Oyster Bay Herald 02–26-2026

HERALD OYSTER BAY

Jack Frost paints oyster Bay white

Long Island was blanketed by the largest blizzard since 2016 on Sunday and Monday, leaving conditions in the harbor less than optimum for boating. More photos, Page 10.

High-concept garden sprouting at Planting Fields Arboretum

By WIll SHEElINE wsheeline@liherald.com

A new one-acre garden, conceived by the renowned Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf, is taking shape at Oyster Bay’s Planting Fields Arboretum, and locals as well as visitors will soon get the chance to stroll the space.

The Oudolf Garden, scheduled to open this fall, will be located directly behind the Blue Pool Garden, also known as the Italian Garden, and adjacent to the historic Rose Arbor, designed by James Greenleaf in 1906. The site, long an open and largely undesigned area, will be Long Island’s first public garden by Oudolf, whose many projects include the High Line in New York City.

Gina J. Wouters, president and CEO of the Planting Fields Foundation, said the idea grew out of ongoing efforts to both restore historic Olmsted Brothers landscapes and add contemporary layers to the 409-acre estate. Wouters described the relationship between the early20th-century arbor and the new design as a “really beautiful and interesting dialogue” between contemporary and historic elements.

“So we sometimes like thinking if the Coes” — the family who owned the property — “were alive today, building Planting Fields, who would they invite?” Wouters said. “So Piet Oudolf is definitely within that realm. He’s regarded as

Black history

By WIll SHEElINE wsheeline@liherald.com

The Town of Oyster Bay honored Black History Month on Wednesday night with music, prayer and reflections on both national and local history, drawing elected officials, clergy, educators and residents to Town Hall North for the annual celebration.

let’s continue to celebrate Black history. Let’s continue to celebrate each other.

J. Perkins, a former U.S. diplomat and ambassador to South Africa under President Ronald Reagan, who served with Saladino’s father in the Marine Corps’ Criminal Investigation Division during the Korean War. Saladino urged the attendees to continue telling the stories of African-American leaders whose contributions may not be widely known.

The program opened with a brief video presentation before Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino welcomed the audience and detailed the town’s efforts to expand cultural programming. He emphasized the importance of respect and kindness starting in the home, and how building that respect shapes the next generation.

ANISSA MooRE

Deputy Nassau County executive

“I believe people are taught hate, and that we’re not born with hate in our souls,” Saladino said. “Just the same way hate can be taught, love can be taught, respect can be taught.

The supervisor later shared a personal story about his father’s friendship with Edward

The Rev. Adika Roberts, of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oyster Bay delivered the invocation, and members of the Black Voices of Nassau County led the audience in the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is also known as the Black national anthem.

Deputy Nassau County Executive Anissa Moore, representing County Executive Bruce Blakeman, gave a wide-ranging address that highlighted African-American history on Long Island. She emphasized that that history extends beyond well-known national figures. Continued on page 17

Icons. Insights. Impact.

Town celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse

The Town of Oyster Bay held its Lunar New Year celebration on Tuesday night, honoring the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse for billions of people across East Asia and the world. Performers, families, business owners and elected officials gathered to ring in the event with music, dance, and martial arts performances, with snacks and Boba tea provided by local vendors.

Memorable Takeout

Everything my grandmother cooked was perfect. I have such fond memories as a child, sitting at her kitchen table, shoveling down whatever she put in front of me. Everything she served had a smile on its face. This month, I found four eateries with new foods that remind me of my grandma’s meals. Maybe they’ll remind you of someone you loved too.

Matt’s Deli (303 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff)

While strolling on Sea Cliff Avenue, I noticed a mini blackboard hanging on the wall outside Matt’s Deli that said, “Hot Soup Today.” It turns out, owner Matt and his chef associates now offer a different homemade soup every day. My favorites, split pea and tomato, are both thick-but-not-toothick and are filled with grandma-friendly herbs and spices that seem to say, “I love you.” Other endearing soups include chicken and dumpling, lobster bisque, corn chowder, chicken vegetable, beef barley and lentil. Hearty winter dishes accompany all the soups.

Gioia (94 South St., Oyster Bay)

saying, “Keep eating! No matter what you do, you’re a good girl.”

Crepe Town (17 N Broadway, Hicksville)

This new cafe features so many variations on crepes, waffles, pancakes and shakes, it’s like the FAO Schwarz of desserts. Crepe flavors range from Dubai chocolate, to Biscoff, to Ferrero Rocher. Brownie waffles, blueberry cheesecake pancakes and Frosted Flake Shakes are just a few of the stars on the menu. I watched the chef create my strawberry shortcake sushi crepe. Plump, juicy strawberries, plus sweet, gooey sauces, and pink and red sprinkles were all rolled inside a freshly made crepe. The roll was then sliced into six sushi-sized pieces. Each bite felt like a hug from my grandma.

The Sweet Tooth Booth (121 Frost Pond Rd., Glen Cove)

While driving on Frost Pond Road, I noticed a sign outside a house that said, “The Sweet Tooth Booth.” I found the menu online and noticed fairy bread was offered. I was hooked.

The menu in this charming restaurant celebrates Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. Seasonal vegetables and handmade pastas dance together on many of the plates. Chef Jesse Schenker mentioned his maltagliati pasta is made with homemade dough that is cut into random shapes. So cool! The dish is offered with asparagus and shrimp. Since I can’t eat shellfish for dietary reasons, I was very happy to learn I could order the pasta with the chef’s light marinara sauce instead. Oh my goodness. The pasta’s silky texture partnered perfectly with the loving flavors in the sauce. I shoveled it down the way I used to in my grandma’s kitchen. As I munched, I imagined my grandmother

Here’s the way it works. Heather Fiorita is a stay-at-home-mom who loves to bake. She just opened an official athome baking business. In her kitchen, she creates everything from blueberry scones to potato chip cookies to muffins, cinnamon rolls, and fairy bread. On weekends, Heather places her baked goods on shelves in front of her house. Stop by, pick out what you love, pay with cash or an app, or order online in advance.

Most importantly, Heather’s fairy bread is made with sourdough bread and colored sprinkles. Toast it and add butter. Triple yum! If I’m a grandma someday, I’ll definitely buy it for my grandchildren.

See you next month!

Fax: (516) 622-7460

■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643

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

By WILL SHEELINE

things to know re-clam the bay

New project to restore clam populations

wsheeline@liherald.com

The Oyster Bay-based nonprofit Friends of the Bay recently announced their Re-Clam the Bay project, an initiative to rebuild the clam population in Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor and Mill Neck Creek. The group is partnering with the Town of Oyster Bay to stock designated and protected shellfish sanctuary areas with adult clams that will never be harvested.

Here are three things to know about the project.

Why clams and why now

Over the past decade, local waters have experienced a drastic decline in clam and oyster populations, according to Friends of the Bay. While previous efforts have focused on oysters, the focus here is on adult hard clams.

Clams are effective water filters. While oysters filter about 50 gallons of water a day, Christine Suter, the organization’s director, said, clams filter roughly half that amount.

Clams and oysters occupy different niches. Clams survive in muddier substrates, while oysters prefer harder surfaces. Focusing only on oysters, Suter said, is not approaching restoration holistically.

Unlike smaller shellfish grown in hatcheries, the clams deployed through this program will be adult and sexually mature.

