Oceanside/Island Park Herald 11-06-2025

Bruce Blakeman retains Nassau County executive seat

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Incumbent Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared victory over Democrat Seth Koslow on Tuesday.

Blakeman, who gained his second four-year term, had focused his campaign on what he considered his successes — boosting public safety, cutting taxes and protecting the county’s quality of life.

In speaking with the Herald previously, he expressed pride in the county’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — the first of its kind in the U.S. — which is using a portion of the Nassau County Correctional Center in East Meadow to hold detainees.

“I want to thank the men and women of Nassau County for giving us all your trust,” Blakeman said. “If not for the people of Nassau County coming out the way they did, we

Republican County executive Bruce Blakeman was elected to his second term on tuesday night, easily defeating his democratic challenger, Seth Koslow.

wouldn’t have had the tremendous result we had tonight.”

In another high-profile race, Republican John Ferretti, who was appointed Hempstead town supervisor in August, defeated Democrat Joe Scianablo to secure a full term.

Ferretti previously told the Herald that the purpose of

serving in local government is to make a difference in people’s lives every day — and now he will get to act on those words.

“Our position on the issues that face Hempstead residents, Nassau County residents — we’re on the right side of every one of them,” Ferretti told Herald reporters Tuesday night.

ElEction RESUltS

students study cancer and genetics

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Six Oceanside High School students spent their summer in university labs in Queens and Manhattan, conducting advanced research on cancer therapies, genetic signaling and disease prevention. Their work is part of the school’s rigorous Science Research Program, a growing STEM pipeline that continues to produce some of the region’s most accomplished young scientists. Led by science research teacher Michael Pepe, the program immerses students in authentic, graduate-level work through three programs: Foundations in Research, College Research and AP Capstone. The College Research track, in which the six students are enrolled, demands a minimum of 90 hours of summer laboratory work under the guidance of a doctorate-level mentor.

These students are working in labs where the expectations are very high. They rise to the challenge every single time.

“This program isn’t just about learning science,” Pepe said. “It’s about experiencing it the way real researchers do, designing experiments, collecting data, writing papers and presenting findings at competitions throughout the year.” Students earn college credit while working in medical schools, universities and research institutions. During the first half of the school year, they will finalize data collection and complete their research papers.

MIChAEL PEPE Science research teacher

Starting in January, they will enter a whirlwind stretch of monthly science competitions — including largescale research fairs and specialized contests in areas like chemistry, biology and computer science — stretching through June.

For many, the experience begins with a learning curve and ends with breakthroughs that surprise even them.

Junior Jadon Maroto spent

Continued on page 10

Beach Bash draws record crowd

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Pumpkins, hayrides and seaside fun filled Masone Beach as more than 500 residents gathered for the village of Island Park’s annual Halloween Beach Bash — the largest turnout the event has ever seen.

This year’s celebration brought the Halloween spirit straight to the sand, complete with a pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, a petting zoo, face painting and hayrides. For the first time, the event also featured a partnership with the Island Park Library for a community Trunk or Treat, a Halloween event where children get treats

from decorated car trunks.

Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty praised the event, noting its importance to the village’s identity.

“As a coastal community, the beach is the heart of our celebrations, and we love bringing the spirit of Halloween right to the shore,” McGinty said. “It’s a fun way for everyone to enjoy the season while celebrating the unique charm of our beachside home.”

The collaboration between the village and the Library was a highlight of the day, helping create a more expansive, family-centered celebration. Trustee Barbara Volpe-Reid, who also serves as Commissioner of Beach and Recreation, said the partnership reflected Island Park’s enduring community spirit.

“Since our founding almost 100 years ago, we’ve been a community of doers, and gatherings like this remind us why that spirit matters,” Volpe-Reid said. “Events like this strengthen the sense of community that makes our village so special.”

Volpe-Reid credited the success to teamwork across the village, from the Department of Public Works to her fellow board members.

“We have a great DPW staff who work tirelessly to ensure that all festivities are set up and work smoothly,” Volpe-Reid said. “In addition, my colleagues on the Village Board work

with me to help make this event possible. We are all really a hands-on board and a hands-on village staff. We are really very fortunate.”

Each year, those involved look for ways to make the event more special, such as adding new activities, improving what is already available and keeping the spirit of Halloween alive at the

beach.

“We come with the notion that we, as neighbors and community members, aren’t just friends, we’re family,” McGinty said.

Between the holiday’s activities and those in attendance, Island Park’s Halloween Beach Bash captured the unity that defines this seaside community.

O’side Fire Department hosts Fire Prevention Day

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Sirens, smoke simulations and smiling children filled the Thomas Bettes Sr. Memorial Training Facility on the evening of Oct. 25, as the Oceanside Fire Department hosted its annual Fire Prevention Day in honor of Fire Prevention Month.

The event, which was free and open to the public, drew families from across the community for an up-close look at what firefighters do and to learn critical lessons about fire safety. Attendees watched live fire demonstrations, observed an auto extrication of a vehicle, toured fire trucks and antique fire engines and enjoyed family-friendly activities including a pumpkin patch, decorating station and food trucks.

Fire Chief Sean Costigan said the department hosts the event each year to both educate and connect with residents.

“With October being Fire Prevention Month, most departments have open houses like this to talk about safety,” Costigan said. “This is to teach the public about fire safety but also to show them what we do as a fire department — things like vehicle education and simulating a burning building.”

One of the highlights of the evening was the department’s smoke house simulation, where children learned what to do in the event of a fire. The trailer filled with simulated smoke as firefighters guided children through the proper steps — staying low, checking doors for heat and safely exiting the home.

“We want them to know that if you see smoke, stop, drop and roll, and how to have a plan to evacuate your home,” Costigan said. “In the simulation, we teach them how to leave the house and even how to come out the window if necessary.”

The fire department’s goal, he added, is not only to teach children but to give parents the tools to reinforce those lessons at home, including the importance of having a family safety plan, emergency exits and a designated meeting place outside.

Fire Investigator Ed Scharfberg said that sometimes, the learning goes both ways.

“Half the time, children teach their parents,” he said. “So what we try to do is show the community what the fire department does for the community.”

This year marked the third annual Fire Prevention Day at the training facility, though Oceanside firefighters have been bringing fire safety programs to local schools since the early 2000s. The department’s long-running outreach efforts emphasize early education and preparedness as key to saving lives.

The event also showcased Oceanside’s antique fire trucks, which drew admiration from both children and adults.

“They’re part of our history,” Scharfberg said. “They’re part of our tradition. Not every company has an antique — only three have one.”

For many families, the evening served as both entertainment and edu-

cation. Oceanside residents Jeanmarie and Chris Keegan, who attended with their children, said the department’s hands-on approach makes a lasting impact.

“It’s a great event for the kids to see what the firefighters do and how they

showcase these events to involve everybody here,” Jeanmarie said.

As the night ended, children left the training facility with pumpkins in hand, new knowledge in mind and a deeper appreciation for the firefighters who serve their community.

Island Park cellist wins top national honor to perform at Lincoln Center

Ruide “Roger” Ma, an Island Park resident and senior at The Waldorf School of Garden City, has been named the first-place winner of the 2026 Discover Senior Division Concerto Competition, presented by the Children’s Orchestra Society (COS).

Ma earned the honor after advancing through the competition’s final round last week. As part of his award, he will perform Dvořák’s Cello Concerto (First Movement) with the COS Young Symphonic Ensemble at the organization’s 32nd Discovery Gala Concert on May 18, 2026, at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.

Originally from Beijing, China, Ma began playing cello at age six and piano at ten. He attended the NanShan Waldorf School in Beijing through sophomore year before joining The Waldorf School of Garden City as a junior.

Ma currently serves as a principal cellist for both the COS Young Symphonic Ensemble and the Elite String

Planning For and Executing Inheritances (Part

Planning for, and then executing, inheritances is often fraught with emotion. Most families choose to leave the inheritance “to my children in equal shares, per stirpes.” Per stirpes is Latin meaning “by the roots” so that if a child dies before the parent, their share goes to their children (if any) in equal shares. If there are no children, then the inheritance is disregarded and their share goes to their surviving siblings in equal shares.

What about gifts to grandchildren? Let’s say one child has five children and the other has two children -- seven grandchildren altogether. When a significant gift is given to grandchildren equally, it is not uncommon for the child with two children to say “well it was my brother’s choice to have five children, why do I have to pay for it?” Good estate planning also looks at inheritances from the heirs’ point of view as well. We are often asked whether inheritances should be discussed with children ahead of time. While each family has different dynamics, this can end up being the equivalent of giving children a veto power over what you are going

One)

to do. For example, if you seek their opinion on an unequal division, you will create a problem for the family if you choose to disregard their input. A better way might be the use of the “soft probe”. Here, you suggest an idea that you have about an unequal division, and then gauge their reaction before making a decision.

For example, where one child is very much better off then another, you might say “You know, your sister Mary could really use our money a lot more...” The wealthy child will generally respond one of two ways. They will either say “Of course, I don’t need it, leave it all to her” and you are off the hook, or they will indicate that they consider anything less than equal shares would be unfair. In the latter case, if you still want to help Mary more, you may give her gifts during your lifetime and keep peace in the family by leaving inheritances equally. You may also pass some accounts outside the estate by naming Mary as beneficiary. Giving thought to your “emotional legacy” may go a long way towards keeping peace in the family.

Ensemble. Earlier this year, he toured Taiwan with COS during its 2025 Asia Tour. He also earned a perfect score on his NYSSMA All-State Cello audition and was selected as an alternate for the 2025 NYSSMA All-State Festival.

Among his other honors, Ma received a silver medal in the 2025 Washington International Rachmaninoff Music Competition, performing at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and participating in a master class with renowned cellist Christine Lee.

The Children’s Orchestra Society, led by Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma — a pediatrician, violist and sister of world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma — has a long tradition of celebrating exceptional young musicians. Ma follows in the footsteps of Waldorf alumnus Joshua Wang, class of 2022, a previous Discovery Competition winner who went on to attend Columbia University and later won a Grammy Award.

— Abigail Grieco

Social Action Committee hosts panel on potential chemicals in our food

The Social Action Committee of Temple Avodah in Oceanside gathered an audience on Oct. 27 for a community forum exploring a question many families rarely ask: Are we eating real food or toxic chemicals?

