Oyster Bay Herald 08-01-2025

Isabella Oren/Herald

Leonard Lehrman with a copy of his autobiography, “Continuator,” which chronicles his long career in music and activism.

A life composed with purpose

Leonard J. Lehrman’s memoir traces his varied career

By ISABEll A oREN Intern

Leonard J. Lehrman, 76, a Valley Stream composer and librarian at the Oyster BayEast Norwich Public Library, deeply committed to his Jewish heritage and social activism, has lived a life intertwined with music and causes greater than himself.

His upbringing, he recalled, was shaped by parents who were deeply engaged in the world’s injustices, particularly those related to nuclear weapons.

“Some of my earliest works were about peace and justice,” Lehrman said. “I became a composer because I was constantly improvising things that I couldn’t remember and

wanted to write them down.”

His journey into musical composition began early, at around age 7, and by 11 he had already decided on his future. His parents took him to meet the composer Elie Siegmeister, a moment that would significantly influence his career.

Initially, Siegmeister was reluctant to teach him, saying he didn’t take students that young. But when young Leonard asked how long it would take to play all of Siegmeister’s music, and the composer replied that it would take about a week, Leonard confidently responded that it would take him only 45 minutes to play all the music he had written — and offered to do so.

Statue honors baymen past and present

By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

Jeff Buccacio first saw Billy Joel’s house when he was looking across the Oyster Bay Harbor at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on a cold fall day in 2022.

Buccacio, a 53-year-old sculptor, has been a fan of Joel’s since he was a kid. For the past few years, he has been working on a statue that combines his love of the water and his admiration of the six-time Grammywinning musician.

“It’s very personal,” Buccacio said. “For me, as an artist, that needs to come first for the work to be true.” He added that when he was first approached about building the monument, he felt moved. “I knew that these people needed a voice. And we could do that through sculpture, through monument making.”

poles pointing toward the sky, was first presented to the Town of Oyster Bay Board by the Baymen’s Heritage Association in 2022. The association was founded in 2020 to preserve and honor the history, culture and influence of professional fishermen in Oyster Bay.

on page 9 W hether it’s good times or bad times, they stick it out.

BIll PAINTER President, Baymen’s Heritage Association

The monument will also feature engraved lyrics from Joel’s “The Downeaster Alexa,” whose subject is an impoverished Long Island fisherman: “I was a bayman like my father was before/can’t make a living as a bayman anymore. There ain’t much future for a man who works the sea/ but there ain’t no Island left for Islanders like me.”

Buccacio, a sculptor for over 35 years, owns Buccacio Sculpture Services LLC, a foundry in Canton, Massachusetts, that he opened in 2015.

The proposed monument, a bronze depiction of a bayman pulling his catch of shellfish onto his boat, with his rake and

The monument, overlooking the harbor at Roosevelt Park, will be surrounded by four benches offering a panoramic

Continued on page 2

Memorial will blend art, history, Billy Joel

view of the landscape. Fiberglass panels will display historical and educational information, including protection and conservation tips for shellfishing resources.

Baymen have been an integral part of Oyster Bay’s history since its founding — they are named for the body of water that attracted settlers to the region in the mid-1600s. But the last several decades have seen a decline in their numbers, due to the difficulty of the job and the overfishing and over-clamming of local waterways.

Bill Painter, the association’s president, explained that the inspiration for the memorial was the death of Michael Kennedy, a 57-year-old Bayville bayman who died while he was on the water in 2020. But Painter emphasized that the monument was not intended to honor just Kennedy, but instead should be seen as “recognition of the tradition that’s been here for hundreds of years.”

“It is a dirty and hard occupation,” Painter, a bayman for over 40 years, said. He acknowledged that while the job is challenging, it “gives these guys a freedom out there that they just don’t leave. Whether it’s good times or bad times, they stick it out.”

Painter announced two years ago that the association had raised nearly $300,000 of the goal of $525,000 to build the memorial. The fundraising is con-

tinuing, and the group will host a golf outing at the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury on Sept. 2. The plan is to complete the project by the end of the year — a year later than initially planned.

“We submitted a lot of paperwork,” he said. “We failed to realize that the regulatory process is a lot longer than just giving an official OK.” Painter added that the statue itself is roughly 80 percent complete, and, he said, “We’re waiting for the thumbs-up from the town to say we could start site preparation.”

Marta Kane, a spokeswoman for the Town of Oyster Bay, said that the project is still awaiting approval from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, but is expected to be completed soon.

Once the site is cleared, concrete footings will be added to support the the statue, as well as a pedestal, brick pavers, benches and lighting, according to Painter.

Buccacio said that he cast the bayman from a solid block of granite. “I’ve always been very traditional in the materials that I choose,” he said, adding that he selects materials that will last the longest.

“I tell people that we design and build monuments to last the next 500 years,” he said. “If you maintain it, it’ll last the next 1,000.”

Seating and pre-movie activities began at 6:30 p.m. which included inflatables, soccer, photo opportunities and games such as connect four and jenga.

Watching ‘Movies by Moonlight’ around town

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

Around 100 people set up their chairs and blankets for a free outdoor movie screening of “Despicable Me 4” on July 24 at Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff.

Seating and pre-movie activities began at 6:30 p.m. which included inflatables, soccer, photo opportunities and games such as connect four and jenga. The screening was a part of the ‘Movies by Moonlight’ program announced in May by Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board.

“Residents and families looking for a fun night need look no further than their backyards this summer as the Town is ready with a summer to remember,” wrote Saladino in a press release on May 22 announcing the initiative. “We’re thrilled to once again show family-friendly films at our parks, along with character meet and greets, inflatables, games and more.”

Charlize Tuozzo, a 13-year-old singer and Oyster Bay resident, sang to the crowd prior to the beginning of the movie. She performed a collection of songs from Disney movies and current popular music. The screening was the fourth of six events held in local parks throughout the town of Oyster Bay. The next two screenings, weather permitting, will be “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” at Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park on Aug. 7 and “Inside Out 2” at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park on Aug. 14.

Residents set up their chairs and blankets for an outdoor movie night screening of “Despicable Me 4” on July 24 at Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff.

a part of the

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O.B. woman pleads guilty

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Oyster Bay resident Sherry Xue Li pleaded guilty to multiple charges including money laundering conspiracy among others as part of a scheme to create a fictitious development project with which to defraud investors in a Central Islip courthouse on Wednesday.

Cashing in Your Life Insurance Policy

Everyone knows that you may surrender a life insurance policy at any time for the “cash surrender value”. However, a better option may be a “life settlement” which pays more than the cash surrender value.

In a life settlement, you sell the policy to a third party instead of cashing it in. Here, the payment will be something greater than the cash surrender value but less than the death benefit. The buyer assumes the policy, pays the premiums and receives the death benefit.

There are many reasons why people want to cash in their policy. Paying the premiums have become a burden, they no longer need or want the death benefit or the money is needed for some other purpose.

There are some tax advantages to cashing in as well. Any money paid into the policy as premiums comes back to the seller tax-free (since the money used to pay the premiums was already taxed).

The purchaser of the policy will

determine the amount they are willing to pay for the policy based on the amount, if any, of the cash surrender value and the age and health of the seller. Since there are numerous companies out there you may “shop around” for the best offering. Some companies offer a “life settlement calculator” where you may go online, plug in all your information, and receive a quote within twenty-four hours.

You may hear of the term “viatical settlement” when exploring the issue of whether or not to cash in your policy. Viatical settlements generally pay more than life settlements but are limited to terminally ill policy holders with less than two years of life expectancy as determined by a medical professional.

