian Langry.

“He’s got some great DNA and some great characteristics,” said Tierney of Langtry. “He is a very confident and skilled player.”

The close defense is anchored by Clarke, a Parkton, Md. native who recorded 24 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers last season. Redshirt senior Will Delaney also brings veteran experience in front of the cage after registering 20 ground balls last season.

Kennedy patrols the net for a second straight season after making 167 saves last year. He is off to another strong start this season with 83 saves and 54 percent save percentage so far this season.

Hofstra will host Monmouth in a critical CAA game this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Shuart Stadium. The Pride also has a big conference home game against Fairfield on April 4 at 3 p.m. and will face Ivy League power Yale in anon-league tilt on April 14 at 7 p.m.

The Herald’s 100-year legacy

said. “They believed we should learn a good work ethic from the start.”

Week after week, the Herald reported on schools, civic groups, religious congregations and nonprofit organizations across the Five Towns and Rockaways.

“One of the beautiful things about this business is that it does good for the world,” Stuart Richner said. “It’s critical to our democracy to have fair, honest information about what’s happening in your community.”

After pursuing careers as attorneys, Cliff and Stuart Richner eventually returned to the family enterprise — Cliff in 1982 and Stuart about a year later.

“One of the first things we did when we came back was tell our father we wanted to do things differently,” Cliff said. “That meant hiring full-time professional people and investing in the editorial product. We believed if we put out a better paper, we’d be more successful.”

The shift required patience.

“It wasn’t a straight line,” Cliff Richner said. “But the paper got taken more seriously. Circulation improved and the Herald became known as a strong community newspaper.”

The brothers’ partnership played a key role in the company’s growth. Cliff focused on editorial leadership while Stuart Richner concentrated on operations and finance.

“Quite honestly, without Stuart, I don’t know if the paper would still be here,” Cliff said. “Weekly newspapers are tough businesses even in good times. But Stuart was really the great behind-the-scenes person who kept everything running.”

Together the brothers expanded the company that would become Richner Communications, launching new publications and acquiring others across Long Island’s South Shore.

Growth was both strategic and necessary.

“A standalone weekly newspaper just became economically impossible,” Cliff

said. “The paper that once supported one family suddenly had to support three.”

Even as the company expanded, the Herald maintained its hyperlocal focus, covering village governments, schools and the people who shape daily life in their communities.

“The difference with a local paper is that you’re writing about people you know,” Cliff said. “We knew the right people to talk to, and the stories always sounded different because of that.”

Over the decades, the Herald has documented defining moments in local history. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, its reporters covered the lives of Five Towns residents who were killed. When Superstorm Sandy struck Long Island in 2012, the paper reported on the devastation and the years long recovery that followed.

Today, as the Herald marks its 100th anniversary, the media landscape has changed dramatically.

“The news isn’t going away,” Stuart said. “What’s changing is how we deliver it.”

Although the Richner family did not found the Herald, he said he takes pride in helping ensure its survival.

“I’m very glad we were able to keep it alive,” Cliff said. “To keep this one healthy as a news organization — that’s something I’m proud of.”

For the Richners, the anniversary is both a celebration of the past and a reminder of the role community journalism plays in civic life.

“It’s a privilege to be able to speak to tens of thousands of people with the truth about what’s happening in their communities,” Stuart Richner said.

Rhonda Glickman, vice president of sales for Richner Communications, reflected on her 26 years with the company and growing up reading the Nassau Herald.

“Watching the Herald embrace every technological change along the way has been truly inspiring,” she said.

Hewlett-Woodmere schools weigh in on state bullying report

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Bullying incidents in New York schools are rising and have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, according to a report released last February by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report examined seven years of data from the New York State Education Department’s School Safety and Educational Climate Report.

Nearly 30,000 bullying incidents and over 4,300 cyberbullying incidents were reported statewide between 2023 and 2024. Excluding schools that reported no incidents, the rates were 18.2 bullying incidents per 1,000 students and 4.4 cyberbullying incidents per 1,000 students.

Bullying and cyberbullying rates in downstate schools remain lower than those in upstate New York and New York City, with 9.3 bullying incidents per 1,000 students and 3.4 cyberbullying incidents per 1,000 students.

“We need to do everything we can to make sure students and teachers feel safe, and this data shows there is more to do inside and outside our schools to meet these goals,” DiNapoli said.

The Hewlett-Woodmere School District has a multilayered approach to bullying, outlined in the district’s Student Bullying Harassment Intervention and Prevention Policy. Under New York State legislation that combats bullying, harassment and discrimination in public schools—the Dig-

nity for All Students Act—each district building employs a Dignity Act Coordinator. Known as DACs, these employees handle bullying incidents both on and off school property.

“Our DACs and building principals report to me regularly,” District Superintendent Dina Anzalone wrote in a statement. “Every complaint we receive, whether it comes in verbally or in writ -

ing, whether a parent calls the main office or a student fills out our formal complaint form, is documented, tracked, and investigated.”

Outside of coordinator reports, Anzalone wrote that school counselors and psychologists are the district’s “early warning system,” noting they often prevent formal bullying incidents when warning signs appear.

Each building in the district utilizes its own intentional supervision plan during transitions between classes, lunch, recess, and before and after school. Teachers, monitors, teacher assistants and aides all serve as hallway monitors. The provision is meant to ensure that adults are visible and attentive.

“Consistent, engaged adult presence changes behavior before anything escalates,” Anzalone wrote. “It shifts the culture.”

Within the past two years, the district has had incidents reported that met the district’s definition of bullying. These incidents have ranged from verbal harassment, social exclusion and cyberbullying that originated outside of school—a trend that has become a new norm across the country.

In classrooms across Hewlett-Woodmere, respect between students is built into the curriculum they learn every day. The district does not have an automatic consequence for bullying, but Anzalone wrote that reports are taken seriously and addressed with a wide range of responses.

District officials say the goal is to address bullying early and reinforce a culture of respect before incidents escalate.

“There is no distinction in our minds between cruelty that happens in a hallway and cruelty that happens on a screen at 11 o’clock at night,” she wrote. “Every student is an individual, and their safety is not something we treat as a box to be checked.”

Nonprofits step up amid rising food costs

expenses for utilities and food. The market, which is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays—10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for veterans and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the rest of the community—must rely on donations from community members, Costco Wholesale and Trader Joe’s. Donated items include vegetables, bread, snacks and frozen prepared meals like macaroni and cheese and stuffed peppers.

“Everyone contributes to forming our pantry,” Mandelbaum said.

The Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry, located at 591 Malvin Plaza, in Cedarhurst, is also experiencing adverse effects from the rising cost of food and the cuts to SNAP.

That pantry, run by The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC, is part of a social services hub known as the Sustenance Hope Opportunities Place. Commonly known as the SHOP, the pantry serves perishable and nonperishable food to more than 600 families each month in the Five Towns, Brooklyn and Queens. When the government shutdown occurred, Rivkah Halpern, program director at the SHOP, said many of its patrons reached out to express concerns.

“A lot of clients have no idea how they are paying bills,” Halpern said.

A 2023 United Jewish Appeal Federation study found that 6 percent of Five Towners are food insecure, as compared

Courtesy Syd Mandelbaum

The Veterans Farmers Market in Lawrence, which provides food to families and veterans in the community, receives bountiful donations from different grocery stores.

with 3 percent in Nassau County. The study also found that 37 percent of Five Towners are struggling to make ends meet.

“Even though plenty of people are doing well, many in this community are not,” Stacey Feldman, executive director of the JCC, said.

The increased demand for food has prompted the SHOP to ask community members for food and monetary donations.

“We are limited by our budget,” Feldman said. “The increased cost of buying

wholesale food means our dollar doesn’t go as far as it once did.”

The Five Towns Early Childhood Center, at 112 Wahl Avenue in Inwood, which serves 55 children from primarily Spanish-speaking households, has also noticed increased challenges facing families in need. Pepper Robinson, the center’s executive director, said that many families are hesitant to apply for their services because of their immigration status.

“I have witnessed families that stopped their application because

they’re afraid,” Robinson said. “They don’t want to be dealing with the federal government or with any program.”

While food costs have not impacted the center’s services, Robinson expressed concern over the rising cost of perishable foods. The center, which purchases items like fruits and vegetables from Cross Island Fruits in Lynbrook, pays about $400 a week for food. Robinson said she fears that families could make decisions to prioritize money over health, avoiding essentials and healthy food options.

As government costs and increasing food prices continue to shape family budgets, Halpern stressed just how daunting the changes are for families, adding that many are panicking.

“People who were used to a certain amount of aid per month are seeing their benefits halved or completely cut,” Halpern said. “Now they need to figure out whether they will pay their electric bill or put food on the table.”

When asked about the most common misconceptions concerning the needy, Mandelbaum emphasized that certain families might not be as well off as they seem.

“We have a diverse group of families that are coming every day to seek help,” he said, noting a universal need. “You can’t use appearance or what car they drive at all.”

Talking quilts with Schust at the HWPL

The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library hosted an artist reception for Patricia Schust to talk about her quilt artwork on display, on March 7.

Schust, 69, a Uniondale School District alumna who resides in North Merrick, has been quilting for 40 years.

Her gallery “Threaded Visions” features three pieces made out of neck ties, one large piece draped over a pole and numerous quilts, which fill the walls and display cases. Along with decoupage plates and shells with a Valentine’s theme.

“It means a lot to the library to not just showcase traditional art but different kinds of art being expressed,” Michelle Young, Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library director said. “I feel like her quilts are on a level of an oil painting because they are all so unique and beautiful.”

Her artwork is on display through the month of March.

–Melissa Berman

Celebrating America’s 250th at Rock Hall Museum in Lawrence

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Rock Hall Museum is inviting residents to step back into the Revolutionary era and explore the complex choices that shaped the nation’s founding.

The Lawrence museum is marking America’s semiquincentennial with a series of lectures and exhibits this spring that will examine the Revolutionary War from multiple perspectives including the difficult question many colonists faced: Which side would you choose?

Rock Hall pre-dates the United States, being built in 1767 making the semiquincentennial not only a marker for the country but for an anniversary of everything at Rock Hall.

“We are going to commemorate with a special exhibit in the educational center opening in April and a lecture series,” said Amy Vacchio, director of Rock Hall Museum.

Titled “Which Side Are You On?”

The exhibit will examine the choices faced by colonists in the 1770s, when loyalty to the British Crown clashed with growing calls for independence.

“We have not only information on Long Island’s role in the revolution but in particular the division

between Loyalists and Patriots,” Vacchio said. “The Martin family’s story is unique because it’s a story that’s often not told because it’s about their loyalty to the king as a Loyalist family.”

Long Island played a critical role in the early days of the Revolution and many people forget just how significant the region was.

“We’re very excited 250 years is very exciting, and to have it right in our backyard so to speak,” said Doug Sheer, president of the Friends of Rock Hall.

The Battle of Brooklyn and the larger campaign on Long Island unfolded just to the west of the Five Towns in 1776, when British forces dealt a major blow to the Continental Army.

“It didn’t go well,” Sheer said. “Washington was very lucky he got the troops through the East River and up Manhattan.”

Despite the setback, the daring overnight evacuation preserved Washington’s army and allowed the fight for independence to continue, a turning point that historians often credit with saving the Revolution in its earliest days.

Sheer will present a lecture titled “Art and the American Revolutionary War,” exploring how paintings and illustrations helped document the era long before photography

existed.

“We didn’t have photography,” he said. “But people who were there, or who heard about the battles and the people involved in the war, were artists. They created paintings of the battles and the figures of the time.”

Artists such as Gilbert Stuart, whose famous portrait of George Washington is now featured on the one-dollar bill, captured key figures and moments from the Revolutionary era. These images, Sheer said, offer modern audiences a powerful visual connection to events that took place nearly 250 years ago.

“There are many things we can show in art that took place during that time to make it come alive for people today,” he said. “When you put the images together with the text, the history really comes alive.”

Through art, lectures and exhibits, Rock Hall’s programming aims to help visitors better understand that turbulent period and the decisions ordinary people had to make.

“We’re trying to encompass all different aspects and different topics from women to slaves ad different peoples and cultures,” Vacchio added. “Not only can you come for a tour of a house that has stood over 250 years, but you can also see displays and learn about Long Island during the Revolutionary War.”

Flooded streets are signs of larger challenges

Rising seas, stormwater runoff and pollution affect communities from shore to shore

By ROKSANA AMID, ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & ABBEY SALVEMINI of the Herald Community Newspapers

Fourth installment in a series about water.

Flooding streets, polluted bays and aging infrastructure are reshaping life along Nassau and Suffolk counties’ coasts. From the barrier island neighborhoods of Long Beach and Island Park to the waterways of the Great South Bay and Hempstead Harbor, communities are confronting the growing impacts of rising water, runoff and environmental strain.

Across Long Island, scientists and planners say, climate change, development patterns and aging infrastructure are converging to create new risks for coastal communities.

Nassau’s South Shore

Heavy rain can quickly overwhelm parts of Nassau County’s South Shore. In the West End of Long Beach, storm drains can fill within minutes as water pools at intersections, climbs curbs and creeps toward front steps. In nearby Freeport, residents sometimes wade through ankle-deep water along canal-side streets. In a Facebook poll from the Herald, residents of Oceanside and Island Park were invited to share experiences with bayside flooding.

RISING TIDES TIDES

Heavy rain combined with high tide, residents say, can push water back up through storm drains. Major flooding events, they report, have struck several times in recent years. High tides — particularly during a new moon and combined with strong winds — can bring roughly a foot of water onto some blocks.

Across the South Shore, flooding is no longer unusual. In many communities, it has become a regular part of life.

Long Beach and Island Park sit on narrow barrier islands only a few feet above sea level, while Freeport and Oceanside stretch along canals and bays that funnel water inland. All four communities connect through Reynolds Channel and the Western Bays, allowing tidal surges to move freely between them.

Much of the infrastructure in and beneath these communities — storm drains, sewer lines and bulkheads — was built decades ago, before sea levels began rising and extreme rainfall became more common.

“When you look at repeated flooding in coastal places like Long Beach and Freeport,” Amy Chester, managing director of the climate resilience nonprofit Rebuild by Design, said, “a huge part of the vulnerability comes down to how these neighborhoods were originally built, where houses went, how high they were built and what infrastructure was put underneath them.”