How the project will work

Friends of the Bay will purchase locally sourced adult hard clams and deploy them in town sanctuary areas where harvesting is prohibited. The clams will act as brood stock to help repopulate surrounding waters. They will be sourced locally and purchased through Captree Clam Seafood Company in West Babylon.

For two years, twice in the spring and twice in the fall, the adult clams will be spread over the sanctuary areas. The first drop could happen as early as April, Suter said.

The work will be carried out by Friends of the Bay staff using the organization’s vessels. Monitoring will be handled through the town’s existing program, which includes bottom surveys to assess sediment conditions and density surveys to measure shellfish populations.

How to donate and get involved

The Re-Clam the Bay project is fully donation supported.

Donors can contribute $50 to purchase a full bushel of 100 clams, buy a partial bag or fund multiple bags. One hundred percent of donations will go directly to purchasing and deploying clams.

Friends of the Bay will host a kickoff event at the Oyster Bay Brewing Company, 36 Audrey Ave., on Friday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Attendees who donate at the event will receive a free beer, and the organization will provide snacks and information about the program.

For more information or to donate, visit FriendsOfTheBay.org or contact Suter at 516-9226666.

HERALD SCHOOLS

Traveling through history, and the world

James H. Vernon Elementary School became a gateway to the past on Jan. 30 as fourth graders transported family and friends through the Age of Exploration.

The culminating presentations capped weeks of research into famous explorers. Students investigated each figure’s background, motivations, major voyages, obstacles encountered and lasting global impact. Working in groups, they synthesized information from multiple sources and examined how these historical journeys shaped connections across continents.

Rather than following a single format, students chose how to best showcase their learning – designing educational games, crafting Canva slide decks, writing original poems, performing skits, illustrating graphic novels and producing news-style reports. This encouraged strategic thinking about audience engagement and effective communication.

–Will Sheeline

The young historians were allowed to be creative with their final presentation, including designing educational games and getting in character by dressing up as the explorers themselves.

By Chris ColuCCi

Honoring the life of a civil rights icon

On Feb. 17, after more than 60 years of civil rights activism and working on the forefront of the fight for equality, Reverend Jesse Jackson died at 84 years old. Jackson began working alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s and carried the torch after King’s death, becoming one of the most impactful figures of the Civil Rights Movement. Through the 1980s, ‘90s and early 2000s, Jackson was a mainstream personality, making frequent TV appearances to comment on social, political and legal issues.

Jackson popularized the term “African-American”

As a charismatic presenter, Jackson regularly made impassioned speeches to capture ears, turn heads and change perspectives. One of his lasting impacts is the use of the term “African-American.” Into the mid-1900s, Black Americans were commonly referred to as “colored” or “black” in media and general civil discourse. “AfricanAmerican” had been used infrequently since the 18th century, but Jackson pulled the phrase into the lexicon with regular use.

Jackson said the term was preferred as it more accurately reflected the role, history and culture of Black Americans with history tracing back to enslavement in Africa and their assimilation into American society.

He was celebrated around the world

Jackson’s work began in the US, but his humanitarian work took him around the world. International leaders regularly praised his effort. In 1999, Jackson received the Golden Dove of Peace from the Italian anti-war group Archivio Disarmo. President Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000. Jackson received Honorary Fellowship from London’s Edge Hill University in 2008, as well as from Cambridge University’s Homerton College in 2021. In 2015, the University of Edinburgh gave the title Doctor Honoris Causa. French President Macron declared Jackson a Commander of the Legion of Honor in 2021. Jackson was uniquely crowned in 2009 to become Prince Nana by Amon N’Douffou V, King of Krindjabo in Ivory Coast.

He was nearly President of the United States

Jackson ran for president twice — unsuccessfully seeking the democratic nomination in 1984 and again in 1988. During his first run, Jackson garnered more than 3 million votes, with 18 percent of voters supporting him. He placed third, behind Gary Hart and eventual nominee Walter Mondale — Ronald Reagan would end up winning his second term in the November election. With his return to the primary in 1988, Jackson built significant momentum and captured 6.7 million votes, or more than 29 percent or the population, being declared runner-up behind Michael Dukakis, who would lose to George H. W. Bush. Jackson stands out as the first Black politician to achieve such results, only surpassed by President Barack Obama’s victory 20 years later.

Jean-Pierre encourages civic engagement

By ABBY GIBSON & KUMBA JAGNE Interns

Hempstead native Karine Jean-Pierre, the former press secretary in President Joe Biden’s administration, was the latest guest in Hofstra University’s “Signature Speaker” series.

Jean-Pierre, who served in the White House from May 2022 to January 2025, made history as the first Black and first openly LGBTQ person to be press secretary.

She is a graduate of Kellenberg High, in Uniondale, and Columbia University, and her involvement with Hempstead has not diminished: She gave Hempstead High School’s commencement speech in 2022, and was given the keys to the village by Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. in 2024.

“This is very much home for me,” Jean-Pierre said on Feb. 12. “This is not unfamiliar ground.”

Sister members of her honorary sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Hofstra students, community members and students from 18 area high schools attended the event.

Hempstead High senior Zeydi Guerra, 17, said that Jean-Pierre’s speech left her with more motivation to succeed in her own career. “She’s a Hempstead native,” Guerra said. “I feel like if she can make it, I can definitely do something as well.”

Speaking directly to the high school students, JeanPierre encouraged them to be curious, ambitious and passionate. A common thread through her speech, a panel discussion and an interview with student media was urging people to become involved in politics, even though the options may be imperfect.

“Your civic identity doesn’t begin at 18 — it begins when you start paying attention,” she said. “When you

notice what feels fair and what doesn’t, who gets heard and who has to jump higher just to be seen.”

Eleanor McKay, of Hempstead, president of the Long Island Cross County Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, said she attended because she recognizes the importance of Jean-Pierre being a Black woman who held a high-profile government position.

“She talked about seeing someone touch President

Obama’s hair, a young [Black] boy, and realize that from the texture he was here and how real it is that he is just like us,” McKay said. “Sometimes it’s not really appreciated, or we don’t understand the magnitude of representation. It impacts us and the next generation.”

Hofstra University President Susan Poser introduced Camryn Bowden, a senior majoring in political science and journalism, who in turn introduced JeanPierre. Poser spoke so glowingly of Bowden’s resumé that Jean-Pierre said she would be working for Bowden one day.

“I had the opportunity to get her to sign my copy of her book ‘Independent,’” Bowden said. “She wrote in the book, ‘I’ll be watching you on the news someday.’ It was, again, just a surreal experience to hear someone who held such a high position of power in the White House say such sweet things.”

Jean-Pierre’s first book was “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America.” Her most recent, published last October, is “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.”

She empathized with young people’s feelings of being disconnected from the two-party system. “The two-party system often feels rigid, outdated and unresponsive,” she said. “It forces false choices and limits imagination. Questioning that system is not a failure of citizenship.”

She expressed disdain for the current administration, saying, “This too shall pass.”

“We have to work as a people to make sure that there is people power in this time, that our voices are heard, that we hold powerful people accountable,” Jean-Pierre said. “We are celebrating 250 years of this country, and that is a young democracy. If we don’t fight for it every day, we will lose it.”

Learn more about how we’re helping communities thrive. psegliny.com/revitalization These two moms opened a spa. It had one big,

Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.

*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.

More than one foot of snow left it hard to tell where the beach ended and the Long Island Sound began.