The program, titled “The Chemicals on your Dinner Plate,” featured a panel of environmental and health experts and was organized by longtime committee member Caryle Katz, who has served with the Social Action Committee for about 12 years.

Katz said her motivation for proposing and coordinating the event stemmed from long-held concerns about the unseen substances in everyday meals.

“I’ve been terribly concerned about the use of agricultural pesticides and artificial fertilizers and their effect on our health,” Katz said. “Good, healthy food has been an important focus of my life.”

The panel brought together Patti Wood, founder and executive director of Grassroots Environmental Education, Inc., and Dr. Hildur Palsdottir, community energy educator with the Long Island Energy Hub and co-founder of Rewild Long Island. Pals-

dottir also serves as president of the Science Museum of Long Island. Together, they offered residents insight into how industrial food systems, chemical additives and environmental toxins can impact families.

Katz said the committee chose the topic to give attendees information that is both accessible and actionable.

“My goal is to give people something to really think about,” she said.

Attendees remained well after the formal presentation for a Q&A session with speakers, seeking guidance on everything from safer household practices to understanding food labels. Katz said the engagement in the room affirmed the value of the program.

The Social Action Committee at Temple Avodah regularly hosts discussions and initiatives aimed at promoting community health, education and advocacy. Organizers said they hope to continue to bring forth programs that encourage the community to reflect on how everyday choices can shape long-term well-being.

— Abigail Grieco

■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

Thanksgiving Menu

ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY FRIDAY 11/22 AND MUST BE PICKED UP BY 11/27/25 BEFORE 12PM

Catering for all your Holiday needs

Open Thanksgiving Day from 7am-12pm

We now carve turkeys o the frame for an additional cost. Please inquire.

Package One 31999

FEEDS APPROX. 8-10 PEOPLE

add an additional small antipasto for +$65

CHOICE OF ONE

• 14-16 lb. cooked bell and evans free range turkey

• 14-16 lb. oven ready bell and evans free range turkey (for you to cook at home with cooking instructions)

CHOICE OF TWO TRIMMINGS all ½ trays

•homemade sweet and savory cornbread stuffing with sausage and cranberries (can be made with no meat)

• homemade italian sweet sausage and rice stuffing

• homemade sweet potatoes with maple glaze

• homemade mashed potatoes (from real potatoes)

• broccoli florets (garlic and oil)

• roasted baby carrots

CHOICE OF ONE PASTA ½ tray

• homemade baked stuffed shells (with homemade ricotta and fresh mozzarella)

• homemade traditional baked ziti (with beef and pork chop meat, fresh ricotta and homemade mozzarella) (can be made with no meat)

• homemade penne with our homemade vodka sauce (no meat)

CHOICE OF ONE SALAD

• traditional tossed salad (chopped romaine with cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and onions)

• blue cheese and walnut salad (with dried cranberries)

INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

• homemade cranberry sauce (from real cranberries)

• homemade turkey gravy & dinner rolls

• choice of apple, pumpkin or sweet potato pie

PORTION SIZES

FEEDS APPROXIMATELY

Small 6-8

• Medium 12-14

• Large 16-20

Half Tray 6-8 • Full Tray 12-15

Gluten Free Options Available

Package

Two 45999

FEEDS APPROX. 12-15 PEOPLE

add an additional medium antipasto for +$85

CHOICE OF ONE

• 20-22 lb. cooked bell and evans free range turkey

• 20-22 lb. oven ready bell and evans free range turkey (for you to cook at home with cooking instructions)

CHOICE OF FOUR TRIMMINGS all ½ trays

•homemade sweet and savory cornbread stuffing with sausage and cranberries (can be made with no meat)

• homemade italian sweet sausage and rice stuffing

• homemade sweet potatoes with maple glaze

• homemade mashed potatoes (from real potatoes)

• broccoli florets (garlic and oil)

• roasted baby carrots

CHOICE OF ONE FULL OR TWO ½ TRAYS OF PASTA

• homemade baked stuffed shells (with homemade ricotta and fresh mozzarella)

• homemade traditional baked ziti (with beef and pork chop meat, fresh ricotta and homemade mozzarella) (can be made with no meat)

• homemade penne with our homemade vodka sauce (no meat)

CHOICE OF ONE SALAD

• traditional tossed salad

(chopped romaine with cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and onions)

• blue cheese and walnut salad (with dried cranberries)

INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

• homemade cranberry sauce (from real cranberries)

• homemade turkey gravy & dinner rolls

• choice of apple, pumpkin or sweet potato pie

Please stop by or visit out website to view our extensive Thanksgiving menu.

3382 Long Beach Road, Oceanside NY 11572

516-764-4606 or 516-255-0305 • www.asoceanside.com

HERALD SPORTS

Oceanside made it back-to-back county titles with a 2-0 win over Syosset in Sunday’s Nassau Class AAA final at Farmingdale State College.

Repeat county championship for Oceanside

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Fresh off its first county title in 45 years, Oceanside’s girls soccer engineered another historic victory Sunday afternoon at Farmingdale State College, fending off surging Syosset, 2-0, to repeat as Nassau Class AAA champions.

The Sailors won it behind a lightsout performance from junior goalkeeper Ella Murray and goals from senior Ava Bowers and junior Gianna Visone. Bowers scored unassisted in the 9th minute and assisted on Visone’s insurance goal in the 51st minute.

“This means so much to all of us and the entire community,” Oceanside coach Danielle Chiera said. “It’s a special moment for the program. It not only speaks to the girls that won last year and this year, but anyone who’s ever worn this uniform.”

One of those former players, a member of the 1979 county championship team, Grace Cucchissi, was in the stands cheering on the Sailors and the crowd erupted early when Bowers intercepted an errant Syosset pass at the top of the box and slid a left-footed shot past a diving keeper and just inside the post for a 1-0 lead.

“I always aim for the back post,” Bowers said. “It wasn’t the hardest shot and it took some time to get there. I was so relieved it went in.”

That proved to be all the offense topseeded Oceanside (9-5-4) would need, but it was far from easy in what was a

highly physical game from start to finish. Murray made a handful of dazzling saves in each half as the Sailors advanced to face either Northport or Commack for the Long Island Class AAA title Saturday at 10 a.m. at Walt Whitman High School.

“Honestly, we don’t win this game without Ella,” Chiera said. “She was incredible. She was a brick wall. Big save after big save.”

Third-seeded Syosset entered the postseason in a tailspin, going 0-6-1 in its last seven Conference I matches, but never lost faith according to coach Tyler Arnone and knocked off No. 6 Farmingdale and second-seeded Massapequa en route to the finals.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our group,” Arnone said. “They never stop fighting and never stop competing. Internally, we never stopped believing in ourselves. The result didn’t go our way, but Oceanside is a great team.”

As the defense consisting of Addison Goldstein, Riley Harrington, Jordyn Davis, Maddy McMurray, Ella Hickey and Murray kept Syosset off the scoreboard, Bowers and Visone connected for a much-needed insurance goal that brought Oceanside 28:52 away from the repeat title.

“Ava made a great cross and I did everything I could to get to it and get a foot on it,” Visone said. “It felt really good to go up by two and take some pressure off, but there was still a long way to go at that point.”

But the Braves were unable to solve Murray.

Ava Bowers opened the scoring and assisted on Gianna Visone’s insurance goal.

“It’s a great feeling we kept them at zero,” said Murray, who finished with 10 saves in what was her second straight shutout.

The Sailors beat fourth-seeded Port Washington, 6-0, in the semifinals Oct.

28 behind a goal and two assists from Ryann Zydor and a pair of goals from Molly Boller.

Now Oceanside will try to make more history as it aims for a first-ever L.I. crown.

“We’re confident,” Bowers said.

Show Off Your Little Fans!

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Scan the QR code to submit your photo today for a chance to win a pair of New York Islanders tickets to a game this season and be featured in your Long Island Herald.

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OHS soccer welcomes future players at final home game

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Oceanside United’s 2017 boys’ soccer team joined the Oceanside High School varsity squad on Oct. 10 for the Sailors’ final home game of the regular season at Oceanside High School — an evening that ended in a 2-1 victory and gave young players an up-close look at what their future in the sport could be.

The Oceanside United Soccer Club is a community-focused soccer organization that offers various programs for players of all ages and skill levels, including intramural, travel and special needs programs.

The youth athletes, all born in 2017, were invited to act as ball boys, meet varsity players and take part in warm-ups as part of a growing effort to connect Oceanside United with the high school program. The initiative is led by lifelong Oceanside resident Brian Siergiej, owner of Showtime Soccer Training, which partners with Oceanside United to run youth training and coaching.

During the fall season, Siergiej regularly invites groups of U9 (age nine) to U12 (age twelve) players to high school games, hoping to build a stronger sense of continuity between the program and the varsity team.

“Some of them are very wowed by it,” Siergiej said. “They’re pure soc -

Oceanside High School varsity soccer team and the United Soccer Club’s U9 group worked together during the final home game of the regular season on Oct. 10.

cer kids at heart, and they just love that stuff. I try to tell that that is going to be you one day.”

Siergiej has watched several current varsity athletes rise through the ranks — including players he coached on his own U9 team years earlier.

“I see these kids grow through the travel program, the Oceanside United program and then ultimately become part of representing their high school team at the varsity

stage,” he said. “I brought them down as ball boys when they were ten, so we’re still trying to build and maintain that culture. You just want them to be involved.”

That pipeline is easy to spot on the sidelines. Oceanside United, known for its bright orange uniforms, has become a fixture at home games, with younger players now looking up to older athletes who once stood where they stood.

Siergiej himself began playing

with Oceanside United at age five and later played four years of varsity soccer at Oceanside High School. Today, he serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the varsity boys, while Showtime Soccer Training continues to work closely with Oceanside United.

“I have a really good relationship with the club, and I have a really good relationship with the school, and I think it’s very important for the two to maintain that,” Siergiej said.

For parents, the night offered its own moments of reflection. Candace Giordano, whose son Jaxson, eight, plays on the 2017 Oceanside United team and is coached by Siergiej, said the experience helped her son feel connected to the high school athletes.

“I’m looking at my little son and then these high school kids, and I see how they play and how skilled they are, and how one day that will be him,” Giordano said. “My son and his team loved it because they felt like they were part of the game with the high school students.”