Finally, if you want to do the best you can with your policy, but do not have the time or inclination to shop around, there are “life settlement brokers” who, for a fee, will do the shopping for you.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

In total, she managed to steal $30 million from hundreds of individuals, including by using photos of herself with President Donald Trump and other high-ranking government officials.

Li, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, and her co-conspirator, fellow Oyster Bay resident Lianbo Wang, lied to potential investors, many of them Chinese, that by investing in their project, the duo could obtain permanent residence status in exchange. The development project itself was an imagined private school in Sullivan County, New York called the Thompson Education Center.

“Li defrauded more than 150 victims in the United States and abroad through years of lies and deception and sought to profit by selling access to the democratic process,” wrote United States Attorney Joseph Nocella in a release announcing the guilty plea. “In doing so, she attempted to corrupt a funda -

mental institution in this country—fair and transparent elections free from unlawful foreign influence. Our office is committed to investigating and prosecuting predatory fraudsters who steal victims’ hard-earned money.”

Wang pleaded guilty in 2024 to engaging in unlawful monetary transactions and conspiracy to defraud the United States and was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.

The duo would siphon the money they stole from investors through bank accounts held by various shell companies founded by Li. The two then used the money to support a lavish lifestyle, including buying multiple properties, expensive clothes, jewelry, dining and political contributions to politicians.

“Li’s victims thought that they were investing in the American dream, but instead were left in a nightmare of fraud and deceit,” stated Harry Chavis, IRS-CI special agent in charge. “While she pocketed the money and traveled on lavish vacations, not one EB-5 or stock investor received what they were promised in return for their backing. Now, with today’s plea, she will finally move forward in facing the consequences of her selfish acts,” said Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York.”

Bethpage Black preps for Ryder Cup

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

The Ryder Cup is coming to Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale Sept. 26 to 28 and preparations are in full swing for one of golf’s premier international events.

After three years of planning, work to install viewing stands, including two triple-deckers and eight double-deckers, with some flanking the first and 18th fairways, bleachers, hospitality tents and a large merchandise area began May 19 and will continue up until the first practice round Sept. 23.

“We’re expecting 50,000 fans per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” 2025 Ryder Cup Director Bryan Karns said during a press conference held at Bethpage Black July 24. “Living in New York for the past few years and attending Jets, Yankees and Mets games, it’s an incredibly passionate fan base. Any time a major championship has come to Bethpage, the crowds have been remarkable. Fans are going to understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they’re really going to value what it means to attend a Ryder Cup.”

Half a million fans registered for a lottery system used to purchase tickets said Evan Crowder, PGA of America Operations Manager. Tickets for the three scoring rounds of the tournament are sold out, though a handful remain for the Sept. 23 and 24 practice rounds.

Renowned for its degree of difficulty and rich history that includes hosting the U.S. Open (2002 and 2009) and PGA Championship (2019), Bethpage Black will have a slightly different look for the Ryder Cup with the tee box of the first hole — a 430-yard, par-4 — moving 30 yards closer to the pin and about 20 yards to the north for a clearer path to the green.

“The five most important holes at the Ryder Cup are the first, and 15 through 18 where the majority of matches are decided is set up incredibly well,” Karns said.

Added Kenny Kurzendoerfer, 2025 Ryder Cup Operations Manager: “This is where you want to be as a fan, where the first tee box and 18th green are in close proximity. It’s definitely a bucketlist moment to experience the first tee at a Ryder Cup. It’s truly unlike anything you’ve seen before in golf. I’ve been lucky to be a part of a few of them now and it still gives me chills.”

In terms of transportation to and from the course for fans, Jones Beach lots 4 and 5 will serve as the main public parking areas where shuttle service will be provided to Bethpage. Shuttles will also run from both the north and south side of the Farmingdale LIRR station, Crowder said. There will also be a ride-

Building the grandstand by the first tee and behind the 18th green on the

share lot on site at Yellow Course No. 11.

The Ryder Cup dates back to 1927, when the inaugural matchup was held at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. Initially a contest between the United States and Great Britain, the format expanded in 1979 to include players from continental Europe. The U.S. played host to the event in 2016 and most recently in 2021.

The event features 28 matches across three formats – foursomes, fourballs, and singles. Teamwork and strategy are essential to winning.

Although the 12-player rosters for both teams have yet to be announced,

some of the top U.S. players include Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, and Collin Morikawa, with Europe featuring Rory McIlroy, Rasmus Hojgaard, Matt Wallace and Tyrrell Hatton.

The U.S. team selection is based on a points system, where points are awarded based on performance in PGA Tour events and major championships. Automatic qualifiers, with Scheffler already being one, will be the top six in points after the BMW Championship on Aug. 17. Captain Keegan Bradley will select the remainder of the roster Aug. 27, Karns noted.

By LUKE FEENEY

How to protect your family from rabies

lfeeney@liherald.com

Rabies was declared an imminent public health threat in Nassau County on July 22 by the County Health Commissioner, Irina Gelman. The disease was eradicated in the county in 2016, following an aggressive campaign to control its spread.

The county’s Department of Health has confirmed the presence of 25 rabid animals in multiple communities around the county, including raccoons and feral cats. To date, no human cases of rabies have ever been reported in Nassau County thanks to post-exposure medical treatments.

However, Department of Health surveillance data is showing the virus may have a presence across the county. Here are three ways to protect yourself from the deadly viral disease.

Avoid contact

Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system in mammals. The most effective way to avoid rabies is to keep your distance from wildlife. Never approach animals who appear to be injured, sick, or dead, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition, stay away especially if you see animals during the day who are usually active at night such as among others bats, raccoons, foxes and owls. Any warm-blooded mammal can carry

Protect your pets

To protect animals they should be given an upto-date rabies vaccine as soon as possible. Nassau County Public Health law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Pets can get vaccinated at almost any animal hospital or veterinary clinic. Puppies and kittens should receive their first rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age. Pets must be vaccinated again in one year, and then a one to three-year rabies vaccine is generally administered during the rest of its life. In addition the

If bitten, seek immediate medical attention

If a person is scratched or bitten by an animal, seek immediate medical care, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9663, or (516) 742-6154 after typical business hours and report the incident.

Untreated rabies in humans is almost always fatal. According to the CDC, initial symptoms can resemble the flu; as the virus progresses, it can cause anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucina -

By Herald Staff

Julie Steinhauser, age 10

Glen Cove

There’s something for everyone. My family really loves hiking in the outdoors so we go to Garvies Point, the pool, beaches, and that’s always really fun.

What’s your favorite aspect of summer on Long Island?

Sophie Leigh, age 16

Sea Cliff

My favorite activity during the summer is going to the beach

Vasili

Tsirkas,

age 13

Glen Cove

Downtown Sounds is one of my favorite summer events in Glen Cove. Listening to the music and hanging out with my friends in the middle of downtown makes it truly feel like school’s out for the summer.

Weck Pool, age 16

Sea Cliff

Lifeguarding at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club during the summer is one my favorite ways to spend my time.

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Ear Works Audiology: Your Guide to Hearing Health

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700 concerts.

He still pursues new works lasting passions

Impressed by his ability, Siegmeister agreed to take him on as a student. In later years, Lehrman would go on to perform in more than 100 concerts featuring Siegmeister’s music, and later write a biography of his former teacher.