Snow blankets Oyster Bay in record blizzard

Oyster Bay and the rest of the Northeast were hit with the largest snowfall in a decade from Sunday to Monday, leaving an average of 15 inches across Nassau County’s North Shore. The blizzards’ ferocity left the hamlet looking like a winter wonderland, and town employees as well as residents spent the following day digging their hamlet and homes out from the snow.

–Will Sheeline

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

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

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

State highlights workforce training on L.I.

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD & CAROLYN JAMES of the Herald

As employers across Long Island struggle to fill open positions, State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon visited Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood on Feb. 17 to spotlight workforce training and emphasize child care access as a critical barrier to employment.

“There are many pathways leading to middle-class, family-sustaining jobs right now, and many of them lead through community college programs,” said Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College. “An apprenticeship, an industry-recognized certification or license or a two-year degree. Eventually, many of them can also lead to bachelor’s degrees as well, and I appreciate Commissioner Reardon helping to shine a light on these opportunities.”

Reardon toured the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, met with students and educators and highlighted several workforce development and child care initiatives included in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed state budget.

Long Island faces ongoing shortages in skilled trades like electrical work, heating and air conditioning, plumbing and advanced manufacturing. Nassau and Suffolk community colleges offer workforce training in those areas, as well as in

Suffolk County Community College President Edward Bonohue, left, state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Mike Fabrizio, director of the college’s Computer Numerical Control program, at the Brentwood campus on Feb. 17.

health care. And the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center, sponsored by SUNY Farmingdale, offers regional residents tuition-free vocational training.

Officials said the programs help create a pipeline of locally trained workers who can remain in their communities.

Will Testa, owner of Will Testa Remodeling Inc., in Copiague, noted the shortage of workers. “There are not enough people coming in to the workforce who are trained properly,” he said. “The problem is, everyone forces their kids to go to college, which may be good for some, but

it’s not good for everyone, and trade schools are important — it’s the infrastructure of our society.”

What’s important, Testa added, is that this training is designed hard in hand with local employers.

While workforce-training programs are expanding, Reardon said, employment growth also depends on addressing Long Island’s child care shortage.

Reardon, who also co-chairs the state’s Child Care Task Force, said that increasing access to affordable care is essential to strengthening the labor force. The task

force, relaunched in 2023, is developing strategies aimed at universal, high-quality, affordable child care statewide.

“The governor has spoken a lot about this issue, and made it clear that she wants every New Yorker to be able to work at their fullest capacity and desire,” she said. “And that means that we have a responsibility to help them have accessible, affordable child care to do that.”

Child care costs on Long Island are among the highest in the country, second only to Massachusetts. Families typically spend between $15,000 and $24,000 annually per child for full-time, center-based care, according to the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.

“When you couple that with the high costs of everything else — housing, food, utilities — child care is a tremendous stress on families,” Reardon noted.

Prachi Shah, owner of Kiddie Academy, in Hicksville, said that care providers also face financial pressures. “We are grateful for Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s visit to the Brentwood Campus and her attention to matters affecting our industry,” Shah said.

The Kiddie Academy of Hicksville and Bethpage are independently owned and operated franchise locations that serve 350 children and employ 75 early-childhood educators. “It is essential to keep this discussion going,” Shah said, “and highlight ways the state can better support providers on Long Island.”

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New garden conceived by famed designer

the greatest living landscape designer of our time.”

Conversations with Oudolf began in 2023, with Wouters visiting him in the Netherlands before Oudolf traveled to Oyster Bay to view the site. After the space behind the Blue Pool Garden was deemed an ideal location, plans accelerated quickly.

Oudolf is widely known as the father of the new perennial movement, which designs gardens to naturally mimic wild plant communities. His designs often feature naturalistic, meadow-like compositions.

“It’s absolutely an inherent part of his ethos as a designer,” Wouters said of the garden’s environmental focus. She added that Oudolf’s work values “seasoned beauty,” and recognizes the importance of plants in four stages, from seeding to “when it’s blooming, when it’s dead, when it’s decaying, all of that.”

Of the 24,000 perennials and trees to be planted, more than 90 species have been selected, many of them native to the United States and pollinator friendly. Foundation officials wrote in a prior statement that the garden would “honor Long Island’s native species and biodiversity” while offering a four-season experience for visitors.

Hanna Packer, a Long Island-based landscape designer who has worked with Oudolf since 2010, is the project manager for the garden. “For the first time, we are getting renowned garden designers for a public project here on Long Island,” Packer said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Oudolf’s approach at Planting Fields, she said, will include matrix plantings, dominated by a single grass species interwoven with perennials, as well as block plantings of large grouped species with accent plants, whose unique colors and shapes both contrast with and highlight the other plants and grasses, creating

what Packer described as a “very harmonious and very beautiful, colorful scheme.”

Preparatory work is already underway. The garden

is currently fenced off while soil solarization takes place. This occurs as the original grass is buried beneath layers of cardboard and mulch to eliminate turf and weeds without chemicals. State park regulations prohibit the use of glyphosate, an herbicide.

“Hardscaping,” the construction of walkways and other non-botanical features of the garden, is expected to begin early next month, with trees and shrubs planted in late April or early May. Oudolf will come to Long Island in late May or early June for the planting of 24,000 perennials, a meticulous process he prefers to oversee personally. More bulbs will be planted in the fall, after the grand opening.

The project’s estimated cost is $1.5 million, but the foundation aims to raise closer to $4 million to fund an endowment supporting long-term maintenance, including a full-time landscape curator.

The Planting Fields Foundation recently announced a $100,000 grant from Bank of America to support the garden’s development. As well, people can sponsor individual plants for $25, $50 or $100 through the foundation’s Sponsor a Plant program.

“That was also important for us,” Wouters said, “that there were entry points for everybody in the community to participate in the creation of the space.”

While deer and other wildlife remain ongoing considerations at the arboretum, Wouters and Packer are optimistic that the garden’s location and plant selection will help mitigate browsing.

Ultimately, Packer said, the garden represents a rare opportunity for her, as both a landscape designer and as a local resident who has been visiting the estate for decades. “Now Planting Fields becomes a destination,” she said. “I feel it will be a magnet for a lot of visitors, which is great.”

STEPPING OUT

Rhythms, rituals and revelry

Carnival is back at Long Island Children’s Museum

By Abbey Salvemini

Let the good times roll when the museum opens its doors to Carnival on Saturday.

As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of the Caribbean and Latin American cultures it touches. Locally, Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a vibrant street festival for its second annual Carnival — a vibrant showcase of creativity and self-expression — through a blend of music, dance, crafts and interactive programming.

Supported by New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, the event highlights the museum’s commitment to creating shared cultural experiences for Long Island families.

“As a woman of Caribbean descent, I am proud to sponsor this event at the Long Island Children’s Museum, an institution that plays a vital role in educating and inspiring our young people,” Solages says. “Events like this remind us, and teach the next generation, that diversity is our strength and that honoring our roots can be both joyful and meaningful.”

American Chamber Ensemble in concert

Hofstra University’s renowned ensemble-in-residence celebrates the legacies of founding clarinetist Naomi Drucker and longtime violist Lois Martin at its upcoming concert. The program — a diverse selection of works by Mendelssohn, Hurlstone, Beach, Dimmler, and Steven Gerber — honors both who were instrumental in shaping ACE’s storied history. In a special tribute to Martin, the ensemble performs Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, a masterpiece known for its prominent viola scoring. Drucker, a revered educator and co-founder, is remembered with David Holsinger’s On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss. In a testament to her impact, f Drucker’s former students, colleagues, and friends join the ensemble on stage for this moving tribute

• Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Admission: $18, $16 65+

• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800

• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

While the iconic celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and Portau-Prince often steal the spotlight, the museum’s festival dives deeper into the tapestry of the region — from the energetic parades of Barranquilla to the historic traditions of Oruro and Montevideo. They are expressions of heritage and identity, artistic creativity and community spirit that define the joy of marking the changing seasons and the region’s rich tapestry.