The event has become more intentional and personal over the years. While Oceanside United once sent general invitations to families, Siergiej now works directly with agegroup teams to ensure the youth players have meaningful interactions with the varsity team.

Student scientists worked in university labs

his summer at St. John’s University under the mentorship of Professor Vivek Gupta, exploring the use of nanoemulsions — oil and water mixtures that help deliver medication more efficiently — to improve lung cancer treatments. His project focused on creating and testing a nanoemulsion capable of carrying a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a type of targeted cancer therapy.

The work required specialized equipment and careful chemical manipulation, but Maroto said the process “felt pretty natural,” crediting the support of the researchers around him.

“All these people were so knowledgeable and so helpful,” he said. “They really cared for me in that lab. My mentor was there almost every day, and he went through the steps with me very thoroughly.”

Classmate Arianna Shamin, also a junior, worked at St. John’s with Professor Tanaji Talele. Her project focused on synthesizing a type of PARP inhibitor, a compound that prevents cells from repairing damaged DNA — a crucial approach in many cancer treatments.

“There are so many approaches to cancer treatment,” Shamin said, emphasizing that she was drawn to the novelty of her project. “I loved the idea of finding a new solution, especially because it’s incorporating new technologies.”

Her synthesized compounds were tested in an external lab in California, where they demonstrated biological activity.

“It wasn’t extremely effective, but it still showed 20 percent, which was significantly higher than a lot of compounds created in that lab,” Shamin said.

Senior Daniela Sanchez conducted her research at Columbia University, working with Professor Alison Taylor on the consequences of aneuploidy, a condition in which cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes. Her research examined how aneuploid cells respond to various drug treatments and how this knowledge could shape earlier cancer detection or pre-

This program isn’t just about learning science. It’s about experiencing it the way real researchers do, designing experiments, collecting data, writing papers and presenting findings at competitions throughout the year

MICHAEL PEPE

vention.

Sanchez entered the lab with only basic knowledge from Regents chemistry but attributed the relatively smooth transition to her mentor’s dedication.

“At the beginning, I was working with (Taylor) oneon-one, learning terms, procedures, reading articles,” Sanchez said. “She taught me how to analyze graphs and data for my own project and our competitions.”

When her one-on-one sessions wrapped up, Sanchez joined graduate students in the lab, gaining experience-performing procedures.

“It helped me understand what was going on and actually participate in the research,” she said.

Juniors Phillip Konnov and Mark Gorny worked in tandem at CUNY’s Queens College under the guidance of Professor Sanjai Pathak. Their research examined dual-action inhibitors targeting NEK2 and EGFR, proteins that play a role in the progression of metastatic cancers such as breast cancer and glioblastomas.

With both students experiencing a family history of cancer and cardiac disease, Konnov and Gorny attributed their inspiration for their studies not only to understanding the diseases, but also to aiding in research to prevent or cure them.

“We focused on the enzyme that would activate it

within certain types of cancers, and by learning how it is inhibited, we would try to make a solution for long-term cancer,” Gorny said.

Their summer was filled with learning new skills, including cleaning protocols, chemical identification and observing undergraduate experiments. “Some of it was unrelated to our project,” Konnov said, “but it gave us a better sense of what to do in the lab.”

Both Konnov and Gorny said they plan to continue their research next year.

Junior Sabrina Zendaki spent her summer working at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai with Professor Mone Zaidi, studying the gene LHCGR, which regulates sex hormone production in both men and women. Her project explored whether the gene could influence hip-to-waist ratio — a measure that compares the circumference of a person’s waist to the circumference of their hips — a key factor in determining future risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other conditions.

“There are so many aspects of fat being stored in your body, such as hormones,” Zendaki said.

By better understanding the genetic factors that control fat distribution, she added, “we can figure out how people genetically store fat and how it could lead to other comorbidities.”

Pepe said the students’ achievements reflect not only their scientific ability but also their discipline and resilience.

“These students are working in labs where the expectations are very high,” Pepe said. “They rise to the challenge every single time.”

As the competition season approaches, Oceanside’s young researchers now will turn their focus to presenting, and defending, the work they spent months building. For many high school students, the summer before their junior or senior year marks only the beginning of a future in medicine, engineering or research.

L.I. Association hosts WNBA’s Caitlin Clark

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Caitlin Clark, the star point guard for the Indiana Fever, became the alltime leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball, was selected first overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, was the league’s 2024 Rookie of the Year and has drawn thousands of new fans to women’s basketball.

On Oct. 29, hundreds of Long Island business leaders and basketball fans attended the Long Island Association’s annual fall luncheon to see Clark speak with LIA President and CEO Matt Cohen.

The LIA is nonprofit association working to ensure Long Island’s economic vitality. The luncheon usually highlights political or business leaders, but this year Clark, 23, spoke about her career and nonprofit work. It was her first visit to Long Island, but she is no stranger to New York, having made a number of TV appearances and played the 2024 WNBA champion New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

“Honestly New York is one of my favorite places to come and play,” she said. “The crowd they have is really fun, their fan base is absolutely incredible and they’ve got a great team.”

As a junior at the University of Iowa, Clark became known for “the Caitlin Clark effect” — a dramatic increase in

popularity and revenue for women’s basketball that continued when she turned pro.

“I just love basketball,” she said. “I love the grind of getting better. No matter what we achieved or what I achieved personally, I always wanted to get back in the gym and get better at it.”

She emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive

people who care about both your success and your well-being. “I’ve been very fortunate over the course of my career to be surrounded by a lot of really great teammates, coaches and a great support system that’s allowed me to do a lot of cool things,” she said. Clark has sponsorships from Gatorade and Nike, and collaborates with Stanley. Her college marketing degree,

she said, has helped her navigate business decisions. “The biggest thing for me is working with brands that align with who I am,” she said. “Everything has my fingerprints on it. Everything we put out there I’m super proud of.” Clark touched on her work with the Caitlin Clark Foundation, a nonprofit focused on youth empowerment through education, nutrition and sports. “It’s honestly my favorite part of what I get to do,” she said. The foundation organizes a large backpack giveaway, supports Central Iowa’s Boys and Girls club, and works to install new basketball courts in Des Moines and Indianapolis.

“Basketball was never my end-all beall,” Clark said. “Its still that way for me. It’s just what I love to do. Its crazy to think that this is my job.”

She did not comment on negotiations between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association on a new collective bargaining agreement after players opted out of the agreement. It was set to expire on Oct. 31, but both sides agreed to a 30-day extension for talks to continue. Players are concerned about pay, benefits and overall conditions in the league as the sport continues to grow.

For her part, Clark hopes to continue her career in Indianapolis and eventually help the Fever win a WNBA championship.

Thank You, Veterans

This Veterans

EGP annual Fall Fest honors Cara McGuinness

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

EGP Oceanside’s annual Fall Fest took on special meaning this year as the restaurant marked its ninth celebration on Oct. 13, honoring Cara McGuinness — a 31-year-old physician assistant and lifelong Oceanside resident who died a week before the event after battling Stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer.

Held each year on Columbus Day, or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Fall Fest has grown into a signature tradition for the restaurant. Since its inception, the event has spotlighted a local person or family confronting significant challenges, rallying community support around them.

General Manager Brianna O’Hagan, who founded the festival, said that the festival’s mission is to be “a community event where we bring everyone together but also benefit someone who needs it.”

“We’re very family-oriented,” O’Hagan said. “It started when we were just looking to do some sort of a community event to say thank you to the people that supported EGP and became part of our community.”

Despite Cara’s passing, O’Hagan said the decision to move forward with the Fall Fest was simple. Cara’s family attended the event, which was dedicated to her memory.

The festival ran from noon to 6 p.m. and featured raffles, crafts, food, pumpkin decorating, face painting and a full pumpkin patch. El Scorchio, a ‘90’s altrock cover bank, performed from noon to 1 p.m., and The Revelators closed out the day with a set from 3 to 6 p.m.

Local businesses and neighbors contributed heavily. Community members donated raffle baskets and gift items, Dee’s Nursery provided all of the pumpkins and SJ Electric — a local electrical company — paid for all 180 event

“We wanted to show Cara’s family that they were not alone,” O’Hagan said. “We wanted to show them serious support.”

T-shirts so every sale could go to the McGuinness family. The proceeds from pumpkin decorating also supported the family.

“Fall Fest has become a pivotal event in the community,” O’Hagan said. “It’s not just about raising money. It’s about teaching our staff and our neighbors the value of giving back.”

Nine years after its launch, the festival continues to strengthen ties among staff, neighbors and local families — a reminder of why it was created and why it remains a fixture in the community.

Focusing on

Mindful munching

Don’t let overindulgence get the best of you

The holidays are made for feasting, toasting and indulging in your favorite treats. But all that holiday cheer can quickly add extra pounds — especially if you’ve been working hard to shed a few. With so many tempting snacks, desserts, and hearty dishes around, it’s easy to go overboard. But you can enjoy the season without losing control.

Because there are so many delicious treats, snacks, and entrees to enjoy, most don’t hold back as much during these times.

When we think of healthy eating, holiday meals don’t necessarily come to mind. Treats like pumpkin pie, gingerbread cookies and eggnog can make it hard to maintain self-control, especially when your normal routines are upended

Unfortunately, they regret many of those decisions when the new year rolls around. Not only do we struggle with buyer’s remorse during the first month of the year, but we often also deal with wanting to lose a bunch of weight as a result of what we consumed during the holidays.

If you’d like to change the trajectory and eat healthy during the holidays, understand this is possible. However, you’ll need to put a few guidelines in place to succeed.

Eat mindful meals

Too often, individuals eat when they’re in a rush and thus, they constantly eat on the go. There are so many reasons why the fast food industry is successful and popular as it is. The majority of individuals like the convenience of fast food because they need to eat something quickly before they move on to the next thing on the agenda. They don’t want to take time to sit down and eat their food.

This is especially true during the holidays. Individuals book their schedules to the max during the holiday season. There are so many loved ones to see and so many places to be. However, when you eat mindful meals, you’re able to be present and not mindless. You’re able to remain in the moment and know what’s going on around you. You’ll also be able to think about how you feel in the moment, how you feel about the food you’re eating, and savor it differently. When it comes to food, be mindful and not mindless.

