_________ Oceanside/island park ________
HERALD A joyful feast at St. Anthony’s
Recent graduate wins Telly Award
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VOL. 61 NO. 28
JULY 9 - 15, 2026
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Debut novel unites physics and tennis science is what inspired him to consider undertaking the fivebook series. Christian said he was introAt just 12 years old, Christian Jordan — who recently graduat- duced to scientific experiments ed from School No. 4 in Ocean- when he was just 3 or 4 years old, side — can now add “published often working alongside his author” to his list of accomplish- mother, Shellon Jordan, an educator, and his older ments. sister, whose own The Oceanside interest in biology resident released encouraged his “The Quantum interests. Around Serve,” the first that same age, he installment in a also picked up a planned five-book tennis racket. series that comThose twin bines his two greatinterests eventualest passions: scily became the founence and tennis. dation for “The The book follows a Quantum Serve.” young tennis play“When you er, Saba, who disbounce the ball, covers how the t h e re ’s g r av i t y, laws of physics — force, tension and including motion, CHRISTIAN JORDAN spin,” Christian force, energy and Author explained. “All of gravity — shape those are aspects every serve, volley of science.” and bounce on the court. He completed the manuscript For Christian, the story is during February break, comparabout more than just sports. “I wanted to find a way to con- ing the writing process to putnect science to something people ting a puzzle together. While he experience every day,” he said. occasionally encountered writ“Science is in everyday life. As er’s block, he persevered and long as you’re curious, it’s most independently published the likely going to take you to very book through Amazon, receiving printed copies about three weeks great and creative places.” His lifelong fascination with CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
By ABIGAIL GRIECO
agrieco@liherald.com
S
Sue Grieco/Herald
Olivia Short, Olivia Mieczkowska and owner Steve Jordan with some of their crustacean friends at Jordan Lobster Farms, in Island Park, on reopening day, July 1, after a three-alarm forced the waterfront seafood market and restaurant to close for more than two weeks.
Jordan’s makes its comeback in I.P. By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
Just over two weeks after a three-alarm fire forced it to close, Jordan Lobster Farms reopened on July 1, marking an emotional return for the beloved Island Park waterfront institution. The family-owned seafood market and restaurant announced its reopening on social media, thanking the community, first responders and employees who helped make the quick turnaround possible. “The fire tested us in ways we never imagined, but it also reminded us how fortunate we are to be part of such an amazing community,” the post read. “The love, encouragement and support from our family, friends, customers, first responders and incredible staff has carried us through every step of this journey.” The business also praised its employees —
affectionately known as the “Lobstertricians” — for working throughout the cleanup and rebuilding process. “Through the mess, the long days and the heartbreak, the faces you see here are just some of the hearts of this place,” the post continued, accompanied by photos of employees. “We could not have done this without a single one of them.” For Co-owner John Vitale, the reopening was the culmination of weeks of nonstop work after the June 14 fire threatened one of the busiest seasons of the year. One of the biggest hurdles, Vitale said, came before any cleanup could begin. “A big obstacle early on was having to wait for the insurance companies to complete their investigation to determine the cause of the fire,” he said. “Everyone was so anxious to begin the cleanup, get rid of the burned debris and start to rebuild.” Investigators ultimately determined that an old steam kettle emitted flames, sparking the fire, CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
cience is in everyday life. As long as you’re curious, it’s most likely going to take you to very great and creative places.