Visitors will get a taste of Carnival’s jubilant spirit of throughout the day’s programming.

“We were looking for a festival that embodies the diversity of Long Island,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president of program and visitor experience shares. “These cultural festivals are invitations to the community.”

Throughout the day, families can expect a lively mix of music, movement and creative experiences, set against the backdrop of upbeat Caribbean rhythms that create a lively, tropical atmosphere.

The Brazilian Samba Novo troupe, a returning favorite, gets everyone moving to the sounds of Samba and salsa music. The lively dancers and energetic drummers once again entertain the crowd and teach kids some of the dance steps, adding an interactive element to their entertainment. Those towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, are also back, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival celebration.

“The performances resemble what Carnival would really be like,” Terzulli enthuses.

No Carnival is complete without a massive parade to ring in the holiday. Here everyone gets into the parade spirit during what she describes as “the fantastic float parade.”

Kids can help decorate miniature floats before pulling them through the parade, accompanied by dancers and stilt walkers. And, of course, there’s a Carnival King and Queen involved — chosen from

in the air, joy in every step. Samba Novo dancers bring rhythms to life and invite young guests to move, groove and celebrate together.

Vsitors get creative with hands-on artmaking, turning tradition into playful masterpieces.

those in the “crowd” to reinforce the event’s playful, inclusive spirit.

Little faces, big imaginations! From butterflies to bold designs, creativity takes center stage as kids are transformed into works of art.

The museum’s animal ‘residents” even join in the fun, helping families understand how wildlife has historically inspired Carnival imagery and costume design. New craft offerings this year include maraca-making, ribbon stick design and face painting.

However, the day isn’t just about play — it’s about perspective.

“We want everyone to find an entry point,” Terzulli says.

While the event is undeniably festive, education remains a core focus. Museum staff and performers involve conversations about Carnival’s history and meaning throughout the day, helping visitors understand its cultural roots while enjoying it all. Through partnerships with authentic cultural contributors, the museum ensures the history of the experience remains front and center.

“We make sure that when they are making the crafts, there is an exchange of why they are making it,” Turzelli adds.

Of course, no festival is complete without flavor. Families can pause for a “pit stop” to sample sweet and savory treats inspired by various Latin American and Caribbean nations, providing a literal taste of the regions being celebrated.

At its heart, the aim is for families to leave with more than just memories of a fun day. Carnival also reflects the museum’s broader mission of serving as a community gathering place.

“I hope they walk away with a sense of joy about the holiday. I think it’s a beautiful, multicultural event,” Terzulli adds. “We want LICM to be a space where people come to learn about each other.”

Sunday, March 1, 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors 65+ or students with ID; available at the door. Hofstra University, Monroe Lecture Center, California Ave., Hempstead. For information or reservations, call (631) 242-5684 or (516) 586-3433.

“Don’t stop believin’…

Voyage rocks on with another dynamic tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. With their blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, the band has earned a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits — they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory.

Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

Feb

Winter Ducks of Oyster Bay

Check out the program presented by Christine Suter, executive director of Friends of the Bay/co-VP of the HuntingtonOyster Bay Audubon Society. With an introductory “Duck Talk” at the WaterFront Center followed by a “Duck Walk” along Beekman Beach and West Shore Road. Dress appropriately.

• Where: 1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 10 a.m.

• Contact: FriendsOfTheBay.org/ events or call (516) 922-6666

MAR 1

Art Perspectives

Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes acclaimed artist Adam Straus for engaging conversation with noted art criticwriter-filmmaker Amei Wallach. Together, Straus and Wallach discuss his artistic process, share insights from his current and past work, and present images that illuminate the evolution of his practice. Their dialogue offers a unique window into the artist’s creative journey and the broader role of art in reflecting and responding to our contemporary world. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

Hempstead House Tour

See the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion at Sands Point Preserve, the former summer residence of Howard Gould (1912-1917) and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim (19171930). For adults, but children 5+ are allowed. $10 per person.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.; also March 15

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901

Trivia

Night

MAR 3

The Audrey Kitchen and Bar hosts its first trivia night of the month.

• Where: 30 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 7:30 p.m., also March 10, March 17 March 24 and March 31

• Contact: theaudreyob.com or call (631) 358-3522

spaces and more. Includes light refreshments. Registration is required.

• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 6 to 7 p.m.

• Contact: sconway@ plantingfields.org

MAR

21

Children’s concert

Jessie’s Girl

Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl’s primary line-up includes a team of NYC’s top rock and pop vocalists: Jenna O’Gara, Jerome Bell-Bastien, and Mark Rinzel. They are backed by one of the tightest bands in the city comprised of 20+ year veterans of the NYC music scene: Eric Presti on guitar, Drew Mortali on bass, Michael Maenza on drums, and Karlee Bloom on Keys and the Keytar. Each with dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with! From the synth-pop glitz of the early MTV era to the power ballads of stadium rock, the band captures the specific magic that defined a generation. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Their motto: There’s no decade like the Eighties and no party like Back To The Eighties with Jessie’s Girl. Whether you lived through the ‘80s the first time or are just a fan of the timeless anthems, you’ll want to join in the fun.l.

MAR 5

Monthly meditation

Sands Point Preserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for an evening of nature-based mindfulness and meditation with Hildur Palsdottir, first Thursday monthly. Classes are held in the beautiful rooms of the Preserve’s mansions, or in the Hempstead House Garden when weather permits. Explore techniques specifically aimed at stress reduction. Hildur adapts ancient Buddhist teachings to modern applications for calming the mind. With transformative practices you will access wisdom and clarity to live a more compassionate life. No feeling is final. $17 per class.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 6-7 p.m.

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901(516) 484-9337

First Fridays: Through Stained Glass

Explore the extensive collection of medieval and renaissance

stained glass at Planting Fields! During this walk and workshop for adults, participants will discover the travels and stories of a few of the 40-plus stained-glass panes that illuminate the historic house-museum, the Main House. Guests are guided by Collections and Exhibitions Manager Emily Leger, and Archivist Marie Penny to view the Corpus Vitrearum, an International scholarly compilation of historic glass windows. Also make your own faux stained glass to bring home and enjoy! $25.

• Where: Main House, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 2-3:30 p.m.

• Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210

Winter Forest Walk

Join naturalist Virginal Dankel for an interactive winter stroll across the Nassau County Museum of Art grounds. During this seasonal walk, participants can expand their knowledge of the natural world and strengthen their powers of observation. Adults only. $20, $10 members. Registration required.

• Where: Manes Education

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Center, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

MAR

10

Town Board meeting

Oyster Bay Town Board’s holds its next public meeting at Town Hall North. This is the first of two meetings in March.