Control your portions

If you focus on eating only when you’re hungry, this is half the battle. Many times, individuals eat because the food is right there.

A great way to get through the process is to always walk with a large bottle of water. Add lemon slices and

fresh mint leaves into the bottle or infuse berries for a different taste. Focus on drinking the water until the bottle is finished. If you are truly hungry, your body will let you know. Otherwise, continue to drink. The water will help you remain fuller for a longer period. You might be surprised at the amount of success you experience with more water in your system. It can really help you avoid excessive snacking and eating.

Plan and prepare your food

It might seem impossible to plan and prepare your food when you’re walking into a party and you don’t know what’s going to be served. However, there are few things to consider. If you’re planning on going to a Christmas dinner party, eat light in the morning and afternoon. Drink a green smoothie for breakfast and for lunch, enjoy a lean protein and a fresh salad. This way, you’ll be able to save most of your daily calories to enjoy food at the Christmas party.

If you’re out and you’re ordering food, eat half of the food at the restaurant and eat the other half at another meal. When you know you’ll be on your own schedule, develop a meal prep practice where you make your meals at the beginning of the week. When you prepare your meals like this, it decreases your chances of bingeeating at restaurants. It’ll also help you avoid running to the nearest spot to hurry up and get something to consume.

Eat slowly

If you’re used to eating on the go, eating slowly will feel like a foreign practice. Instead of sitting down to eat and watch television at the same time, work on setting aside time exclusively dedicated to eating. Don’t turn on any electronics and don’t scroll through social media.

Instead, focus on chewing and digesting your food. In many cases, individuals chew their food fewer than ten times before swallowing. In reality, you should chew each bite at least fifty times before swallowing. When you’re able to completely digest and enjoy your food, you’ll develop a habit of keeping your body and digestive system healthy.

Don’t wait until the holidays to begin these steps. It’s a great idea to start now and work toward improving. If you’re disciplined and regularly work toward improving your relationship with food, you’ll be able to see changes over time. If you focus on developing and perfecting this process during the holidays, it can carry over and impact the rest of your life.

Share the joy while keeping up with your health goals

The holiday season is full of festive events, good food and cherished memories. However, it can also be a time for more stress, unhealthy eating and getting sick. Check out the seven tips for staying healthy during the holidays below.

Keep moving! Although days are shorter and your schedule may be full, try to devote time to being active. Take a short walk while on break at work, do a free yoga video after your morning coffee, or ride your bike to grocery store to pick up that one forgotten item.

Playing hide-and-go seek, building a fort, or having a jump rope contest are easy and fun ways to help the whole family stay active. Research shows being active can strengthen your immune system and decrease stress, besides keeping that unwanted weight off.

Focus on fun, not food and drinks. Swap out the usual cookie baking tradition or gingerbread house decorating and establish a nonfood based holiday tradition like making homemade ornaments or volunteering.

Get enough sleep. Being tired can lead to increased stress, low energy and making unhealthy eating and drinking decisions. Don’t overbook yourself with holiday events and try to stick to a regular bedtime every night.

Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast. Skipping meals can lead to you making unhealthy choices and overeating at a later meal. If your schedule is busy, plan ahead and pack a snack so you don’t have an excuse.

Drink water. Colder weather and indulging in holiday party drinks can make us forget we still need to drink water. Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go to help remind you to stay hydrated.

Try healthier holiday favorites. Try to change recipes or ingredients for your favorite holiday dishes to make them healthier.

Don’t forget your fruits and vegetables. Just because there are more sweet treats, comfort foods and fun holiday drinks, don’t forget about the fruits and vegetables. They are low calorie and good sources of vitamins and minerals that can help keep your immune system strong.

Distance helps the heart stay healthy. At a party, don’t stand next to the food table. That makes it harder to mindlessly reach for food as you talk. If you know you are prone to recreational eating, pop a mint or a stick of gum so you won’t keep reaching for the chips.

Budget wisely. Don’t eat everything at feasts and parties. Be choosy and spend calories judiciously on the foods you love.

Pay attention to what really matters. Although food is an integral part of the holidays, put the focus on family and friends, laughter and cheer. If balance and moderation are your usual guides, it’s okay to indulge or overeat once in a while Just because it’s the holiday season, you needn’t lose your healthy focus. Your holiday is want you want it to be — and what’s best for your family.

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Month

Edward M. Stroh, M.D. is a boardcertified specialist in the treatment of retinal diseases and surgery. Dr. Stroh received his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine with a distinction in Ophthalmology. He completed his internal medicine internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and his ophthalmology residency at North Shore University Hospital. He followed with Retina Fellowship training at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School, and was a research fellow at The Eye Research Institute of Boston.

Dr. Stroh is currently involved in research to prevent or minimize retina damage from diabetes mellitus, macular degeneration and retinal detachment.

High Quality Care

Diseases of the retina are among the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. Common causes of vision loss include eye trauma, clouding of the lens (cataract), retinal damage due to diabetic retinopathy, breakdown of the central portion of the retina from age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachment, inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis), stroke, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma).

Fortunately, new techniques have been

developed so that early detection and treatment can prevent vision loss in many cases. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the retina and vitreous is a uniquely specialized discipline; many patients are referred by other ophthalmologists and doctors.

His office contains modern and sophisticated equipment to diagnose and treat various diseases of the retina and vitreous. Ultrasound, fundus photography, fluorescein and ICG angiography, OCT testing, laser and cryosurgery, pneumatic retinopexy, and intravitreal injection of medications are routinely performed in the office. Surgery of the retina, including newer Small Incision Vitrectomy Surgery techniques, are performed routinely in the operating room and allow faster healing.

Dr. Stroh and his team provide compassionate and empowering care. Medicare and most major insurance plans are accepted.

Edward M. Stroh, MD, FAAO 165 North Village Avenue, Suite 203 Rockville Centre (516) 536-9525 www.edwardstrohmd.com

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

LOOK TO US FOR EXPERT VISION CARE

Get Ready for the Holidays: Protect Yourself With Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines

As you get ready for the holidays, remember this: While vaccine recommendations may be debated these days, one fact remains unchanged—the flu and COVID-19 can still be deadly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the flu caused nearly 130,000 deaths and the hospitalization of about 1 million people between October 2024 and May 2025. Additionally, the CDC estimates that COVID-19 has been responsible for approximately 540,000 hospitalizations and up to 63,000 deaths since October 2024.

“You should always consult your physician for individual medical advice. The respiratory virus season is upon us, and if you’re eligible and haven’t been vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu, now is a good time to get immunized,” advised Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Vaxmobile is offering a free COVID-19 and flu vaccine program. For the 2025–2026 flu season, the CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and New York State Department of Health recommend trivalent flu vaccines containing strains for influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and an influenza B/Victoria lineage virus. The A(H3N2) component was updated from the previous season. It is recommended that everyone six months and older receive a flu vaccine annually to prevent illness and complications.

For those 65 and older, an enhanced version of the flu vaccine is recommended.

In September, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed

MountSinaiSouthNassau’sCommunityEducationandVaxmobileteamare providingfluandCOVIDvaccinesinacommunitynearyou.Checkthe hospital’sFacebookpage(www.facebook.com/mountsinaisouthnassau)for dates and locations.

an executive order (which has been extended) declaring an emergency that overrides recent federal actions restricting vaccine access. The order ensures that all New Yorkers can receive the updated 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription.

The New York State Department of Health recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all children aged six months to 23 months, adults 65 years or older, and people at high risk for severe outcomes, such as pregnant women, lactating women, and the immunocompromised. It is also recommended that children and teens ages 2-18 years old get the vaccine if they are at high risk, live in a long-term care facility, have never been immunized with

a COVID-19 vaccine, or live with people who are at high risk for severe COVID-19. It is also recommended for adults ages 19-64 who have elevated risk factors for severe COVID-19, those at the highest risk of exposure, and those who live with others at the highest risk.

“Individuals who are especially vulnerable and have not recently had COVID-19 and/or received the 2024 COVID-19 vaccine should get the new vaccine for enhanced protection,” said Dr. Glatt.

The CDC says it is safe to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines simultaneously, during your visit to the doctor or pharmacy. Getting the vaccines is as simple as calling your doctor, visiting your local drugstore, or scheduling an appointment with Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Vaxmobile.

A common reaction after getting the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine is a sore and tender shoulder, which is caused by the needle hitting the deltoid muscle and/or your body’s natural response to the vaccine. This usually goes away in a short while and doesn’t represent a long-term risk.

To schedule an appointment to get a flu or COVID-19 vaccine or both, go to www.southnassau.org/sn/vaxmobile; for more information, call Community Education at (516) 377-5333.

One Healthy Way Oceanside, NY 11572 • 877-SOUTH-NASSAU (877-768-8462) • www.mountsinai.org/southnassau

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

mountsinai.org/southnassau

Billy Joel exhibit closes after two-year run

‘A Piano Man’s Journey,’ at L.I. Music and Entertainment HOF, ends with collectors’ presentation

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

A special presentation at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame on Oct. 25 marked the closing of the Billy Joel exhibit and highlighted the important role that collectors played in bringing it to life.

Among those sharing their stories were collectors Paul Fierro and Eric Fellen, who contributed memorabilia and offered items for door prizes and a silent auction to support the museum.

“I’m excited to be here and talk about our experiences throughout the years collecting,” Fierro said, “but when people ask what’s the best, I always say the best is the people that I’ve met along the way, the friends I’ve made over the past 50 years doing this.”

After their presentation, Fellen and Fierro passed around pieces from their collections to a room full of devoted fans, and answered questions.

“Billy Joel, My Life: A Piano Man’s Journey” ran for nearly two years, drawing many repeat visitors — including Lisa and Donnie Wallace, of Massapequa Park. “Billy Joel has been my all-time favorite for 50 years now,” Lisa said. “I saw him 22 times during his residency and probably 30 times overall.”

O’Callaghan, who described its closing as emotional. “It was an exhibition I was very proud of,” O’Callaghan said. “My relationship dealing with Billy Joel I will never forget; it was a wonderful experience.”

O’Callaghan is now preparing something new for the hall — this time stepping away from music and into television. His next project, scheduled to open Nov. 28, celebrates 30 years of the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Titled “Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years,” the exhibit will include the 70-foot-wide set built for the show’s upcoming anniversary special on CBS. This marks the first time the set will be on public display.