Reflecting on the intersection of his musical and cultural identity, Lehrman emphasized the influence of both his Russian heritage and his Jewish upbringing. “I was always conscious of the importance of Jewish aspects of culture in my work,” he said, adding that his interest in Russian literature and traditions grew as he got older. He also noted his involvement in debates about antisemitism, saying that his Harvard reunion group was currently “debating the whole definition of antisemitism.”

One of his major projects, an opera titled “Sima,” which he completed 49 years ago, holds a special place in his heart.

The work, based on a novel by David Yakovlevich Iseman, tells the story of a Jewish girl orphaned by a pogrom in early 20th-century Russia. Lehrman explained that “sima” is an Aramaic word meaning “treasure,” a concept that resonates deeply with his own family.

When he told his then 87-year-old grandmother —whose first name was Sima— that the word meant treasure, she said, “I’ve lived my whole life and now I know what my name means.”

Despite its critical acclaim, “Sima” has faced challenges, particularly its own irregular meters and polyrhythms, which make it difficult for many opera companies to take on.

But Lehrman and his collaborators are moving forward, preparing for a New York premiere. “We’re having a reading on Aug. 7, and then on my birthday, which is Aug. 20,” he said, eager to see how the work continues to evolve.

Even in his 70s, Lehrman appears to have no shortage of energy, for which he

“Continuator,” Leonard J. Lehrman’s memoir, offers an inside look at his lifelong dedication to composition, social justice and Jewish heritage.

credits to his wife, fellow musician and composer Helene Spearman.

“She’s really quite an amazing observer, critic and supporter,” he said. Together they have created over 200 pieces and performed in over 700 concerts. “She helps me keep going.”

His autobiography, “Continuator,” offers a window into his life’s work, chronicling the many projects he has completed over the years, including his unique role, since 1970, in finishing unfinished works by other composers, such as Marc Blitzstein and Richard Peaslee — most notably “Sacco and Vanzetti,” an incomplete opera by Blitzstein that Lehrman completed and that was later nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Surrounded by a lifetime’s collection of Russian and Jewish literature, music and recordings, he sees it all not merely as personal treasure, but as a cultural legacy worth passing on.

Celebrating Italian heritage at St. Rocco

The Feast of St. Rocco in Glen Cove marked its 50th anniversary from July 24 to 27, 2025, drawing record-breaking crowds of more than 30,000 visitors to the Church of St. Rocco. The four-day celebration featured homemade Italian cuisine prepared by longtime community volunteers, lively musical performances, carnival rides by Newton Shows, and a traditional Sunday morning procession following Mass. Festivalgoers enjoyed specialties like sausage and peppers, chicken parmesan, and cannoli inside the beloved Pasta Pavilion, while nightly entertainment added to the festive atmosphere. The City of Glen Cove issued temporary street closures around the church to accommodate the high turnout for the milestone event.

More than 40,000 people visited

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THE GREAT BOOK GuRu

Tales of the Ultra Rich

Dear Great Book Guru, Friday’s Beach Music at Sea Cliff Beach is such a treatgreat music, delicious food at Jay and Tanya Potter’s Cliffside Café, and beautiful views of the Sound! While looking out at the many boats anchored there, I thought about a book that a friend recommended about yachts and their owners. Have you heard of it?

Sea Cliff Beach Fan

Dear Sea Cliff Beach Fan, “The Haves and HaveYachts” by Evan Osnos is a fascinating book about the ultra rich. There are many, many very wealthy people but then there are those whose wealth is so much that they own super yachts, and Osnos tells the tales of these ultrawealthy in a series of ten essays.

Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey are a few he mentions. Later he profiles Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and his lavish lifestyle.

The Greenwich Rebellion chapter traces the transformation of Greenwich, Connecticut from home to storied old money families to the extraordinarily wealthy and political powerful. Trust Issues introduces us to a young woman who becomes the trusted financial advisor to the Getty heirs and then turns on them spilling family secrets that reveal their incredible wealth and machinations.

He leads off with a fascinating take on famous musicians who are hired to perform for small events - yes even children’s birthday parties - for exorbitant fees. Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Jon Bovi,

The most disturbing essay was about a Hollywood actor/con artist who manipulated friends and family out of $500 million dollars. The lifestyle of the people Osnos describes is astonishingalmost beyond belief - but not quite… highly recommended!

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

NEws BRiEf

Exploring the architecture of a local icon

Visitors to Planting Fields Arboretum will be able to embark on a historical adventure to explore the arboretum’s Main House on Friday morning at 1395 Planting Fields Road. Collections and Exhibition Manager Emily Leger, who holds a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s in museology/museum studies, will guide participants through the Tudor Revival house.

William Robertson Coe requested a Tudor house reminiscent of Elizabethan manor houses when his estate was being built at Planting Fields between 1918 and 1921. Participants will learn about the house’s architecture and the vision of its designers. They will

explore the estate’s intricacies, secrets and symbols and hear stories behind its construction.

The event costs $20 to attend and is part of Planting Fields’ First Fridays series. On the first Friday of each month, guests are invited to explore a different theme integral to the arboretum.

More information and other events can be found at PlantingFields.org. For any questions about this Friday’s event, Communications and Marketing Manager Kayla Cheshire can be reached at kcheshire@plantingfields.org.

–Julia Capitelli

FREE CONCERTS in the Park at 7:00pm

2025 TITLE SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY DATES

RXR

The Terian Family/Rallye Motor Company

Bruce and Roberta Waller

- In Honor of the Suozzi Family

Glen Cove Neighborhood Association

Golden Benefactors

In Memory of Nancy Epstein

Sondra and David Mack

PSEG

Glen Cove Hospital

Golden Benefactors

July 6 | “GLEN COVE NIGHT”

Headliner: The Lords of 52nd Street featuring Richie Cannata The Music of Billy Joel. Also performing Glen Cove High School Select Chorale and Shyezee (Shye Roberts), Talented Contestant on Season 26 of “The Voice”

July 13 | Kenny & Luke’s Country Beach Party

The Music of Kenny Chesney & Luke Bryan

July 20 | Netty & Friends and The Men of Soul

An Evening of Soul, Motown and R&B

July 27 | Beginnings

A Celebration of the Music of Chicago

August 3 | Harvest

An Evening of Neil Young

August 10 | Gershwin and Bernstein on Broadway Massapequa Philharmonic - David Bernard, Conductor

August 17 | The Midtown Men

Jersey Boys cast members perform songs from the 60s

August 24 | Are You Ready for It? - A Taylor Experience

The Music of Taylor Swift

August 31 | Miami Sound Revue

The Music of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine

Morgan Park overlooks the harbor at Germaine Street between Landing Road and McLoughlin Street in Glen Cove. Bring chairs or blankets, and a picnic if you wish. Children are welcome.

Morgan Park Summer Music Festival is a not-for-profit organization, administered by an all-volunteer team. No taxpayer money is used or requested for these concerts. Our seasons of professional, family-oriented performances are funded entirely through tax-deductible contributions. Website: morganparkmusic.org Email: morganparkmusic@yahoo.com Find Us On Facebook

All concerts are subject to change. Call 516-671-0017 for information and updates.

Celebrating a decade training firefighters

Every year, 25 fire departments from Nassau and Suffolk counties join together to create Camp Fahrenheit 516, sponsored by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York to train those ages 14 to 18 at the Nassau County Fire Academy in Bethpage for a weeklong training course in junior firefighting.

This summer, roughly 65 teenagers attended Camp Fahrenheit 516, with 13 from Lower Saxony Germany and two from Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania. Other participants included Jerry Presta, Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association chairman and vice chairman of FASNY’s Youth Committee, Paul Wilders, chief fire academy instructor, from the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and other FASNY representatives.