• Where: 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay

• Time: 10 a.m., also March 24

• Contact: (516) 624-6380

MAR 19

Educator networking event

The Planting Fields Foundation holds a free networking event designed to connect local educators, share resources, and highlight the many ways Planting Fields supports student learning. Attendees can connect with fellow teachers and administrators from local schools, experience field trip offerings through hands-on demonstrations and activities, tour the Education Center and outdoor learning

The Northwinds Symphonic Band visits Hempstead House for an afternoon of music, fun for families with children of all ages. Conductors Helen P. Bauer and Brandon Bromsey have put together a program designed to engage young listeners and aspiring young musicians. The program will include wellknown selections from The Sound of Music and a medley of music from Disney movies. Band members introduce and demonstrate their instruments, and the children in attendance will be given the opportunity to take the podium as guest conductors! $10, $5 children.

• Where: Hempstead House, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901

MAR

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

The Town of Oyster Bay hosts its annual Polar Plunge at Tobay Beach, benefiting Special Olympics of New York. The community is invited to participate with friends and family or with a group or organization. With vendors, games, special presentations and more.

• Where: Tobay Beach, Oyster Bay

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Contact: (516) 797-4121

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.

Event highlights local and

“Black American history is American history, and Black History Month allows our nation to learn that we are more than just Dr. Martin Luther King and Barack Obama,” Moore said. “We have a rich history, and tonight there are many reasons to rejoice, for black Americans are a resilient people.”

Moore traced the presence of Africans in New York back to the 1600s, and spoke about the pivotal role that Long Island communities such as Westbury and Jericho played in the Underground Railroad. She noted that formerly enslaved people founded agricultural communities in areas including Glen Cove, Lake Success and Manhasset.

She also mentioned African-American inventors whose innovations continue to shape daily life, including Lewis Latimer’s work on the light bulb, Garrett Morgan’s traffic signal and Marie Van Brittan Brown’s early home-security system.

“Every time we stop for a light, that was a Black inventor,” Moore said. “Every time you use a hair brush, that’s a Black invention. That’s an American who did that.”

Moore reflected on her own family history, explaining that her great-grandparents were born into slavery in the Carolinas.

“I was still alive when I got to see my great-grandparents,” she recalled. “It’s only one generation from that. But that’s the beauty of America. America makes all things possible.”

Lionel Chitty, Nassau County’s executive director of minority affairs, encouraged residents to learn more about local history, and to visit area museums and the Oyster Bay Historical Society. He described how he had shared some of the Black history of Oyster Bay with his staff, and how stunned even they were

Will Sheeline/Herald

denise evans-Sheppard, executive director of the oyster Bay Historical Society, shared the history of thomas gall, the first man emancipated from slavery on Long island in 1685, and her ancestor david Carll.

not to know the local legacy in their own backyard.

“You would be amazed at what great history is right here in Nassau County and right here in Oyster Bay,” Chitty said. “Black history is American history, and Black History Month is every month.”

Randall Edward, vice president for student affairs at SUNY Old Westbury, told a story about growing up in South Jamaica, Queens, and being told by a school guidance counselor that he was “not college material.” He credited a social studies teacher, who introduced him to the autobiography of Malcolm X, with changing the trajectory of his life.

“That history that I understood in that book that I read told me, ‘Look, you are part of a legacy of great-

ness,’” Edward said. “So that’s greatness in you.”

Edward said that learning history instills dignity and progress, echoing the words of historian Carter G. Woodson, who launched Negro History Week in 1926, the precursor to Black History Month.

“We are standing here before you because many, many, many people decided to do the right thing,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that we are perfect, because you can do the right thing and not be perfect. We’re probably all sitting here doing that, but just keep in mind that the essence of love needs one human being to embrace and the other human being to give.”

Denise Evans-Sheppard, executive director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society, focused her remarks on Oyster Bay’s deep African-American roots. She described Thomas Gall, the first person freed from slavery on Long Island, who she said was emancipated in 1685, and later purchased land in the Pine Hollow area.

Evans-Sheppard also spoke about her great-greatgrandfather, David Carll, who served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, and about African-American families that migrated from Accomack and Exmore counties, in Virginia, to Oyster Bay in the 1930s, seeking better opportunities.

“Many people aren’t aware of Tom Gall,” EvansSheppard said. “People aren’t aware of David Carll, or any of the local history that’s here online. We were part of the civil rights movement, we were part of the economy, the maritime industry, the whaling industry, most of our families were part of that, such as my own.”

Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a common theme that Black history is inseparable from American history, and from the history of the Town of Oyster Bay. “Let’s continue to celebrate Black history,” Moore said. “Let’s continue to celebrate each other.”

26, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Nassau Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor by merger to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association (formerly known as Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association), not in its individual or banking capacity, but solely in its capacity as Trustee for the Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Series 2006-WMC 1, Plaintiff

AGAINST David O’Brien

a/k/a David C. OBrien, et al, Defendant

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 22, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 54 Cocks Lane, Locust Valley, NY 11560. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 29, BLOCK: 1, LOT: 24. Approximate amount of judgmen t is $1,104,084.42 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 611343/2019. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.XOME.com or call 844-400-9663. Brian Carmody, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-082086-F01 88634 158163

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF VOTE/ ELECTION OF THE THE COLD SPRING HARBOR LIBRARY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Vote/Election of the qualified voters of the COLD SPRING HARBOR CENTRAL SCHOOL

DISTIRCT, TOWN OF HUNTINGTON, SUFFOLK COUNTY AND OYSTER BAY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, will be held at the Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 on April 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM, prevailing time, to vote upon the Annual Operating Budget of

the Cold Spring Harbor Library for the 2026-27 year and to elect Trustees to vacancies on the Board of Trustees of the Cold Spring Harbor Library. The proposition will appear on ballot in the following form: “Shall the Board of Education contract with the Cold Spring Harbor Library pursuant to Education Law § 256 for the providing of library services to the residents of the School District and appropriate funds in the amount of $3,186,096 supporting the 2026-27 Operating Budget of the Cold Spring Harbor Library, with the requisite portion thereof to be raised by tax on the taxable property of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District.”

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that an election to elect three (3) Trustees to the Cold Spring Harbor Library to fill three-year terms commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that an election to elect one (1) trustee to the Cold Spring Harbor Library to fill a two (2) year remainder of an unexpired term commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2028 will be conducted; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that voting at such meeting will be by paper ballots; polls will be open during the period commencing 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM on April 14, 2026; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Budget Information Meeting will be held on March 23, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., prevailing time; Library Trustees and personnel will be present to provide information to the public;

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the 2026-27 fiscal year for the Cold Spring Harbor Library purposes may be obtained by any resident of the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said Vote/Election except Sundays and holidays from the Library located at 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 during the operating hours of the Library;

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for Office of the Trustee of the Cold Spring Harbor Library are to be filed in the office of the Director of the Library not later than 5:00 PM, prevailing time, on March 16, 2026. Each petition must be directed to the Director of the Library and must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, must state the residence of each signer and must state the name and residence of the candidate; AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal voter registration is required either pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or Special District meeting within the last four years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election/vote; if a voter is eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this vote. All other persons who desire to vote must register. A voter may register within the offices of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District, 75 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on school days provided that such registration is effective not later than five days prior to the Election of April 14, 2026; pursuant to § 2014 of the Education Law the Register of voters will be filed in the office of the District Clerk of the School District immediately upon its completion and not less than five days prior to the time set for the Election at which it is to be utilized. Such register shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on each of the five days prior to the day set for the Election, except Saturdays and Sundays and between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on the day set for the Election. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that in accordance with Education Law § 2018-a absentee ballots for the election

of Trustees of the Library and said Library Budget Vote may be obtained from the Election Clerk of the Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM during those hours and days of operation of the office of Election Clerk. Such application must be received by the Election Clerk no later than 4:00 PM seven days prior to the vote/election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or by 4:00 PM on April 13, 2026, if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the voter. No absentee voter’s ballot shall be canvassed unless it shall have been received in the Office of the Election Clerk of the Library not later than 5:00 PM on the day of the vote/election. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the Clerk of the School District between the hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on each of the five days prior to April 14, 2026 except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the Election Clerk of the Library between the hours of 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on each of the five days prior to April 14, 2026 except Saturdays and Sundays.