Melissa Heche, an audiologist who has performed with Richie Cannata, attended with friends, and said that Joel’s music was the “heartbeat” of their childhoods. “He became a role model too, pulling us into all different kinds of music,” Heche recalled.

Regina DeMarco, of Woodbury, attended with friends she met on a Billy Joel Facebook fan page. “I’ve made a lot of friends through Billy Joel,” DeMarco said. “We’re a tight group and we love Billy’s music. Some of the people in our

group come as far away as England, Australia and Chile.”

JoAnn Laverdure traveled from New Hampshire for the final days of the exhibit. “I was planning on coming at the beginning of the month because I knew that it was closing, and then I saw the post for the 2 p.m. presentation and just changed my plans,” she said. “I just adore him, and I think the exhibit is marvelous.”

The exhibit was designed by Kevin

“I couldn’t be more excited about this new exhibit,” O’Callaghan said. “The fact that we’re taking television history, the actual set from ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ — the actual set that we looked at many times on TV, and we have it here for people to walk on and enjoy — it’s an immersive experience. It’s a wonderful exhibition, and a wonderful journey back to a better time, when we all enjoyed watching real family comedy.”

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is at 97 Main St. in Stony Brook. For more details, go to limusichalloffame.org.

Tuesday - Sunday 4pm - 7pm | Pre Fixe menu - $45

Choice of: 1 of our tempting starters

1 choice of an entree (blackened fish taco, miso balsamic-glazed salmon, slow cooked brisket or our signature burger) | 1 desert

Tuesdays 4pm - 10pm | Taco Tuesdays - $24

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Game-day food & drink specials - catch every play!

3 handcrafted tacos (your choice of fish or brisket paired with a signature margarita)

Thursdays

Bottomless Mussel Mondays Fresh mussels & great drink deals all night!

Taco & Tequila Tuesdays

$5 tacos • $9 margaritas • 4-10 pm

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Go BIG with our signature burgers and combos!

Teachers’ Night - 4pm - 10pm | live music - 6:30pm - 9:30pm $10 sips and tapas wine, sangria, classic margarita, bacon-wrapped dates, handcut fries or truffle fries and chicken spring rolls

Both Kiwanis Club and Builders Club members gathered to collect food donations for families in need on Oct. 25.

Island Park Kiwanis and Builders Club collect donations for local families

The Island Park Kiwanis club and the Lincoln Orens Middle School Builders Club held their annual food drive on Saturday, Oct. 25 at King Kullen in Island Park, collecting donations to help local families during the holiday season.

The event, a joint affair between the Kiwanis Club and the Builders Club it sponsors, brought in approximately 45 bags of nonperishable food items, along with monetary donations from generous shoppers. The collected goods will be distributed to Island Park families in need ahead of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

In addition to food, the Kiwanis Club will also provide gift cards to each recipient family so they can supplement their holiday meals with other necessary and desired items. Both clubs expressed gratitude to all who contributed, thanking the community

for helping make the drive a success.

Karen Davis, a member of the Kiwanis Club and who has advised the Builders Club for about 15 years — even longer than she has been a Kiwanis member — said the effort is an important opportunity for students to give back.

“I feel strongly that it is important to teach children what it means to be a contributing member of our community and give them the opportunity to feel the reward of self pride and joy for the selfless work they do,” Davis said. “Not many kids would give up their Saturday morning to collect food at a local grocery store, but these kids did. I commend them and all our Kiwanis members for stepping up and being a valued part of our community and society.”

— Abigail Grieco

Oceanside musicians selected to perform in countywide festival

Ninety-six student musicians from Oceanside schools have been selected to perform in the Nassau Music Educators Association All-County Festival, representing grades 5 through 12 in chorus, band and orchestra.

The students will join peers from across Nassau County in the annual festival, which showcases top young musicians selected through competitive auditions and New York State School Music Association performance scores.

The Nassau Music Educators Association hosts the All-County Festival each year, bringing together top student performers to work under guest

Courtesy Oceanside Schools

Oceanside School District congratulates its All-County Music students and commends them for their hard work and dedication to music.

conductors and experience advanced ensemble repertoire.

Selection to the festival recognizes exceptional skill, dedication and musicianship, district officials said, and highlights the strength of Oceanside’s K-12 music program.

“Oceanside is an incredibly strong community for music education because our students put in the effort and our faculty nurture and guide their passion for music,” Andrew Frey-Gould, the district’s director of media, fine and performing arts, said.

The honorees represent every school in the district, reflecting a deep commitment to music education across all grade levels. District leaders congratulated both the students and their ensemble directors for their achievement.

Faculty members recognized for their leadership and instruction include Ms. Leahu, Ms. Haglund, Mr. Vetter, Ms. Rosenberg, Ms. Stagnitta, Mr. Bonasera, Mr. Castrogiovanni, Ms. Pietromonaco-McNally, Ms. Zarchy, Mr. Fontanetta, Ms. Walker, Ms. Sudol, Ms. Byrne, Mr. Campanelli, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Ciuffo, Mr. Horner, Ms. Degnan, Mr. Maniscalco and Mr. Glass.

— Abigail Grieco

124 students inducted into Rho Kappa at Oceanside High School

Inductees crossed stage where current

ies teacher Laura Trongard and social studies director, Mitch Bickman.

Oceanside High School honored academic excellence in social studies with the induction of 124 students into the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society. Rho Kappa, whose name is derived from Greek, embodies the principle that knowledge and service to one’s community are inseparable — a value the Oceanside chapter continues to uphold through its academic and volunteer efforts.

The ceremony highlighted the students’ commitment to scholarship, civic engagement and community service. Society president Joelle Mag-Uyon spoke about members’ fundraising efforts for organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Doctors Without Borders and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Mag-Uyon also reflected

on her experience shadowing state senators and attending a legislative session to better understand how government works.

As part of the ceremony, chapter covice presidents and co-treasurers lit candles representing the organization’s core values of truth, knowledge, wisdom and service.

Social studies director Mitch Bickman commended the new inductees for their dedication and urged them to look beyond grades to develop their criticalthinking skills.

“The goal of social studies education is for students to learn how to think, not what to think,” Bickman said. “Solving problems is more valuable than rote answers.”

— Abigail

Grieco

NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!

STEPPING OUT

Decades of holiday joy

Sacred Heart Academy welcomes the season with ‘The Nutcracker’

By Abbey Salvemini

As we prepare for the festive season ahead, one cherished tradition is already spreading holiday cheer: Sacred Heart Academy’s beloved production of “The Nutcracker.” Now in its 35th year, the all-girls, student-run performance returns to delight audiences with its timeless magic, graceful choreography and heartfelt community spirit.

Proudly recognized as the first “Nutcracker” to take the stage on Long Island this year — two weeks before Thanksgiving — Sacred Heart’s production is more than a performance; it’s a celebration of artistry and empowerment. Every element — from choreography to marketing to stage management — is handled by students, creating an experience that’s as much about leadership as it is about ballet. The young creative team is guided by the steady hand of Rockville Centre’s Annie Melia, a 2008 alumna, now in her third year as director of the production. Many alumnae have gone on to shine as Rockettes, Juilliard-trained dancers and educators, proving that the spirit of the beloved holiday classic extends far beyond the stage.

“As the leader of the production, I’ve learned that creating a supportive and organized environment helps everyone perform their best,” says Sienna Squadrito, a senior from Atlantic Beach who serves as the production co-president, choreographed the Waltz of the Flowers. “I tried to pull choreography that reflected the whole theme of the show.”

Her goal is that audiences sense the passion and countless hours each dancer has put in to make the movements shine.

Oceanside senior Angelina Sabatino, vice president, who choreographed several scenes, takes on the role of the dazzling Dew Drop Fairy. She relates that the energy of an all-girls cast creates an atmosphere of empowerment and camaraderie.

“Being a part of ‘Nutcracker’ has such a positive energy and allows us to grow as dancers and leaders,” she says.

Stepping into the role of the Dew Drop Fairy has been both exhilarating and deeply meaningful; the highlight for her.

“Dewdrop is one of my favorite roles because of how pretty the scene is. My favorite part is the music and the choreography, it’s so uplifting. I am so excited to perform this role because of how magical it feels and how it puts you in the holiday spirit. Bringing the

• Nov. 14, 7 p.m.; Nov. 15-16, 2 p.m.

• Pre-sale tickets are $15 each through Nov. 13; $20 day of performance, subject to availability.

• Tickets available at sacredheartacademyli.org/ TheNutcracker2025Tickets

• Sister Virginia Crowley Theatre, 47 Cathedral Ave., Hempstead

Dew Drop Fairy to life in front of an audience reminds me why I love to dance and how special it is to share that joy with the audience.”

As the Sugar Plum Fairy, Samantha Koenig, of Garden City, carries one of the ballet’s most iconic roles — a part she has made entirely her own.

“Instead of focusing on being perfect, I try to bring warmth and confidence to the character,” she says.

Besides performing, she choreographed Waltz of the Snowflakes and serves as the show’s Finale Coordinator.

“As a senior, it means a lot to set an example for the younger dancers,” she adds.

Koenig reflects that what she’ll hold closest to her heart about her involvement with the show is the deep sense of family and the cherished tradition it represents.

“Everyone supports each other, and it’s so special to be a part of a tradition that brings so many people together,” she notes.

For senior Hailey Friere, of Massapequa, who plays the Lead Messenger and Fritz, this year’s performance marks her fourth year with the show.

“During my freshman year, I thought that participating in ‘The Nutcracker’ was just another after-school activity. Now, I see it more as a part of my life that fulfills the holiday season.”

Friere’s favorite aspect of the production is building friendships across grade levels and sharing the joy of the Christmas season throughout the school.

“Actually, I met one of my best friends through ‘The Nutcracker,’ and she’s like a sister to me,” Friere shares. “Now, I’m Fritz and she’s Clara, so she’s like a real sister to me!”

As the curtain rises this holiday season, Sacred Heart Academy’s “The Nutcracker” reminds local audiences that its magic goes far beyond the stage. In sharing their passion, students invite everyone to experience the joy that has made this beloved production a cherished holiday highlight at the school for 35 years — and counting.