Camp Fahrenheit 516 hosted German junior firefighters this year to maintain its exchange relationship with Germany since the program sent its Long Island juniors to Germany last year for a summer abroad.

Throughout the five-day-long intensive, which started on July 21, the participants worked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on courses like search and rescue, forcible entry, emergency evacuation procedures, fire extinguisher drills, and in honor of the program’s 10 year anniversary, alumni returned to the program to take part in a live fire evolution.

FASNY along with the Nassau County Fire Service Academy held a media day for Camp Fahrenheit 516 on July 24. Reporters were introduced to Long Island’s future firefighters and the intense training the junior firefighters underwent throughout their time through the program.

Recently, fire departments across the state have encountered challenges when looking for possible recruits. Firefighters have gotten more and more emergency calls ranging from medical emergencies,

flooded basements, car accidents and fires.

Camp Fahrenheit 516 was created to give junior firefighters a chance to train as firefighters and one day, have the opportunity to serve their community and become volunteer firefighters when they turn 18.

“We have the best firefighters in America,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a news release, not-

ing that fire service academy will be given an additional $100,000 for Camp Fahrenheit. “They are the reason why we are the safest county in America. Our volunteer firefighters do an amazing job, and we’re so happy that we have our Junior firefighters here.”

–Samantha Wright

STEPPING OUT A instoryevery step

Celebrate culture and community at the Gold Coast Dance Festival

By Roksana Amid

As sundown takes hold at Morgan Memorial Park on Aug. 2, artists representing a rich spectrum of dance styles — from classical ballet and folklorico to tap, contemporary and hip-hop — take to a stage. The fifth annual Gold Coast Dance Festival — set against the backdrop of the Long Island Sound — is a grand celebration of culture, movement and community connection.

Hosted by New York Dance Theatre, the free event attracts folks to see a varied lineup of dancers from Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York City Ballet, Broadway, and more. This year’s edition also includes Ballet Nepantla, a returning favorite known for blending traditional Mexican folklorico with contemporary dance.

“Ballet Nepantla are an astounding company,” Festival Executive Producer Nicole Loizides Albruzzese says. “They’ve been noted as embodying the in-between-ness of those who live on the borderland, mixing in cultures and gaining a little bit from either side.”

Founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, this began as an informal gathering of dancers organized by Albruzzese, a professional performer and Glen Cove resident. She invited a few colleagues to Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay as a way to decompress from the emotional toll of the lockdown. This experience inspired her to bring a professional dance festival to Glen Cove the following year.

“Because the world just stopped talking to one another, stopped dining together, we wanted to create something that brought people together without the need for words,” Albruzzese says. “Dance can do that.”

Since then, the festival has grown to involve dozens of performers and companies, including John Manzari, a renowned Broadway tap dancer and featured artist from “So You Think You Can Dance,” and MorDance, a contemporary ballet company based in Yonkers. This will be MorDance’s first appearance here.

For those inspired to dance themselves, join Jamie Shannon of Kilowatt Dance Theater for an introductory Lindy Hop class on the beach at 4:30 p.m., open to all ages and skill levels, before performances begin.

“Lindy Hop is one of America’s beloved early social dances, stemming from jazz and Harlem and a beautiful social era,” Albruzzese explains. “Bring your dinner down, enjoy a class, and go see a show. You get a more intimate look at the artists beforehand, and then you get to see them on stage.”

New York Dance Theatre, which is celebrating its 51st year, produces the festival through its nonprofit mission to make high-level dance accessible to all audiences.

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The company also runs the Développé program, a a scholarship initiative that provides free yearlong dance education to atrisk youth, foster families and English-language learners across Long Island.

Développé partners with community organizations, including Options for Community Living, which supports families experiencing homelessness and financial hardship. One of the newest scholarship recipients is an 11-year-old girl who had never taken a dance class before this summer.

“She leaves the studio glowing,” Albruzzese says. “She’s one of the most graceful dancers in the class. Starting classical dance between the ages of 11 and 14 can be intimidating, but she’s handling it so beautifully.”

A suggested festival donation of $20 supports the Développé program. Contributions help fund workshops, lectures, performances and scholarships provided by NYDT throughout the year.

Albruzzese says the festival is designed to be inclusive, welcoming people of all backgrounds and abilities.

“A woman came up to me last year and said, ‘It’s not so often I find something to do with my mom or my grandmother,’” she recalls. “Her grandmother was 92 and squealing with excitement watching the performances. That’s what this is about. You can just grab a park bench, sit on the grass and stay for five minutes or the entire evening.”

Graceanne Pierce, a Queens resident and New York Dance Theatre artist, takes the stage this year.

Last year’s featured performers represented Haiti, China, Iraq, and Mexico. Each year’s lineup is curated to reflect global traditions and storytelling through movement, according to Albruzzese.

“I think because we offer such a huge, diverse array of cultural programming, everyone leaves loving something. We birthed a star, and it’s shining everywhere. It’s benefiting the artists, the audience and our local cultural institutions,” she adds enthusiastically.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs and picnic dinners.

‘So

in love with you am I’

Check out a stylized concert version of the classic golden age musical. Egotistical leading man-directorproducer Fred Graham (Broadway’s Charlie Marcus) is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi (Broadway talent Christina DeCicco, of Rockville Centre) when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” The battle of the sexes continues onstage and off, as it becomes clear that, as much as this couple profess to hate each other, they are also still in love. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, the mob, and comedic routines into the mix and you get “Kiss Me, Kate” — a dazzling Broadway classic that earned the very first Tony award for Best Musical. A cast of 30 brings this “concert” production to life with limited costumes and scenic elements. The dynamic performers include Molloy’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students and also alumni.

Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2-3, 3 p.m. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or call (516) 323-4444.

Magic Rocks!

Illusionist Leon Etienne has sold out venues all over the world with his blockbuster performances of Magic Rocks! Now he arrives here with his jaw-dropping, critically acclaimed hit show. You’ve seen him on “America’s Got Talent,” “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, “Masters of Illusion,” and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us!” Hailed by critics as “America’s Rock Illusionist,” Leon is a worldwide hit with audiences, critics and producers. He’s recognized for his onstage charisma, a fast-paced, high energy, rock n’ roll performance style — and his no-nonsense approach to magic. This interactive, family-friendly spectacular showcases mind-blowing tricks, award-winning sleight of hand and non-stop laughter. Perfect for audiences of all ages, it’s an immersive experience filled with wonder, laughter and jaw-dropping moments you won’t soon forget. Etienne’s performance style attracts worldwide attention; join in this unforgettable night of magic and you’ll see why.

Sunday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m. $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $31.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth 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

AUG

1

‘The Rocketman Show’

Remember when rock was young? You will after this enthralling show, on the Paramount stage. Blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself. With a nostalgic setlist that’ll take you right back to when rock was young, this is a must-see for Elton John fans — of all generations.