Dated: Cold Spring Harbor, New York February 3, 2026

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

COLD SPRING HARBOR LIBRARY 95 Harbor Road Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

David Berman, President 158493

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY SERVIS ONE, INC DBA BSI FINANCIAL SERVICES, Plaintiff against DINA SCOGNAMIGLIO, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 13, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the

THE GREAT BOOK GuRu

Family feud

Dear Great Book Guru, I was having a delicious breakfast with friends at Matt’s Deli here in Sea Cliff, when one of the group mentioned a book we might all enjoy - a family drama about a train wreck, business ethics, aging parents, and the dangers of medical googling. Needless to saywe were intrigued…

Book Lovers and Breakfasters

Dear Book Lovers and Breakfasters,

“Wreck” by Catherine Newman does indeed cover a myriad of subjects. Rachel aka Rocky is the lead character and the novel opens with an inexplicable rash that she obsessively googles, with each piece of information offering a more dire diagnosis.

Her husband Nick is a patient, loving mate and her recently widowed father is weighing his future housing options while staying with them. Her anxiety rid-

den daughter Willa has returned home after finishing college and son Jaimie has taken on a new job in New York City. Everything seems normal except for the family members’ obsession with a train/car fatality that happens shortly before the book opens. Was it suicide …was it human error… or was it corporate malfeasance?

We soon learn that Jaime’s new job involves representing the train company and as the story unfolds it appears there is a strong likelihood the company bears much blame. Throughout we see how every family member shoulders some guilt about this incident, but the question remains – how will they find absolution?

A complex ethical dilemma and highly recommended.

Would you like to ask the Great Book Guru for a book suggestion? Contact her at annmdipietro@gmail.com.

NEws BRiEf

Special passport weekend in Oyster Bay

The Town of Oyster Bay will offer a one-stop passport weekend on March 7 and 8 from 9am to 3pm at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa. Residents are required to book appointments in advance.

Requirements for applying for a passport can be found on the town’s

website.

Town Clerk offices are located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and during this passport weekend. For appointments in Oyster Bay, call (516) 624-6324.

Public Notices

highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 5 Vivona Court, Bayville, NY 11709. Sec 28. Block 075 Lot 5. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Bayville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $744,869.75 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 610631/2019. For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com

or call (800) 280-2832.

During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the 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. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. 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. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Peter Kramer, Esq., Referee File # NY201900000595-1 (516) 510 - 4020 158491

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at a regular meeting held on the 18th day of February 2026, the Board of Commissioners of the Jericho Water District

duly adopted a resolution, an abstract of which follows, which resolution is subject to a permissive referendum pursuant to Town Law Article 7: RESOLUTION authorizing the Treasurer to appropriate funds from the Capital Improvement Reserve Fund for the purpose of funding the purchase of an International Truck with Knapheide Body pursuant to General Municipal Law §103 in the amount of $250,000.00.

Dated: February 27, 2026

Patricia A. Beckerle, Commissioner Secretary of the Jericho Water District 158609

OpiniOns Stephen Miller’s politics of sabotage

Every administration has its ideologues. Every president has advisers who translate impulse into policy. But once in a while, a single figure emerges whose real work is not governance but sabotage — the deliberate narrowing of civic life.

In Donald Trump’s White House, that figure is Stephen Miller.

Miller is often described as the architect of Trump’s immigration agenda.

That may be true, but it’s incomplete. Immigration is simply the most visible stage on which Miller operates. The deeper project is broader and more corrosive: a politics designed to make Americans afraid — not only of immigrants, but of one another, and of acting freely in public life.

Miller’s real architecture isn’t just about who gets in. It’s about what kind of country we become.

The through-line is intimidation. The point isn’t merely enforcement but atmosphere: to show that the state can reach into your life suddenly, harshly,

without apology. To make people think twice before speaking, gathering, helping or dissenting. To shrink civic space until citizenship itself begins to feel conditional. In such a climate, obedience becomes the safest form of participation, and democracy begins to feel like a risk.

That’s why Miller matters. He isn’t simply a policy adviser. He is both symptom and accelerant — a product of a political sickness and one of its most effective carriers.

The sickness is the belief that democracy is too messy, pluralism too dangerous, compassion too soft. Miller gives that belief bureaucratic form.

i

done profound damage. And once that atmosphere is established, the most vulnerable are always the first to suffer the worst of it.

n a Millershaped America, protest would be treated as menace.

Miller’s defenders characterize him as “tough.” But toughness isn’t the same as callousness. A serious country can enforce laws without turning the machinery of government into an engine of humiliation. Miller’s politics depend on a story: that America is perpetually under siege, that outsiders are threats, that pluralism is weakness, that empathy is naïveté.

tions would be staffed by loyalty, not expertise; protest would be treated as menace; law would be less a shield than a club; and citizenship would be a conditional permit, not a shared inheritance. It’s tempting, and comforting, to say, “The Constitution will save us.” It won’t. Constitutions don’t rescue republics by themselves. They are frameworks, not force fields. They depend on officials who honor them, courts that enforce them, legislators who defend their authority, and citizens who refuse to be intimidated into silence.

It’s not a secret that his fingerprints are on some of the harshest immigration measures of the last decade, including family separation at the southern border — a policy widely condemned because it treats children not as human beings, but as instruments of deterrence. Whatever you believe about border control, using suffering as a message is a show of cruelty, not strength.

But the deeper lesson is about power. A government that can make ordinary people afraid — afraid to speak, gather, help or dissent — has already

Civil rights organizations have raised alarms for years about Miller’s proximity to white nationalist rhetoric. The Southern Poverty Law Center took the extraordinary step of listing him in its extremist files. That is not a marginal controversy; it goes to the moral and ideological foundations of the policies he designs. Whether you accept every charge or not, the pattern is difficult to miss: Miller’s governing worldview is built on suspicion — of difference, of openness, of the very idea of a shared civic “we.”

In a Miller-shaped America, the safest posture would be silence; institu-

The danger of Stephen Miller’s politics is that they treat laws not as a restraint but as an instrument — something to stretch, weaponize and exhaust until rights feel theoretical and the public stops believing that resistance matters.

So the question isn’t whether the Constitution can save us. The question is whether Americans will still insist on the constitutional order itself: limits on power, equal citizenship, lawful process, and a public life in which fear isn’t the organizing principle.

Miller’s project runs in the other direction. And if it succeeds, no piece of parchment will protect us.

Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The challenge of celebrating Black History Month

On Feb. 5, not long after Black History Month began, President Trump’s Truth Social account posted a video depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. In response to criticism from Republicans, the video was removed the next day, but with no apology from the president.

That’s the immediate context in which Black History Month takes place, but it’s been an entire year since the last celebration of this month, during which the Trump administration has advanced white supremacy and moved aggressively to undermine America’s longstanding commitment to diversity. The administration’s support for white supremacy isn’t new. In November 2019, in Trump’s first term, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called for the firing of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, stating, “Stephen Miller represents white supremacy, violent extremism, and hate — all ideologies that are antithetical to

the fundamental values that guide our democracy. Allowing him to remain a White House advisor is a betrayal of our national ideals of justice, inclusion, and fairness.”