Ted Nash Sextet

Ted Nash’s Big Band brings the Grammy Award-winning “Presidential Suite” to the Tilles Center stage. This fascinating program pairs historic speeches by figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, and others with bold, jazz-driven orchestrations. With Nash’s thoughtful direction and expressive playing, the hard swinging band offers a powerful and resonant performance that bridges history, music and the spirit of swing. Each movement is tied to a different speech by world leaders, giving the words new resonance through music. Presidential Suite is considered Nash’s most significant work, rich with social and political awareness. A longtime member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Nash has spent 25 years blending intellect, emotion and bold creativity through his compositions. Acclaimed as one of the most innovative voices in modern jazz, he’s known for his boundless creativity as an arranger and performer.

Sunday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

North Mississippi Allstars

Dynamic blues-rock band North Mississippi Allstars unearths the soul of the Mississippi hill country with every riff and beat. Led by brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson, their electrifying performances fuse tradition with modern energy and can turn any venue into a juke joint. As legend has it, the brothers started the band in 1996 as a loose collective of like-minded secondgeneration musicians who shared a local repertoire and regional style. Over the years, the lineup shifted by design, and each subsequent record offered up a different combination of collaborators. Get on your dancing shoes and hear for yourself the bold, raucous and reinvented tribute to the musicians’ roots and evolution.

Sunday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m. $48.50. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or by calling (516) 767-6444.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

On Exhibit

Garden City

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” which surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms, is in its final days. Framing this topic between the 19th century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainmentrelated activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

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

Oceanside Community Service Dinner

Oceanside Community Service holds its annual dinner at Alias Smith & Jones.

• Where: 2862 Woods Ave., Oceanside

• Contact: (516) 536-4300

Holiday at Island Park Library

Lou Del Bianco hosts two Thanksgiving themed shows at Island Park Public Library. The family show about learning through storytelling and song and what the Pilgrims and Native Americans meant by being thankful. An adult program follows discussing Del Bianco’s grandfather and his role as chief carver on Mount Rushmore.

• Where: 176 Long Beach Road, Island Park

• Time: Family show, 4 p.m.; adult program, 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: islandparklibrary.org or call (516) 432-0122

NOV

6 Oceanside Chorale in concert

8

Gaelic Storm

• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

NOV

12

Zoning Board of Appeals meets The Island Park Zoning Board holds its next meeting at Village Hall.

• Where: 127 Long Beach Road, Island Park

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 431-0600

NOV

13

Island Park Village Board meets The Island Park Board holds its next meeting at Village Hall.

Join the Chorale for a Veteran’s Day program at Oceanside Library..

• Where: 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside

• Time: Noon-1 p.m.

• Contact: oceansidelibrary.com or (516) 766-2360

It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly. Gaelic Storm, a multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and after two decades and over 2000 shows, they are a true force to be reckoned with. The band attributes their continued success to their fanatic audience, and it’s a well-diversified crowd for sure — attracting fans of every genre with their rich storytelling, energetic instrumentals, devotion to Celtic traditions and passion for their stagecraft. They are as loyal to their fans as the fans are to them, as frontman Patrick Murphy states, “The fans are the ones that have given us this life. We’re here for them.” Gaelic Storm takes a true blue-collar, hard-nose approach to touring, consistently traveling the U..S and internationally forging a unique path in the Celtic music world. This dedication to their live show dates all the way back to the mid-1990s, when Gaelic Storm kicked off its’ career as a pub band in Santa Monica, Calif. Those performances ultimately led to their discovery that found the band appearing in the blockbuster film “Titanic” (where they performed “Irish Party in Third Class”). This laid the groundwork for a career that would eventually find them topping the Billboard World Chart six times, making appearances at mainstream music festivals, and regularly headlining the largest Irish Festivals across the country, all while gaining a reputation as a genre-bending Irish rock band whose songs mix Celtic traditions with something uniquely creative. $68, $58, $48.

Saturday Night Social

Grades 5-8 are invited to the Saturday Night Social at the Friedberg JCC with spots, games, movies and more. Tickets are $10, members are free.

• Where: Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Ct., Oceanside

• Time: 7-10 p.m.

• Contact: Rachael Trigona at (516) 634-4179

‘Once Upon A Song!’

Join L.I. Cabaret Theatre for their latest performance. In this spirited show books in a library are brought to life in song and dance. A cast of 40 keeps the action moving along, with a live band and and a special appearance by Steve Mitchell as Elvis. The singers and dancers perform current hits, oldies and tunes from the Broadway stage, with a tribute to Woodstock and “Wicked.” With refreshments and post-show dancing until 1 A.M. Seating is night-club style at round tables. $30 per person, available in advance or at the door. Refreshments provided; guests can bring in your own food (just no pork or shellfish).

• Where: Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh

• Time: 7:30 p.m., also Nov. 15

• Contact: licabaret@aol.com or (516) 946-7207

NOV

9

Flip Your Lid

Families are invited to commemorate America Recycles Day at Long Island Children’s Museum by upcycling mason jar lids into beautiful works of art, at the drop-in program. Free with museum admission. For ages 3+.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

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

In concert

Oceanside Library welcomes all to enjoy Journey tribute band Anyway You Want It.

• Where: 30 Davison Ave, Oceanside

• Time: 2-3 p.m.

• Contact: oceansidelibrary.com or (516) 766-2360

Art Talk

Join Poster Historian and Gallerist Ted Bahr for” In a Furious Moment - The History and Development of the Psychedelic Rock Poster.” The psychedelic rock poster had a brief but colorful life from 1966 to 1970. Originating out of San Francisco in a utopian period where it was thought that

• Where: Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: landmarkonmainstreet. org or (516) 767-6444

peace and love could change the world, these posters advertised the rock “dance concerts” and reflected the very psychedelic and idealistic world around them. Breaking all the rules of graphic design and advertising, the psychedelic rock posters sought to be as illegible as possible, to force competing colors together to create a vibratory effect, and appropriated images from all eras of history, Seating is limited. Registration required. $20, $15 seniors, members free.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

NOV

11

AdvoKids: Veterans Day

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes all to celebrate Veterans Day. During this month’s AdvoKids workshop, visitors learn about the importance of Veterans Day and about a local naval veteran, Jeremy Feldman who works with the local nonprofit Long Island Warriors Hockey Club. Everyone then creates an American Flag to commemorate the day. This is a drop-in program.

• Where: Museum Row,

• Where: 127 Long Beach Road, Island Park

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 431-0600

NOV

15

Holiday Arts & Craft Fair

Local artists, raffles, lunch, handcrafted gifts, photography, snacks and more at Oceanside Lutheran Church. Handicap accessible with plenty of parking in the municipal lot.

• Where: Friendship Hall, 55 Fairview Ave., Oceanside

• Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 766-0136

Book talk

Stop by Oceanside Library to celebrate the release of local author Lisa Dolan’s first novel, “The Brooklyn Witch.” Copies will be available for sale and signing.

• Where: 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: oceansidelibrary.com or (516) 766-2360

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.

6,

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU CITIMORTGAGE, INC.,

Plaintiff - againstKERRY SARWAN, et al

Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on February 3, 2022. 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 the 13th day of November, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Island Park, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 3977 Long Beach Road, Island Park, (Town of Hempstead) NY 11558. (SBL#: 43-187-85)

Approximate amount of lien $535,382.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 608704/2018.

Stephanie Stutman Goldstone, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: August 27, 2025

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.

156256

MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiffagainst- MICHAEL MCKAY; JANET MCKAY, et al

Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 16, 2024 and entered on January 3, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on December 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York; known and designated as Section 38 Block 400 Lot 474. Said premises known as 2829 ELM STREET, OCEANSIDE, NY 11572

Approximate amount of lien $609,381.14 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 610218/2022.

RALPH J. MADALENA, ESQ., Referee

Pincus & Tarab

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 {* ISLAND PAR*} 156396

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 11/12/2025 at 9:30

A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30

A.M.

563/25. NR ISLAND PARK - Pedro Walter Carioti, Variances, front yard average setback, lot area occupied, construct front 2nd story deck & rear deck with stairs, both attached to dwelling., N/s Audubon Blvd., 380’ W/o New York Ave., a/k/a 147 Audubon Blvd.

572/25. OCEANSIDEJohn Mitchell, Special exception to maintain shed with roof over higher & larger than permitted & exceeding horizontal maximum on both sides., W/s Poplar St., 131.73’ S/o Jordan St., a/k/a 3350 Poplar St. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M.

578/25. - 579/25. OCEANSIDE - Stephen Oswald, Maintain frame shed higher than permitted, exceeding horizontal maximum with less than required side yard setback & lot area occupied variance; Special exception to maintain 2nd accessory structure (vinyl shed) with less than required side yard setback & lot area occupied variance., W/s Links Dr. West, 305.29’ S/o Golf Dr., a/k/a 305 Links Dr. West 582/25. OCEANSIDE361 Atlantic Avenue Company LLC, Use variance to maintain warehouse not in compliance with FEMA construction standards, a portion of which is in a Res. “B” district, with overnight storage of commercial vehicles & with side yards variances, Special exception to maintain not in compliance with FEMA construction standards in “Bus.” district, variance in offstreet parking, special exception to park in Res. “B” district & maintain 8’ high fence., S/s Atlantic Ave., 1376.26’ E/o Waverly Ave., a/k/a 361 Atlantic Ave. S.E.Q.R. determination not made.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Oceanside & Island Park within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo

Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the

call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

156624

LEGAL NOTICE

Distrito de Bomberos de Oceanside Aviso Legal AVISO DE JUNTA ANUAL Y ELECCIÓN DEL DISTRITO DE BOMBEROS DE OCEANSIDE

POR FAVOR TOME

NOTA de una reunión de votantes legales del Distrito de Bomberos de Oceanside, Ciudad de Hempstead, Condado de Nassau, Nueva York. Por la presente se da aviso de que, de conformidad con la ley, se llevará a cabo una reunión de los votantes debidamente calificados del Distrito de Bomberos de Oceanside el martes 9 de Diciembre de 2025, entre las 3:00 p. m. y 9:00 p. m., en el Edificio del Distrito de Bomberos, 65 Foxhurst Road, Oceanside, Nassau County, New York, con el propósito de elegir un (1) Comisionado para servir por el término de cinco (5) años, a partir del 1 de enero de 2026 hasta el 31 de Diciembre de 2030.

POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que las personas que deseen ser candidatas, para el cargo de Comisionado, deberán presentar su(s) nombre(s) ante Tricia Schields, Secretaria de Distrito para dicho Distrito, por lo menos veinte (20) días antes de la fecha de elección por nominación presentado en el Formulario de Petición, suscrito por (25) votantes elegibles del Distrito y recibido a más tardar el 19 de noviembre de 2025. La Secretaria del Distrito estará en su oficina, en el Edificio del Distrito de Bomberos, 65 Foxhurst Road, Oceanside, el Miércoles, 19 de Noviembre de 2025, en el horario de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. para recibir peticiones. Solo aquellas personas que residan dentro del Distrito de Bomberos de Oceanside y que se hayan registrado en la Junta Electoral del Condado el 17 de noviembre de 2025 o antes tendrán derecho a votar en esta elección.

continue to fight breast cancer through support and guidance.

Mother and daughter face their breast cancer journeys together

For Oceanside residents Elsa Valentin and her daughter, Danielle Petito, breast cancer has become a defining part of their lives — but also a source of deep strength and connection.

Valentin, 65, is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed in early 2025. Her daughter, Petito, 42, completed radiation therapy two years earlier and is now in remission. Their experiences with the disease, though different, have brought them closer.

“This disease looks different for everyone,” Valentin said. “But what we share is support. We’ve been through this together, and that’s what gets us through.”

Petito said watching her mother face the same illness is “heartbreaking,” but it also positioned her to provide guidance and emotional support that few others could.

“I know how much power there is in having someone who understands,” Petito said. “Even though our paths are different, we’re walking them side by side.”

Valentin’s diagnosis came as she was preparing to focus more fully on her family and retirement. Instead, she found herself beginning chemotherapy, navigating a new treatment routine and the uncertainty that comes with it.

“It felt overwhelming, especially since

Tricia Schields

Secretary

Danielle had already gone through this,” Valentin said. “But knowing she had been through it, and could guide me, brought a sense of reassurance.”

The mother and daughter pair speak openly about the emotional toll of cancer, as well as the importance of being present, whether it’s sitting together during appointments, handling everyday tasks or simply sharing quiet moments at home.

“The hardest part is the uncertainty,” Valentin said. “But staying positive, focusing on my family and having Danielle by my side gives me the strength to keep going.”

Petito said cancer reshaped her outlook on life.

“Cancer changes how you look at everything,” she said. “It makes you grateful for the small moments and for the people who truly love you.”

Together, they continue to encourage others facing the disease to seek connection and not face it alone.

“It’s OK to be scared. It’s OK to have tough days,” they said in a joint interview. “But stay strong, laugh and always support one another. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Public Notices

Oceanside Fire District 156618

LEGAL NOTICE

Oceanside Fire District

Legal Notice NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF THE OCEANSIDE FIRE DISTRICT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE of a meeting of the legal voters of the Oceanside Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York. Notice is Hereby Given, that pursuant to law, a meeting of the duly qualified voters of

the Oceanside Fire District will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, between the hours of 3:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M., in the Fire District Building, 65 Foxhurst Road, Oceanside, Nassau County, New York, for the purpose of electing one (1) Commissioner to serve for the term of five (5) years, from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that persons wishing to be a candidate, for the position of Commissioner, shall file

their name(s) with Tricia Schields, District Secretary for said District, at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of election by nominations submitted in Petition Form, subscribed to by (25) eligible voters of the District and received no later than November 19, 2025. The District Secretary will be in her office, in the Fire District Building, 65 Foxhurst Road, Oceanside, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to receive petitions. Only those

persons who reside within the Oceanside Fire District and who have been registered with the County Board of Elections, on or before November 17, 2025 shall be entitled to vote at this election. Tricia Schields Secretary Oceanside Fire District 156617

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:

Living at its Finest

Is my home too big an insurance risk?

Q. My home insurance is being canceled, and I’m actively looking around to replace it. The excuse I got was that the companies that used to insure find the risks in flood and wind-prone areas are now too great. I understand this, so I’m wondering if there are things I can do to make my home less of an insurance risk to a company. Are there reasonable upgrades I can make, and what are they?

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A. The answer has two sides, like a doubleedged sword. First, yes, there are things you can do to your home to make it easier to insure. But the second part is applying the meaning of the word “reasonable.” Next, you have to understand that, like other forms of gambling, which is what insurance really is, do you have a chance to win back your money, your insurance payments, or your investment in your property to presumably reduce the payments?

Again, insurance is a legalized form of gambling, extensively regulated but sometimes loosely enforced. Many people say, when describing gambling casinos, that the house always wins in the end, and with a few exceptions, casinos rarely fail. Insurance companies have been hit with one disaster after another due to strange global weather that some deny is a trend, but those companies aren’t as care-less, and they invest heavily in statistical analysis, so you can bet that if they’re pulling out of certain areas, they know something.

So, a “reasonable” investment to make your house easier or more attractive to insure often ends up being unreasonable, or is based on faulty assumptions. For example, you may add a steel roof and concrete composite siding as a more reasonable and less costly wind-resistance improvement, only to discover that the insurance company thinks you should still have raised your home, because they think flooding is a bigger and more frequent risk to insure.

Add to that the fact, as some insurers will point out when you complain, that by making the improvements, you increase the cost of reconstruction. That’s a good argument, one you’ll never win. The same thing happens with alarm systems, fencing your property or removing trees that could fall on your roof.

Make improvements that help you to recover more healthfully, safely and economically, for your own assurance. I am convinced, as you can see, that all the effort you put in is not universal in your neighborhood, and insurance companies look at whole areas, not just your home, for insurability. Even the Federal Emergency Management Agency is a large and extremely indebted insurance company, funded with the help of tax dollars and losing billions. So before you make changes and improvements, remind yourself that you’re doing this for yourself, not to reduce insurance costs. As Walter Cronkite used to say when he signed off on his broadcast of “The CBS Evening News” when I was a kid, “And that’s the way it is.” Good luck with whatever you decide to improve.

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes,

AFFORDABLE

PIANO: YAMAHA CLAVINOVA CLP-860 w/stereo sampling. $1,200.00 Negotiable. Pick-up Only. Call 718-986-7336 Leave Message.

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

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

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Cable/TV/Wiring

Finds Under $100

BABY'S CHANGE TABLE. Gently used; white, 3 drawers. $20. Lido Beach. (516)705-8398

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Cleaning Services

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OPINIONS

GOP cuts to health care will hurt Long Island families

One of the top issues I heard about when I campaigned for Congress was that it was getting more expensive to live on Long Island, and people were worried about whether they could afford to stay here. And as we face a cost-of-living crisis, the rising cost of health care has become crippling to young people, families and seniors alike.

LAURA A. GILLEN

Rising medical bills are forcing Americans in every state to face the prospect of choosing between paying for groceries and going to the doctor’s office. When I came to Congress, I vowed to work in a bipartisan way to reduce Nassau County families’ cost of living, and in particular the cost of health care.

Unfortunately, we have seen the congressional majority refuse to act on bringing down the costs of prescription drugs or monthly insurance bills. In fact, their cuts to our medical system will move us in the wrong direction and raise Americans’ medical expenses. First they passed the “Big Beautiful

WBill” without any bipartisan input earlier this year. It included the largest cuts to Medicaid in its history, which will result in millions of Americans losing their insurance coverage and make it harder for seniors to afford nursing homes or other long-term care.

PThe impact of these budget cuts will stretch far beyond just those on Medicaid. At a nonpartisan budget briefing I held earlier this year with Rep. Tom Suozzi, hundreds of Long Islanders heard from former Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling about how the cuts to Medicaid mean that all Americans can expect more expensive insurance coverage and reduced services at hospitals, doctors’ offices and other health care providers.

would throw millions of Americans into financial uncertainty.

Preserving these tax credits should be a bipartisan priority. In the House, I called for both sides to come on board and help American families. But the majority refused to discuss the issue, and instead passed a continuing resolution that will allow the credits to expire at the end of the year. Since then, they have refused to even negotiate a bipartisan path forward despite the credits’ looming end.

reserving Affordable Care Act tax credits should be a bipartisan priority.

Next, as we were looking to fund the government, Democrats sought to discuss with Republicans the urgent need to keep health care affordable by extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that have helped millions of families afford health care by reducing their monthly insurance bills. For years, families in both red and blue states have relied on these credits for coverage, but they are set to lapse at the end of the year, which

I’ve heard from many Nassau County residents who are deeply concerned that their health care costs are set to skyrocket under the majority’s plan. A Floral Park woman was notified that her monthly insurance premium would rise by $1,500, and an Oceanside resident reported that her premiums, deductibles and co-pay were all set to increase drastically. When these premiums go up, families will have no choice but to go uninsured, and young people will forgo insurance coverage.

When the uninsured rate increases, the cost of health care rises for us all. Health care experts at the nonpartisan Century Foundation have warned that

the expiration of these tax credits will result in the largest single-year premium spike in our nation’s history for all Americans, even those with private insurance. The nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation reports that a family of four could see their annual insurance bill increase by over $13,000, and a single mother could face a price hike of more than $10,000 for coverage, while a couple in their 60s might see their premiums rise by over $20,000.

This should not be a partisan fight. Every member of Congress has a responsibility to make life more affordable for the people we represent, and that is what I’ve been doing. I’ll work with anyone, from any party, to continue bringing costs down and to ensure that people have health care.

Right now, Congress should be in session and at work negotiating a bipartisan package that lowers costs and protects quality, affordable health care in an economically sound way. Instead of listening to the intolerant extremes on either side, we should work together to solve the problems that our constituents sent us to Washington to fix. I’m committed to that aim, and I’ll continue to fight for bipartisan solutions that lower costs and make life better for Long Islanders.

Laura Gillen represents the 4th Congressional District.

Treat your brain better than your car

CHARLES J. FUSCHILLO JR.

hen you take your car in for its yearly inspection, you want the mechanic to examine it thoroughly. Overlooking a vital system like the engine or transmission could lead to serious problems, including ones that jeopardize the safety of the vehicle’s drivers and passengers. You treat an annual physical with a doctor the same way: Why would anyone neglect having one of their body’s most vital organs — the brain — checked to make sure it’s firing on all cylinders? Unfortunately, it happens too often. In numerous ways, the brain is the body’s command center. Thoughts, emotions, senses, language, balance, coordination, breathing and heartbeat all depend on the brain. Yet many people don’t get regular memory screenings, even though these quick, noninvasive “checkups from the neck up” should be part of everyone’s health and wellness routine.