AUG

Gala Blanca: A Magical Night in White

Enjoy a magical evening in the beautiful Hempstead House Garden at Sands Point Preserve. Surrounded by vibrant wildflowers, with an expansive view of the Long Island Sound and a backdrop of the sun setting on Hempstead House, guests will experience an unforgettable night in a setting like no other. Get ready for free-flowing cocktails, delicious dinner, dancing under the stars, and mesmerizing entertainment. Dress in white for this joyous celebration of summer! All proceeds benefit the natural and historic gem that is the Sands Point Preserve and the Conservancy’s work to maintain and uphold it as a beloved community resource. General admission is $190, premium tickets are $350.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

First Friday: Architectural Elements

Dive into the epic realm of architectural wonders at Planting Fields State Park. The stunning estate invites everyone to unravel the secrets and quirky symbols of the Main House, a magnificent Tudor Revival gem that stands as a unique testament to Long Island’s rich history. As you wander through its grand halls with Collections and Exhibitions Manager Emily Leger as your guide, you’ll explore its intricately designed rooms and discover the fascinating stories behind its architecture and the vision of the people who brought it to life. Each corner reveals a new detail, a hidden symbol, or a remarkable piece of history that adds depth to the experience. Registration required. $20 per person.

• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 10-11 a.m.

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

Dancing in The Streets

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association presents its annual Dancing in the Streets event in downtown Oyster Bay. Open to all ages and skill levels, the

event features live music, group dance instruction, and a lively atmosphere. Popular Long Island DJ and dance instructor Louis Del Prete spins everything from 1940s classics to today’s hits, including Latin rhythms, ballroom, and line dancing. Food from local restaurants will be available.

• Where: 74 Audrey Ave.

• Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

• Contact: oysterbaymainstreet. org/dancing-in-the-street

Walking with the Olmsteads

Step into a world where history and horticulture intertwine on this guided walking tour of Planting Fields. Explore the stunning landscapes shaped by the renowned Olmsted Brothers firm and discover how W.R. Coe’s vision transformed this estate into a living masterpiece. As you wander through lush gardens, winding pathways, and historic structures, you’ll uncover stories of the Coe family’s lasting influence and the artistic brilliance of the Olmsteds’ naturalistic designs. From vibrant seasonal blooms and majestic trees to elegant architectural details, each stop reveals a new chapter in this extraordinary estate’s history. Also take the

time to visit the Main House.

• Where: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also Aug. 3

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

Summer tunes

AUG

2

The Bayville Village Arts Council welcomes Mad Hatter. Enjoy rock, soul, country and other timeless classics.

• Where: 10 West Harbor Drive, Bayville

• Time: 8-10 p.m.

• Contact: facebook.com/ villageofbayville/

AUG

4

Step on the dance floor

Take the first step and learn how to dance today. Discover the joy of ballroom dance in a fun, relaxed setting at the Sands Point Preserve. Join an introductory class led by Donatas Nacajus of Ballroom Boutique, Mondays, and take your first steps on the dance floor with confidence and style. The aim is to teach you how to move to the

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself. Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics come to life again as Anderson recreates the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. He storms around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, part soccer player, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. This is a detailed re-creation of Elton John’s ‘70s shows that’s not to be missed. Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing gorgeous, colorful and spectacular costumes, including Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from 1984. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $35.

music, as well as the passion and character of dance. Sign up for one class or all three. Experience is not needed, no partner required and all ages are welcome. $29 for one class.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 7-8 p.m., also Aug. 11

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

AUG

8

Little Learners’ Forest Animals

Planting Fields Little Learners series continues with a wild adventure for the little ones to explore animals that live in the forest. The journey begins with a fun and engaging story all about creatures that call the woods their home. Then, explore what happens to the forest after dark — who wakes up, who goes to sleep and how the nighttime world comes to life. After that, get creative with a craft to take home. For ages 2-5. Registration required. $15 per child.

• Where: Education Center, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

• Time: 10-11 p.m.

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

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or contact Melanie Dunbar at melanie.dunbar@ sandspointpreserve.org or call (516) 570-2236

Ecotherapy Walk

Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for a calming stroll with certified guide Linda. Ecotherapy, also known as Forest Therapy or Forest Bathing, is not simply hiking in the woods, or a walk on a beach. The focus of Ecotherapy is on connection and relationship, allowing the heart to open to the beauty of the natural world, and at the same time, understand our belonging in that world. Registration required. $49 per session, $135 for series of 3; $44 per session, $120 for series of 3, members.

• Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

• Time: 6-8 p.m.

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

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.

Dojo star wins third national karate title

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

Gloria Rosendo prides herself on her strength in any fight she finds herself in.

At 18 years old, she made her first national karate team. The 21-year-old Astoria native and martial artist won her third consecutive karate national championship in Fort Worth Texas. The July 9-13 event featured over 1,200 competitors from across the country. She also won the title for her weight division, 55 kilograms or 121 pounds in 2023 and 2024.

Rosendo began her karate journey at 5 years old. Her father signed her up for self-defense classes while she was in elementary school but withdrew her when she was 10. Rosendo returned to karate at 15 after her mother enrolled her hoping to instill focus and discipline in her daughter.

Her love for the sport has only increased throughout her countless hours of training. “I love the adrenaline,” she said. “And the idea of hitting people.” She emphasized the pride she had when hearing her name called. “The first thing you hear is Gloria from New York and it was nerve wracking because you know, wow,” she explained. “And my family was there when I went there, it was quite unbelievable.”

While she excels at karate, she argues it’s more of her passion than her job;

when not training, she works with Let’s Get Ready, a nonprofit organization that helps students prepare for and navigate college. The eldest sibling of nine, Rosendo teaches karate to children at Glen Head Martial Arts and Fitness, where she has also trained for the past two years.

Glen Head Martial Arts and Fitness, located at 674 Glen Cove Ave., offers several services including youth, teen as well as adult karate, kickboxing, private lessons and birthday parties.

The studio’s founder, Brian Ramrup, began karate when he was 13. “I didn’t like losing,” he said. “It was something where I had an equal shot to get better just like everybody else had an equal shot to get better and that snowballed into a really magical adventure.”

Ramrup would go on to become a decorated athlete in the sport whose achievements include, among others, being a five-time American National Champion, two-time Pan American Bronze Medalist, Junior PKF Gold Medalist, three-time North American Champion and two-time US Open Silver Medalist. The 37-year-old last competed in 2023.

Six athletes from the dojo competed at the championships in Fort Worth and the team brought home three gold medals and a bronze. “It’s just an incredible feeling, to showcase your skills and beat the best,” said Rajesh Ramrup, a coach

at the dojo and the founder’s brother. “It’s just quite an honor. We take pride in that.”

While the studio has been open for less than a year, the brothers agreed that they felt immediately welcomed by the community in Glen Head. “One thing that I really like about the area is there is a strong sense of community,” the 37-year-old owner said. “Much stronger sense of family values.”

He met Rosendo in 2021, near the end of his professional career. He said that his love for the sport was nonexistent after Covid-19, but Rosendo helped him find his admiration for it again. “She’s an amazing, wonderful person,” he said. “It relit my passion, my spark, and it brought joy back into the sport. We built some chemistry training together. She showed a lot of heart and a lot of eagerness to grow.”

While she has family from Mexico, both of Rosendo’s parents were born in the United States and had her at a young age. The couple had to withdraw from high school to raise her. While there have been many obstacles, Rosendo said that she wants to set an example for her siblings to show that they can achieve whatever they set their mind to.

“There’s nothing that they can’t chase,” she said. “We can always go, we can always do more.”