Many South Shore communities expanded rapidly during the post–World War II housing boom. Natural landscapes that once absorbed rainfall were replaced with pavement and development, while stormwater systems were designed with the assumption that rain would fall and simply drain away. Today, that assumption often proves faulty.

Living with water

Flooding now shapes daily life in many South Shore neighborhoods. Many residents move their cars to higher ground when storms threaten. Others install

pumps in crawlspaces to push water back outside, though many say it still seeps back in. For many households, flooding now affects everyday decisions — from where to park to whether work or school schedules may change.

And flooding doesn’t stop at municipal borders. Rain falling in higher-elevation communities such as Lynbrook eventually flows downhill toward the bay. During intense storms, runoff travels from Nassau’s glacial high points on the North Shore toward its lowest-lying southern communities.

“If you look at the topography, it’s the result of a terminal moraine left by a glacier,” said Georgeen Theodore, an architect and urban planner with Interboro Partners. “Water flows from the high point to the low point. What happens to a town on the bay is connected to towns uphill.”

Because of that connection, Theodore said, climate resilience must be addressed regionally. “Climate vulnerability cannot be solved by one village alone,” she said.

In Long Beach, the highest elevations are along the oceanfront, descending toward Reynolds Channel, where flooding is more common. Similar patterns appear along Freeport’s canals and along Island Park’s lowest blocks, where water tends to pond first and recede last.

Many resilience programs focus on homeowners, offering grants to elevate houses or retrofit properties. Renters, and residents of multifamily buildings, often have fewer options.

“If you don’t own your home, what are your choices?” Chester asked. “You can’t elevate the building. You can’t redesign the drainage.”

Historic housing policies also play a role. In the 1930s and 1940s, federal mortgage maps labeled certain neighborhoods risky for investment, often based on

race or religion. “What we see today is the legacy of those decisions,” Chester said. “Areas that were denied investment then are often the same places facing higher climate risk now.”

Theodore cautions against viewing flooding as purely natural. “Is it a natural disaster,” she asked, “or the outcome of decades of planning and housing decisions?”

Fragmented solutions

Residents say that official responses to flooding have been inconsistent. Some recall sewer improvements in Island Park, but broader efforts have been limited. Experts say that effective solutions necessitate a regional approach.

The best way to manage rainfall, Theodore said, is to slow it before it reaches storm drains through strategies such as permeable pavement, rain gardens, increased tree cover and reducing paved surfaces.

“We want to slow the way water flows,” she said. “But we built for speed.”

With Nassau County already densely developed, creating space for water absorption has become increasingly difficult. Addressing flooding one property at a time won’t solve the larger problem, Theodore said, and long-term coordination will likely be necessary. Some residents worry about what the next decade may bring as sea levels rise and flooding becomes more common. Communities including Long Beach, Freeport, Island Park and Oceanside increasingly represent the front line of a worsening problem.

The Great South Bay

Pollution entering the Great South Bay is closely tied to what happens on land, particularly through

Wading into the debate over rising water

Continued from PreViouS PAGe

groundwater and runoff. The bay stretches along the South Shore, between the Island’s “mainland” and Fire Island. While it receives freshwater from rivers and streams, a significant portion flows underground through Long Island’s aquifer system.

As groundwater moves through soil, it carries pollutants on its way to the bay. “Excess fertilizer can then make its way into the water column, and that is going to stimulate these algal blooms,” Ryan B. Wallace, assistant professor of environmental studies and sciences at Adelphi University, said. “We have to be able to reduce the amount of nitrogen that’s entering into our groundwater.”

Nitrogen pollution is one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the bay. Much of it originates from cesspools and septic systems, while fertilizers used on lawns, golf courses and farmland also contribute.

Excess nitrogen fuels algae growth. As algae die and decompose, bacteria consume oxygen in the water.

The bay has also experienced harmful algal blooms such as brown tide, which block sunlight from reaching the bay floor and damage seagrass habitat. Because groundwater moves slowly, pollution entering the aquifer today may take years — or even decades — to reach coastal waters.

Despite these challenges, local organizations are working to improve water quality.

Save the Great South Bay, a nonprofit founded in 2012, focuses on reducing pollution and restoring the bay’s ecosystem.

“In each of the 16 towns that cross that area, we have appointed a creek defender who is a local steward,” Executive Director Robyn Silvestri said. “They go out, they patrol the creeks, look for trash or anything else that might be blocking the creek. And then, once a year, they organize a major community cleanup.”

Volunteers patrol waterways for debris in addition to organizing the annual cleanups. Over the past several years, they have removed more than 85,000 pounds of trash from creeks feeding into the bay.

“Oysters used to be all over the bay, and now there’s basically no natural oysters in the bay,” Sylvestri said. “We have oyster farms, but no naturally occurring oysters. So we’re looking to reverse that.”

Because a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, restoring oyster reefs could significantly improve water quality.

Nassau’s North Shore

Environmental advocates say that conditions in Hempstead Harbor have improved significantly over the past several decades, though pollution from runoff, septic systems and aging infrastructure still affects nearby communities.

The harbor connects to Glen Cove Creek and several tributaries along the North Shore, and serves as both an ecological system and a drainage outlet for

the surrounding watershed.

“We have a long-term water monitoring program, which is really the backbone of what we do,” Michelle Lapinel McAllister, programs director for the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, said. “We’ve had consistent and uninterrupted monitoring since 1992.”

Researchers collect water samples year-round to measure nitrogen, bacteria and dissolved oxygen. “The main issues come down to nutrient pollution, bacteria and plastic pollution,” McAllister said.

Nitrogen pollution remains a persistent challenge, because excess nutrients can fuel algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels in the water.

Despite those challenges, the harbor has improved. In 2011, roughly 2,500 acres of shellfish beds reopened after being closed for more than 40 years because of high bacteria levels.

Oyster restoration has also helped improve water quality. Through partnerships with volunteers and federal grants, the coalition has planted more than 1.7 million oysters in Hempstead Harbor since 2022.

Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said that wastewater infrastructure remains a concern on the North Shore, where many communities still rely on septic systems.

“90 percent of Nassau County is sewered, and out of the 10 percent that is not sewered, 90 percent is in my district,” DeRiggi-Whitton said.

County officials have also targeted pollution flowing from Scutter’s Pond, in Sea Cliff, once identified as a major

contamination source for Hempstead Harbor. Officials installed a catch basin and weir system designed to filter runoff before it reaches the harbor.

“It’s basically a filter,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “It just skims the water and takes out the pollutants that would go into Hempstead Harbor.” The roughly $250,000 project significantly reduced the amount of contamination entering the harbor.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine said that flooding in Glen Cove in 2024 illustrated how stormwater moves through the landscape. “Any groundwater that collects as a result of storms is going to find its way toward the lowest point,” Lavine said. “That’s gravity.”

Residents of Glen Cove’s Woolsey Avenue say they have repeatedly experienced flooding during major storms.

“The water isn’t just rain — it’s runoff from other streets, and it’s filled with garbage and bacteria,” resident Linda Melbinger said. “We’ve had dead animals in our yard in the past, and there’s a layer of contamination on everything that smells.”

“It impacts so many things,” McAllister said. “Everyone moves here because they want the beauty of the harbor, but it’s only going to be beautiful to the extent that you take care of it and you have a healthy and thriving harbor.”

The harbor, she said, supports local recreation, fishing and the broader coastal ecosystem.

“As good citizens,” McAllister said, “we have to make sure that we’re doing our part to respect the harbor and everything it has to offer.”

What residents can do to help

While large infrastructure projects and policy changes play a major role in addressing flooding and water pollution, environmental experts say residents can also take steps to reduce runoff, limit pollution and help protect local waterways.

Reduce fertilizer use

■ Fertilizers used on lawns and gardens can wash into storm drains and eventually reach bays and harbors.

■ Experts recommend using fertilizers sparingly — or avoiding them altogether — especially before heavy rain. Nitrogen from fertilizer is one of the leading contributors to harmful algal blooms in Long Island waters.

Upgrade septic systems

■ Many homes on Long Island still rely on older septic systems or cesspools, which can release nitrogen into groundwater.

■ Programs in Suffolk County offer incentives for installing nitrogenreducing septic systems. Environmental advocates say similar upgrades across the region could significantly reduce pollution entering coastal waters.

Limit runoff from driveways and yards

■ Rain that falls on paved surfaces flows quickly into storm drains, carrying pollutants with it.

■ Residents can help reduce runoff by installing rain barrels, planting rain gardens, adding trees or replacing pavement with permeable materials that allow water to soak into the ground.

Protect storm drains

■ Storm drains typically flow directly into nearby waterways.

■ Residents can help by keeping leaves, grass clippings and trash out of drains and reporting blocked drains to local public works departments.

Volunteer with local groups

■ Several Long Island organizations rely on volunteers to monitor waterways and remove debris. Programs such as Save the Great South Bay’s Creek Defender initiative organize cleanups and waterway patrols throughout the region.

Take a fresh look at your organization How this can turn challenges into opportunities

By Jocie Dye and Dave Hickman

Are you confident you’re heading toward sustainable and positive change? Are you concerned about the effectiveness of your operations and workforce, and if they can keep pace with your growth?

Reviewing your structure, processes, and systems with an eye toward your strategic vision can help your organization make informed, targeted, and impactful decisions.

Three key ways to uncover opportunities

Many businesses and organizations face uncertainty as competition, tax, and funding structures continue to evolve. Organizations need to be nimble and lean, while operating efficiently through leveraging data, automation, and their workforce to help drive growth.

Start with a 360-degree view of your business. If you’re already feeling stretched, think about helping fill those gaps while you focus on core strategy.

Getting a fresh perspective in three key areas – structure, process, and systems – can help you thrive now and in the face of new disruptions and business opportunities.

1. Understand the structure required to support your operations

Ask these questions to help determine if your operations are supporting the needs of your mission, strategy, and leadership now and in the future:

• Are managers receiving the training, tools, and information they need to do their work effectively?

• Do they understand their budget and spending?

• Do they feel they have the right tools and resources to operate efficiently?

• Do managers know who they can turn to if they have questions on financial or human resource matters?

People strategy: Filling the skills gap with the right team

If the answer to any of the above is

“no,” it’s possible you are experiencing either skills or capacity gaps within your operations functions.

Ideally, your organization’s operations serve in both a compliance and risk management role, as well as one of customer support to the rest of the organization. If you’re feeling gaps in either compliance or customer service, it’s likely time to further evaluate and identify where and why those exist — and begin planning to remediate.

Many businesses find outsourcing some or all their business operations can help fill skills gaps in required compliance areas, as well as add capacity, particularly through change and growth. Outsourcing often provides the ability and flexibility to right-size in a way that can grow with you as your needs change.

2. Review key operating processes

Your team is only as effective as the processes they follow and the tools and technology they use. To help you understand how effectively and efficiently your team is operating, ask:

• Do we have documented and wellunderstood standard operating procedures?

• Are we leveraging electronic and auditable system workflows for things like employee onboarding, accounts payable, expense approvals, and signatures on cash disbursements?

• Do sales and billing data flow seamlessly into the financial system of record?

• Are we storing documentation electronically, in shared and documented locations?

• Do managers know where to access the reporting data and information they need when they need it?

A “no” answer may indicate manual, inefficient processes, and risks associated with human error, weak controls, lost documentation, and the potential for missed revenues.

3. Modernize your technology systems for efficiency and security

Updating your technology doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. For some, it may be as simple as converting to a cloud-based version connected to other platforms.

Automation

Do you use outdated, unintegrated technologies, or have modern tools staff struggle to use effectively? If your workflows aren’t automated and you don’t have data at your fingertips, you should be asking yourself why.

Today’s business systems — and increasingly, AI-driven tools — make it possible to automate nearly any and all routine data entry tasks, which not only increases efficiency, but lends itself to stronger controls, documentable audit trails, and better data and analytics. Other systems can track a company’s full financial profile, which helps with everything from setting revenue targets to taxes.

Cybersecurity

Protecting technology, including software your employees use to work from home, is critical. Hackers, or threat actors, are constantly on the move, using AI and other tactics to hone their attacks. Anti-virus software,

employee education, strong passwords, a two-factor identification system, and regular system scans are just some of the cybersecurity techniques available

Artificial intelligence

AI-powered platforms can go beyond automation by learning patterns in your financial data, predicting cash flow, and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Combined with outsourcing support, these technologies allow your back-office team to shift from manual tasks to strategic analysis, helping leadership make smarter decisions faster.

For more information on business operations improvements, contact Nicola Ellam at nicola.ellam@CLAconnect.com or 646-604-0015.

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting, investment, or tax advice or opinion provided by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) to the reader. For more information, visit CLAconnect.com

CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through our industryfocused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SECregistered investment advisor.

A.B. and Five Towns villages receive a slice of state aid

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Villages in the Five Towns and Atlantic Beach will receive a small share of new state funding aimed at helping municipalities manage rising costs and fiscal pressures, following Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of an additional $150 million in financial assistance for local governments outside New York City.

The funding includes a $100 million increase in Temporary Municipal Assistance, tripling the amount of aid available to cities, towns and villages through the state’s Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program. The funding is intended to help local governments offset rising operating costs and continue providing services without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.

“Having spent years in local government, I understand the unique challenges our local leaders are experiencing, which is why my administration has worked closely with municipalities across the state to increase financial support from the state,” Hochul wrote in a statement. “We want all of New York’s municipalities to succeed, and this funding is crucial to putting all of our cities, towns and villages on stronger financial footing and allowing them to keep their residents safe and continue providing the vital services

they rely on.”

While larger cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers will receive the largest allocations, smaller municipalities across the state — including those in Nassau County — will also receive funding through the program.

The Cedarhurst and Atlantic Beach Mayors both said the funding will help offset expenses from a challenging winter season, though the amounts are relatively modest.

Cedarhurst’s Benjamin Weinstock said the village’s allocation amounts to about $1.58 per resident, which he noted is significantly lower than what some nearby municipalities are slated

to receive.