Yet in the second Trump administration, Miller has even more power. As Ashley Parker, of the Atlantic, told NPR recently, “He’s incredibly powerful. Steve Bannon and other people jokingly call him the prime minister.”

The Trump government has undermined our country’s commitment to diversity.

Miller is perhaps best known, as NPR reports, as “a chief architect of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.” That crackdown has generated intense public opposition due to the killings in Minneapolis of two American citizens with no criminal records by ICE officers. Because ICE is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it ironically shares the department’s mission to “safeguard the American people.” That irony is not lost on Americans, and the public response to those two deaths has echoed the outcry after the 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.

The irony of the administration continues, as the White House acts to ensure that America’s schools instill, in the words of Executive Order 14190, “a

patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand” — while detaining children through ICE crackdowns at accelerating rates. As MS NOW reports, “Recent independent analysis by the Marshall Project shows that the number of children held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has skyrocketed in Trump’s second term — from an average of about 25 children detained per day during the final 16 months of Biden’s presidency to about 170 children per day under Trump.” On some days, the analysis found, “ICE held 400 children or more.”

What values, exactly, are those detained children learning at the hands of the administration? What values are all children learning as they witness detentions of other children, day care workers and young parents? These are actions of cruelty, not respect for human life and liberty. They are acts of lawlessness, not patriotism.

Now the administration proposes to change the way we vote in America. As The New York Times reports, “President Trump has repeatedly suggested that he wants the Republican-led federal government to ‘nationalize,’ or ‘take over,’

the running of elections.” His allies in Congress are simultaneously advancing legislation — the Make Elections Great Again, or MEGA, Act — that would make voting more difficult. These proposals completely ignore the fact that elections in the United States are free and fair.

As the Brennan Center for Justice writes, “In 2025, a new threat to free and fair elections emerged: the federal government. Since day one of his second term, the Trump administration has attempted to rewrite election rules to burden voters and usurp control of election systems, targeted and threatened election officials and others who keep elections free and fair, supported people who undermine election administration, and retreated from the federal government’s role of protecting voters and the electoral process.”

Nationalizing state elections is blatantly unconstitutional, and the legislative actions would make voting more difficult. That is exactly what this White House and its allies want to achieve.

As Black History Month continues, and in the months and years ahead, ERASE Racism will be championing inclusiveness, fairness and justice for all.

Elaine Gross is founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, a regional civil rights organization based on Long Island.

opinions Another baseball season full of hope

The arrival of spring training, and the anticipation of another baseball season, brings back great memories. My earliest baseball memories date back to the early 1950s and the Brooklyn Dodgers, the famed “Boys of Summer,” in what is now regarded as the sport’s Golden Age. Baseball was the unquestioned national pastime, and New York’s Yankees, Dodgers and Giants were the dominant teams.

From 1947 to 1956, the Yankees won eight league pennants, the Dodgers six and the Giants two.

For nine of those 10 seasons, at least one World Series teams was from New York, and for eight years, both teams were. That was a true monopoly of excellence.

The Dodgers teams of my youth included such Hall of Famer players as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. There was nothing better than sitting in the stands at Ebbets Field, watching these stars excel. (Tickets for bleacher seats cost 75 cents!) As mighty as the

Dodgers were, however, the Yankees, led by legendary stars like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford, prevailed in five of the teams’ six World Series encounters.

And then, in 1957, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley announced the unthinkable: He would move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles the following year, and the Giants would go to San Francisco. My childhood had come to a crashing halt. National League baseball would be gone from New York.

Just one example: thousands of area kids looking forward to Little League.

My final goodbye to the Dodgers would come on Sept. 22, 1957, when I went to their final home day game at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn beat the Phillies, 7-3, and Duke Snider hit two home runs, but that was small consolation. Dodgers baseball in New York, and my years of sports innocence, were behind me. National League baseball didn’t return to New York until the Mets arrived in 1962. They were an expansion team, which meant they were composed of players others teams didn’t want. There were some rough, lean years, but to Mets fans, it didn’t matter. They rallied behind the team, and after seven seasons, and many losses, the 1969 Mira-

cle Mets, led by their manager, Dodgers legend Gil Hodges, won the World Series in a never-to-be-forgotten triumph over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. The Mets captured the Series again in 1986, defeating the Red Sox in a memorable seven-game struggle. There have been several good runs since then that fell just short, including a World Series defeat to Kansas City in 2015 and, most recently, a League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers in 2024. Now the Mets face the 2026 season having decided to go forward without their all-time leading home run hitter, Pete Alonso, and star relief pitcher Edwin Diaz, as well as proven veterans Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Their core four are gone. For Mets fans, spring training will be filled with questions and unknown answers.

I know that baseball has changed dramatically since years ago. There are almost twice as many teams now as there were then; players move from team to team, season to season; and teams regularly play inter-league games. As well, the Super Bowl has surpassed the World Series in public attention, and sports such as hockey and bas-

ketball crowd the calendar, playing well into the baseball season.

But still, that sense of anticipation remains. There is something about the fresh spring air and the crack of the bat that brings our attention back to the baseball diamond. The distances from the pitcher’s mound to home plate, and between the bases, remain the same, as do ball and strike counts. And, especially on Long Island, many thousands of kids are looking forward to playing Little League baseball in a new season, when, as always, their parents and grandparents will be in the stands, cheering them on. They’ll create new memories that, in years to come, they’ll pass on to their children and grandchildren.

No matter the rule changes or league realignments, baseball will remain unchanged as an essential component of the American fabric. Almost 75 years ago, the renowned cultural historian Jacques Barzun famously proclaimed, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” That is as true today as it was then, and I believe it will be true for generations to come.

Play ball!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Ed Ra’s new post is good for Long Island

Having spent 23 years of my life in the State Assembly, I keep close contact with members and monitor the progress of significant legislation. I make it a point to call individual members to encourage them to take action on proposals that are good for Long Island. Which is why I was thrilled that Republican Assemblyman Ed Ra was chosen as minority leader earlier this month, in a unanimous vote.

Living as a bipartisan person, I have been supportive of Ra in his many roles as an elected official. During his 10 years in office he has been a proactive legislator, proposing laws focusing affordability, antisemitism, workforce development and controlling state costs. I was especially pleased when he became the ranking minority member of the Ways and Means Committee.

I had the good fortune to chair that

committee for 10-plus years, and have great respect for committee members who pay attention to pending laws and ask questions. Ra has been a diligent member of the committee, and he has kept the majority members on their toes. Ways and Means is the most important committee in the Assembly, and it desperately needs members who keep an eye on the 7,000plus bills that are sent to it each year.

He’s worked hard to become the Assembly’s Republican minority leader.

Ra is the third Assembly member from Long Island in my career who has held the title of minority leader. The late Assembly members Perry B. Duryea and Jack Kingston also held that job. Duryea eventually became the speaker, and holding the minority post was a springboard to the top job. I know for a fact that Ra didn’t get the leadership job without a lot of preparation, forging coalitions to win the support of the minority caucus.