Rosendo added that despite the demanding schedule, she is constantly

looking for new ways to push herself in the sport and life. “We can always do more,” she said. “We have 24 hours in a day, what can we do with that?” She plans to continue her hours of training every week with the eventual goal of stepping onto one of the highest stages of karate, such as the World Games or Pan American Games.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS-SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAUBANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON TRUST

COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS

MANAGEMENT SERIES

I TRUST, Plaintiff,against- NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, AS LIMITED

ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF

CATHERINE RAMONA

HARPER AKA

CATHERINE R. HARPER

AKA CATHERINE HARPER; MELVIN HARPER NKA

EBESWAMB MBAKA, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE

RAMONA HARPER AKA

CATHERINE R. HARPER

AKA CATHERINE HARPER, if he be living and if he be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, lien or otherwise any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the complaint; NATHALIA SELTMAN AKA

NATHALIA BANKS, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE RAMONA HARPER AKA

CATHERINE R. HARPER AKA CATHERINE HARPER; DORIAN PEREZ, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE RAMONA HARPER AKA

CATHERINE R. HARPER

AKA CATHERINE HARPER; KATHRYN RAMONA HARPER, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CATHERINE

RAMONA HARPER AKA

CATHERINE R. HARPER

AKA CATHERINE HARPER; VERONICA S. HARPER, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN HARPER, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF RAMONA

HARPER AKA

CATHERINE R. HARPER

AKA CATHERINE HARPER; ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR

UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF JOHN HARPER; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; DISCOVER BANK; BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO FIA CARD SERVICES, N.A.; EBONY HAMM AS JOHN DOE #1, Defendants - Index No. 006294/2013 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Nassau County. To the above named DefendantsYOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Second Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated July 1, 2025. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOMEIf you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to

the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable R. Bruce Cozzens, Jr., J.S.C.

Dated: July 1, 2025

Filed: July 8, 2025. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 65 1st Street, Locust Valley, NY 11560. Dated: March 23, 2025 Filed: July 9, 2025 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Monica G. Christie, Esq., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 No Service by fax) Service purposes only: Trade Centre South 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982 154738

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that an On-Premise Restaurant Full Liquor License, NYS Application ID: NA-0340-25-119447 has been applied for by Zozo’s On The Bay Inc serving beer, wine, cider and liquor to be sold at retail for on premises consumption in a restaurant, for the premises located at 424 Bayville Ave Bayville NY 11079 154809

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, STORMFIELD CAPITAL FUNDING I, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. 63 MILL RIVER ROAD, LLC A/K/A 63 MILL RIVER ROAD LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order for Reformation, Confirming Referee’s Report of Amount Due and for Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale

duly entered on June 16, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 3, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 63 Mill River Road, Upper Brookville, NY 11771 a/k/a 63 Mill River Road, Glen Head, NY 11545. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 24, Block B and Lot 893, as well as all personal property of Borrower as identified in that certain Consolidation, Extension, Spreader and Modification Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2022, and recorded on January 2, 2023 in Book M, Volume 46996, Page 950, and that certain Building Loan Mortgage, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of November 15, 2022, and recorded on January 20, 2023, in Book M, Volume 47021, Page 307, and excluding any funds held by Plaintiff in any reserve, escrow, or suspense fund and excluding any funds held by Plaintiff in any cash management account. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,578,897.79 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #621084/2023.

Melvyn Roth, Esq., Referee Polsinelli PC, Aaron P. Davis, Esq., 600 Third Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10016, Attorneys for Plaintiff 154801

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST DON FORCHELLI, III; NICOLE MARIE FORCHELLI; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 3, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public

Massapequa Philharmonic to perform at music festival

By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com

Blending tradition with an unforgettable live experience, the Massapequa Philharmonic will perform at the 66th annual Morgan Park Summer Music Festival on Aug. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The program, titled Massapequa Philharmonic Presents Bernstein and Gershwin on Broadway, will feature selections from West Side Story along with American standards such as Love Is Here to Stay and Someone to Watch Over Me.

“There is no better way to celebrate symphonic music and summertime than to perform the works of these quintessential American composers against the backdrop of the Long Island Sound,” said concertmaster Aimee Lillienstein. She added that some of her earliest and most cherished musical memories came from being introduced to classical works at outdoor concerts.

The Massapequa Philharmonic has been entertaining audiences for more than 40 years and now serves as Orchestra-in-Residence at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. Under the direction of renowned conductor David Bernard, the orchestra features world-class soloists.

“For those who have never experienced the philharmonic before—you already know everything you need to know to enjoy this music,” Bernard said. “You’re in for a real treat. You’ll hear over 50 musicians creating this beautiful, overwhelming sound live in front of you — it’s not just something to hear, but to see and feel.”

auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 79 Capitol Heights Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oyster Bay, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau. State of New York, Section: 24 Block: B Lot: 32. Approximate amount of judgment $712,992.43 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of

Bernard said he looks forward to connecting with the North Shore audience.

“For me, the best outcome is a shared experience with the audience,” he said. “I feel like I’m not only a host, but also an escort into this incredible music.”

He praised both Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin for their ability to create music that is “sophisticated and immensely enjoyable.”

“Regardless of your background, you’re dazzled by the musical complexity and the beauty of the melodies,” Bernard said. “The orchestra and I are incredibly honored and excited to share this music with you on Aug. 10.”

Now in its 66th year, the Morgan Park Summer Music Festival offers free concerts on Sundays throughout July and August at Morgan Park in Glen Cove. The festival is made possible by volunteers and is supported by donations from individuals and local businesses.

Chairman Tom Suozzi said the festival brings great music to Long Island residents who may not have the time or resources to travel into New York City.

“The Massapequa Philharmonic has such a great reputation, and this concert gets us back to our roots,” Suozzi said. “This is the kind of classic music the festival was founded on.”

This year’s festival is sponsored by the Terian Family and Rallye Motor Company. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs, and a picnic if they wish.

For more information, visit morganparkmusic.org or call 516-671-0017.

filed Judgment Index #000595/2017. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 21 -000569 86380 154784

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff AGAINST GLENN A. SPELLMAN AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF WESSIE V. SPELLMAN WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF GEORGE HENRY SPELLMAN, GEORGE H. SPELLMAN,

III AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF WESSIE V. SPELLMAN WHO WAS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF GEORGE HENRY SPELLMAN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 19, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 28 Cross Street, Locust Valley, NY 11560. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the

buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Locust Valley, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, and State of New York, Section 30, Block 7, Lot 139 & 141. Approximate amount of judgment $355,697 .69 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604609/2019. Michele Bencivinni, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-002006 86402 154786

Why I care about immigration — and

why all of us should

people often ask me why I care so much about immigration.

Of course, my constituents care about it; they want to stop the chaos at the southern border and fix the asylum system, and they want to see people treated like human beings.

I agree with them. More than that, though, immigration is personal for me.

I look at America through the lens of the immigrant story — the story of my family, and the story of the American dream. My father came to this country as an infant. His parents — my grandparents — came from Italy with nothing. And yet, through hard work and devotion to family, they built a life here. Their son went to law school on the GI bill after serving in World War II, rising to become a mayor and a State Supreme Court justice. Their grandson is a member of the United States Congress.

An article that hung in my grandfather’s home, from Nov. 10, 1960, is titled “Success Story.” A segment reads:

“Glen Cove can be proud of its Mayor

Joseph A. Suozzi, who was elected to the State Supreme Court on Tuesday . . .

“Judge Suozzi came to these shores as an infant, the son of immigrant parents. Their lot was not an easy one, in a strange land, but Mr. and Mrs. Michael Suozzi raised a fine family, and while they lived comfortably, they did not gain great material wealth. But they did gain another kind of wealth which no Depression, no misfortune can ever take away from them. They devoted their lives to their family and their success of their children is their great fortune.

ieven wrote to the president, asking him to work with me on comprehensive reform.

“Now their boy, Joe, will soon be a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. How proud they must be! And we who know them share their pride.