“The amount of money allocated is minimal, just a tiny portion of the tax dollars our residents send to New York State,” Weinstock wrote in a statement. “It averages out to about $1.58 per resident. In contrast, Long Beach is slated to receive more than $1,098,000, which equals roughly $31.37 per resident. This means Long Beach receives 20 times more funding per person than Cedarhurst, highlighting a clear lack of fairness in the distribution.”

Weinstock added that Cedarhurst faced significant financial strain this winter due to heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that depleted the village’s budgets for snow removal and

Village funding breakdown:

Atlantic Beach: $2,052

Cedarhurst: $11,055

Hewlett Bay Park: $564

Hewlett Harbor: $ 1,125

Hewlett Neck: $528

Lawrence: $7,026

Woodsburgh: $801

— Governer.ny.gov

road salting. The additional aid will help offset those unexpected expenses.

Atlantic Beach’s Barry Frohlinger also acknowledged the funding, noting the village will receive $2,052 through the program.

“We thank Governor Hochul and her administration for the announcement of this funding,” Frohlinger wrote in a statement. “While $2,052 is a modest amount, every bit helps as we work to manage rising costs and sustain the services our residents depend on.”

Frohlinger said the funds will go toward covering overtime costs incurred during two winter storms, when public works and public safety employees worked extended hours to maintain operations.

“From public works to public safety, our teams worked around the clock,” he wrote. “This support will help ease the financial impact of those efforts on our local budget.”

PUBLIC BUDGET FORUM

EHS marches in St. Patrick’s day Parade

Leadership and team members of Episcopal Health Services marched in the annual Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day Parade, on March 7.

Among the EHS marchers were Dr. Donald T. Morrish, chief executive officer; Karen Paige, chief operating officer and executive vice president; and Jameela J. Yusuff, chief medical officer and senior vice president, who was also

honored as the 2026 deputy grand marshal.

To celebrate the community’s rich Irish heritage, revelers cheered along the sidewalks and received EHS beads and clappers as they showed their support for the community.

Episcopal Health Services Cancer Center

Now open at the Walsh Ambulatory Pavilion

EHS is proud to introduce the EHS Cancer Center at the new Walsh Ambulatory Pavilion, bringing together leading oncologists, comprehensive treatments, state-of-the-art technology (PET/CT, TrueBeam linear accelerator) and coordinated support services in a serene, streamlined setting. Radiation oncology is now available on the Rockaway Peninsula ������������������������������������������������������������ space, new physicians and new era of cancer care at EHS.

Comprehensive Treatments and Services

• Medical Oncology

• Radiation Oncology

• Surgical Oncology

• Immunotherapy

• Access to Clinical Trials

• Cancer Navigation Program

• Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation

• Social Work and Counseling

• EHS Specialty Pharmacy

• Pastoral and Spiritual Support

19-20 Brookhaven Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

For more information, visit ehs.org/oncology or call:

Business summit highlights entrepreneurs, innovation

By ABBEY SALVEMINI

The Herald Long Island Business Summit & Thrive Awards brought together entrepreneurs, executives and family-owned businesses at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on March 3 for a day of networking, education and celebration focused on helping businesses expand and compete in a challenging market.

An all-day networking expo

featuring organizations such as the New York Small Business Development Centers, Trellus and the Secure Choice Savings Program kicked off the summit.

A featured executive session, “The Future is Now: Protecting Your Wealth and Legacy,” led by attorneys Morris Sabbagh and Joseph Trotti, of Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, emphasized proactive planning, wealth preservation and safeguarding family legacies.

Sabbagh encouraged a forwardthinking approach to protecting businesses and personal legacies.

“Most successful people are optimists, that’s what makes them successful,” he said, emphasizing that confidence, preparation and strategic vision drive long-term, generational success.

After the executive session, event leaders took the stage to formally greet attendees and highlight the summit’s mission of supporting and strengthening Long Island’s business community. Those lead-

ers underscored their commitment to strengthening Long Island’s business community and supporting small and mid-size companies.

Marc Perez, senior vice president at Bank of America, highlighted the bank’s commitment as a presenting sponsor of the event and to the region’s entrepreneurs, stating, “Bank of America remains deeply committed to supporting businesses, the backbone of Long Island’s economy.”

Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications Inc., echoed that sentiment.

“Small and mid-size businesses are the backbone of Long Island’s economy,” emphasizing the vital role they play in driving regional growth,” he said.

Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations/events at Richner Communications, encouraged attendees to maximize the day’s opportunities.

“I want you to leave here with tangible strategies and meaningful relationships,” she said.

20 Joseph Milizio, managing partner at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, highlighted the energy in the room and the value of collaboration.

19, 2026

“We have a room filled with excitement,” he said. “This is where you form partnerships to grow your business,” underscoring how connection and strategic guidance can help businesses thrive for generations.”

At the heart of the summit were the 2026 Thrive Awards, celebrating the small and family-owned businesses that drive Long Island’s economy. Stew Leonard Jr. was honored with the Legacy Leadership Award, alongside winners in categories such as Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Social Impact, Creative Excellence and Health & Wellness Leadership. The awards showcased the innovation and resilience that shape the region’s business community.

The opening keynote of the summit featured fashion entrepreneur and native Long Islander Steve Madden, who shared insights on balancing ambition with sustainability in business during his session, “Building a Business That Doesn’t Break You.” Emmy Awardwinning broadcaster Curt Chaplin, guided the discussion on the challenges and triumphs of growing a successful enterprise.

“An entrepreneur is someone who breaks the rules and thinks of things differently,” Madden said, giving attendees an inside view of the unconventional strategies and mindset that have driven his success.

“His entire story is just remarkable,” Chaplin said, framing the conversation and asking questions that highlighted the lessons behind Madden’s journey.

Guests then attended “Workshop Session I: The Money Hour,” focused on financial strategy and growth. Panels on scaling startups, managing cash flow and protecting business legacy featured experts from Bank of America, CliftonLarsonAllen, GC Advisory Group and Empire State Development, offering practical guidance for sustainable success.

The afternoon continued with “Workshop Session II: Mind Your Business,” which covered legal essentials, AI tools and marketing strategies. Speakers included Milizio and Derek Gibbs of Casper Studios and Brad Harmon of Richner Communications.

“All decisions are driven through

data,” Harmon said. He reminded attendees that “it’s not about you, it’s about the consumer,” urging them to understand their target market and where their audience is. When challenges arise, his advice was simple: “Ask yourself, what did the data say?”

Motivational speaker and entrepreneur Brandon Steiner, founder and president of The Steiner Agency and CollectibleXchange, delivered his closing keynote, “The 5 Essentials to Thrive in Business in 2026.”

He emphasized innovation, empathy and growth, telling attendees, “I’m always trying to outthink my competition,” and urging them to “lead with empathy” by truly listening to customers’ needs. Steiner also encouraged continuous improvement, reminding the audience, “Don’t let success get in the way of more success.”

The Bank of America Small Business Spotlight Awards honored three standout businesses in the Micro, Small and Growth categories. Cholados y Antojitos Corp, Charles Krull + Son, Inc. Plumbing and Heating and Curl Evolution each received $5,000 in unrestricted funds. Participants entered by submitting how their business gives back to the community, and how they would use the prize money.

“We are thrilled to have been chosen to receive this award,” Curl Evolution owner Allison Bridges said. “We are very invested in Long Island and the people here. This will help us open an additional location at the end of the year helping us get more curl care options to the residents here as well as hire more talent.”

The event was powered by Bank of America, with additional support from Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, whose sponsorship underscored a shared commitment to strengthening and sustaining Long Island’s small and family-owned business community. Event highlights were also shared on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Attendees left with new connections, actionable strategies and renewed inspiration to navigate an evolving business landscape. By combining expert insight, meaningful networking and recognition of local excellence, the Herald Long Island Business Summit & Thrive Awards reinforced a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and ensuring

things to know PsEg businEss grants

PSEG Long Island is offering 2026 Business First financial incentive programs with grants up to $125,000 and energy efficiency rebates for small businesses, having distributed more than $3.4 million in grants since 2018. Programs include Community Thrive grants up to $10,000, Main Street Revitalization grants of $2,500 to $100,000, Vacant Space Revival credits up to $10,000, and energy efficiency rebates up to $5,000 per apartment for heating and cooling systems. The Transportation Electrification Program provides up to $45,000 per EV charger and up to $200,000 for fleet electrification infrastructure, with personalized support from Business FIRST Advocates.

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Since 2018, PSEG Long Island has distributed more than $3.4 million in grants to hundreds of local small businesses through Business First programs designed to foster vitality and growth. The Community Thrive grants provide up to $10,000 to chambers of commerce, business improvement districts and civic associations for community projects that promote dining and shopping, with awards in NYSERDAdesignated Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) areas eligible for an extra 25% bonus and nonprofit organizations receiving an additional 10%. The Main Street Revitalization grant offers $2,500 to $100,000 to help encourage investment in local business districts for renovation or expansion projects, in the company’s first 12 months in business.

For energy eff ciency projects in 2026, PSEG Long Island is offering free energy assessments and rebates on heat pump water heaters, refrigeration equipment, heating and cooling heat pump devices, ventilation equipment and compressors. Financial incentives include rebates for multi-family dwellings on heating and cooling systems of $4,000 per apartment, or $5,000 for apartments in NYSERDA-deemed DACs. Heating and cooling rebates of up to $1,200 are available for specified ENERGY STAR listed heat pump water heaters, with additional incentives and enhanced rebates available for other approved energy savings and electrification measures through PSEG Long Island’s Custom Program.

PSEG Long Island’s Transportation Electrification Program offers robust financial incentives for business owners installing EV chargers at their places of business, multi-family buildings and other approved locations. Under the EV Make Ready Program, up to $45,000 is available for each Level 2 and DC Fast Charger plug, and up to $100,000 in infrastructure upgrades to install the chargers. For businesses with vehicle fleets, PSEG Long Island offers a complimentary Fleet Advisory Service and the Fleet Make Ready Program, which provides up to $200,000 in incentives to build the infrastructure required to power electric vehicle fleets. Business customers can connect with PSEG Long Island’s unique Business FIRST Advocates (BFA), who offer a personal concierge service providing solution sservices.

The Nassau Herald new story that ‘shook my soul’ in 2020

By BETH RUDETSKY

I have been reading the Nassau Herald for many years and am a big fan of Jeff Bessen’s writing and articles. He’s an excellent writer who covers a wide range of subjects and stories about people in many communities.

What I like best is that he has not only thoroughly investigated his stories before print, but that he gets to the heart and soul of the story too. I find that to be quite wonderful and unusual in newspaper writing.

I’m a professional singer-songwriter and pianist and have always followed my instincts and intuition in my music career and also in life. In 2020, I followed my instincts about many missing birds that I got to know and that had disappeared from a park in Baldwin.

Jeff Bessen interviewed me for an investigation that I had led and had been very involved in and truly shook me to my emotional core. I had been going to Long Island parks for a few years before the pandemic and had been doing bird watching.

After the pandemic began, one particular park, Milburn Pond in Baldwin,

was practically deserted and a friend and I began visiting the birds at this park at least four days a week. We got to know so many of the geese and then

their baby goslings and we felt so calm and relaxed hanging out with them and they were so comfortable with us too.

When we would enter the park, many

geese and their goslings would trot over to us as we sat on one of the benches and it was a wonderful feeling to be so trusted. We had missed about a week visiting the birds in the park right before Father’s Day and when we had returned — we found a completely empty pond. No birds. No signs of life. It looked like a ghost pond. My antennae went up because it just felt so wrong — there was no rational explanation for the birds not being there.

I followed my intuition and instincts and pursued an investigation of the disappearance of over 80 geese and goslings. I began by going to the nearby police station where I was told, “Ma’am, we don’t do missing bird investigations. How about you become an investigator?” And that’s exactly what I did. The end of the story was tragic and devastated me.

Jeff covered and wrote the story entitled, “Tracking What Happened To The Canada Geese” (posted Sept. 22, 2020) with his beautiful and factual writing and that memory of his being interested in my story and writing about it in his newspaper, means a lot to me. You can read all about it in the Nassau Herald.

Klezmer band celebrates Purim at L.I. Children’s Musuem

Families dressed in costume gathered at the Long Island Children’s Museum on March 1 to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim with music, crafts and interactive activities.

The New Yorkbased band Metropolitan Klezmer performed a lively concert featuring Yiddish musical styles from across the genre, including wedding dance, folk, swing and tango influences, along with selections inspired by vintage Yiddish film soundtracks. The interactive performance encouraged children and families to sing and dance along.

In addition to the concert, children participated in hands-on craft activities and showed off colorful Purim costumes as part of the celebration.

The event highlighted the cultural traditions of Purim, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia.

— Stacy Driks

Stu Goldman/Herald photos

Metropolitan Klezmer, a New York band established in 1994, performs at the Long Island Children’s Museum during a Purim celebration. The Jewish holiday commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia. From left are accordionist and pianist Shoko Nagai, clarinetist Alex Parke, band leader and drummer Eve Sicular, trombonist Reut Regev and bassist Saskia Lane.

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Publisher’s Message

More than 100 years ago, the Nassau Herald was founded to serve the growing Five Towns.

From the Roaring Twenties to today, we’ve chronicled village decisions, school milestones, houses of worship, local businesses, and the families who shaped this community.

A century later, our commitment to independent, local journalism remains stronger than ever — informing, connecting and strengthening the Five Towns.

As we celebrate our Centennial, join us for the next chapter: 100 Weeks for $100 — a special anniversary subscription offer.

Thank you for being part of our story.

shape

Towns.

HALB students dress up for Purim

On Purim day, Hebrew Academy of Long Beach students visited their morot, rebbeim and principals to celebrate the day together. In school on Shushan Purim, students had fun dress-up days and enjoyed a carnival and chagiga.

Lev Chana students celebrated the 100th day of school with special themed activities and

by completing 100 mitzvot.

Magic Al visited Lev Chana, bringing plenty of fun and laughs as he always does.

HALB eighth graders participated in the annual program on substance abuse awareness and prevention with the CCSA organization.