Fear is a common reason. Cognitive impairment can lead to loss of independence, functionality and treasured

remembrances of people, places and events. People may worry about being stigmatized, treated differently, pitied or seen as less capable by friends, family or coworkers.

All of that is a scary prospect. Being afraid is natural and understandable, especially for those exhibiting warning signs of memory impairment. Allowing that fear to prevent action, however, can lead to worse outcomes. Ignoring the problem hardly ever makes it go away, and usually exacerbates it.

depression, urinary tract infections and medication side effects are some treatable, if not curable, causes of memory impairments. Without a diagnosis, they cannot be corrected, which could cause more significant problems down the road.

I

f you’ve never had a memory screening, or are overdue for one, get screened this year.

Lack of awareness is another reason people neglect the health of the brain. Many people don’t know what memory screenings are, why they’re necessary and where or how to get one. Nor are they aware of the importance of early detection of memory issues, even those caused by an incurable condition like Alzheimer’s disease. Others mistakenly believe that memory problems occur naturally as you get older, and that there’s nothing that can be done.

Education is critical to reduce fear and dispel the myth that any memory trouble equals a severe, untreatable illness or is an inevitable part of normal aging that afflicts everyone. Vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea,

Even if a memory issue is the result of Alzheimer’s disease, early detection matters. Diagnosing Alzheimer’s in the early stages gives people the opportunity to start medications sooner in the disease progression, when they’re most effective (or in some cases, are only offered then); enroll in a clinical trial; and begin therapeutic interventions that can help prolong cognitive functioning and enhance quality of life.

Memory screenings are equally important for people who aren’t experiencing symptoms of memory loss. Like other health screenings, they provide a baseline that can help uncover a potential issue sooner. Checking and tracking your blood pressure regularly enables doctors to act if you have hypertension, because high blood pressure increases the risk of a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. Mammograms and PSA tests aren’t just given to people experiencing potential symptoms of breast cancer and prostate

cancer; all women and men of a certain age are advised to get them annually to catch cancer as quickly as possible. If you’ve never had a memory screening, or are overdue for one, make it a point to get screened this year. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free, confidential memory screenings regularly at its AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Amityville. They are performed one on one with a qualified professional, and consist of a series of questions designed to test memory and other cognitive functions. The screening itself is not a diagnosis, but it can indicate if someone should see a physician for a more comprehensive evaluation of potential memory impairment.

Schedule an appointment for a free memory screening by contacting the center at (631) 223-4000. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to get screened. There are no minimum age or insurance prerequisites.

Your brain is far more important than your car. Buying or leasing a new one is impossible. Warranties don’t exist for it, and there is no extended coverage available for purchase. The one you have now is the only one you’ll ever own. Be just as vigilant about checking it each year.

Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., of Merrick, is president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Oceanside/island

As neighbors go hungry, D.C. plays politics

OHERALD

n Saturday, 184,000 Long Islanders across nearly every ZIP code in Nassau and Suffolk counties woke up without the food assistance they rely on to feed their families. Forty-eight hours later, under public pressure, the Trump administration announced that it would fund just half of the $100 billion Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The federal government shutdown has done the once unthinkable, gutting SNAP and leaving 42 million Americans — one in eight — wondering where their next meal will come from. SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, helps lowincome families buy groceries with electronic payment cards.

Our Long Island neighbors who participate in SNAP — working families, children, seniors and people with disabilities — receive an average of $187 per month to put food on the table. That’s for a full month. For their full families. Roughly 3 million people in New York rely on food stamps. They now face impossible choices between meals, rent and medicine.

In an extraordinary display of community compassion, restaurants across Long Island and around the nation have stepped up to offer free meals to families who have lost their food stamp benefits. These acts of generosity exemplify the best of community, reminding us that when Washington fails, ordinary Americans will take care of one another, because compassion — like hunger — isn’t a partisan issue.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency, and committed $65 million in new state funds to emergency food assistance, which will provide 40 million meals through food banks and pantries. SNAP recipients should continue submitting required documentation to their local Department of Social Services, because benefits will hopefully be paid retroactively when federal funding resumes.

Locally, Island Harvest and Long Island Cares continue to serve food-insecure families across Nassau and Suffolk counties. This self-inflicted crisis hits at the worst possible time, in the weeks before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest periods for food banks, while federal workers remain without paychecks due to the ongoing shutdown. Food banks are preparing for unprecedented stress that will be felt in communities everywhere.

We’re grateful for the compassion shown by restaurants and businesses that are stepping forward to feed their neighbors. We’re thankful for the tireless work of our food banks. These extraordinary acts of kindness demonstrate the

If you need food assistance

Call 211 for immediate help finding your nearest food pantry or community kitchen.

Island Harvest Food Bank works with more than 300 community partners throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Application assistance is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.

Website: islandharvest.org

Phone: (516) 294-8528

Long Island Cares serves families across the region with food pantries and emergency assistance.

Website: licares.org

Phone: (631) 582-FOOD (3663)

Some food delivery apps are offering grocery credits to SNAP recipients throughout November. Check apps for details on assistance programs.

Continue submitting documentation to your local Department of Social Services. Benefits are expected to be paid retroactively when federal funding resumes.

Restaurants offering free meals Some local restaurants are providing free meals to anyone with a SNAP card. Check social media or call restaurants in your area to ask about assistance programs.

How you can help

Donate to food banks:

■ Island Harvest: islandharvest.org, (516) 294-8528

■ Long Island Cares: licares.org, 631-582-FOOD (3663)

Financial contributions allow food banks to purchase and distribute food efficiently.

Volunteer: Food banks desperately need volunteers to sort, pack and distribute food across Long Island. Even a few hours makes an enormous difference. Contact Island Harvest or Long Island Cares to sign up.

Support restaurants helping neighbors: Patronize local businesses that offer free meals to families in need.

strength of our communities when we support one another. But private charity, no matter how generous, cannot replace a federal program serving more people than the population of many countries. If demand skyrockets, local food pantries may have to reduce distribution portions and limit the frequency with which people can receive food. Families that have never needed help before — in every Long Island community — are about to discover what food insecurity feels like. And the economic ripple effects extend beyond hungry families. Food stamps generate $1.54 in economic activity for every dollar spent. This suspension hurts businesses, employees and entire communities from one end of the Island to the other. As well, hungry children

Their generosity deserves our support.

Contact your elected officials and demand action:

■ Sen. Chuck Schumer: (202) 224-6542

■ Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: (202) 224-4451

■ U.S. Capitol switchboard (for your congressional representative): (202) 224-3121

Tell them Long Island families cannot be pawns in political games. The shutdown must end, and SNAP funding must be restored immediately.

Become a grocery buddy: Help a neighbor or stranger buy groceries. Even small contributions make a difference for families struggling to afford food.

will struggle to learn and behave. With many classrooms likely to have students on food stamps, the SNAP suspension will impact learning in schools across America.

Long Island will rise to this challenge, caused by Washington’s dereliction of duty, because that’s who Long Islanders are. The restaurants opening their doors to feed families in need, the food banks working overtime, the people becoming grocery buddies to help strangers buy food — these are the stories that define us.

But we must also demand accountability. The shutdown must end. Food stamps must be fully funded. And every elected official who played politics with families’ ability to eat must answer to voters.

OPINIONS

Add project labor agreements to major school projects

From our city skyscrapers to the subways that keep our cities moving, union labor built this state. And now, as our schools age and our communities continue to grow, we have a new opportunity to show what it means to lead with our values.

The School Construction Fair Labor Act, sponsored by State Sen. Monica Martinez and I, is a chance for New York to show up for working class people and make sure the workers building our schools are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.

This bill would require project labor agreements, or PLAs, for all Long Island public school construction projects costing over $1 million. Before a single shovel hits the ground, PLAs lay out clear terms for wages, safety standards and conflict resolution. That means less

chaos on job sites, and a better final result for our school communities.

We already know this approach works. Research from Cornell University shows that PLAs make job sites safer and more cost-effective over time. That’s because they prevent the chaos that comes when non-union contractors underbid jobs by reducing wages and ignoring safety.

We’ve seen it time and again: When we cut corners on construction, our schools pay the price.

Tlot of our own talent here in our region. This isn’t a strong model for success, and puts our own unions at a disadvantage.

hey’ll ensure that public dollars work to create local jobs and support a stable workforce.

School buildings that fall apart too soon. Heating systems that fail in the middle of winter. These are all costly and avoidable problems. By ensuring a stable, experienced workforce from the start, PLAs create the strongest conditions for a job well done.

This bill isn’t just about upgrading our schools — it’s about working-class Long Islanders. Right now, far too many school construction contracts are awarded to out-of-state firms that bring their own workforce, which bypasses a

Long Island public schools receive nearly 80 percent of their construction funding through the state’s Building Aid program. That’s hundreds of millions of public dollars flowing into the region every year. The question isn’t whether we’ll spend this money; it’s whether we will spend it responsibly. With 125 school districts, these are not small or occasional projects. They’re an important part of our public infrastructure, and they should be built to the best standards possible.

Requiring PLAs would ensure that public dollars work to create local jobs and support a stable, skilled workforce. Many PLAs include workforce development components that prioritize hiring from the local community, which includes Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander New Yorkers, and other underrepresented groups in the

trades. That helps create long-term opportunities for working families. It also supports small and responsible local contractors. PLAs don’t exclude non-union firms; they just require everyone to play by the same rules. That levels the playing field for businesses that do their part to pay fair wages and provide workers’ benefits.

This bill would also provide clarity and consistency. As things stand now, each school district manages its construction bidding process independently, which leads to unpredictable results and unequal standards. A uniform PLA requirement for projects over $1 million would offer a reliable baseline, while still giving our local school leaders the flexibility they need.

At its core, the School Construction Fair Labor Act is about making sure public money works for the public good. That means investing in our infrastructure, and in the people who build it. Let’s pass this legislation, and make sure our schools are built to last, by workers who are valued and paid fair wages.

Michaelle Solages represents the 22nd Assembly District.

by Jacqui Kiddle