“Mike and Rosa Suozzi certainly made good in America. God bless them.”

That’s why I care about immigration. Through my own family, I’ve seen the promise of America fulfilled. But I also see how that promise is at risk — because our immigration system is broken, and Congress has failed to fix it. It’s painful for me that this issue by which I define my American experience has become such a negative, controversial force in our politics.

How will the

it is said that each of us, if we’re lucky, gets 80 summers. Some folks prefer winter or the rebirth vibe of spring, but for most, it is summer, the short season of our years, that seems sweetest.

Summers have telescoped lives of their own. Whatever our age, summer begins in our minds as hopes and expectations, is realized in the days from June 21 to Sept. 21 and is remembered ever after.

The very first summer I remember was 1951, at Rockaway Beach, where we rented a bungalow on 54th Street. That was the Summer of My Sister, who had recently been born and, for some reason, expected to come along on our vacation. The fireworks on the boardwalk every Wednesday night were my big-sister treat, and best memory. There was the Summer of New Hampshire, when our parents took us on a much-hyped car trip to the Granite State. I was 8, my sister was 4 and our

Congress has failed for decades to pass comprehensive immigration reform because too many politicians have weaponized immigration policy for political gain without doing a thing to fix it. Even when bipartisan solutions emerge, they’re often derailed by political forces more interested in scoring points than solving problems.

Reasonable people should agree that violent criminals who are here illegally should be deported. But what’s happening now is far more chaotic. Parents who’ve lived here for years, send their kids to school with my kids, work six days a week and go to church on Sunday are living in fear.

We need to figure out a way for people who work, pay taxes and follow the rules to stop having to look over their shoulder. Families that have been here for decades deserve legal status so they can build lives for their children and grandchildren, like our family did.

We must secure the border, fix the broken asylum system, and create legal pathways for Dreamers, farm workers, TPS holders, essential workers in fields like health care and hospitality, and residents who’ve been here for over a decade.

Democrats and Republicans must come together. While President Trump has had remarkable success securing the border, he has done so through executive orders, which can easily be overturned. Real progress must come from Congress.

I’ll continue to do my part. I’ve worked toward comprehensive immigration reform as co-chair of the Democrats for Border Security Taskforce, as co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, and through the bipartisan coalition I built of “business, badges and the Bible” — members of the business, law enforcement and religious communities who have longstanding stakes in American immigration policy.

I even wrote a letter to the president, asking him to work with me and make a deal on comprehensive reform. I’ve reached out, and I hope he reaches back.

We can uphold the law and our values. We can protect our borders and treat people with dignity. We can be safe and fair.

That’s the America my grandparents believed in when they arrived in this country. It’s the America I still believe in. And it’s the one we have to keep fighting for — together.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.

summer of ’25 be remembered?

grandmother, who sat in the back seat, was ancient, I guess in her 50s. My father had made all the arrangements via mail, writing to Stonybrook Farms to set up our holiday. We drove 10 hours, pumped with excitement. When we drove through the broken gates, the moment collapsed on itself like a black hole. The cabins were like chicken coops. My mother started to sob. But Dad had a plan. We stayed one night, skipped out in the predawn hours and drove all the way to Canada. That summer I learned to have a Plan B, and how to skip out under cover of darkness.

i lived through the Summer of Love, but this summer is not feeling like love.

The Summer of Robert English was a doozie. I was about 15, living in Cedarhurst, and my mother’s best friend invited her nephew, 16, to visit for the summer from New Mexico. I fell wildly in love with Robert the second I saw him. Which was also how he felt when I introduced him to my best friend, Jackie. I barely survived their romance.

The Summer of Working for Dad was like pinning a golden moment in time. My dad was a dentist, and after my

freshman year in college, I worked in his office in Brooklyn. Chairside assistant. Holder of hands. But it wasn’t the work that made the summer remarkable; it was getting to know my father. We went out to lunch every day and we talked. Without the context of our regular family life, he became a real person to me.

Also, one of his patients gave me a $10 tip.

I remember the Summer of the Diet Doctor, when I answered an ad for an assistant in a diet-pill practice. The doctor was 48 and his wife was 18, my age. I remember that summer because I lied to get the job, not revealing that I was going back to college in the fall.

By July I couldn’t stand it; I told them the truth. They asked me to stay on. That was the good part. The bad part was that the doctor was a groper. Quite a few life lessons were learned.

Our best summers were the Montana Summers, the five years we traveled the state, from Missoula to Glacier Park, from Flathead Lake to White Fish to Helena. We hiked and learned to fly fish and, as a family and for the first time,

leaped out of our comfort zone and found footing in new terrain.

More recently, the Summer of Covid was, for us, not deadly, but frightening. We stayed at our place in Florida through the summer, hidden away inside, except for late afternoon, when we went down to the beach and into the Gulf. Every day, the same routine. We didn’t see our children and grandchildren for months. We think of that summer with gratitude, for our family surviving, and even for the endless open expanses of time to think and read and test ourselves against the unknown.

What will the Summer of ’25 be remembered for? I lived through the Summer of Love in 1967, high on freedom and music and just being young. We protested the war in Vietnam and sat in on sit-ins and danced to the Dead. But this summer is not feeling like love. Political strife ramped up by bad actors has supercharged the atmosphere.

I’ll keep calling out the threats to our freedoms and democracy, but that’s not a full-time job. I will also find the joyful moments, hold on to them and try not to let go.

Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

Established 1899

Incorporating

luke

Become a rescuer, not a bystander

it happened in an instant. One moment, 9-year-old Robbie Levine, of Merrick, was rounding the bases in a 2005 Little League game; the next, he collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest.

Teammates, coaches and parents could only watch in horror. There was no automated external defibrillator available on the field, no trained bystander able to keep the boy’s heart beating until help arrived. Robbie never made it home.

Sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t wait — not for an ambulance, and not for advanced age. It strikes without warning, even in children and young athletes who seem perfectly healthy. That’s why learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and ensuring rapid access to an AED, can mean the difference between life and death.

Every minute without intervention in a cardiac emergency decreases survival by 10 percent, according to the American Heart Association, yet far too many public athletic fields — so many of them used by kids — remain unprepared for the worst.

Nassau County is taking a critical step with the proposed Robbie’s Law, legislation that would require AEDs at all county-run athletic fields. Named in memory of Robbie Levine, the measure underscores the urgent need to equip public spaces with lifesaving tools. It is unclear when the Legislature will vote on it.

This effort shouldn’t be controversial: AEDs are relatively easy to use, with clear voice instructions, designed for anyone — even those without medical training — to operate. When paired with immediate CPR, a defibrillator can increase a victim’s survival rate by more than 70 percent, according to the American Red Cross.

The American Heart Association estimates that nearly 90 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside hospitals are fatal, often because bystanders don’t act quickly enough. Every second matters, because emergency medical services often take six to eight minutes to arrive in heavily populated areas. Brain death begins in as little as four minutes. Those first critical minutes belong to those on the scene and whatever tools they have on hand. Without AEDs, families lose loved ones not because paramedics were late, but because no one nearby was ready.

The AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign aims to change that by making CPR training a more regular part of American life. Members of Duke University’s men’s basketball and football teams were recently trained in handsonly CPR — a streamlined method that doesn’t involve mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and can be mastered in under an hour. If elite college athletes can take the time to learn this lifesaving skill, so can

letters

Nassau County is showing signs of becoming a police state

Editors’ note: This letter was sent on Monday to the Nassau County Legislature.