— Melissa Berman

News briefs

Finding allies: Pastor speaks at Sons of Israel

On March 5 Congregation Sons of Israel of Woodmere hosted Pastor Bob Scott, the engagement director of CUFI (Christians United for Israel). Earlier in the day, Scott addressed a group of local Jewish leaders and later addressed a general audience. His message was one of friendship and alliance, explaining that all bible loving people should support Israel and the Jews because of God’s declaration to Abraham that, “I will bless those who bless you and curse the one who curses you; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you.” This theology stands in direct contradiction of “supersessionism” or “replacement theology” which holds that the church has replaced the Jewish people as God’s covenantal partner.

Scott’s words are more than just Philo-semitic rhetoric. Though in many quarters antisemitism has become fashionable, CUFI understands that all of those who purport to revere the bible should walk in the footsteps of our mutual ancestor Abraham, and do what is right, even when it is not fashionable. Three monotheistic faiths trace their lineage to Abraham because he was willing to defy the conventional norms of the day in the pursuit of righteousness.

CUFI, which has over 10 million members, vigorously lobbies on behalf of Israel, sends pastors to Israel to educate them on the importance of standing with Israel, hosts Nights to Honor Israel at churches and fights antisemitism on campus.

Though many American Jews are unaware of CUFI’s efforts on behalf of Israel and the Jewish

people, Israel’s leadership is not. High-ranking officials such as Israel’s U.S. and U.N. ambassadors regularly speak at CUFI’s annual Washington D.C. summits, along with ranking members of the Israel Defense Force. At times, the Prime Minister himself has even addressed the summit attendees via a live video feed.

Though one may feel alone in the pursuit of righteousness, if we walk together in the footsteps of our shared patriarch, Abraham, we will never be alone. I thank CUFI for vociferously rejecting trendish but toxic ideologies have fanned the flames of antisemitism, as well as threaten our society as a whole and instead courageously have chosen to stand with the Jewish people.

— Rabbi Steven Saks of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere

DONNA BORENSTEIN

Whether buying or selling a home, having

Donna Borenstein, a fixture in the Five Towns real estate scene, and licensed salesperson brings more then 19 years of experience,she has been a top producer specializing as a listing agent.

In the words of a recent buyer “In a world where most do not take young people seriously, Donna was the only agent that did.We were looking for a starter home in a very hot market.Donna worked with us for over a year until we found the right house for us! She was patient and on top of all the new inventory. We ended up finding our dream home! Thank-you Donna”

Embedded in the community for decades, she is the HewlettWoodmere Moms administrator on Social Media, a Laura Rosenberg Foundation volunteer and a member of the Chabad of Hewlett. Donna is a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Long Island Board of Realtors. She is also a re-location specialist.

ASCH

Having grown up in Lynbrook and now raising a family in East Rockaway, she has an extensive knowledge of the Five Towns and surrounding areas.

A graduate of New York Institute of Technology in Fine Arts and Design has given her extensive knowledge that will assist in finding buyers a home that fits their style. Josephine can also help market and stage your current home if you are looking to relocate or downsize.

Josephine is very technology savvy and can use all our state-of-the-art benefits to help you locate or market your current home.

A long time member

COREY GUGLIELMO

To

GIL SHEMTOV

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN TOP PRODUCER

Picking the right agent is sometimes easier said than done. Today’s real estate market is extremely competitive, making the local knowledge and expertise of your agent that much more critical.

I’m Gil Shemtov, Partner and Leader of the Tripodi Shemtov Team. My team of top producing agents is ranked in the top 1% in the country. We sell more real estate than anyone else in the area and consistently get more money for our clients.

Reach out to me today for a real estate conversation. Let me show you how I can help you reach your sales goals while exceeding your expectations.

From My House to Yours — Expert Guidance Always

With deep knowledge of the Long Island market and a strong commitment to her community, Gitelle ‘Gitti’ Steinfeld delivers strategic insight and personalized, concierge-level service.

Specializing in residential and commercial properties, Gitti ensures a seamless experience for buyers and sellers alike. With strong market expertise, skilled negotiation, and clear communication, she knows that buying or selling a home is more than a transaction — it’s a meaningful milestone.

Dedicated to strengthening her community, Gitti also mentors entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, believing that success grows through leadership and support.

‘Gitti’ was a pleasure to work with. She kept us informed every step of the way and guided us with true professionalism. Our home sold quickly and smoothly. We highly recommend her!”

Call Gitelle ‘Gitti’ Steinfeld — 516-984-4933

AN AWARD WINNING TEAM!

As real estate professionals, one of the most rewarding aspects is helping individuals and families navigate their personal and financial transitions. Whether working with first-time homebuyers, assisting seniors in downsizing, or identifying the ideal opportunities for investors, our approach has always been centered on building meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

We are proud to be recognized as members of the top 7% of real estate professionals in network and recipients of the prestigious President’s Circle award. With years of experience specializing in the luxury real estate market, we have had the privilege of guiding clients through buying, selling, and investing in extraordinary properties.

We believe in a client-first approach. Whether you are searching for your dream home, exploring investment opportunities, or transitioning to a new area, we offer the expertise, resources, and industry connections to make it happen. Our extensive knowledge of the market, combined with strong relationships with key professionals, enables us to deliver fast, efficient results.

Our goal is to make your real estate journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. If you're ready to make a move, or if you're simply exploring your options, we are here to help. Together, we can turn your real estate goals into reality.

Reach out today, and let's start the conversation!

Honesty, Integrity, & Commitment I

rene Steiner is an Associate Broker with Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International, and one of the company’s Top Residential Producers with many awards. “I get to help my buyers and sellers navigate the road to closing on their homes,” Irene says. “I love what I do, and my Referrals become Friends...what more can I ask for!”

In 2013, also hired as the Exclusive Listing Broker for the Luxury Regency Condominiums in Lawrence, Irene sold the building out in just a few years. She met many local residents, selling many of their homes, and then helping them with their lateral moves into the luxurious Regency Condominiums. “And now, as life changes, they call me and continue to entrust me with their next journey!” It has been, and still is, a true labor of love.

With over 30 years of experience, Irene has acquired the Knowledge, Experience, Wisdom, and Confidence to do right by those who put their trust in her. Whether it’s helping her Sellers price their homes correctly in today’s shifting market, or helping her Buyers find the home that speaks to their hearts, she dedicates herself to getting you the results you want…and need. Originally from Brooklyn, she has been happy to call the 5 Towns her home for the past 40 years.

One of many Reviews on Zillow: “Irene was such a pleasure to deal with, from beginning to end. Very professional, honest, experienced and helpful every step of the way. She made both buying and selling our homes such a smooth and positive experience. Cannot recommend her enough!”

I

ZILLOW REVIEWS

with her again and recommend her to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. Thank you, Sara, for everything! - M.K.

Because the property wasn’t local for me, I couldn’t be there often—and Sara truly became my eyes and ears. From the very beginning, she educated me on the market, laid out realistic expectations, and helped guide every decision with confidence. She went far above and beyond the typical responsibilities of a real estate agent. She personally helped coordinate and manage the entire clean-out process, including the tag sale and countless other details that go into preparing a house for sale. Her dedication was incredible. And when it came time to actually list the home—wow. Just like she predicted, the house sold in ONE day with multiple offers well over the asking price. Her market knowledge and strategy were spot-on.

Sara is the best!!! On top of every aspect of the sale, from beginning to end. Sara kept me informed on a daily basis of the progress of the sale, working with buyers as well as attorneys. I am so happy I went with Sara, she made the sale easy and quick. I would definitely recommend Sara for buying or selling a home. - FMI W.

HERALD SchoolS

Hewlett-Woodmere staff and faculty from all of the schools participated in the annual Staff Volleyball night,

HES wins annual Staff Volleyball Night

the HewlettWoodmere school district hosted their annual Staff Volleyball Night at Hewlett High School, on March 4. Hewlett Elementary School teachers took home the big win of the night in the last 10 seconds of the game, taking home first for the first time.

The previous winners of the volleyball tournament were Franklin Early Childhood Center. Staff from Franklin Early Childhood Center, Hewlett Elementary School, Hewlett High School, Ogden Elementary School and Woodmere Middle School took part in the spirited event.

The evening brought staff from across the district together in school spirit, friendly competition and dominance on the court.

things to know women’s history month

For nearly 40 years, the U.S. has used the month of March to commemorate National Women’s History Month. While women makeup just over 50 percent of the population, their fight for equality on all fronts — economic, social and political — has been a constant. The annual acknowledgment highlights the impact made by women across the country.

Chris Colucci ccolucci@liherald.com

The American celebration of Women’s History Month initially began somewhat informally, without official government support, as National Women’s History Day in the early 1900s. Early advocates for women’s rights created the day to bring attention to key issues, including suffrage — the right to vote — in 1909. The idea spread quickly and, by 1913, European countries including Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland were celebrating International Women’s Day.

`The international counterparts used the day in similar fashion — raising awareness of women’s issues and holding rallies to protest unfair treatment. On March 8, 1917, the Petrograd Women’s March took place in Petrograd, Russia (now Saint Petersburg), protesting food shortages during WWI.

National Women’s Day, Feb. 28, was first recognized in 1909. After gaining traction across the globe and shifting into the month of March, American interest in the celebration expanded in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter declared the first Women’s History Week — the week containing March 8.

By 1986, individual states took the opportunity to increase awareness further, with President Ronald Reagan officially declaring Women’s History Month in 1987. “From earliest times, women have helped shape our Nation,” Reagan wrote in a Presidential proclamation. “Historians today stress all that women have meant to our national life, but the rest of us too should remember, with pride and gratitude, the achievements of women throughout American history.”

Women’s History Month isn’t only a chance to support women-owned businesses, celebrate local women in political positions, or learn about an array of historical figures. Each year has a specific theme chosen by the National Women’s History Alliance — a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to promote women’s history throughout the United States.

The 2026 theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” The aim is to honor women who create long-term sustainability in multiple arenas — environmental, economic, educational, and societal. Previous themes include “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations” in 2025 and “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” in 2024.

Focusing on

The double challenge of hearing and vision loss

Screenings, diagnostics and referrals are critical to care

By Christy Hinko

The connection between vision and hearing is an increasingly important topic in patient care, particularly as sensory impairments can significantly affect overall health and well-being. Many patients, according to Audiologist Dr. Esther Fogel, owner of Comprehensive Audiology, present with challenges that extend beyond a single sense.

“Many of my patients have both hearing and vision sensory issues, going on,” Fogel says.

Sensory health does not exist in isolation. Any impairment — whether related to hearing or vision — can have wide-ranging effects.

“What I think the biggest thing to understand is how any sensory impairment, whether it’s hearing or vision, can affect a person’s overall health and well being,” she says. “The impact can compound if not treated properly.”

Hearing loss can interfere with communication and social interaction, which may in turn affect cognitive function. Vision impairment can similarly disrupt independence and daily activities. When both are present, the impact can compound.

In some cases, vision issues may not be treatable. Fogel notes that certain conditions affecting eyesight cannot be corrected.

“It becomes even more important to address a patient’s hearing, because that is their connection to the world around them. Preserving sensory input becomes critical to maintaining engagement and quality of life.”

Treatment decisions in audiology often require consideration of other impairments. When recommending hearing aids, Fogel evaluates more than just the degree of hearing loss.

“The other thing that I take into account when I’m discussing treatment solutions such as hearing aids, is understanding a patient’s other impairments,” she says.

Visual impairment and dexterity challenges can influence which devices are appropriate. Many modern hearing aids are smaller and rechargeable, advancements that improve convenience and cosmetic appeal. However, small components can pose challenges for patients with limited vision or difficulty manipulating tiny parts. In those situations, audiologists may modify devices with larger removal handles or more visible color indicators.

“Hearing aids have come a long way in terms of ease, comfort and being more discreet,” Fogel says.

replacement.

For patients with vision impairment, those indicators may need to be enlarged, or the entire device may be made more visibly distinct, color coded, for instance, to ensure proper use.

even if they have not noticed symptoms. Medical conditions can further increase risk. Fogel cites diabetes, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure and kidney disease as examples of conditions associated with both hearing and vision loss. Patients with these diagnoses should be monitored closely for sensory changes. Certain medications may also carry side effects that affect hearing.

The role of primary care providers is an important entry point in identifying sensory issues. Fogel encourages patients to maintain a relationship with a primary doctor.

“It is important to have someone overseeing your overall care,” she says. Primary care offices often conduct screenings during wellness checkups, including basic hearing assessments. Screenings differ from diagnostic testing.

“What is being done at the primary care is more of a screening, just to rule out if you’re at risk for hearing loss,” she says. A screening typically determines whether a patient hears tones at a certain level, but it does not establish the degree or cause of hearing loss. If a patient does not pass a screening, referral to a specialist is essential. Comprehensive diagnostic testing can determine the level of hearing loss and identify underlying causes, which may range from age-related changes to medical conditions affecting the ear. Early specialist evaluation supports more precise treatment and management.

In private practice, Fogel says individualized care is central to effective treatment.

“We definitely take our time; gathering a full medical history, not just hearing.”

Understanding the broader picture — including vision impairment and other health concerns — allows for customized solutions.

Addressing one impairment while ignoring another can limit a patient’s ability to communicate, remain socially engaged and maintain cognitive function.

Hearing aids have come a long way technologically and also in design and functionality, including being rechargeable and less burdensome with battery

Age remains a significant factor in both hearing and vision loss.

“We all know that age plays a big factor in both hearing loss and vision loss,” Fogel adds. Still, she emphasizes that hearing loss can occur at any age and should not be dismissed. She recommends that adults over 55 obtain a baseline hearing test,

Coordinated care among primary providers and specialists ensures that sensory changes are identified, evaluated and treated appropriately.

As Fogel’s experience illustrates, preserving hearing and vision is not only about managing individual symptoms but about protecting overall well-being.

The sound of connection How hearing health impacts relationships

By Dr. Esther Fogel, Comprehensive Audiology

At Comprehensive Audiology, we often see firsthand how hearing health is about much more than just the ears, it touches every part of life, especially our most cherished relationships. Whether it’s sharing a laugh with a friend, hearing a grandchild’s first words, or simply understanding a partner during everyday conversations, clear hearing is central to feeling connected.

When hearing starts to decline, however, communication can become strained. Misunderstandings may happen more often, and loved ones might feel ignored or frustrated, even though the person with hearing loss isn’t intentionally tuning them out. Over time, these small miscommunications can lead to feelings of isolation, tension, and emotional distance.