I doubt that even the Republican leaders on Long Island fully understand what it took for Ra to get his new job. Over the years he has taken on all of the

thankless jobs that most members do not covet. He has been involved in reviewing all of the bills that affect the Island, and for a few years he acted as the Republican floor leader, organizing debates on bills advanced by the majority. It’s the job of minority members to craft credible arguments opposing majority legislation.

There’s a separate issue that most of the Albany establishment doesn’t understand. The Assembly’s Republican membership is dominated by upstate legislators. They tend to be anti-downstate, and want all of the key jobs for their delegation. If you talk to an upstate Republican member, don’t be surprised if he or she is anti-Long Island. They are jealous of the attention Long Island gets, and many think negatively about the downstate region in general.

When the previous minority leader, Will Barclay, an upstater, announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election this year, the upstaters immediately began to caucus to support one of their own to

keep the job in their region. At the same time, Ra had to move quickly to win a majority of the conference. That backroom stuff happens in any type of legislative body, and it takes political smarts to pull it off.

Why make a fuss about the election of an assemblyman who’s in the minority party? We’re a very big island, with multiple needs and demands. We need all the voices we can get to speak out for the bi-county area. New York City legislators have a strong voice on a variety of issues, and the Island has to fight for recognition when the dollars are being disbursed and laws are passing that help other areas of the state.

Last year I wrote a column singling out Democratic Assemblywoman Mickey Solages and Ra for their hard work in Albany. I was pleased then and now that Ra has advanced in his party leadership. Solages is a rising star in the Democratic Party, and I’m happy that Ra is now a part of the four-way leadership.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

Long Island students need news literacy

on Long Island, where school boards debate curriculum priorities and districts navigate tight budgets, one subject can no longer be treated as optional: media literacy.

Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, students scroll through a relentless stream of headlines, commentary and viral content, frequently without formal instruction on how to tell the difference between verified reporting and misinformation.

In an era when misinformation travels faster than facts and algorithms reward outrage over accuracy, the future of journalism and civic trust hinges on what young people understand about news.

A November 2025 study from the News Literacy Project makes the stakes unmistakably clear: Teenagers are not rejecting journalism outright, but they are struggling to distinguish it from everything else crowding their feeds.

The nationwide study builds on a troubling News Literacy Project 2024 finding that 45 percent of teens believed journalists harmed democracy. But the new research goes further, examining not just skepticism but the roots of distrust — and the confusion at its core.

Teens often lump professional reporting, partisan commentary and outright online misinformation into a single category: “news.” When everything looks the same, nothing earns trust.

However, there is a mandate for action. An overwhelming 94 percent of teens said news or media literacy should

be part of their education. They are not tuning out because they don’t care. They are asking for help.

The problem is access. Only 39 percent of students reported receiving any media literacy instruction during the prior school year. More than six in 10 teens are left to decode a complex information ecosystem by themselves. They scroll through algorithm-driven headlines, influencer commentary masquerading as reporting and viral misinformation engineered for emotional impact — often without being taught how to verify a claim or evaluate a source.

That gap isn’t just an educational oversight. It is a civic vulnerability.

According to Donnell Probst, executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the most effective time to teach these skills is early, before beliefs harden and misinformation calcifies into identity.

Encouragingly, instruction works. Students who had lessons in media literacy were more likely to seek out news, and reported higher levels of trust in journalists. This is measurable impact backed by research.

Long Island school districts should take note.

Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, some schools offer journalism electives or student newspapers. Others offer none. According to a 2022 survey by Baruch College, 73 percent of New York City public schools lacked student newspapers — with access concentrated in private and selective schools. The same inequities often surface on Long Island,

where opportunities vary widely by district.

The decline of school newspapers and journalism classes compounds the media literacy crisis. These programs teach students what real journalism requires: cultivating sources, verifying facts, and asking tough follow-up questions.

If we want a generation that values journalism, we must first ensure that it understands journalism. This isn’t a “kids these days” problem. It is a larger one — and it is also a business imperative for local news organizations across Long Island. If the next generation cannot differentiate between a reported investigation and a viral conspiracy thread, it will not subscribe to, support or defend professional journalism.

Doubling down on media literacy in school curriculums is no longer optional. It should be embedded across grade levels, integrated into English and social studies classes and reinforced through experiential learning like student newsrooms. Policymakers should treat media literacy as foundational civic infrastructure, not a niche elective.

News organizations on Long Island must also step forward and partner with schools, open newsrooms, support media literacy initiatives and provide mentorship and transparency about how reporting is done.

The answer isn’t louder defenses of journalism, but deeper public understanding — teaching media literacy so people can recognize misinformation and think critically for themselves.

We need to take action on state’s sky-high energy costs

New Yorkers are opening their utility bills this winter and asking the same question: How did it get this expensive? For families, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses already squeezed by inflation, the answer is alarming.

In New York state, the cost of electricity and heating isn’t driven solely by usage. In many cases, 65 to 70 percent of a utility bill is made up of taxes, fees, policy surcharges and delivery charges. That means the majority of what residents pay has little to do with the energy they actually consume. It’s insanity!

As supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay, I hear from residents every day who are forced to choose between heating their homes and paying for groceries, prescriptions or property taxes. This isn’t an exaggeration — it’s the reality facing hardworking families

across Long Island and around the state.

New Yorkers now pay nearly double the national average for electricity. While energy costs have risen nationwide, no other state places such an extraordinary burden of added charges on ratepayers. These costs stem from state-imposed mandates, subsidies and regulatory programs, which are layered onto every bill. Residents aren’t just paying for energy — they’re paying for policy.

Surcharges? Fees? Mandates? You name them, and New Yorkers are paying them.

Delivery charges alone often exceed the actual supply charge. Layered on top are renewable-energy surcharges, publicbenefit fees, energy-efficiency mandates and other assessments that few consumers understand, and even fewer can afford. Transparency is lacking, accountability is minimal, and the financial burden continues to grow.

At the same time, New York’s energy policies are moving in the wrong direction. Reliable power plants that provide stable, affordable electricity have been

shut down or forced offline. In their place, the state is investing heavily in technologies that aren’t yet capable of delivering consistent, large-scale energy at an affordable cost. While renewable energy has a role in our future, the current pace and structure of these mandates are driving costs upward while jeopardizing reliability, and your wallet. When dispatchable energy sources are eliminated before viable replacements exist, supply tightens and prices climb. Residents pay more, businesses face rising operating costs and our economic competitiveness suffers. Manufacturers, small businesses and employers look elsewhere, where energy is affordable and predictable.

Public policy should protect residents, not punish them. Energy policy must balance environmental responsibility with affordability and reliability. Instead, New York has pursued aggressive mandates without fully considering their financial consequences.

We need a reset.

First, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature must reduce the hidden taxes and policy surcharges that inflate utility bills. Families deserve transparency and relief. Second, the state must preserve reliable energy sources while transitioning responsibly to new technologies. Shutting down power plants creates scarcity and drives up costs.

Third, policymakers must prioritize affordability. Energy is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Seniors shouldn’t be afraid to open their utility bills, and families shouldn’t be forced to ration heat in the middle of winter.

New Yorkers are proud to lead in innovation and environmental stewardship. But leadership shouldn’t come at the expense of affordability and common sense. Our residents deserve energy policy grounded in realism, transparency and fiscal responsibility. Until Albany recognizes the real impact of its decisions, New Yorkers will continue paying the price — literally. It’s time to put ratepayers first.

Joseph Saladino is supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay.

Your opinion Matters

Your opinion Matters

Your opinion Matters

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.