Nassau County’s government structure mirrors that of the federal government, with three equal branches: the county executive, the Legislature and the judicial branch. Like Congress, the Nassau Legislature crafts laws, controls the county’s purse strings, and oversees the county executive and various government entities. Therefore, it’s up to you to hold the reins on a county executive who overspends and writes policies that put your constituents in danger.

A police state is characterized by an overwhelming government control that permeates civil society and liberties. There is typically little distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive, and the deployment of internal security and police forces play a heightened role in governance. A police state is a characteristic of an authoritarian government, typically in one-party governments. Nassau County is showing signs of becoming such a state.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman took the safest county in the nation, with a police force that is beyond reproach, and decided that it is not good

the rest of us.

Nassau’s Robbie’s Law must be just the beginning. CPR training should be as universal as learning to swim, or drive. Schools should make it a part of health class curriculums. Community centers, youth sports leagues and workplaces can host free or low-cost training sessions. The more people who know what to do when a heart stops, the more likely it is that bystanders will become confident rescuers.

AEDs should be as common as fire extinguishers — not just in gyms and schools, but also in parks, libraries, shopping centers and other places where people gather. They must be easy to locate, clearly marked, and regularly maintained. Nassau should follow the lead of Suffolk County, where at least 135 AEDs have been deployed across the county. The cost is modest; the value of a saved life is immeasurable.

We teach children to look both ways before crossing the street, to buckle their seat belts and to wear helmets when they ride bikes. CPR and AED familiarity deserve the same emphasis. No family should endure the heartbreak the Levines carry to this day.

Call your county legislator and tell them to support Robbie’s Law. To find your legislator, go to NassauCountyNy. gov/489/County-Legislature. And to find out where you can be trained in CPR and the use of an AED, go to RedCross.org.

enough. With the establishment of a personal militia, Blakeman’s authoritarian tendencies have raised significant concerns about public safety and accountability.

It is imperative for the Legislature to illuminate the financial implications of this decision, not only in terms of direct costs associated with maintaining such a force, but also the potential

As ticks thrive on L.I., Lyme disease is on the rise

nearly three decades ago, after reporting on severe Lyme disease cases on Long Island, I chose to receive a series of newly available vaccinations designed to prevent the illness following a tick bite.

In 1998, SmithKline Beecham introduced LYMErix, the first vaccine to help protect against Lyme disease. I received three doses from my family physician. I experienced no side effects, and although I was bitten by ticks in the years that followed, I never contracted Lyme disease.

In 2002, however, LYMErix was withdrawn from the market following a class-action lawsuit filed by 121 people who claimed they experienced adverse reactions, including arthritis, after being vaccinated.

Since then, Lyme disease has continued to surge across Long Island.

Testing now shows that about half of all deer ticks in the region carry the disease. Many physicians no longer wait for the telltale bull’s-eye rash before starting treatment — instead, they prescribe antibiotics immediately when they confirm a tick bite.

Tick-borne diseases, including Lyme, have also spread worldwide. Climate change has contributed to the problem, with warmer winters leading to fewer cold days that might otherwise reduce tick populations.

a

borne diseases in the U.S. has more than doubled.”

While no Lyme vaccine is currently available in the United States, several are under development. One candidate uses OspC protein antigens to provoke an immune response, and could be released in the coming years.

nd my experience helps make the case that a vaccine can work.

An article published last month in New Scientist, titled “Ticking Time Bomb,” described the global rise of tick-borne illnesses. It stated that ticks “represent a vast and growing reservoir of viral, parasitic and bacterial pathogens” and currently “carry more human-infecting pathogens than any other disease-carrying organism.”

The report noted that tick populations are expanding rapidly, and bringing a growing number of diseases with them. “In the past 20 years,” it said, “the annual number of cases of tick-

Letters

human and monetary liabilities that could arise from trigger-happy citizens who enjoy playing cop. The community deserves transparency regarding how taxpayer dollars are being allocated, especially when it comes to the exorbitant fees paid to politically connected attorneys defending unconstitutional policies. And the Legislature must investigate whether using our tax dollars to pay outside attorneys has been the purpose all along.

The Nassau County Police Department has long been regarded as a model of integrity and excellence in law enforcement, earning the trust and respect of the community it serves. However, there is a shortage of detectives on our streets. Knowing this, it is unconscionable that the Legislature permitted Blakeman to reassign 10 detectives from their vital roles to serve as ICE officers, compromising the safety of your constituents.

How much is this costing taxpayers? When will our Legislature take the initiative to hold hearings and investigate the repercussions of such decisions on our community’s safety? It is imperative that we prioritize the well-being of our neighborhoods and ensure that our law enforcement resources are effectively deployed to protect and serve all residents.

The NCPD’s mission statement promises to “strengthen and expand the partnerships between the police and the communities we serve.” Yet Blakeman’s cozy collaboration with ICE has thrown

a wrench into the NCPD partnership with the communities it serves. Parents are gripped by fear, hesitating to send their children to school or venture out for basic necessities like food or health care. The irony is inescapable: The very people who are supposed to protect us are now viewed with suspicion. Immigrants are hesitant to call for help in times of need.

Your constituents need to know where the money is going from the 1,400 immigrants detained in Blakeman’s mini-internment camp. With each staying for three days at $195 a day, Nassau is reaping profits from the deportation of primarily hardworking, taxpaying residents, many of whom have been contributing to the community for years and have no criminal record. If you intended to go into the prison business, shouldn’t it have been brought to a vote? The county should not be making money off deporting our immigrant neighbors and then turning a blind eye to the needs of the families left behind.

Out of an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, only 3 percent have criminal records, with 20 percent of those records consisting of minor traffic violations. Immigrants contribute 21 percent to the overall economy. Yet amid their tireless efforts as house cleaners, landscapers and restaurant workers, many are being suddenly swept away while their children — who may or may not be citizens — are left in school, wondering where their parents have gone.

A June article in Newsday reported that New York-based Pfizer Inc. and the French pharmaceutical company Valneva have developed a Lyme vaccine called VLA15. It is in latestage clinical trials, and could be submitted for Food and Drug Administration approval as early as 2026.

Still, the article noted that vaccine hesitancy may pose a barrier to widespread acceptance. “If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is,” the article stated, referencing the public pushback that followed LYMErix’s release in the late 1990s.

“A new shot for Lyme could face pushback,” the Newsday article’s headline, featured mixed public opinions. A retired police detective from East

Yaphank said, “I don’t get any shots.”

A woman from Bay Shore, however, said she would “for sure” get the new vaccine if it is approved by the FDA.

Additional resources on tick safety and disease prevention are available on Suffolk County’s Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory website, under the section “Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases.”

Meanwhile, the State Legislature recently passed a resolution unanimously requiring the state Department of Health and other agencies to publish a report detailing tick populations and tick-borne illnesses by county. The measure was introduced by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., with co-sponsorship by Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, of Sag Harbor.

“We need to fight this, and the only way to do so is to have timely and correct information at our fingertips,” Schiavoni said.

Carl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury whose courses include investigative reporting and environmental journalism.

This is happening in Nassau County.

The Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club is calling on the Legislature to fulfill its responsibilities of oversight and hold the reins on Blakeman’s authoritarian tendencies for a police state; investigate whether forming a private militia, taking detectives off the street, creating an internment camp and

masking law enforcement make us safer. Further, the Legislature must disclose to the public how tax dollars are being allocated to fund these unconstitutional initiatives and their defense.

CLAUDIA BOrECKY President, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club