Research consistently shows that untreated hearing loss has a profound impact on the home dynamic. Partners of individuals with hearing difficulties often report a loss of intimacy and fewer shared activities. Family members may mistakenly interpret hearing struggles as a lack of

interest or engagement, leading to hurt feelings on both sides.

The good news? Addressing hearing health can repair and even strengthen these vital bonds. Open communication is the first step toward a solution. If you or a loved one suspect a change, it’s important to talk about it openly and without blame.

A conversation framed with understanding can make a world of difference.

We believe that hearing healthcare isn’t just about devices; it’s about people.

Comprehensive Audiology’s team is here not just to test hearing, but to truly listen to your concerns, your lifestyle, and your goals. We view ourselves as your dedicated partners in care, helping you find solutions that support both your hearing and your relationships.

For many, the right technology restores more than sound; it restores confidence and ease in conversations. Hearing care is a journey, and no one should walk it alone. Having a trusted provider in Lynbrook means having a reliable source of support every step of the way.

By valuing your sense of hearing and investing in local, expert care, you can safeguard your connections and enjoy a

Book your hearing evaluation today!

better quality of life. Ready to take charge of your hearing and health?

ComprehensiveAudiology, at 261 Broadway in Lynbrook,helps people of all ages live better by hearing their best. Appointments can be made by calling (516) 387-4000 or by scheduling online at comprehensiveaudiology.com/scheduleappointment. Follow us on Facebook,

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

LinkedIn, Google,YouTube, and Instagram at @comprehensive_audiology.

261 Broadway, Lynbrook, NY 11563 (516) 387-4000 comprehensiveaudiology.com

HelpingHearYou

A better way to treat blocked ears

For more than a century, doctors typically have treated children and adults with chronically blocked ears by surgically placing tubes within the ears to relieve pressure. Now, there is a better way.

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists are using minimally invasive endoscopic technology to thread a tiny balloon catheter through the nose and into the eustachian tube. They inflate the balloon for two minutes to restore tube function before deflating it and removing the catheter. Patients often can return to work and take part in normal daily activities on the same day as the procedure.

The new procedure can be used by patients suffering from chronic eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), including those experiencing a persistent feeling of ear fullness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), recurring ear fluid, difficulty hearing, earaches during weather changes, or difficulty equalizing ear pressure when traveling by plane or ascending steep inclines. Each year, ETD accounts for nearly 2 million visits to doctors, emergency departments, or urgent care centers in the United States.

ETD occurs when the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, becomes blocked, inflamed, or fails to open properly. When functioning correctly, the eustachian tube opens and closes naturally, especially when yawning or swallowing, and is vital to maintaining ear health and helping regulate pressure.

While children are susceptible to

Kakani, MD, Director of Otolaryngology

uses advanced noninvasive procedures to treat patients with issues related to the ears, nose, and throat

ETD due to their shorter, more horizontal, and narrower eustachian tubes, it is most prevalent in adults 65 years and older as well as those ages 40-64.

In the past, ETD has been treated by surgically placing tubes within the eardrums to aerate the middle ear. However, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s team of otolaryngologists (specialists in diagnosing and treating structural dysfunctions or injuries in the ear, nose, and throat) led by Rajesh Kakani, MD, Director, Otolaryngology, are using “tuboplasty surgery” or eustachian tube balloon dilation to correct ETD.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration, tuboplasty surgery is an elective, minimally invasive endoscopic outpatient procedure that opens blocked

eustachian tubes with a balloon catheter.

Performed under general anesthesia, the benefits of tuboplasty surgery include minimal recovery time and follow-up care. Studies have found that patients experience long-lasting relief after tuboplasty surgery.

Designated as a Sinus Center of Excellence, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat specializes in treating allergies, chronic ear infections, dizziness, hay fever, hearing loss, voice hoarseness, chronic nosebleed, chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, and snoring and swallowing disorders.

Dr. Kakani and his team use advanced noninvasive procedures to treat patients with all types of issues related to the ears, nose, and throat, including:

• Endoscopic sinus surgery

• Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty

• Head and neck cancer surgery

• Rhinoplasty, or plastic surgery of the nose

For more information about Mount Sinai South Nassau’s ENT services or to schedule an appointment, call 1-877-SOUTH-NASSAU.

mountsinai.org/southnassau

Turn down the risk Protecting hearing starts with everyday habits

By Christy Hinko

Protecting your hearing no longer applies only to loud workplaces or rock musicians. Everyday environments such as yardwork, commuting and concerts expose people to sound levels that can gradually damage the delicate structures of the inner ear. Because hearing loss is permanent, health experts emphasize prevention through simple, consistent habits that reduce exposure and give ears time to recover.

Everyday noise adds up

Many common activities reach volumes that can strain hearing. Gas-powered lawn equipment, leaf blowers and chainsaws often exceed levels considered safe for prolonged use. Commuters encounter steady noise from traffic, trains and buses, which can push sound exposure higher than people realize. Concerts and sporting events regularly reach levels that can cause damage in minutes. Even if the noise doesn’t feel painful, repeated exposure can contribute to long-term loss or persistent ringing in the ears.

Protecting hearing during yardwork

Outdoor chores are among the most overlooked sources of noise. Equipment

that runs on gas or high-powered motors produces sustained sound that can exceed safe limits. Wearing well-fitted earplugs or earmuff-style protectors reduces the intensity reaching the inner ear. Choosing electric or battery-powered tools, which tend to run more quietly, also helps lower exposure. Taking short breaks during long tasks gives ears time to recover, and maintaining equipment can reduce unnecessary noise from worn parts or engines running at high strain.

Reducing exposure while commuting

Daily travel exposes people to a mix of traffic, engines and crowd noise. Small adjustments can make a difference. Noisecanceling headphones reduce the need to turn up music or podcasts to compete with background sound. Standing farther from train doors or bus engines lowers exposure during rides. For drivers, keeping windows closed in heavy traffic and avoiding prolonged idling near loud vehicles helps limit cumulative noise. These changes are subtle but meaningful over months and years of routine travel.

Staying safe at concerts and events

Live music and large venues create some of the loudest environments people encounter. Wearing high-fidelity earplugs,

which lower volume without distorting sound, allows listeners to enjoy performances while protecting their hearing. Standing farther from speakers or rotating positions during long shows reduces direct exposure. Taking breaks in quieter areas between sets gives ears a chance to recover. After an event, temporary muffled hearing or ringing is a sign that the ears have been stressed; allowing quiet time afterward helps them recover and reduces the risk of long-term effects.

Building long-term habits

Protecting hearing is most effective when it becomes part of everyday routines.

Keeping ear protection with yard tools, in a car or in a bag makes it easier to use consistently. Paying attention to early signs of strain, such as ringing or difficulty hearing conversations after loud activities, encourages people to adjust their habits. Regular hearing checks can help detect changes early and reinforce the importance of prevention.

Brain AwarenessWeek March 16 - 22

I was very interested to learn about how my hearing loss was affecting my brain health and the possibility that my hearing loss could lead to dementia or early Alzheimer’s.

SPONSORED CONTENT

How Treating Hearing Loss Protects Memory and Brain Health

During Brain Awareness Week (March 16–22), Hearing and Brain Centers of America is highlighting one of the most overlooked—but proven—ways to protect brain health: treating hearing loss and tinnitus.

Research shows untreated hearing loss is one of the largest modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. As auditory input to the brain decreases, the brain must work harder to process sound, diverting resources away from memory, focus, and comprehension. Over time, this cognitive overload can accelerate brain atrophy, social isolation, and dementia risk.

Studies from Johns Hopkins Medical Center reveal that individuals with mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia, while

those with moderate to severe hearing loss face up to a five-fold increased risk. A 2023 study published in The Lancet further confirmed that treating hearing loss can significantly slow cognitive decline.

At Hearing and Brain Centers of America, traditional hearing aids have been replaced with prescriptiongrade NeuroTechnology™,

designed not just to amplify sound—but to stimulate the brain. These advanced devices improve clarity, reduce listening effort, and support neural pathways critical for memory and cognition.

The landmark ACHIEVE Study (The Lancet, 2023) found that older adults who treated hearing loss experienced a 48% reduction in cognitive decline over three years. Additional research shows hearing aid use is linked to improved memory recall, increased social engagement, and lower dementia prevalence.

Dr. Keith Darrow, neuroscientist and clinical audiologist, emphasizes: “We hear with our brains, not our ears.” Treating hearing loss early helps protect brain function, enhance quality of life, and promote healthier aging. In recognition of Brain

Awareness Week, Hearing and Brain Centers of America encourages adults over 50 to schedule regular hearing and cognitive screenings. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss or tinnitus, contact us to schedule a comprehensive hearing and cognitive assessment.

Together, we can protect brain health and add more life to your years.

Metered parking dominate latest Lawrence village board meeting

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Metered parking on Herrick Drive, north of Central Avenue, in Lawrence, became a heated topic of debate as residents of Lawrence Plaza clashed with village trustees at their meeting on March 12.

Also known as the Herrick Drive Extension, the road sits beside Lawrence Plaza at 220 Central Ave. It is also part of Parking Field One, which provides Long Island Rail Road access for both residents and nonresidents. The area includes meters for both shortterm and long-term parking.

Residents say they want a permit rate comparable to the Village of Cedarhurst rate of $240.

For an annual fee of $400, the village of Lawrence offers parking permits for “long-term meters.” Lawrence also offer overnight permits for $100—allowing for 24-hour parking privileges in the village unless otherwise posted.

“Meters around the village exist so that we can satisfy village functions,” Village Mayor Samuel Nahmias said.

Residents from Lawrence Plaza on 220 Central Avenue expressed concerns over parking in and around the building at village hall on March 12.

combined permit fees. “I’m not asking for access to the train. I’m asking for access to my house.” She also questioned why the parking permits cannot apply to the standard meter spots.

Village Trustee Tammy Roz said she uses the standard meters on Herrick Drive when taking the train and questioned allowing residents to use spots intended for rail commuters—a sentiment Nahmias echoed.

“There is a balance that has to take place,” Nahmias said. “We need to do our due diligence on how your proposal would impact people.”

Temina Abada, who has lived in the building for over two years, began her comments by requesting yearly parking permits with rates comparable to the Village of Cedarhurst.

Residents of Lawrence Plaza, including Abada, can purchase a single parking space in the building’s underground

lot for $80 per month. Abada said the garage is often congested and that parking in front of the building with her toddler, groceries and work bag can be difficult.

“I’m asking for a permit that doesn’t cost $500,” Abada said, referencing the

In response, Nahmias said he would have the building assessed under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQRA, which evaluates the environmental, social, and economic impacts of development. Nahmias said an investigation into the building would take precedence over changes to metered parking, saying it would be irresponsible to change parking rules without more information.

“I want to know what is going on there,” he said. “There should be more parking spots than apartment units. Something is not right.”

Sacred Heart freshmen win big at Northwell science competition

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

A team of ninth-grade students from Sacred Heart Academy earned first place at Northwell Health’s Annual Medical Marvels Public Health Competition at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, marking the best finish the school has achieved in the event.

The five girls, Vivien Squadrito from Atlantic Beach; Hailey Coyle from Rockville Centre; Kylie Gorman from Long Beach; Madeleine Maier from Glen Cove and Nora Mac Conaonaigh from Manhasset were part of the academy’s science research program.

They impressed judges with a research paper addressing gun safety in schools, focusing on prevention strategies that include mental health support, communication and safety measures at home and in school.

“The papers had already been judged, so they had already won something before they even got there,” said Stephen Sullivan, Sacred Heart Academy’s research director. “The presentation didn’t affect their paper grade.”

Students were given just three minutes to present their research to judges, followed by questions. Although the team had prepared extensively, they were unsure how their presentation compared with others.

“They thought they didn’t do that well,” Sullivan said. “If they had thought they were the absolute best, I probably would have been confused.”

The team’s research focused on identifying the most critical components of gun safety and prevention.

After reviewing scientific studies and data, the students developed a framework that emphasized mental health awareness, communication, prevention at home and preparedness in schools.

“We talked about what the most important aspects of gun safety were,” Squadrito said. “We focused on mental health, communication, preventing it at home and what to do

if something actually happens.”

Throughout the project, students learned how to analyze academic research and properly cite sources using professional standards.

“It was definitely challenging at first,” Squadrito added. “But we learned how to read scientific articles and use APA citations, and it helped us improve our writing.”

Gorman said the collaborative nature of the research made the experience especially rewarding.

“It’s really helpful to have a group

that works well together,” she said. “A lot of science is about working with other people.”

Coyle said they worked on the four most important steps and what they thought was to be fit.

“We created an acronym based on them,” Coyle said. “It starts more with the root of the problem, which is mental health.”

Six awards were ultimately presented at the competition. Sullivan said he believed the Sacred Heart team had produced a strong paper and expected them to place among the top finishers.

When the winning team was announced, the students were stunned.

“They had kind of checked out at that point and weren’t even paying attention,” Sullivan said. “When they heard their name, the five girls were shocked. They were shouting with joy.”

Now in his eighth year at Sacred Heart Academy after a 31-year teaching career at Lawrence High School, Sullivan said working with the academy’s research students has been deeply rewarding.

“This is my retirement job, and I’m here because of the girls,” he said. “I get to teach the smartest girls in the school, and I love it. It’s awesome — nothing to complain about.”

Like coaching a team, Sullivan said the research program allows him to build strong relationships with students over time.

“You get to know the kids for a long period and build special relationships with them,” he said.

Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.

Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?

Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.

EHS brings awareness to the signs/symptoms of colon can cer Dr. Marc Fenster

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Q: Tell me about yourself.

A: I am a gastroenterologist; I grew up on Long Island and have lived in the Rockaway area almost my entire life. I did my initial medical school at Albert Einstein. I did my residency in internal medicine at Mount Sinai on the Upper East Side of New York City, and then I did my gastroenterology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. I have a private practice called 5 Towns Gastroenterology, and I spend the rest of my time working here at Episcopal Health Services at St. Johns in the gastroenterology division. A lot of my practice focuses on colorectal can-

cer, which is centered on early detection and patient education.

Q: Why has colorectal cancer become more prevalent in the last decade?

A: That is a great question, and nobody has the answer to that. Colon cancer is being detected in younger patients. Reasons most likely have to do with our diet, increased processed food, lifestyle, increased obesity, and some environmental exposures.

Q: What can residents do to prevent colon cancer?

A: The single most important thing that can be done to prevent colon cancer is to get screened. A Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening. Everyone

Dr.

ogist, Episcopal Health Services spoke on how to prevent cancer and what the signs and symptoms are.

in the United States at the age of 45 is recommended to have colon cancer screening. There are other tests like stoolbased testing, and bloodbased testing. Colon cancer very often starts as a polyp, which is abnormal cells that are a kind of growth in the colon. When we do a colonoscopy, we can find these pol -

yps and remove them safely. There are other things that can be done to prevent colon cancer like avoiding smoking and decreasing your alcohol intake. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you’re at increased risk for colon cancer and you should be getting an earlier colonoscopy. If you had early onset colon cancer in your family, you should be having a colonoscopy 10 years before the earliest relative you have.

Q: Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

A: Do not wait for symptoms. Even if you are symptom-free, you are still supposed to get a colonoscopy. Signs and symptoms that should make you go see a Gastroenterogist include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, any change in bowel habits, unexpected weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal pain. When colon cancer is caught at an early stage, it’s extremely treatable. Often, it solely requires surgery, even in more advanced cases. We have a lot of modern treatment, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy,

which has significantly improved the survival of colorectal cancer over the last few years, but the key is early detection. If caught early. It is extremely treatable. One thing that can be done to prevent colon cancer is to get screened. A Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening. Everyone in the United States at the age of 45 is recommended to have colon cancer screening. There are other tests like stoolbased testing, and bloodbased testing. Colon cancer very often starts as a polyp, which is abnormal cells that are a kind of growth in the colon. When we do a colonoscopy, we can find these polyps and remove them safely. There are other things that can be done to prevent colon cancer like avoiding smoking and decreasing your alcohol intake. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you’re at increased risk for colon cancer and you should be getting an earlier colonoscopy. If you had early onset colon cancer in your family, you should be having a colonoscopy 10 years before the earliest relative you have.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAR

19

Jazz on Broadway

The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn visit Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library for a swingin’ concert. Their impressive repertoire includes burning jazz, New Orleans swing and catchy pop hits of the 1920s and ‘30s.

• Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: hwpl.org or (516) 374-1967

Family theater

MAR 20

Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 22, March 24-26

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

MAR

21

STEM Explorers: In Like A Lion

The weather during the month of March can be described as coming in like a lion and out like a lamb. Families can join the Green Teens at Long Island Children’s Museum in welcoming spring; explore what happens during the change of seasons at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art joins in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Its landmark exhibition explores how Long Island has reflected and shaped the story of American art. From Revolutionary-era portraiture and folk art to nineteenth-century landscapes, Impressionism, and

The Man In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash

Loss, Change, and Survival.”

It features a moderated conversation with a special guest (to be announced), a short reading by the author, and an audience Q&A exploring how people can move forward when life changes, and how to reconnect with themselves along the way. Attendees will leave with language for what they’ve been experiencing, insight into navigating change with more clarity, and a renewed sense of direction for the season ahead. The afternoon includes light hors d’oeuvres, time for connection, and a book signing with photo opportunities. Each attendee receives a signed copy of the book.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444

MAR

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

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

With his strikingly similar looks, baritone voice, and spot-on mannerisms, Shawn Barker’s uncanny resemblance to the original “Man In Black” revitalizes the true character and spirit of Mr. Cash himself, one of America’s greatest musical icons, for a truly one-of-a-kind show. The energetic concert features Barker in character throughout the entire evening, walking the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music, including hits like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk The Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Hurt,” and “Ring of Fire,” backed by a full band. Born and raised in a working-class suburb of St. Louis, Barker took a schoolboy love for singing in church with his family and turned it into a career. The path to his current success wasn’t a straight line from gospel choir to Johnny Cash tribute act. After serving his country in the Army, Barker returned home to Missouri, took a job as a carpenter and spent all of his free time learning how to play the guitar. He developed strength and versatility in his voice by modeling his crooning on a cast of legends — Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent. His performances quickly turned from hobby to profession, but oddly enough, Barker’s first touring gigs were portraying Elvis, not Johnny Cash. Everything changed, however, when Barker was asked to audition for the part of Cash in a Hollywood production, as it became evident to the director and Barker himself that Johnny Cash was his true calling. From that point there was no turning back. MAR 29

the bold innovations of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, the exhibition highlights how every major art movement found expression here. From Brooklyn to Montauk, Long Island’s natural beauty, coastal light, and close connection to New York City inspired generations of artists and gave rise to thriving art colonies and postwar creative communities. Featuring paintings, decorative arts, and historical objects displayed together in immersive settings, the exhibit celebrates the region’s enduring influence and its rich artistic legacy. Opens March 21, on view through July 12.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

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

Game Time

MAR 23

Visit Peninsula Public Library for Canasta, Mah Jongg, Scrabble and more. Seating is limited and is first come, first seated.

• Where: 280 Central Ave., Lawrence

• Time: Ongoing weekly, 2 p.m.

• Contact: peninsulapublic.org or (516) 967-5777

MAR

“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’ Adelphi University Department of Theatre students give a concert performance of the beloved classic. With charm, wit and heart, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and their friends in the Peanuts gang. This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, showcases Adelphi’s talented students.

Musical numbers include “My New Philosophy,” “The Book Report,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime” and “Happiness.”

• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 7 p.m.

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

28

South Shore Symphony The beloved orchestra springs forward with its next concert “The Rite of Spring.” The program includes Marquez’s Conga del Fuego Nuevo, MAR

Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending (Romance for Violin and Orchestra) and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444

Hop Into Spring

Families are invited to hop on over to Long Island Children’s Museum to welcome spring! Meet Peter Rabbit and Baby Chick costume characters, explore the museum to collect goodies, interact with live animals, and create themed craft activities. Celebrate the arrival of spring with a day of family fun!

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

MAR

29

‘The Identity Reset’

Join author Ashley Olivia Nelson for an intimate afternoon conversation celebrating the release of “The Identity Reset: A Guide to Discovering Yourself After

Game Time Visit Peninsula Public Library for Canasta, Mah Jongg, Scrabble and more. Seating is limited and is first come, first seated.

• Where: 280 Central Ave., Lawrence

• Time: Ongoing weekly, 2 p.m.

• Contact: peninsulapublic.org or (516) 967-5777

MAR

30 Spring entertaining workshop

31

Join Chef Rob Scott at HewlettWoodmere Public Library. He prepares Panko parmesan chicken meatballs with a parmesan herb sauce. Also on the menu is warm marbled pound cake with apricot preserves, mascarpone and toasted almonds. This is a demonstration and tasting class only. Registration required. Space is limited to 20 participants.

• Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: hwpl.org or (516) 374-1967

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.

STEPPING OUT

GIVE IN TO TEMPTATION

Life is sweet at the Chocolate Expo

By Abbey Salvemini

Chocolate lovers, mark your calendars for a day of indulgence for all the senses. The Chocolate Expo returns on Sunday, March 22 — this year bringing its tasty wonders to its new venue, following many years at Hofstra University. Nassau Coliseum’s Expo Hall, a vast — more than 44,000 square foot — space, is ready to welcome all to an immersive chocolate wonderland of decadent flavors, irresistible aromas and family-friendly fun.

Upon entering everyone is immediately greeted by chocolate fountains, flowing with rich white, dark and milk chocolate, setting the tone for a deliciously unforgettable experience.

One of the largest and most celebrated chocolate festivals in the U.S., according to its founder Marvin Baum, more than 80 vendors are represented at what he describes as “the official home of chocolate, food and fun.” Visitors can treat themselves to everything from artisan chocolates and baked goods to specialty foods, cheeses and spirits.

“We’re happy to bring the Chocolate Expo to the Nassau Coliseum,” Baum says. “With more space comes more vendors. We’re bringing in vendors who don’t normally come to events on Long Island, so people will get to see something truly different.”

Beyond shopping and sampling, visitors can enjoy demonstrations, chocolate-themed presentations and interactive moments throughout the day.

From classics like bonbons, fudge and chocolatedipped treats there are no shortage of desserts to sample. Savory pairings, baked goods, specialty foods, wine, and cheeses are also tempting; there’s something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Some of the most buzz-worthy treats that you won’t to miss out on include chocolate-covered bacon, a favorite since 2012. For those looking to try something new, the Dubai-style chocolates are trending this year, with creative twists like chocolatecovered donuts, including offerings from a purveyor based in Lebanon.

These unexpected goodies add an adventurous edge to the festival, making it as much about discovery as it is about indulgence.

“People often find new favorites at the Expo, whether it’s a specialty cheese they will look for in stores or a spirit they want to visit at the distillery,” Baum says highlighting its lasting impact.

Be sure to check out the Long Island confectioners represented, such as Bellmore’s Chocolate Works, a

Trevor Wallace

chocolaterie selling chocolate-covered pretzels, platters, and more. Other local favorites include Chez Hedwidge, an artisan gluten-free bakery, based in Valley Stream; also the Sunflower Bakeshop, a Kosher bakery in West Hempstead, offering a wide range of gluten-free and vegan options.

In addition to culinary delights, this year’s edition includes a dose of television nostalgia. Cast members from the classic series “Little House on the Prairie” and ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ are scheduled for special guest appearances. Dean Butler, Patrick Labyorteaux and Todd Bridges will be on hand to meet fans throughout the day. The actors will be available for autographs and selfies (fees are set individually) and will participate in a panel discussion with an audience Q&A at 1 p.m., included with event admission.

The combination of chocolate with pop culture has become an Expo hallmark, with Baum noting that “Little House on the Prairie” holds a special place for many.

“Chocolate is very nostalgic,” he says. “People are always looking for treats and desserts, and we also want to bring in that element of nostalgia.”

• Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; early VIP access starts at 9 a.m.

• Tickets are $30, $15 ages 5-12 online only; general admission timed-entry tickets: $20, $15 child online; $30, $15 child at the door; available from thechocolateexpo.com

• Nassau Coliseum, Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale

Providing a visual centerpiece sure to attract attraction (and serve as a vibrant, imaginative backdrop for photos), acclaimed balloon artist Robbie Furman returns to craft an intricate balloon sculpture display featuring scenes and characters from both iconic TV series. When his demo wraps up, children eagerly dive in to pop the balloons, in what Baum playfully terms a “balloon popping party.”

For more family-sized fun, young visitors can drop by the Kidz Zone. Face painting, balloon twisting and a scavenger hunt will surely keep the young set entertained, in addition to being surrounded by chocolate treats.

“Seeing the smiles on people’s faces is what it’s all about,” Baum enthuses.“This is a chance for people to get away from everything, whether that’s trying a new chocolate or just enjoying the moment.” He encourages everyone — whether coming solo, with friends or family — to make this a must-visit.

“It’s really about the experience and having a good time.”

For Baum, supporting local businesses and building relationships with returning chocolatiers is just as important as the treats themselves, making it a unique and meaningful day for the community.

courtesy Chuck Fishman

Photos: From chocolate-dipped treats to inventive creations, every bite is a delicious discovery.

The comedian brings his Alpha Beta Male Tour to the Paramount stage. The energetic comic-digital creator has gained a growing following with sharp observational bits, viral character sketches, and fast-paced crowd work. Rising from early internet sketches to sold-out clubs and theaters, he blends internetsavvy humor with classic jokecrafting, making his shows accessible to longtime fans and first-timers alike. He co-hosts the popular Stiff Socks podcast, further expanding his reach to comedy listeners nationwide. Wallace’s tour is packed with fresh stories, act-outs, and interactive riffs. His ascent started with viral sketches lampooning internet culture, energy-drink bros, entrepreneurs, and micro-trends; those clips earned millions of views and a loyal fan base that now fills venues everywhere. As his reputation grew, he transitioned from shortform videos to touring, proving he could translate online momentum into consistent, in-person laughs.

Friday, March 20, 7 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Three Italian Tenors

Direct from Rome, the Three Italian Tenors stop at Tilles Center on their North American Tour debut. Everyone will be captivated by Giovanni Maria Palmia, Ugo Tarquini, and Alessandro Fantoni accompanied by pianist Fabrizio Mocata. Their salute to the great Italian tenors — Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso — is an exhilarating and unique musical event. It features original arrangements and universally loved Italian songs and tenor arias, fusing Italian wit and charm with romanticism, lyricism, dramatic flair and operatic style. Their repertoire also includes romantic ballads like “Musica Proibita” and “Dicitencello vuje,” a tribute to Dean Martin with Volare, and a lively piano medley of popular Italian tunes — all culminating in a thrilling celebration of vocal artistry and Italian musical heritage. You’re sure to be enthralled by their rich vocals, heartfelt emotion and the golden tradition of Italian vocal artistry.

Tuesday, March 24, 7 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF ATLANTIC BEACH

TAX LIEN SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 1452 and 1454 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of NY that the following is a list of real estate tax in the Incorporated Village of Atlantic Beach upon which 2025/2026 taxes are unpaid as shown in the tax list on file with the Village Clerk, together with amounts of the tax, interest and charges thereon.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that on April 1, 2026 at 10:30 AM in the forenoon of said day, a lien on the aforesaid parcels of real estate will be sold at public auction in the Atlantic Beach Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach, NY. To discharge the tax, fees, interest and charges of aforesaid which may be due thereon at the time of such sale.

parcels located in Section 58

3, 2026

PUBLISH MARCH 12, 19, 26 158694

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Nassau The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders, CWALT, Inc., Alternative Loan Trust 2007-12T1 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-12T1, Plaintiff AGAINST Sarwar H. Riaz, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 4, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 721 Park Lane, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 39, BLOCK: 292, LOT: 116. Approximate amount of judgment is $947,543.00 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 000334/2016. For sale information, please v isit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Francesco Tini, Referee

FRENKEL LAMBERT

WEISMAN & GORDON

LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-032194-F01 88857 158545

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as Trustee for the benefit of the Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2019-1 Plaintiff, Against Unknown heirs at law of Michele Bondanelli, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors; administrators, devisees, legatees,

creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; Billie Schliefer as Heir to the Estate of Charles A. Honigman; Beate Frankel as Heir to the Estate of Charles A. Honigman; Jeff Honigman as Heir to the Estate of Charles A. Honigman; The People of the State of New York; The United States of America

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 01/06/2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 4/14/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 182 East Rockaway Road, Hewlett, New York 11557, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Hewlett, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 42 Block 249 Lot 2

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $153,950.41 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and

Sale; Index # 611544/2023 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. Lisa Segal Poczik, Esq., Referee.

SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Dated: 2/2/2026 File Number: 39117 CA 158838

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST 2006-SD1, -againstREGINALD PERCY, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 8, 2026, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR

STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST 2006-SD1 is the Plaintiff and REGINALD PERCY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 14, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 29 LAFAYETTE PLACE, WOODMERE, NY 11598; and the following tax map identification: 003900225-00 - 00231. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE LYING AND BEING IN WOODMERE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 011105/2015. Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158836

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency: Board of Appeals

Village of Hewlett Neck

Date: March 26, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York

Subject: Application of Lana Aronov, 185 Dolphin Drive, Hewlett Neck, New York, to maintain the roof over rear raised masonry porch, 2nd level roofed over balcony on east side of dwelling and roofed over porch on west side of dwelling and finished 2nd floor, which requires a variance of the following village code:

(a) to maintain a lot coverage of 6,168.19 square feet, where the maximum permitted is 4,500 square feet. Premises are also known as Section 41, Block 105, Lot 10. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation.

All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.

Dated: February 25, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 158973

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF LAWRENCE

LEGAL NOTICE SEALED BIDS will be received by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lawrence, 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559 up to 10:00 A.M., on Thursday, March 26th, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened for the following proposals: Pest Control Vendor Outdoor Surveillance Camera Project Demolition of Structure at 207 Pond Crossing All bid specifications may be obtained at the Lawrence Village Hall, 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559 (516-239-4600 x1015) Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.

Proposals must be in writing, signed by the party making the bid, contained in a securely sealed, post paid wrapper, addressed to the Village Administrator, Inc. Village of Lawrence, No. 196 Central Avenue, Lawrence, New York 11559, marked with the applicable bid name. Bids are to actually be

received at the said place on or before the day and hour stated. Proposals will be publicly opened and read at the time stated, by the Village Administrator

The Village reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and subject to the foregoing will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

BY: Geraldo Castro Village Administrator DATE: March 13, 2026 158972

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

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

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter:

Agency: Board of Appeals Village of Hewlett Neck Date: March 26, 2026 Time: 6:00 p.m. Place: Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York

Subject: Application of Daniel and Lori Lasky, and Susan & Mitchell Markowitz, 201 Ocean Ave, Hewlett Neck, New York, to maintain the raised patio, three air conditioning units, one generator unit and six 16” x 16” driveway entrance piers, which maintenance, requires variances of the following Village Code sections: (a) §195-2, to maintain six (6) 16-inch x 16-inch driveway entrance piers located at the front property lines on Madison Street and Ocean Ave, where the code permits up to two entry piers; (b) §195-20(A)(3) to maintain a lot coverage of buildings, structures and accessory uses of 6,418.7 square feet, where the maximum permitted footprint is 4,500 square feet; (c) §195-20, to maintain an impervious surface coverage of 11,224.1 square feet, where the maximum permitted is 9,475.25 square feet, (d) §195-26.1, to maintain three (3) air conditioning units and one (1) generator unit 14.5 feet from the side lot line, where a minimum of 15 feet is required. Premises are also known as Section 41, Block 17, Lot 524.

At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.

Dated: February 25, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 158974

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency: Board of Appeals

Village of Hewlett Neck Date: March 26, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. Place: Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York Subject: Application of Eric & Elena Abramovich, 930 Madison Street, Hewlett Neck, premises are also known as Section 41, Block 53-5, Lot 204, 206 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map, to maintain an 8ft x 15ft shed and to construct a 6 ft high driveway entry gate with (2) six ft high piers, which requires variances of the following Village Code sections: (a) 195-22(E)(2) to permit a 6 foot high entry gate with piers, where no constructed fence shall be higher than 48 inches in any front yard from the mean height of the roadway in front of the premises; (b) 195-12(B) to permit the entry gate with piers to be located 18.39 feet from the front property line, where the minimum of 30 feet is required; (c) 195-12(E) to maintain a shed 1.66 feet from the rear property line, where a minimum of 20 feet to any rear lot line is required; (d) 195-20.2 ,

March 19, 2026 —

Public Notices

to maintain a surface coverage of 12,648.8 square feet, where the maximum permitted overall surface coverage is 9,055.55 square feet. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters.

This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.

Dated: February 25, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 158976

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter:

Agency: Board of Appeals

Village of Hewlett Neck

Date: March 26, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York

Subject: Application of Marshall Chrein & Yehudis Teitelbaum, 300 Dolphin Drive, Hewlett Neck, New York, to construct a new 2,899.18 sf second floor with cantilever and flat roof, alter and renovate the existing 4,068.03 sf first floor and crawl space, which requires a variance of the following village code: (a) 195-12.(G) to permit a floor area is 6,968.12 square feet, where the maximum gross floor area of the principal building shall be 6,878.03 square feet; (b) 195-20.1 to permit a side height setback of 1.27, where the maximum side height setback ratio shall be 1.0; (c) 195-20.(A)(3) - to permit a lot coverage of 5,482.66 square feet , where the maximum footprint areas occupied by all

buildings, structures and accessory uses which extend above the existing grade of the property in a residence C district shall not exceed 15% or 4,500 square feet. Premises are also known as Section 41, Block 109, Lot 7. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours.

Dated: February 25, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 158975

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking On Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 24th day of March 2026, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:

ELMONT

MARIE COURT - south side, starting at a point 139 feet east of the east curbline of Circle Drive West, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-31/26) INWOOD

JOHN STREET - south side, starting at a point 20 feet east of the east curbline of Wahl Avenue, east for a

distance of 20 feet.

(TH-45/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:

ELMONT

LEHRER AVENUE - east side, starting at a point of 205 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Turnpike, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-353/21 - 10/05/21)

(TH-48/26) MERRICK

WOODBINE AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 340 feet west of the curbline of Express Way, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-600/25 - 1/27/26)

(TH-600(B)/25) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: March 10, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 158964

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 24th day of March, 2026, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations:

EAST MEADOW MEADOW LANE (TH 28/26) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Midland Drive, east for a distance of 42 feet.

COAKLEY STREET (TH 33/26) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Prospect Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.

COAKLEY STREET (TH 33/26) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO

CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Prospect Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.

ELMONT GLAFIL STREET (TH 476/25) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Dutch Broadway, south for a distance of 50 feet.

GLAFIL STREET (TH 476/25) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Dutch Broadway, south for a distance of 50 feet.

PARKWAY DRIVE (TH 35/26) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Dutch Broadway, south for a distance of 40 feet.

M STREET (TH 39/26) North SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 10 feet east of the east curbline of Porter Street, east for a distance of 49 feet.

INWOOD WAHL AVENUE (TH 45/26) East SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 12 feet south of the south curbline of John Street, south for a distance of 40 feet.

JOHN STREET (TH 45/26) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Whal Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

MERRICK

FREDERICK AVENUE (TH 32/26) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Meadowbrook Road, east for a distance of 35 feet.

FREDERICK AVENUE (TH 32/26) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Meadowbrook Road, east for a distance of 40 feet.

ROOSEVELT

WHITEHOUSE AVENUE (TH 46/26) North SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 270 feet east of the east curbline of Pennsylvania Avenue, east for a distance of 95 feet.

WEST HEMPSTEAD

WOODFIELD ROAD (TH 47/26) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Maple Street, for a distance of 60 feet.

WOODFIELD ROAD (TH 47/26) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of

News brief

Hewlett-Woodmere school district Sofia Melgar, an animal care

nized as Student of the Quarter at Nassau BOCES, left,

cipal Nafesa Khan.

H-W’s Student of the Quarter at

More than 100 students from 34 school districts across Nassau and Suffolk counties were recognized as Students of the Quarter for the second quarter at Nassau BOCES career and technical education high schools, Barry Tech and GC Tech.

Among the honorees was Sofia Melgar, an animal care student from the Hewlett-Woodmere school district.

The students were honored at special

BOCES

ceremonies celebrating their strong grades, attendance, work ethic and preparedness. According to Nassau BOCES officials, Students of the Quarter demonstrate leadership by taking initiative on class projects and serving as role models for their peers both in the classroom and in workplace training environments.

— Melissa Berman

Public Notices

Maple Street, for a distance of 60 feet.

ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following locations: OCEANSIDE

ELLEN TERRY DRIVE (TH 603/25) North Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Benjamin Road, east for a distance of 60 feet.

(Adopted 1/27/26)

WEST HEMPSTEAD

WOODFIELD ROAD (TH 79/96) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Maple Street, south for a distance of 34 feet.

(Adopted 11/18/97) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: March 10, 2026

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk 158959

LOCAL LAW NO. 24-2026

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 10th day of March 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 24-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 24-2026, to amend Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.

Dated: March 10, 2026

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk 158965

GIVEN that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Hewlett Bay Fire District in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, at a meeting held on the 9th of March 2026, duly adopted the following Resolution, subject to permissive referendum: A Resolution authorizing the expenditure of monies from the Hewlett Bay Fire District Capital Reserve Building Fund for purchase Fire Department Patch light box signs for front of Headquarters on Franklin Ave and to replace worn out Maltese signs on front of Administration building on Broadway. Upon a unanimous vote of the Board of Fire Commissioners, it approved to expend up to $15,000.00 from the Capital Reserve Building Fund to cover cost of purchasing the signs. And be it further resolved that should any of the monies allocated remain unused at the completion of the project, all remaining monies will be returned to the Hewlett Bay Fire District Capital Reserve Building Fund in an expedient manner by

act of Board Resolution A complete copy of the Resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours (M-F 9am-2pm) at the office of the Hewlett Bay Fire District Secretary for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice.

Dated: Hewlett Bay Fire District, New York July 11, 2025 /s/Mike Ahern Fire District Secretary 158971

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF CEDARHURST Notice of Finalization of Assessment Roll NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Assessor of the Village of Cedarhurst has completed the Final Assessment Roll for the year 2026 and a copy thereof is available with the Village Clerk, Jacob Plaut in Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Ave, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, where the same is open for public inspection for 15 days. Dated: March 9, 2026 Jacob Plaut Village Clerk/Administrator 158970

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour.

For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

Data Analyst– Two (2) job openings Port Washington, NY. Source, analyze, prepare, input data for business intelligence databases. Model, track, synthesize and report quantitative data trends. Forecast model predictions, KPIs, projections, track, and optimize business processes. Test and validate data. Master’s Science in Financial Risk Management required.

Salary: $110,000.00/ year. Resume to Yaraghi LLC Attn: Kevin Yaraghi, CFO, 40 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY, 11050

DENTAL ASSISTANT

CHAIR SIDE F/T Lynbrook Office, Immediate Opening. Looking for Experienced Individual Email Resume: nylaserendo@gmail.com Call 516-599-7111

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

OUTSIDE SALES

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

Operations Manager (Inwood, NY) Plan, direct, coord transportation, warehousing, & distribution oper'ns. Manage daily oper'ns & workflows across co. locs. Review operational & fin'l reports to measure goals & implmt imprvmts. Coord budgeting & forecasting to fund oper'ns & align staffing, eqpmt, material resources w/ customer demand. Bachelor deg req'ed. $78k/yr. Mail resume: POD Logistics Inc., 372 Doughty Blvd, Ste 2, Inwood, NY 11096.

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

SOC 13-1161: Market Research Analyst

This beautifully maintained Colonialstyle home is in one of the village’s most desirable

All about wood beams

Q. We are talking with contractors about rebuilding our large deck, and we would like to have fewer columns so they don’t block our water view. The contractor suggested that there are wood beams that can do the job, and mentioned something called a lam beam to go a longer distance and open up the space underneath. We would also like to have the deck be sealed so that we can use the underneath area, even in the rain. What do you suggest we use and not use?

A. For starters, laminated wood beams are generally a poor choice for outdoor use, even though there are some on the market that are specifically treated with waterproof adhesives. These few products on the market for outdoor use are much more expensive, and often only used in commercial projects or where the expense is not the greatest concern. Not all beams are the same material or made the same way.

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When I have conversations with people who build, I sound negative instead of enthusiastic, but that is based on the experience of writing insurance reports and investigating the damage and cost of failed products and applications. Remember, in order to succeed, you first have to know how to fail, so as to avoid failure.

What I have witnessed is not failure at the center of beams, where the beam would bend the most, but at the ends and tops, where water penetrates more frequently. If the product isn’t waterproof, the grain of the laminations will start to split. For these reasons, I discourage outdoor use of manufactured, laminated beams because when they are specified very carefully for a project, there is little or no control over what ends up on the jobsite unless the ordering is micro-managed.

I keep samples in my office of beam cutaways to demonstrate how one beam product was specified for a job and what ended up on the jobsite was similar but, with careful inspection, clearly shows the two beams are not the same. They were laminated using different species of trees, one weaker than the other and an inferior number of plies and glues. To a person dropping the material off, based on an order for a “lam beam,” the inferior material looked the same but after installation the floor bounced like a trampoline. The beam had to be removed, at great expense, and the right product ordered. Even though a lesson was learned, it came at a great price.

So indoor locations can also be a problem if the wrong configuration of laminations and species are used. If the correctly engineered lumber beam or steel reinforced beam is designed, they will last for years without another thought. I would use an interlocking aluminum deck product called Versadeck or another product called Lock Dry. They conduct heat rapidly, which means they dissipate heat quickly, making them cool enough on hot summer days to walk on while barefoot, and they keep water from getting through. Good luck!

© 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.

Home Improvement

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Electricians

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opinions

With Kristi Noem gone, we must restore order at DHS

As our country’s largest law enforcement agency, the Department of Homeland Security is essential to our national security, disaster relief and the safety of the American people. There is far too much at risk for this agency to be mismanaged or subject to incompetent leadership. Former Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure there was nothing short of a disaster, and her recent removal from office did not come a moment too soon.

Under her failed leadership, U.S. citizens were killed at the hands of federal agents, trust in our law enforcement was eroded and our communities’ safety was jeopardized. She showed a contemptible disregard for her fundamental responsibility to keep the American people safe, and should never have been confirmed as the head of DHS. I’m relieved that she was finally removed after her failures became too numerous to ignore. In addition to her complete disregard for law and order, Noem lost control of the department, egregiously misused taxpayer dollars, stoked violence, and

failed to keep the American people safe. Under her watch, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted and funneled away from essential programs. That included the purchase of two luxury jets, with plans to purchase a third, to support her travel, costing nearly $300 million, as well as a public advertising campaign improperly awarded to companies with close ties to Noem and other senior officials, costing $220 million.

TInstead of prioritizing the capture of violent criminals, Noem escalated dangerous situations by slashing training for ICE recruits — including on legal use of force — and sent unprepared agents into the streets, making everyone less safe. She diverted federal agents and resources from combating cybersecurity attacks, child abuse, human trafficking and terrorism. That put our national security at even greater risk.

audit of how ICE investigates use-offorce incidents.

Noem’s removal does not absolve her from her gross negligence or the unjust killing of American citizens. She must still answer for her disastrous and deadly period in office to restore the public’s trust in DHS and ensure that her mistakes are not repeated. Noem left the department in disarray, and degraded its ability to work in a nonpartisan fashion. Protecting the U.S and its citizens should never be partisan.

he next Homeland Security secretary must work with Congress to reform ICE.

In light of her incompetence, dereliction of duty and corrupt practices, I am proud to have helped lead the call for Noem’s removal by demanding her impeachment following the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. I urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan to begin impeachment proceedings just days before she was fired.

extending Temporary Protected Status for law-abiding Haitians in our communities; and restoring order at the agency.

The next Homeland Security secretary must push forward negotiations between Congress and the administration to reach a bipartisan compromise on greater reforms of ICE, and then he or she must ensure that reforms are immediately and properly enacted. This must include proper training and deescalation tactics that other law enforcement agencies use.

Additionally, the next secretary must refocus on bolstering the department’s other essential agencies, which Noem foolishly cut, by reinstating the billions of dollars in essential funding and thousands of workers that were eliminated from CISA’s cybersecurity efforts and FEMA’s lifesaving disaster relief and mitigation. These agencies and others within DHS are vital to our country’s security, and must be resuscitated.

To make matters worse, Noem systematically obstructed the DHS inspector general’s office from ensuring that the agency operated within the bounds of the law. The week she was removed from office, the inspector general revealed to Congress that as many as 11 investigations were being blocked by Noem and DHS leadership, including an

With Noem’s exit, the Trump administration has an opportunity to right her wrongs and ensure that the next Homeland Security secretary leads with competence and integrity. That includes working with Congress to reform ICE; reinstating and reallocating funds for disaster relief, cybersecurity and fighting human trafficking and terrorism;

Above all, accountability and law and order must be restored at DHS. Our country cannot afford another secretary who defies his or her oath to uphold the Constitution. The next secretary must prioritize the safety and security of our communities and officers, undo Noem’s horrendous legacy and rebuild the American people’s trust in the Department of Homeland Security.

Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

Auto insurance rates need to be fair, and affordable

Like most New Yorkers, I start my workday by dropping my daughter off at school before heading to the office. Unfortunately, like some, I recently got involved in a rearend accident as I waited to find parking. The crash served as a sudden reminder of something New Yorkers experience every day.

Auto insurance has become too costly, too complicated and too disconnected from the concept of fairness. Nearly every household in the state depends on a car, and when insurance premiums rise, families feel it immediately.

Across New York, people rely on their vehicles to get to work, to take their children to school, to care for loved ones and to stay connected with their communities. Car insurance is not optional. It is a basic requirement of daily life. Yet too many responsible drivers are paying inflated rates because fraud, staged crashes and systemic abuse continue to push costs higher for everyone.

A fair system should discourage reckless and unlawful behavior, not create incentives that undermine accountability. When responsibility breaks down, law-abiding New Yorkers are left to absorb costs that do not reflect how they live or drive. Restoring balance is not about punishment. It is about fairness, responsibility and trust.

misuse or exploitation of the system. Hochul is advancing a coordinated, statewide approach to restore accountability and bring greater balance to the auto insurance system. Her proposal includes:

We all share the road — and we share responsibility for one another.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has put forward a clear and thoughtful plan to address these challenges. Her proposal strengthens efforts to combat insurance fraud, closes loopholes that contribute to unnecessary litigation, and reinforces the principle that responsibility should matter. At the same time, it preserves protections for those who are legitimately injured and ensures that the system continues to function for those who follow the rules.

The proposal reflects the important role of government — not simply reacting when costs spiral upward, but stepping in when systems no longer operate as intended. New Yorkers expect their government to protect consumers, promote fairness and ensure that everyday people aren’t left paying the price for the

n Strengthening efforts to identify, investigate and prosecute staged accidents and organized insurance fraud.

n Expanding accountability for people who organize or financially benefit from fraudulent crash schemes.

n Increasing oversight of medical providers who participate in fraudulent claims or improper diagnoses.

n Addressing illegal out-of-state vehicle registrations that shift costs onto lawabiding New York drivers

n Strengthening insurer anti-fraud programs by giving insurers more time and flexibility to investigate suspicious claims.

n Limiting non-economic damage awards for those engaged in unlawful or reckless conduct at the time of an accident.

n Ensuring that drivers who are primarily responsible for causing acci-

dents are not rewarded with excessive damage awards.

n Clarifying and tightening the definition of serious injury to reduce abuse while protecting those who are genuinely harmed.

n Ensuring that cost savings benefit consumers by maintaining strong oversight and protection so reduced system costs translate into relief for policyholders.

This approach reflects the values New Yorkers expect from their government. As part of the governor’s proposed budget, these reforms recognize that affordability is not abstract. It is personal. Bringing down auto insurance costs means easing pressure on household budgets, supporting workers and small businesses, and making our state more livable for everyone. We all share the road, and we all share responsibility for one another. Governor Hochul’s proposal moves New York toward a system that reflects that shared responsibility and puts fairness back where it belongs. That is a goal worth advancing for families in every corner of New York state.

Walter T. Mosley is New York’s secretary of state.

Celebrating 100 years of the Nassau Herald

Journalists are trained to tell other people’s stories, not their own. We report on ribbon-cuttings and protests, school budgets and zoning battles, triumphs and tragedies. We ask questions. We hold others accountable.

But after 100 years — and more than six decades under the stewardship of the Richner family — the Nassau Herald is taking a moment for self-reflection.

Since its founding, this newspaper has chronicled the life of the Five Towns through prosperity and hardship: the Roaring ’20s and the Great Depression, World War II and the upheaval of the 1960s, the incorporation of Atlantic Beach, school mergers, Sept. 11, Hurricane Sandy, the Woodmere Club debate and the coronavirus pandemic.

Through it all, we have documented not only history’s headlines, but also the deeply local decisions and daily moments that shape community life.

It is a civic responsibility that the Nassau Herald — focused exclusively on the communities of the Five Towns —

letters

does not take lightly.

Local journalism is not simply about covering Memorial Day parades, school sports championships or annual fairs — though those traditions matter deeply. It is about attending school board and village meetings when few others do.

It is about explaining complex budgets, examining development proposals and asking difficult questions on behalf of readers. It is about creating a shared record of who we are.

A newspaper as local as the Nassau Herald belongs to its community.

As you turn the pages of this special centennial edition — filled with reflections from elected officials, clergy, civic leaders, educators and longtime readers — we hope you see more than nostalgia. We hope you see proof of what is possible when a community sustains its newspaper.

The work ahead is just as important as the work behind us. This centennial, however, arrives at a difficult time, as the way we deliver news will continue to evolve. Digital platforms will expand.

Peter King sticks up for Trump’s hockey locker room remarks

To the Editor:

It is continually sad to read Peter King’s opinion pieces. His notions of patriotism, justice and morality are warped by his political fervor for President Trump and his administration — and it shows.

In last week’s op-ed, “A heart-stopping hockey victory was marred by politics,” by trying to bend the president’s boys-club remarks about the U.S. women’s hockey team into a “friendly jibe,” King showed just how behind the times he is. “Lighten up!” he wrote. Really?

King went further. He tried to validate Trump’s failure to acknowledge the women’s hockey team by pointing out that the women were favored to win anyway and had secured their third gold medal since 1998. So no big deal, I guess. Talk about disrespectful.

King also called out those athletes who had the nerve to express their dismay and concern over our current administration’s actions and the climate it has created here. Every American athlete has a right to speak their mind. Our athletes travel and train at their own expense, typically requiring immeasurable sacrifice from their families. While chosen to represent our country, they are private citizens, not representatives of the state.

Artificial intelligence will reshape industries. The pace of information will only accelerate. But our mission remains constant: to report fairly, thoroughly and courageously on the issues that affect the Five Towns. We believe that in an era where truth is increasingly difficult to discern, our fact-based reporting, done by real people, will stand out.

We also want to celebrate and acknowledge you, our readers. Without you, we wouldn’t exist. Our mission is to serve you. Our pages are shaped by your letters, your tips on what’s happening, your photos, your milestones and your concerns. So, thank you for your trust, your input, your words of encouragement — and, yes, even your criticism.

As we embark on our next 100 years together, our commitment to you is to get it right, to correct it when we don’t, and to always remember that behind every story is a neighbor.

Here’s to the next century of telling your stories.

Unfortunately, King missed the point. Everyone was celebrating the men’s victory, just as they had celebrated the women’s win a few days earlier — until the locker room antics. First of all, the FBI director was seen chugging beer, screaming and pouring beer over players’ heads like a sophomoric jock. Then Trump

called and invited the team to the White House, and as an afterthought, said the women would have to be invited. And no one winced. No one stood up for the women’s team, which had beaten Canada just days before in overtime. As a matter of fact, they laughed.

The men’s win wasn’t marred by poli-

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L.I.’s economy is solid — but is increasingly K-shaped

assessing current economic conditions over the past year has been unusually challenging due to delays in federal data releases, volatile inflation readings and shifting labor-market dynamics. As more complete data has recently become available, however, a clearer picture is emerging for Long Island — one that reflects strength in aggregate, but growing divergence beneath the surface.

Long Island’s economy continues to outperform many regions nationally. Home values remain elevated, hospitality and tourism activity are robust, and unemployment rates in Nassau and Suffolk counties remain below the national average. These indicators point to a region that has weathered recent economic shocks relatively well.

Yet aggregate strength masks important distributional differences. Increasingly, Long Island reflects what economists describe as a K-shaped recovery, in which different segments of the population experience sharply disparate economic outcomes.

Households in the upper echelon of income and wealth distribution have

benefited substantially since 2020. Financial markets have posted significant gains, increasing retirement balances and household net worth for those with market exposure. At the same time, residential real estate values across Nassau and Suffolk have risen markedly since the pre-pandemic period, reinforcing wealth accumulation for existing homeowners. Those households have seen stronger balance sheets, greater financial resilience and sustained consumption capacity.

iincomes have not kept pace with the rising costs of living.

The implications extend beyond household well-being. Long Island’s economy, like the broader U.S. economy, is fundamentally consumer-driven, with roughly two-thirds of economic activity tied to consumer spending. While higher-income households account for a disproportionate share of consumption, sustainable regional growth depends on broadbased purchasing power across income groups.

llustrating the difference between wealth and incomes that aren’t keeping pace.

While affordability in our region impacts all Long Islanders, many lower- and middle-income households have faced a more constrained economic reality. While nominal wages — what you see in your pay stub — have increased over the past several years, real wage growth — your pay adjusted for inflation — has been limited by persistently higher prices of essential goods and services. Housing costs, food prices and energy expenses have accounted for a growing share of household budgets, eroding purchasing power even as headline inflation shows moderation.

This divergence is central to the concept of a K-shaped economy. The upper arm reflects asset-driven growth and wealth accumulation, while the lower arm captures households whose

Recent measures of consumer sentiment underscore this tension. Despite relatively low unemployment, confidence levels remain subdued. Concerns about job security, trade policy and long-term affordability continue to weigh on household expectations, suggesting that employment alone is an insufficient indicator of economic confidence on the national level.

There are also macroeconomic risks associated with sustained divergence. If equity markets weaken or housing price growth moderates, the wealth effects currently supporting higher-income consumption could diminish. In such a scenario, the economy would be vulnerable if lower-income households lack the income growth necessary to offset that slowdown.

Importantly, these dynamics do not

Framework by Tim Baker

tics. It was marred by the leader of our country’s public disregard for a select group of Olympians, it was marred by the excuses made for his behavior, and it was marred by those who think it was no big deal.

ELIzABETH MURPHY Franklin Square

Trump’s, and King’s, words matter

To the Editor:

As I’m sure Peter King knows, words still matter. Tone still matters (thank goodness!). A president’s words still matter. Trump’s use of the words “I guess I have to invite the women” has behind it a long history of his sexism and disrespect for women. If someone else had said it, maybe it would have landed differently. King’s printed words “Lighten up” are furthering a culture of disrespect toward women. Shame on him. And to think my late grandfather loved him so much. I would hope this article would have changed his mind.

SUzANNE VERA North Bellmore

suggest that Long Island is entering a period of economic decline. The region’s proximity to New York City, its diversified industry base and the relative strength of sectors such as health care, professional services, technology and finance continue to provide stability. Recent improvements in office occupancy and continued strength in hospitality further reinforce this resilience.

But resilience shouldn’t be confused with inclusivity. The central economic challenge facing Long Island isn’t simply maintaining growth, but also ensuring that growth benefits all industry sectors and sizes. Workforce development, housing affordability and goodpaying jobs that offset higher inflation are essential components of long-term regional economic health. Policymakers and business leaders should remain attentive not only to aggregate indicators, but also to the real impacts of policies on Long Islanders.

As more complete data becomes available in 2026, the contours of Long Island’s economic trajectory are becoming clearer. Aggregate performance remains strong, but the divergence across households warrants careful attention. Economic strength is most durable when the entire population is benefiting from it — and addressing these imbalances will be critical to sustaining Long Island’s long-term prosperity.

Dr. Steve Kent is chief economist of the Long Island Association.